France, Switzerland, Austria or Italy?
As the mountains of Europe begin to get covered in a white blanket of snow, more and more people are planning their Skiing and snowboarding holidays. We have put together some of the most popular skiing and snowboarding destinations around Europe and hope that some of our insights give you that inspiration this year to try somewhere new.
Are you looking for a resort better suited for families and beginner/intermediate-level skiing, or are you looking for a resort with a busy nightlife, some more challenging runs, and possibly some off-piste excitement?
Our Meet and Greet service is the best option for anyone with heavy bags and skiing/snowboarding equipment. Being so close to the terminal means you don’t have to carry everything for miles.
A dream destination with access to Les Trois Vallées, the world’s largest linked ski area with access to 600km of marked pistes, it is the most eastern resort of the Three Valleys. It also has a children’s ski area, Michelin-starred restaurants, and upscale boutiques. Greater Courchevel has the most Michelin-starred restaurants across the Alps. The ski area offers wonderfully wide, gentle and immaculately groomed pistes, many running through pretty forests. It’s north-facing aspect means the snow quality is excellent.
A glitzy resort in the Swiss Alps that is often considered one of the most glamorous destinations for winter travel due to a combination of stunning natural beauty, luxurious amenities, and a long-standing reputation as a playground for the rich and famous. It’s also known for its Michelin-starred restaurants. St. Moritz is in the Upper Engadine region of the Swiss Alps at an altitude of 1,856 meters. The resort has over 300 kilometers of groomed slopes. The nearest airport to St. Moritz is Zurich, which is about a 2 hour and 45 minute transfer away.
A legendary resort in the French Alps, near the Italian border with snowmaking systems, state-of-the-art lifts, and pristine runs. With nearby Tignes, it’s part of the Espace Killy ski area. Here, ski lifts give access to sites like the steep Face de Bellevarde, a black-rated piste, and the Grande Motte glacier, known for summer ski runs. Val d’Isère has to be one of the most beautiful French ski resorts, nestled in a valley at the foot of the mountains with it’s chocolate-box chalets and high-end hotels.
Lech is a mountain village and an exclusive ski resort on the banks of the river Lech. It is a favourite luxury hotel hideaway for the rich and famous and also has family-run hotels that won’t break your budget. Lech has grown to become one of the world’s prime ski destinations and the home of a number of world and Olympic ski champions. It is best known for it’s skiing (both on-piste and off-piste). It is well-networked via mechanical lifts and well-groomed pistes.
Alpe d’Huez strikes the perfect balance between great snow and bluebird days, known for its sunshine, with over 300 days of sun per year which has earned it the nickname ‘Ile au soleil’ Alpe d’Huez sits on a south-facing plateau high above the clouds with incredible far-reaching views. The resort has something for every level and ability of skier or snowboarder, including great snow parks. With a transfer time of approx. 2:15hrs from Chambery.
Obergurgl is a ski resort in the Tyrolean Alps, Austria, near the Italian border known for its snow-sure slopes and high-quality skiing. With 112 meticulously groomed kilometers of slopes and a range of family-friendly activities, Obergurgl is the perfect destination for those seeking an exclusive skiing experience. Obergurgl is the ultimate blend of adventure, luxury, and family fun. The resort has free ski buses and car parking. It’s about a 90-minute drive southwest of Innsbruck.
Cortina d’Ampezzo is one of Italy’s most famous and extensive ski resorts. Situated in northern Italy. It’s part of the Dolomiti Superski area. It is a large resort with two cable cars from either end of the centre accessing the main ski areas. The centre has been pedestrianised along the Corso Italia. Along with the luxury hotels, visitors can also see some high-fashion clothing and sports stores. Cortina’s ski area is split across several different mountains, and offers a good mix of open and wooded slopes.
Courmayeur is an Alpine resort in north-west Italy, at the foot of Mont Blanc. With plenty of character and great ski terrain. Courmayeur is a top choice for all skiers, with a lively village and stunning restaurants. The centre of the village is car-free with plenty of shops, restaurants and bars, and a fabulous après-ski scene. Meanwhile the mountain slopes are best for intermediate skiers, although experts will love the heliskiing and off-piste opportunities. Courmayeur is just a 1 hour 20 minute transfer from Geneva.
Tignes is a high altitude resort in the heart of the ski country of France (part of the Espace Killy ski area alongside Val d’Isere) and is one of the best all-year round resorts in the Alps. Every ability is catered for at Tignes with 300km of pisted runs and an un-rivalled amount of off-piste easily accessible from the resorts modern lift network. Off the slopes Tignes may not be the prettiest of resorts, however it offers everything you need with restaurants and bars a plenty.
The location of Zermatt at the foot of the Matterhorn and in the middle of an enormous skiing region makes it one of the world’s most attractive holiday villages. The vast ski region encompasses 54 mountain railways and lifts as well as 360 kilometers of pistes. The region called “Matterhorn glacier paradise” is Europe’s largest and highest lying summer skiing region. Zermatt is a captivating ski resort that effortlessly combines stunning alpine beauty with world-class skiing. The resort boasts top-tier mountain restaurants, vibrant nightlife, and a variety of non-skiing activities.
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