5 of the Best Ski Areas in Europe

The Best European Ski Destinations: When to Go

Choosing the best time to hit the slopes in Europe depends on the type of ski holiday you’re looking for. Whether you’re after powder-filled pistes, a quieter atmosphere or sunny après-ski terraces, timing is key.

From early-season snowfall to perfect spring skiing, below you will find some of the best times to enjoy your next adventure ski holiday.

December

December is an excellent time to go skiing in Europe for those in pursuit of an early-season holiday and a festive atmosphere. High-altitude resorts are often best during this time as they typically open in later November, allowing visitors to make the most of the snow coverage before the Christmas crowds arrive.

January

If you’d rather enjoy peak snow and quiet slopes, January is the perfect time for a ski holiday in Europe. You’ll experience some of the most reliable snow conditions throughout the month, perfect for those planning to make the most of their time on the slopes. Plus, many of the resorts in Europe are often quieter in January as the festive period comes to an end.

February

February is a great time for skiing in Europe for families as the half term provides a vibrant atmosphere in many of the favoured resorts. With perfect snow conditions, child-friendly activities and an array of amazing ski schools to choose from, there’s a ton of fantastic things to do and see during a ski holiday in February.

March

With longer days and softer snow, March continues to attract an array of skiing enthusiasts in Europe. Visitors can enjoy an excellent blend of sunshine and outstanding ski conditions throughout this month. Plus, there’s no better way to relish the après-ski on offer than when the sun is shining!

April

April is considered to be the late season for many ski resorts in Europe. However, there are still plenty of great opportunities to enjoy the milder temperatures at some of the high-altitude resorts during this time of year. Places like Tignes often keep their slopes open well into May, meaning you’ll still discover plenty of excellent runs to appreciate in April.

The Best Places to Ski in Europe

Now you know more about the best time to go skiing in Europe, you’re likely wondering where to visit. Below you will find some of the best places to ski in Europe, ensuring you make the most out of your time on the slopes in this beautiful part of the world.

Les 3 Vallées, France

As one of the largest ski areas in the world, this list would not be complete without including Les Trois Vallées. Linking seven resorts and spanning 600 km, this iconic ski area has 166 ski lifts and 328 downhill pistes. Since 1971, the resorts of Courchevel, Meribel, Val Thorens, Les Menuires, Saint Martin de Belleville, Brides les Bains and Orelle have been linked on one ski pass by lifts and slopes.

With the majority of slopes sitting above 1,800m, you can pretty much guarantee good conditions throughout the season. The ski area is great for all levels of skier or boarder. Particularly useful for beginners are the “Easy Rider” zones which are marked as pink on the piste map and designed to offer less experienced skiers wide pistes with gentle slopes.

Each resort within the Three Valleys has its own distinct character so whether you are looking for somewhere family-friendly like Saint Martin de Belleville or more glamorous like Courchevel, this renowned ski area has you covered. The region is also home to an incredible 17 Michelin-star restaurants, an ideal spot for lovers of fine dining.

Portes du Soleil, France & Switzerland

Named after the mountain pass that connects Morgins and Les Crosets, Portes du Soleil is made up of 12 resorts crossing borders from France to Switzerland. Just an hour’s drive from Geneva, the area is very accessible and with 650 km of terrain, 360 ski slopes and 30 snow parks, it is not surprising that it has become one of the most popular ski regions in the last 50 years.

Receiving on average 7.83 metres of powder between mid-November to April, the snow conditions are usually good. The area has a great range of slopes from easy blues to some of the most challenging pistes in the Alps, including the infamous “Swiss Wall”, a particularly tricky mogul field on the border between France and Switzerland. Avoriaz is great for freestylers and more advanced skiers whilst Morzine and Les Gets are perfect for beginners and families.

Matterhorn Ski Paradise, Switzerland & Italy

When looking for where to go skiing in Europe, Switzerland and Italy are great options. Despite not being the largest ski area in Europe (360 km), Matterhorn Ski Paradise is certainly one of the most beautiful. Straddling the border of Switzerland and Italy at almost 4,000m altitude, the Matterhorn Ski Paradise is the highest winter sports area in the Alps.

From Zermatt in Switzerland to Cervinia in Italy, you can experience spectacular panoramas of the Matterhorn and surrounding peaks. Most of the 145 pistes are red (61.5%), making this a great ski area for intermediate skiers. A snowpark on the Swiss side and a beginners' park on Sunnegga offer plenty of fun for freestylers.

Despite sharing the slopes, the two resorts couldn't be more different. Zermatt is your typical Swiss chocolate box resort where cars are banned in favour of electric taxis or horse and carriages. Designer shops line the streets alongside gourmet restaurants, luxury chalets and five-star hotels. Cervinia, is more affordable, extremely laid back and very Italian. Whatever your style, this is a ski area to be enjoyed by everyone, if only for the views.

Milky Way, Italy & France

Located in the Val di Susa, 79 km west of Turin, the Milky Way ski area (otherwise known as Via Lattea) is a combination of six resorts stretching from Sestriere on the Italian side to Montgenevre just across the border in France. Thanks to the Pattemouche - Anfiteatro cable car, you can now also reach the ski area from Pragelato.

Spanning 400 km of pistes, the resorts range from family-friendly Claviere to party-centric Sauze d'Oulx. There is also a great range in altitude from 1380m in Cesana to 2035m at Sestriere. With high-altitude bowls, larch forest tree skiing and three Olympic pistes, the ski area is a paradise for intermediate skiers. Beginners will find Sestriere and Montgenevre the most friendly and there are Baby Fun Parks located in Sansicario and Sauze d’Oulx.

The Via Lattea resorts are renowned for excellent food. With over 30 high-altitude refuges serving up a range of traditional dishes, you won't go hungry!

The Arlberg, Austria

As the largest interconnected ski area in Austria and one of the five largest in the world, the Arlberg certainly deserves a spot in this list, making it one of the best places to ski in Europe. Offering 305 km of spectacular downhill skiing, 88 state-of-the-art cableways and diverse runs on-and off-piste, the Arlberg is definitely worth a visit.

Known as the ‘cradle of alpine skiing’, the ski area stretches from St. Anton to St. Christoph, Stuben. Zurs, Lech, Oberlech, Schocken and Warth. With an average of nine metres of snowfall each winter and 70% of pistes with snowmaking facilities, the Arlberg is one of the most reliable ski areas in terms of snow cover.

The best way to explore the whole region is on the ‘Run of Fame’, an 85-kilometre-long circuit with an 18,000m difference in altitude, from St.Anton/Rendl via Zurs and Lech to Warth and back again.

The Arlberg is known for its lively apres-ski - St. Anton, in particular, is home to some of the ski scene’s most famous bars, an excellent choice for those planning to make the most of the apres-ski!

Summary

We hope that after reading this article you now have a better idea of some of the best places to go skiing in Europe. With so many fantastic options, you’ll find yourself spoilt for choice when planning your next ski holiday. However, no matter where you decide to go, Europe boasts a unique selection of resorts and ski places that cater to all types of snowsport enthusiasts, ensuring there’s something for everyone.

If you’re ready to plan your next ski holiday in Europe, you’ve come to the right place. We’re here to help take the stress out of planning, ensuring all of your needs are met. Whether you’re looking for luxurious chalets, outstanding concierge services, additional activities or organising transfers, our team of experts will handle everything.