Top Rated Ski Resorts

Overall

A ski resort with terrain for all levels and closeby lodging, lots of apres ski activities and a good ski school make for great vacations on snow.

Most Popular Europe Ski Resorts

Planning a Europe ski trip? Browse our collection of skier and snowboarder-submitted reviews for Europe ski resorts to see which mountains claimed the top spot in each category. Europe reviews rank ski areas on a scale of one to five stars in the following categories: Overall Rating, All-Mountain Terrain, Nightlife, Terrain Park and Family Friendly. See how your favourite Europe ski area stacks up among the top rated in terms of skiing and après.

Plan Your Trip

Europe Ski Resorts FAQ

Skiing the big four: France, Austria, Switzerland & Italy

FRANCE

Skiing in France usually means large resorts and high-altitude skiing, like Val Thorens (2300m) and Tignes (2100m). Of the enormous French ski areas, Portes du Soleil and the Three Valleys are the biggest. The latter is the world’s largest interconnected ski area, covering 600 kilometres. France offers resort for all tastes: large purpose-built resorts, traditional old towns and charming little villages. France does have it all, but it also has the highest in-resort prices in Europe. If money is no object, then take your pick of Michelin-star restaurants and luxurious spa hotels.

AUSTRIA

Most Austrian resorts feature state-of-the-art lifts and slopes are usually in perfect condition. The Tyrol is the most popular ski region with its 3500 kilometres of pistes and chocolate-box villages. Here you’ll find the world-famous resorts of Mayrhofen, Kitzbuhel, St. Anton, Ischgl and Sölden. Traditional mountain huts serve dumplings, schnitzel, sweet pastries, and of course schnapps. Apres-ski is said to have its origins in Austria. In fact, some resorts don’t wait until after skiing, but noon at the latest.

SWITZERLAND

Switzerland is home to Europe’s largest glaciers and some of the most iconic mountains: the Eiger, Jungfrau and Matterhorn. High-altitude off-piste powder is found in Verbier, Davos, Laax, Nendaz and Zermatt. Glitzy resorts like Klosters and St. Moritz are undeniably expensive, but on the whole Switzerland offers a good choice of accommodation and restaurants for all budgets. Don’t leave without having a cheese fondue at least once. Switzerland’s super-efficient public transport system means virtually all ski resorts are within easy reach of airports.

ITALY

Skiing in Italy is divided between the Dolomites in the northeast and the Italian Alps in the northwest. Two of the most popular ski areas in Italy are the Milky Way which combines 400 kilometres of pistes and the Dolomiti Superski area which has more than 1200 kilometres pistes (not interlinked). In recent years, Italy’s ski infrastructure has undergone massive renovation work. On the whole, Italian ski resorts are known for their affordability, relaxed atmosphere, and of course the delicious food. Italians like to take a long lunch with plenty of sunbathing.

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