The best ski resorts in Europe: from beginners to expert skiers

From the snow-dappled peaks of the Pyrenees to the white-knuckle descents of the Dolomites, Europe’s best ski resorts are as varied as the skiers who flock to their slopes every season. And with many top resorts less than a two-hour flight from the UK, you’re spoilt for choice if you’re planning a European ski holiday.

Narrowing Europe’s best ski resorts down is no easy task, so we’ve pulled out some of our top picks to suit a whole range of skiers. Whether you’re all about the black runs or you’re just in it for the cheese fondue, there’s a European ski resort for you.

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Flaine ski resort, France

Best for: beginner and intermediate skiers

This purpose-built resort is part of the Grand Massif ski area, one of France’s biggest interlinked skiing regions. It’s known for its gentle green and blue runs, and there’s a ‘free ski’ area where beginners can practise without having to buy a ski pass. Experienced skiers, meanwhile, have the option to buy a ski pass to access the whole Grand Massif, or head further afield to resorts like Alvoriaz and Chamonix – both of which are about an hour’s drive away.

Known for: reliable snow

As well as being blessed with around 270 kilometres of smooth, groomed runs, this French ski resort boasts one of the best snow records in the Alps. The area has an enviable average snowfall record – around 35 days of snow each season – and great snow preservation properties thanks to Flaine’s 1,600m altitude and north-facing bowl. Flaine is also known for its collection of art installations – including sculptures by Picasso.

Don’t leave before you’ve tried: a pint of organic beer brewed in the Rhone Valley, served with a fully loaded charcuterie platter.

Resort currency to buy: euros

Average flight time from the UK: around 1hr 42 mins from London to Geneva

 

Val d’Isere ski resort, France

Best for: intermediate and advanced skiers

While you can learn to ski here, Val D – as it’s known – tends to be more popular with experienced skiers and freeriders. This French ski resort about three hours south of Flaine is home to a range of technical runs that challenge even more advanced skiers, and its off-piste terrain is the stuff of legend in skiing circles. It’s also right next to Tignes, another top-rated ski resort, and the two are connected by ski lifts.

Known for: world-class skiing

Val d’Isere’s reputation as one of Europe’s best ski resorts is known far and wide – you don’t even need to be a skier to have heard of this place. Its landmark downhill run is the Face de Bellevarde, made famous at the 1992 Olympic Games. Factor in a famously lively après-ski scene at places like La Folie Douce and it’s no wonder ski holidays here are so popular.

Don’t leave before you’ve tried: a traditional Raclette à l'Ancienne – cheese-loaded potatoes, meats and pickles – washed down with a glass of sparkling orange Cancan wine.

Resort currency to buy: euros

Average flight time from the UK: around 1hr 42 mins from London to Geneva

 

Pila ski resort, Italy

Best for: all levels, families

Ski holidays to Pila in northern Italy give you the best of both worlds: a purpose-built Italian ski resort with runs for all levels, and a historic town below it that’s ready to explore. With 70 kilometres’ worth of pistes it’s more bijou than the big-name resorts, which makes Pila a popular choice for a more intimate ski holiday.

Known for: being family-friendly

Families in particular rate Pila’s safe and wide pistes, modern ski lifts and relaxed apres-ski scene, and there are two ski schools for beginners. At the other end of the spectrum you’ve got black runs like Bellevue and Platta de Grevon, and the latter is a favourite with freeriders. The snow record in this part of Italy’s Aosta Valley is excellent, too, thanks to north-facing slopes and an elevation of around 2,800m at Pila’s highest point.

Don’t leave before you’ve tried: a bowl of creamy polenta concia – a cheesy staple in northern Italy – and an iced Aperol spritz.

Resort currency to buy: euros

Average flight time from the UK: around 1hr 55 mins from London to Turin

Verbier ski resort, Switzerland

Best for: advanced skiers and adrenaline-seekers

Ski buff? Head to Verbier. This Swiss ski resort has made a name for itself as a mecca for those who know their stuff on the slopes, and a visit here is a rite of passage for serious skiers. While the resort is home to some beginner zones, Verbier’s better known for its advanced slopes, itinerary runs and off-piste terrain.

Known for: being a freerider’s paradise

You’ve got more than 400 kilometres of pistes to play with in Verbier, which is part of the 4 Vallées – Switzerland’s biggest ski area. But it’s the off-piste opportunities that are arguably most well-known, so you’ll be in good company if you’re a confident skier or snowboarder. Still learning the ropes on the slopes? Try Zermatt, a two-hour drive away.

Don’t leave before you’ve tried: a traditional raclette made with local Bagnes cheese, served with a glass of Pinot Noir made from grapes grown in the Valais region.

Resort currency to buy: swiss francs

Average flight time from the UK: around 1hr 42 mins from London to Geneva

Grandvalira ski resort, Andorra

Best for: all levels, families

Grandvalira is the biggest ski resort in the Pyrenees – it’s actually two resorts joined together, so you get a bit of everything spread across 215 kilometres of slopes and divided into seven sectors. That means everyone from beginners to professionals is catered for, and extras like dog-sledding and snowmobiling are popular with families in particular.

Known for: being a great all-rounder

Grandvalira’s varied sectors are so well-connected by modern and efficient lifts that a ski holiday here can tick all the boxes even if everyone in your group wants something different. Pas de la Casa, for example, is known for its lively apres-ski scene, Soldeu is most popular with families, and El Tarter has the most challenging terrain for experienced skiers. Peretol is the newest sector and home to Sunset Park, the only snow park in the Pyrenees that opens after-dark.

Don’t leave until you’ve tried: a warming bowl of escudella i carn d’olla – a traditional Catalan meat stew – and a mug of steaming ‘skiwasser’ from L’Abarset, an apres-ski favourite.

Resort currency to buy: euros

Average flight time from the UK: around 2hrs 11 mins from London to Barcelona

St Anton ski resort, Austria

Best for: expert skiers

First-time skiers have their own dedicated beginners’ zones at St Anton, so you can absolutely find your ski legs here. But the resort’s reputation as an off-piste paradise means it’s more geared towards experienced skiers, who can really make the most of St Anton’s steep blacks and ungroomed slopes.

Known for: being ‘the cradle of Alpine skiing’

When it comes to Austrian ski resorts, St Anton is one of the best-known – and it’s partly down to its size. It forms part of Austria’s largest lift-linked ski area, Arlberg, which means visitors have more than 300 kilometres of pistes plus 200 kilometers of off-piste terrain to play with. The resort’s most famous run is Valluga, an off-piste descent that’s not for the faint of heart. And St Anton’s apres-ski scene has made quite the name for itself, too, with bars, DJs and live acts to keep you busy well into the early hours.

Don’t leave before you’ve tried: a smashburger and fries from MooserWirt, and a crisp Austrian beer from the Krazy Kanguruh – St Anton’s oldest après-ski bar. 

Resort currency to buy: euros

Average flight time from the UK: around 1hr 57 mins from London to Innsbruck

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