Summary
Locating the quintessential skiing destination in Europe resembles the experience of falling in love. My initial encounter was in Avoriaz, located in France. I was slopeside indulging in a melted raclette panini – deliciously bubbling in my gloved hand – with the delightful tang of local cheese reminiscent of a warm gourmet message. Enveloped by melodic accents, jagged mountains, and rhythmic techno, my heart was captivated. Somewhere out there, your skiing romance awaits discovery.
Furthermore, the options are plentiful. Among renowned peaks (such as Verbier and Val d’Isère), you can uncover remarkable destinations including the unassuming yet exceptional 25 connected resorts of Ski Amadé (named after the local luminary Mozart from Salzburg) or Switzerland’s charming Bettmeralp.
Thus, whether you are searching for quiet lift lines or exhilarating après-ski dance floors, we will assist you in finding the ideal location in Europe to plant your poles.
1. Selva, Italy
Best for distance
Imagine having breakfast in France’s La Rosière and lunch in Italy’s La Thuile. In Italy’s Dolomites, embark on a 40km (25-mile) “ski-fari” around the Sella Ronda, navigating your way from resort to resort using a single ski pass. This route encircles the enormous limestone formation of the Sella massif, descending through four historically rich Ladin valleys and five mountain passes. You may keep your ski or board steadfastly attached – and even be towed by a horse through the Hidden Valley.
Additional longer ski circuits are available in the region, such as Ski Alberg’s 85km (53-mile) Run of Fame, and the 12 Portes Du Soleil resorts sprawl across both France and Switzerland, yet the Sella Ronda’s appeal lies in its Italian charm, where skiers can merge la dolce vita with breathtaking Dolomites vistas.
Fashioned by a colossal prehistoric coral reef 200 million years ago, the UNESCO-listed mountains exhibit an array of colors – witness the dawn and dusk enrosadira phenomenon or alpenglow, when the rocky summits blush pink.
Selva serves as an ideal base in Val Gardena, offering direct access to the Sella Ronda via the Costabella chair lift. Additional advantages include nearby quaint towns such as church-laden Ortisei.
Best alternative for distance: Prepare for Les Trois Vallées, the largest interconnected ski area in Europe, featuring over 600km (373 miles) of pistes. Make your base in the charming Méribel at the heart of the valleys for comprehensive access.
2. St Anton, Austria
Best for après ski
Bare-chested, bearded mountain men dance atop tables, and the revelry continues unabated. At St Anton’s MooserWirt – one of the most vibrant après-ski venues in Austria, if not the globe – the atmosphere is electrifying, reminiscent of a Eurovision audience consuming schnapps shots and pints of beer in fervor. It is an open-air celebration of life, encapsulating the essence of Austria – all within a glass. Visualize a jubilant gathering of individuals dancing as though it’s 1999, with a nostalgic playlist echoing from that very year.
The 3 PM après bar crawl commences along Piste 1, beginning at the relatively subdued Heustadl and progressing to Sennhütte before culminating at the energetic MooserWirt. A helpful tip: retrieving your skis after the event can feel akin to navigating through a chaotic scene. Ensure to store them in a memorable location.
The ski area itself (part of Ski Arlberg) resembles an amphitheater of frozen peaks ascending like static sails, where gourmet experiences parallel the energetic afternoon festivities (be sure to sample the indulgent Kaiserschmarren pancakes at the Alm Hospitz).
Best alternative for après ski: Venture to the unwieldily named Skicircus Saalbach-Hinterglemm-Leogang-Fieberbrunn, which features over 30 bars. Sample the locally crafted Bartl Enn Schnapps, considered among Europe’s finest.
3. Crans Montana, Switzerland
Best for freestylers
“Construct it and they will come,” believed the young founder of Alaïa Chalet, Sam Bonvin, and he proved correct. Notably recognized as the residence of Bond actor Roger Moore, Crans Montana (previously two upscale villages, Crans and Montana) is undergoing a generational transformation where fur-trimmed attire has given way to a spirited vibe.
Bonvin’s all-encompassing freestyle destination, Alaïa Chalet, was a catalyst for this change, incorporating trampolines, indoor skate ramps, foam pits, bowls, an outdoor skatepark, a lodge, action sports camps, and Alaïa Bay, a mechanical surf pool.
On the 150km (93 miles) of slopes, the resort solidified its freestyle reputation by hosting Red Bull’s 2022 The Nines event, inspiring a influx of enthusiastic visitors equipped with GoPros and invigorated energy. The Alaïa Parks by Tudor is the largest snowpark in Western Switzerland, featuring a Main Park that encompasses 100,000 sq m (1,076,391 sq ft) across two locations.
In the town, the fusion of vibrant urban art from the Vision Art Festival (over 80 murals) with traditional carvings narrates a story of the old harmoniously converging with the new.
Best alternative for freestylers: Monitor the Mottolino Snowpark in Livigno, which is gearing up to host the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic freestyle event.
4. Borovets, Bulgaria
Best for budget skiers
A value-packed proposition with lift tickets priced at only 85 lv (€43, or $47), Bulgaria stands out as a prime destination for budget-conscious skiers. The former aristocratic retreat of Borovets had been impacted by the UK tour-package surge in the 2000s, yet post-pandemic, it has been rediscovered as a destination that offers a comprehensive ski experience. Located approximately one hour from Sofia airport, it features ski schools and rental services. Moreover, dining out costs significantly less than a catered chalet experience in France.
Beginners wishing to minimize their financial commitment constitute the primary clientele, and the skiing terrain consists of 58km (36 miles), boasting a longest run of 12km (7.5 miles) meandering through atmospheric pine forests. Regarding the village, the main street resembles a holiday town on snow, populated by currency exchange outlets, English pubs, and local taverns known as mehana offering traditional cuisine and music.
Best alternative for budget: Bansko presents a cosmopolitan upgrade with vibrant nightlife (envision roaming saxophonists post-ski), a cobblestone town, and even a Kempinski hotel. It does entail a higher expense than Borovets, but the experience is noteworthy.
5. Zermatt, Switzerland
Best for non-skiers
If you know someone contemplating joining the snow community, Zermatt will entice them with mountain-oriented, non-skiing activities.
The car-free glamour of Zermatt is recognized by skiers for the iconic Matterhorn, which is the highest ski location in Europe (3899m/12,759ft) and offers 360km (223 miles) of skiing.
However, the highlight for non-skiers is the recently launched Glacier II gondola, which is the final component of the Matterhorn Alpine Crossing connecting Swiss Zermatt to Italy’s Breuil-Cervinia. The 90-minute journey encompasses the summit Glacier Paradise station with stunning glacier views.
Additionally, the Matterhorn Museum – Zermatlantis chronicles the village’s evolution from a modest farming settlement to an international attraction (including the broken rope from the Matterhorn’s tragic first ascent). Take a leisurely walk along the 500-year-old Hinterdorf alley, lined with twisted wooden structures, and ride the 125-year-old Gornergrat cog railway to Europe’s highest-altitude hotel, the Kulmhotel Gornergrat.
Best alternative for non-skiers: Explore the lively Chamonix in France, which is the quintessential destination for mountaineering, offering a pedestrian-friendly main street, shopping opportunities, belle époque architecture, and the Aigle du Midi cable car (3842m/12,604ft) ascending Mt Blanc.
6. Avoriaz 1800, France
Best for design lovers
Ah, Avoriaz. Whether you admire it or critique it, there exists no other destination quite like this futuristic, snow-covered village perched on a spectacular balcony at 1800m (5905ft).
The setting seems surreal, coiling like a feline prepared to leap into the Morzine Valley. If the location is not astonishing, the distinctive architecture will certainly capture your attention. This collection of sharply angled, red cedar shingle-covered edifices, each more peculiar than the last, harmoniously blends with the mountain landscape. Avoriaz was an ambitious project that enlisted the help of three visionary architects under 30 (Jacques Labro, Jean-Jacques Orzoni, and Jean-Marc Roques) back in 1966. It was designed with an environmental focus long before sustainability became prominent, employing passive heating methods and primarily utilizing natural materials.
With an average seasonal snowfall of approximately 7.5m (24ft), Avoriaz is regarded as France’s snowiest ski resort – a compelling reason alone to visit. Adding to its allure is its affiliation with the Portes du Soleil, offering interconnected slopes, rendering a visit here as unique as a Savoyard snowflake.
Best alternative for design lovers: The French embraced a brutalist approach in constructing high-altitude resorts during the 1960s. Once criticized for their appearance, today ski areas such as Val Thorens and La Plagne are now celebrated as innovative and reliable designs.
7. Scandinavia
Best for early- and late-season skiing
Scandinavia is the contemporary trendsetter in the ski world – quite literally – ranging from the mesmerizing northern lights to the traditional Sami culture and untouched wilderness. If you hold a robust passion for skiing, your interest will inevitably gravitate towards Scandinavia at some juncture.
Consider a skiing excursion here as an enriching winter holiday centered around skiing rather than merely a standard ski trip. Imagine gliding through Levi, Finland beneath the Aurora Borealis, spending time with reindeer after visiting Santa in Saariselkä, or deeply indulging in the concept of hygge post-cold plunge and sauna experiences almost anywhere.
SkiScandinavia is the local authority, organizing trips to highlight Sweden’s largest alpine ski area, Sälen, and Norway’s premier alpine ski area, Trysil, located adjacent to Scandinavia Mountains Airport.
Best alternative for early- and late-season skiing: Riksgränsen, a favored freeriding destination located a 16-hour drive north of Stockholm, opens in February when the sun resurfaces and remains operational until midsummer, allowing for skiing under the midnight sun.
