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Best places to ski in Europe this winter
Updated On 6th December, 2022
If you are planning a ski trip and looking for the best places to ski in Europe this winter, then you have come to the right place! In this blog post, I will go through all of the best Europe ski resorts, what they offer, the best apres ski in Europe, and more.
The magic of the European towns and mountains is something you will not find anywhere else in the world. The European charm of the ski towns, the food cuisines, and much more make skiing in Europe unique to anywhere else. The ski resorts of Europe are legendary for their fantastic terrain, idyllic alpine villages, and quaint resort towns. If you are considering a European ski trip, this is your sign to go for it!
Who should go skiing in Europe?
The European skiing resorts have something to offer everyone; adventure people, advanced skiers, and beginner skiers! Europe is not just a destination for advanced skiers or people who want to go off-piste. It is perfect for beginners and even those who have never skied before. It is one of the best places to master the art of skiing. Teachers are teaching at all levels; beginners, intermediate and advanced. So whether you want somewhere to learn skiing from scratch or are an advanced skier, you will love these destinations below!
How much time do you need?
Whether you are a complete beginner, intermediate or advanced, you will want to spend at least a week in one of these fantastic destinations. I recommend staying anywhere between 10 and 14 days in the ski resort. It is the perfect time to get familiar with the area and have fun skiing and leave some room for breaks and days off.
Are you ready to start exploring? This is your European skiing travel guide with some of the top places to see and explore in Winter!
Best places to ski in Europe this winter
1. Morzine-Avoriaz, France
The quaint, charming one
If you are looking for a ski resort that is not heavily commercialized but still has some of the best skiing in Europe, then Morzine is the place for you. Morzine is an idyllic alpine town with a bustling ski resort that attracts thousands of tourists yearly. Despite its many visitors, Morzine has managed to retain its French charm. It is what makes Morzine-Avoriaz one of the best Europe ski resorts.
Getting to Morzine-Avoriaz from Geneva Airport is super easy with Ski Lifts. I was kindly taken from Geneva Airport to Morzine-Avoriaz by Ski Lifts. The drivers were friendly, and the driving views of the French and Swiss Alps were gorgeous!
When I was in Morzine, I was kindly gifted 2x lift passes by Portes du Soleil. The ski pass gives you 12 resorts under just one pass, making it super convenient. Morzine also has plenty of wide and beginner-friendly runs for those coming to learn skiing for the first time. I am a beginner skier, and when I arrived in Morzine, I was kindly given a private ski lesson by Avoriaz Alpine Ski School.
One of the best things I did in Morzine as a beginner skier was the one-hour private ski tuition with the amazing ski school director, Ian. Ian was friendly, very patient and helpful, and by the end of my short lesson, I had already felt a distinct improvement in my skiing skills.
Having said that, if you are an advanced skier, you will be satisfied with Morzine-Avoriaz too. There are many excellent off-piste opportunities. One of the most incredible things in Morzine-Avoriaz is the piste that takes you across the Swiss Border. You heard that correctly, you could ski from France to Switzerland! Before you hurry down the piste that goes into Switzerland, stay at the top for a bit. There is a lovely café where you can have lunch and soak in the fantastic views. If you are looking for the best apres skiing in Europe, Morzine also offers some amazing apres skiing!
The best place to stay in Morzine
One of the best places to stay in Morzine is the charming Chalet Chilly Powder.
If you value comfort, cosiness, and friendliness, then this is the place you should visit. Chilly Powder has a calming atmosphere that instantly makes you feel at ease. From the cosy interior to the friendly staff that notices what you need before you do, Chilly Powder is one of the best places to stay in Morzine.
When you stay at Chilly Powder, you will get breakfast every morning, afternoon tea, and a five-course evening meal and wine. My favourite part of staying at Chilly Powder was the evening meal and wine. Not only was the food delicious, but the atmosphere was also friendly, and everyone wanted to share their stories and travel experiences while eating dinner. On top of this, I was easily accommodated with my dietary needs as a vegan and gluten-free.
Chilly Powder is a ski-in-ski-out chalet, just a 5-minute walk from the main gondola. It means you will have skiing right at your doorstep! The chalet is next to a bus stop that goes directly into the town of Morzine. If you want to be next to the mountains, skiing, and near Morzine town, then Chilly Powder is made for you. Chilly Powder also offers door-to-door ski equipment delivery with Doorstep Skis. Going with Doorstep Skis was the easiest, most convenient way to get all the stuff you need right at your Doorstep. I recommend this option to make your trip even more comfortable and convenient. If you want a day off from the slopes, there is an indoor swimming pool place called Parc des Dérêches. It offers indoor and outdoor swimming pools, ice rinks, and a tennis clubhouse. It is perfect for a day off from skiing or an excellent option for those who may not want to ski!
Chilly Powder offers packages for individuals, groups, or families with prices that start at €995 per person per week and €2,760 per week for two adults and two children sharing a standard family room. The chalet offers childcare facilities at €315 per week and ski school at €295 per week. The chalet also provides self-catered and B&B options and is available for weddings and other events all year round.
You can find more information about the chalet and how to book here. You can also contact Chilly Powder directly at [email protected]
2. Zermatt, Switzerland
The picture-perfect one
Zermatt is one of the best Europe ski resorts for those who love gorgeous views, long runs, and skiing in Europe at any time of the year! It is one of the most picturesque ski resorts in the world. You have probably already seen at least a few photos of the iconic landmark of Zermatt, the Matterhorn. It makes for a stunning backdrop to your ski photos, and it is a magnificent view to be skiing in. Zermatt also has Switzerland’s most significant vertical drop, and it is for these reasons Zermatt lands a spot on the best places to ski in Europe this winter.
Besides the stunning views, Zermatt is also known for its long runs, some of which take you to the village and makes it possible to ski to your doorstep. One of the most famous trails is the Matterhorn Glacial Ride. It is the world’s highest 3S cableway. The altitude of 3883 meters makes it possible to ski all year round!
3. Val D'Isere, France
The one with outstanding snow records
Val D’Isere is one of the most famous places to go skiing in Europe, and for a good reason. It has everything you need in a ski resort. It has ski runs for advanced, intermediate, and beginners. While this is one of the places that are very heavily commercialized and has changed a lot over the years, it fully lives up to its hype! It is also one of the best places to ski in Europe because of the incredible snow records. Val D’Isere has some of the best snow records in Europe, which means you are more likely to have a lot of days with astonishing snow!
If you love apres skiing, you will need to visit Val D’Isere, known for being the best apres ski in Europe. It has a lively nightlife with pubs and loud nightclubs open till the morning. Val D’Isere is one of the best Europe ski resorts for people who love great snow and fun nights!
4. Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy
The best ski resort in Italy
Cortina d’Ampezzo is Italy’s largest ski resort in the Dolomites, offering some of the best skiing in Europe. It held its first Olympic Games in 1956 and is due to return as a host in 2026.
Cortina d’Ampezzo is one of the best places to ski in Europe this winter, especially for beginners. If you are looking for somewhere filled with nursery slopes and wide, gentle runs, this is it! The run is not only super beginner-friendly but also super convenient and easy with their single pass that gives you access to all 12 ski areas!
5. Saalbach Hinterglemm, Austria
The beginner-friendly one
If you are a beginner, you may want to consider going to Saalbach Hinterglemm. Hinterglemm is home to the area’s best beginner zone, with many drags, gentle slopes, and wide pistes that make it easy on someone who has never been in a pair of skis before!
If you want an excellent first skiing experience, I recommend going to Saalbach Hinterglemm. It is one of the best Europe ski resorts for beginners, but it is also a perfect option for intermediates who want to practice their skiing skills! Hinterglemm is also well-known for having the best aprés ski in Europe and is a popular destination for young people looking for a fun time.
6. La Plagne, France
The one with great off-piste skiing
La Plagne is one of the best places to ski in Europe this winter if you love off-piste skiing. If you are an advanced skier looking to find some of the best off-piste skiing in Europe, then La Plagne is one of the best Europe ski resorts for precisely this! The best thing about off-piste skiing in La Plagne is that it is still a hidden gem! Few people know of La Plagne’s great off-piste skiing, which means fewer crowds. One of the best spots to go off-piste is under the Arpette chair lift.
If you decide to go off-piste, be careful, and make sure you know all the correct safety procedures and that you go with a guide or someone familiar with the area!
7. St. Moritz
The luxurious one
With its luxurious hotels and gourmet restaurants, St. Moritz is one of the most exclusive ski resorts in the world. Moritz hosted two Winter Olympics, one in 1928 and one in 1948. It was also the birthplace of Alpine winter tourism in 1864. St. Moritz is one of the best places to ski in Europe this winter, especially for those who love luxury. It simply does not get more luxurious than St. Moritz. This ski resort is not the cheapest place to ski in Europe, but it is one of the best Europe ski resorts for those who love luxurious experiences!
This post was inspired by a press trip with Chilly Powder. Rest assured, all opinions, images and text within this post are my own and are an honest reflection of my experience.
So there you have it: the best places to ski in Europe! I hope this blog has inspired you to book a winter trip!
Where is your favourite place to ski in Europe?
Anywhere you’d add?
Love as always and happy adventuring…
My name is Kristina, and I am a 24-year-old digital creator and photographer. I have a love for simpler, budget-friendly adventures because they make me more aware and grateful for the smaller moments. With my content, my writing, and my photography, I hope to inspire you to find more adventures in your everyday life.
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I’M MOLLIE AND I STARTED THIS BLOG BACK IN 2013 WHEN I HEADED OUT ON MY FIRST BACKPACKING ADVENTURE.
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