When you are thinking about taking a skiing holiday in Europe, you may be wondering which are the best ski resorts. The following article covers some of the most popular ski resorts in Europe. These include La Plagne, Courchevel, Tignes, and Verbier. Read on to learn more about each ski resort and the activities available for your family and friends. The best ski resorts in Europe are located in stunning regions, so be sure to choose the right place for your holiday.
Courchevel
The slopes of Courchevel are ideal for both beginners and experts. The terrain is vast and includes wide open slopes as well as steep, tree-lined runs. Located on the northern slopes of the Alps, the resort provides a wide variety of skiing experiences.
Beginners will love the low slopes around the village. You can ride gondolas to get to the lower slopes. There are also separate areas for beginners. A skier can practice his or her skills without worrying about the crowds. There are also lots of opportunities for families to go skiing.
The ski season in Courchevel lasts from mid-December until mid-April. Depending on the weather and snow conditions, some lifts may open early. Visiting the resort during these months can help you save money, as prices are typically lower than during the other weeks of the year.
Verbier
Verbier is part of the large 4 Vallees ski area, which is similar to the 3 Vallees in France, and boasts 80 lifts and 400km of ski runs. The ski area is very crowded, with lines forming at the major lifts and villages. While this makes for a fun ski vacation, it is not the most affordable ski destination.
Verbier is also known for its advanced skiing. There are several freeride runs in the area, and the ski resort is the last stop of the Freeride World Tour. While skiing at Verbier is an excellent way to spend a winter vacation, many people visit the area in summer and hike in the scenic mountains.
Verbier has a lively après-ski scene. Pub Mont Fort, near the gondola, has a fun happy hour, while Farinet has live music. There are also a number of popular nightclubs and pubs throughout Verbier.
La Plagne
The 225km of local slopes link up with the 425km of Paradiski ski area in Les Arcs. There are slopes for every level of skier, from novices to experts. The area also features nursery slopes and ski schools. The ski resort offers over one hundred and thirty runs – eighty percent of them are above 2,000m, reaching up to the 3,250m Glacier de Belle Cote. There are 69 blue runs, 18 black, and 18 red. If you want more options, you can always take the Vanoise Express from Les Arcs, which links you to another 235km of runs.
For foodies, La Plagne has a range of restaurants and cafés. The town centre has a number of restaurants, including Le Refuge, La Metairie, and Legend Cafe. In the evening, Legend Cafe becomes a tapas bar with live music. Other options include Le Loup Blanc in Plagne 1800, where you can eat steak and fondue. The village has a number of excellent restaurants, and there is an underground passage so that you can get from one place to another with ease.
Tignes
If you’re a skier, you’ll love Tignes. The French resort has a glacier and an excellent snow record. The lift at the top of the mountain is 3450 meters high. You can even take a scenic flight if you’re feeling adventurous.
There are several different villages within the ski resort, which you can visit for a taste of local life. The first one, Tignes Les Brevieres, is the oldest village in the area. The second village, Tignes 1800, is higher up and was previously called Tignes Les Boisses. This village has recently merged with Tignes Le Lavachet, while the last village, Tignes Le Lac, is the largest and best connected to the ski area.
Tignes also has an extensive network of off-piste runs, and you can explore many of these on your own or with a guide. One of the most popular off-piste areas in the area is the Tour de Pramecou, which begins below the Grande Motte glacier and offers several variants. Another off-piste run is Vallons de la Sache, which has a wilder feel than the pisted La Sache run. There are also seemingly limitless off-piste options on the Val d’Isere side of the resort.
Cortina d’Ampezzo
Cortina d’Ampenzo is a 1,000-year-old Italian town that hosted the Winter Olympics in 1956. Its pedestrian-only main street is lined with designer boutiques, galleries, and supermarkets. The town also boasts upscale dining experiences. The apres-ski scene here adds to the refined ambiance.
Cortina d’Ampezzlo is a great place to spend a winter vacation. The high altitude of the mountain means you’ll have reliable snow conditions. You’ll find plenty of intermediate and easy terrain here, too. Many resorts even have dedicated beginner slopes.
Skiing here is spectacular and challenging. The valley is renowned for its beauty and enchanting light. The Corviglia mountain is home to one of Europe’s most prestigious ski clubs. For lunch, try Chasellas restaurant, which is next to Suvretta House. There, you’ll find delicious Swiss classics such as wiener schnitzel.
Another great ski resort in Italy is Val Gardena. This town is close to Verona, but has a much more laid-back atmosphere. Its trails span 160 kilometers and connect to nearby ski areas. In fact, nearly two-thirds of the terrain is for intermediate and advanced skiers.
Mariborsko Pohorje
Mariborsko Pohorje is the largest ski resort in Slovenia and is situated in Maribor, the country’s second-largest city. It has 42 km of slopes and is a popular ski destination for visitors and locals alike. It is a family-friendly destination that features many activities for the whole family. The ski resort is spread out across 250 hectares of land.
The resort offers a variety of ski and snowboard lessons and 16.7 miles of cross-country skiing trails. It also hosts the Golden Fox, an annual women’s alpine ski world-cup competition. There are slopes for beginners, intermediate skiers, and advanced skiers alike. For those with limited experience, there are many instructors who speak English and other languages.
The slopes are suitable for all levels of skiers and snowboarders. Mariborsko Pohorje is Slovenia’s largest ski resort and has a wide range of beginner and intermediate runs. There are a few challenging runs for more advanced skiers, but the slopes are wide enough for anyone to enjoy a day on the slopes. The ski resort is easy to reach by bus, and there are a few hotels dotted around the cable car base.
Davos-Klosters
In the west of Switzerland lies one of the largest ski resorts in Europe: Davos-Klosters. Located at an altitude of 2,844 meters, this ski resort features 320 kilometres of slopes. There are also six separate ski areas and many kilometres of cross-country trails. The resort is also home to Europe’s largest open-air skating rink.
The skiing at Davos-Klosters is a mix of challenging and easy slopes. It offers an extensive network of slopes, with terrain suitable for all levels and ages. While the area has some challenging terrain, most runs are for beginners and intermediates, with less advanced skiers taking on intermediate and expert runs. Davos also boasts a world-class avalanche training center and dedicated areas for children.
Aside from skiing, Davos-Klosters also features plenty of other activities. In addition to the many slopes, you can enjoy snowshoe trails, tubing slopes, and dog sled rides.
Les Trois Vallees
One of the most beautiful and scenic areas is located in the Trois Vallees. It is made up of six different villages, each with their own unique style and atmosphere. The oldest village, Courchevel 1850, has a very luxurious atmosphere and is an expensive choice. Courchevel Moriond, on the other hand, is a more budget-friendly option.
For beginners and intermediates alike, Les Trois Vallees offers a variety of skiing and snowboarding options. The resort offers more than 300km of slopes. There are over 1,000 m of vertical drop and 43 green runs. There are also 125 blue runs for intermediate skiers.
The ski resorts in Les Trois Vallees are renowned throughout the world, and boast of some of the most beautiful scenery. The area features three hundred and eight ski lifts serving the three valleys. You can enjoy skiing until early May in this area, with plenty of powder snow.
