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Snowboarding is one of our favourite things to do together. Each year when summer ends, one of the things that keeps us motivated in the colder months is planning a ski trip to dust off the cobwebs and reset. Over the years, we’ve been lucky enough to snowboard in some of the best ski resorts in Europe and wanted to share our experience with you to help plan your European winter ski trip.
There really is no better feeling than carving your way down a slope with fresh powder. Many people in the UK head to mainland Europe, as it is an incredible destination for winter sports with an estimated 4000 resorts spread across 38 countries!
One of the best spots for skiing in Europe is France, with an impressive 249 ski resorts which includes the world’s biggest ski area, Three Valleys which has 600km of slopes and connects a number of ski resorts where you can easily ski from one resort to another. France is also home to one of the highest ski resorts in Europe, Val Thorens and the ski capital of the world Courchevel.
Every resort caters to different abilities and requirements, from the highest purpose-built resorts to traditional villages and pistes that weave between alpine trees. The purpose of this guide is to answer the question, where will you be skiing this winter?
MegÈve, FRANCE
Megève ski resort is a charming traditional village in the French Alps, not far from Chamonix and just an hour’s drive from Geneva airport. The resort is home to exquisite alpine architecture and luxury amenities, it effortlessly combines old-world charm with modern sophistication. Megève boasts fantastic ski slopes and activities for non-skiers with a perfect blend of convenience and elegance.
Good to know | 263km of slopes, 81 ski lifts and lift passes cost €55/£48 per day.
Where to park | There are many public car parks located in Megève, just make sure to set the time on your parking meter which can be picked up from the tourism office.
Where to stay | Stay in the traditional Savoyard Hotel Au Coin du Feu
Val Thorens, FRANCE
Val Thorens is the highest ski resort in Europe, located at an incredible 2300m elevation. Val Thorens is part of the Three Valleys area and offers access to over 600km of slopes. The resort has a vast number of ski slopes, breathtaking panoramic views, unique outdoor activities and offers an unforgettable experience. Don’t miss out on the incredible 6km toboggan run!
Good to know | 150 slopes, 31 ski lifts and lift passes cost €65/£56 per day.
Where to park | There are 5 car parks in Val Thorens offering a mix of covered and uncovered parking.
Where to stay | Les Balcons Platinum Residence - read all about our experience of staying at Les Balcons
Le Grand Bornand, FRANCE
Le Grand Bornand ski resort is known as the "Pearl of the Aravis Mountains". Le Grand Bornand is located between Lake Annecy and Mont Blanc, near Geneva airport and has stunning panoramic mountain views with a charming and traditional village and modern amenities, it's a great resort for snow enthusiasts who want an easy-to-reach resort from Geneva airport.
Good to know | 86km of slopes, 24 ski lifts and lift passes cost €42/£36 per day.
Where to park | There is ample parking at Le Grand Bornand with ski busses providing a useful connection to the resort.
Where to stay | Hôtel et Spa Le Vermont (ski slope access), Apartment with a view, Les Congères
Les Menuires, FRANCE
Les Menuires ski resort, located in the heart of the Three Valleys resort, Les Menuires is a haven for winter sports lovers and great for families. With its exceptional altitude and snow-sure guarantee, it promises uninterrupted snow sessions and awe-inspiring panoramic vistas. There are over 160km of slopes, a great après-ski scene and access to Les Trois Vallees which makes Les Menuires an unforgettable skiing adventure for enthusiasts of all abilities.
Good to know | 160km of slopes, 31 ski lifts and lift passes cost €60/£52 per day.
Where to park | Free car parks can be found in Les Menuires as well as a campervan and motorhome aire (the aire is in a paid parking area).
Where to stay | Chalet Hotel Kaya, Higalik Hotel, Apartment L'Argousier-1 by Interhome
Tignes, FRANCE
Tignes ski resort is located in the Savoie region and combined with the Val d'Isère resort it makes up one of the largest connected ski areas. There is an impressive range of slopes catering to all levels of skiing and snowboarding, breathtaking panoramic views, and a lively après-ski scene. Tignes promises an exhilarating and unforgettable alpine experience with great restaurants and hotels.
Good to know | 300km of slopes, 79 ski lifts and lift passes cost €63/£55 per day.
Where to park | 5 covered and uncovered car parks in Tignes.
Where to stay | VoulezVous Hotel (5* Hotel) - read all about our experience of staying at VoulezVous Hotel and snowboarding at Tignes.
Pays de Gex Monts Jura, FRANCE
Situated in the Jura mountain range, the Lélex-Crozet ski resort within the Pays de Gex Monts Jura area offers an unforgettable winter getaway. This resort caters to skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels and is family-friendly. The location of Pays de Gex Monts Jura resort is very conveniently located only a 20 minute drive from Geneva.
Beginners will find gentle slopes to master, while experienced riders can conquer thrilling and challenging trails. Gliding through the pine trees is a feeling like no other and you are rewarded with incredible views of Mont Blanc from the top of the lifts.
Good to know | 4 ski resorts to choose from and lift passes cost €35/£30 per day.
Where to park | Mijoux-La Faucille ski resort car park, located right next to the ski slopes. The car park gets busy during the day but quiet at night and there are facilities.
Where to stay | Les Berlicants, Logis Hotel La Petite Chaumière
Valmorel, FRANCE
Valmorel ski resort is nestled in the French Alps and guarantees breathtaking views and thrilling adventures. The village has an authentic charm and prioritises pedestrians which is one of the best ski-in-ski-out resorts. With over 150 kilometres of ski slopes catering to all levels, skiers and snowboarders alike will find their paradise. Embrace the charming alpine village atmosphere, indulge in delicious mountain cuisine, and create unforgettable memories in this winter wonderland.
Good to know | 165km of slopes, 47 ski lifts and lift passes cost €55.50/£48 per day.
Where to park | Valmorel Gestion
Where to stay | Le cheval noir 37, Studio Valmorel, 2 pièces
Dachstein West, Austria
The incredible Dachstein mountains create the perfect ski backdrop for a winter escape. Dachstein West Ski Resort in Austria is a great place for families and couples to enjoy a spectacular high-alpine ski environment. Only an hour's drive from Salzburg and close to the beautiful lakeside village of Hallstatt, at Dachstein West you can ski in the foothills of Dachstein glacier. The Dachstein West comprises a total of 8 ski resorts, covering a total of 160km of slopes to choose from and crosses the Salzburg and Upper Austria border.
Good to know | 160km of slopes and an adult day ski lift pass costs €59.50/£51 per day.
Where to park | Rußbach am Paß Gschütt - Dachstein West
Where to stay | COOEE alpin Hotel Dachstein
GLENCOE, Scotland
The Glencoe Ski Resort is located in the majestic Scottish highlands and offers a thrilling winter playground. A smaller alternative to some of its European cousins, Glencoe is a great option for those based in the UK or who want to try out skiing for the first time.
The resort sits at 2,200 ft above the Glencoe Valley with spectacular views across Rannoch Moor and Buchaille Etive Mor. There are a variety of slopes for all levels, stunning panoramic views, and cosy lodges, the resort provides an unforgettable experience for adventurers seeking an adrenaline rush and the beauty of nature combined. The only difficulty for snowboarders is the amount of T-bars which can be a bit uncomfortable, however there are chairlifts and button lifts on parts of the resort and upgrades are planned.
Good to know | Lift passes cost £30 per day (midweek) and £37 per day (weekend/holiday periods). Ski hire is also available at an affordable price with package deals available.
Where to park | Glencoe Mountain Resort car park - campervans are permitted to park overnight and there are showers and toilets available.
Where to stay | Kinghouse Hotel, The Glencoe Inn, Clachaig Inn
Zermatt, Switzerland
The iconic Matterhorn is found in Zermatt, a picture-perfect mountain village on accessible by train. Nestled in the heart of the Swiss Alps, the Zermatt ski resort offers an authentic winter experience and is the highest ski area in Switzerland.
Zermatt is a charming village with stunning mountain scenery and traditions such as the Geissenkehr where goats are guided through the streets of Zermatt to the fields to graze. The ski area has access to over 360 km of pristine slopes and it’s possible to ski over the border to Italy it's a haven for outdoor enthusiasts seeking the ultimate alpine adventure.
Good to know | 360km of slopes, 40 CHF/£36 per day for an adult Ski pass.
Where to park | Zermatt is a car-free village and is only accessible by train and getting around the village is either by foot, eBus or eTaxi.
Where to stay |SchlossHotel Spa Hotel, Alpenblick Superior, Hotel Tannenhof
Chamonix, France
Chamonix is a captivating ski destination with a rich history and spectacular natural beauty. It is a popular tourist town and ski destination in the French Alps, Chamonix transforms into a winter wonderland with dramatic mountain peaks and powdery slopes, it offers exhilarating skiing and snowboarding experiences.
As one of the oldest ski resorts, it held the Winter Olympics in 1924 and is home to the majestic Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Western Europe. The Chamonix Valley has a total of 5 ski resorts, it is known for its unparalleled alpine landscapes and for attracting skiers from across the world for centuries.
Good to know | 110km of slopes in the Chamonix Valley, €26/£23 per day for an adult ski pass if purchased online for the Chamonix Le Pass area
Where to park | There is free parking at most of the ski lifts, however in the peak months of the season, it can fill up by 9am.
Where to stay |Plan B Hotel - Living Chamonix, Les Grands Montets Hotel & Spa, Résidence Prestige Odalys Isatis
Innsbruck, Austria
The wonderful city of Innsbruck is definitely worth a visit, but did you know about the incredible ski scene just on the slopes nearby? Innsbruck has 13 world-class ski areas to choose from and over 340km of slopes, visiting Innsbruck is a truly rewarding cultural experience with the opportunity to taste some of the best Tyrolean cuisine.
The perfect place to combine city life with alpine scenes and why not combine your trip with the Innsbruck Christmas markets over the festive period for a memorable trip.
Good to know |340km of slopes, 111 ski lifts, €37/£32 per day for a ski lift pass
Where to stay |Altstadthotel Weißes Kreuz, Hotel Central, Das Grüne Haus - Boutique Apartments
Dolomiti Superski, ITALY
The Dolomiti Superski region is an epic winter escape, made up of 12 ski resorts and has over 1,200km of slopes to enjoy. We love the Dolomites and it really is a unique landscape like no other!
The Dolomites are a UNESCO World Heritage site and in the winter the region boasts some of the best skiing for all abilities. The opportunity for an incredible winter escape is perfectly complimented by some of the best hotels in the world in the Dolomites and one of our favourite places to stay is Naturhotel in San Candido.
Good to know | 1,200km of slopes in the Chamonix Valley, 450 lifts, €72/£62 per day for an adult ski pass if purchased online for the Chamonix Le Pass area
Where to stay |Naturhotel in San Candido, Hotel Boite, Chalet Queen
Courchevel, France
Courchevel is located in the Tarentaise Valley and is part of the largest ski area in Europe, the Three Valleys which links more than 7 resorts and a total combined area of 600km. Courchevel is known as the world’s ski capital and has a total of 6 villages that make up Courchevel and offer some of the best scenery in the Alps. The resort is known for its fine dining restaurants, with over 100 restaurants in total 7 of which have Michelin stars. Courchevel is home to many luxury chalets, 5* hotels and pristine Alpine views.
Good to know | 150km of slopes, €72/£62 per day for an adult ski pass
Where to stay | Hotel Le Palace des Neiges, Le Lana, Ecrin Blanc Resort Courchevel
Vogel, Slovenia
Slovenia is a beautiful country, overflowing with pristine nature and extraordinary landscapes. One of the best ski resorts in Slovenia is Vogel, located in Triglav National Park where the resort sits above the largest natural lake in the country, Lake Bohinj. Vogel Ski Resort is set within the Julian Alps and it’s a great place to go if you’re on a budget but still want great snow conditions and fewer crowds.
Good to know | 22km of slopes, €40/£35 per day for an adult ski pass
Where to stay |Bohinj Eco Hotel, Hotel Majerca, Chalet Burja (in resort)
Gudauri, Georgia
The largest ski resort in Georgia is Gudauri located in the northern part of the country nestled within the Caucasus mountains. Georgia used to be a well-kept secret and considered one of the best places to ski in Eastern Europe, the news is spreading about this hidden gem due to the great ski conditions and a good alternative to the more expensive European resorts. The resort is situated on the south-facing plateau creating perfect snow conditions for skiing and snowboarding.
Good to know | 60km of slopes and 14 ski lifts, €14 per day lift tickets
Where to stay | Go Gudauri Apartments, Gudauri Lodge, Quadrum Hotel, Gudauri Loft Hotel
