Brit guide which ski resort europe

As one of the highest resorts in the Alps, Cervinia is often able to keep their slopes open as late as the beginning of May! This resort is a dead cert for spring skiing and has glacier access to boot. Situated on the Swiss border, with a whole area lift pass you can ski into another snow-sure resort, Zermatt, for the very best of both worlds! Ischgl is a paradise for powder hounds. The snow-sure, high altitude resort of Les Arcs is an excellent end of season destination.

The skiing rises as high as m on the Aiguille Rouge summit, and in good conditions stretches down to the tree lined pistes at m. With its very own glacier and further km of pisted ski runs, together these two resorts are a fabulous end of season destination.

At m, Val Thorens is the highest ski resort in Europe! And the piste stretches as high m. Consequently, the area has an excellent record with snowfall right through to May. The powder holds for days in this high altitude resort making Val Thorens an amazing destination for spring skiing. Starting at m, the resort historically receives a consistent natural snowfall from November through to May. Obergurgl is an excellent choice for skiing late into the season.

In addition to that, it offers a fantastic array of off-piste opportunities. Set amidst the most spectacular, glacial scenery, you can ski in Saas-Fee well into the summer months! With an excellent snow record and plenty of cruising red runs, Saas-Fee is also a great resort for snowboarders of all levels. The long season reaches into May, an assured destination for a late ski holiday.

What more could you want?! TIP When it comes to the best months for snow, locals across the Alps say that late January and early February are the best bet for powder. Late March and April are prime for backcountry riding and ski touring. For the most part, spring means stable snow conditions, deep bases, filled-in crevasses, and good weather. The high elevation in both areas all but ensures good snow quality later in the season and the extensive huts systems in each region are well-suited for multi-day tours.

Prices go up, slopes get tracked out, and lift lines can be long. Mid to late January is quiet across the Alps and often very snowy. TIP Launched in , Alpine Home Swap is a home-sharing network designed specifically for skiers and snowboarders. The catch? You have to own a home in or close to a ski resort.

In addition, owners of these homes are an invaluable resource of insider knowledge. Want to drink, ski, and eat like a local? Ask your AHS host. Come winter, hostel life is more sedate, mature, and teeming with ski bums.

Moritz, Engelberg, Zermatt, Davos, to name just a few. For as low as If you plan on visiting several countries or staying abroad for an extended amount of time, purchase a Eurail pass. Save money by deciding in advance which countries you plan on visiting and buying a Select , which grants you travel in three, four, or five countries, rather than the more expensive global pass, which covers travel in all 17 countries in the network.

TIP 10 : Rental cars in Europe are cheap. But it happens to be a city where you can access top-quality skiing with cable-car from downtown. One single ski pass gives you access to more than km of slopes, all connected with public transport to the city. So with top skiing and the versatility of restaurants, entertainment and more that comes from a city, Innsbruck earns a definite spot on the list.

Innsbruck is surrounded by six ski areas, and if you are an expert skier looking for a challenge. You will have access to 50 km of challenging terrain on the Stubai Glacier.

With that said, if you want all the comfiness of a dedicated ski resort. Search for accommodation in one of the close resorts instead of the actual city.

Are you looking for a resort that has it all? From partying to powder ski and everything in between. Ischgl got you covered. You will find km of slopes here and you can actually ski into Switzerland and the Samnaun village. Which happens to be a duty-free village. A big playground for boarders and free-riders, there is km2 of backcountry terrain at your disposal. There is also 32 km of additional ski routes with endless powder opportunities.

For your safety, there are transceiver checkpoints at 9 mountain stations with the current avalanche updates. But you do not need to be a free-rider to have a good time here, there is km of slopes with good variation connected by 51 lifts. Kitzbuhel is considered the best resort in the alps by some, due to the Tyrolean laid-backness, friendliness and hospitality.

But with a lot of possibilities still. You will also find freeride info points at the start of the runs. For freestyle riders, there are three parks for every level of rider. The parks are taken care of and shaped daily. This is a smaller resort than many of the other huge Austrian resorts, but with everything, you could think of for a snow vacay. If you are looking for challenging runs there is plenty of open terrain throughout the ski resort and beneath the Dreiseen lift, the steepest area is found.

With a lot of freeride terrain, beginners slopes, fun park with airbag and superpipe, most level of riders will be satisfied here. Outstanding terrain parks, big open fields of deep snow and some of the best parks in the Alps. Mayrhofen is a big playground for snowboarders and advanced skiers.

There is a total of six snow parks here with their own chairlift, so you can get a lot of airtime in relation to time in the lift. With a park of that level, snowboarders and freestylers are drawn to this place. And with all those snowboarders and freestylers, a lively after-ski and party scene are included.

Of course, with km of slopes, there is a lot here to be found for beginners and intermediate skiers too. And if km is not enough, you can add to get Zillertaler Superskipass that covers kilometres slopes. You are looking at a great area for pretty much everything snow related. Also with the link to Fieberbrunn, it is the 9th biggest system in the world. If you are into freeriding, be sure to keep your eyes open if there has been fresh snowfall.

Freeriders will flock from every direction to leave fresh tracks in the snow. For the freestyle rider, there are top-notch snow parks as well. As you see, there is a lot here for everyone. From expert rider to first time skier or families. Skiwelt is a resort with an impressive variety, which has managed to keep its Tyrolean charm despite its huge size.

There is more than km of slopes available connected by 90 lifts. Almost needless to say is that skiing here is, well, great. But some highlights are a large area for night skiing, so if skiing all day is not enough. You can ski the night as well. Advanced riders and freeriders will find plenty of challenges here. Likewise, the freestyle rider can enjoy plenty of snowparks.

There is also contests and events going on here throughout the season. The terrain offers endless fun for beginners and intermediate skiers looking to improve their skill set or just have a good time.

There is three black slopes here for the advanced rider, and if you run out of new challenges after a while, just venture out in the km big SkiWelt system and there will be lots more to be found. But that would also require a separate lift pass. Have you heard about the Ibiza of the Alps?

But with the two glaciers and plenty of off-piste areas, the expert level skier will have plenty of challenges as well. Enjoy great skiing while overlooking some of the best views Austria has to offer. The Schmitten is the home mountain of Zell Am See and offers 77 km of versatile skiing. The area of Glocknerwiese if perfectly suited for the family and beginners. For the advanced skier, there are long and difficult runs to be found and 7 ski routes to play around and explore some pow pow or deep snow.

And if you are in the mood to let loose and go partying after a day of riding, Zell am See will have parties going all night. The off-piste possibilities are enormous and for the experts there are steep ravines and cliffs to explore. Anton offers endless opportunities for advanced riders and strong intermediate skiers, but the ski area offers a lot for families and beginners as well.

The Swiss pilot crashed on the Gurgler-Ferner glacier. A villager came to rescue and the event got famous worldwide and put the village Obergurgl on the map. Now it is more famous for its top skiing and short waiting times in the lifts right outside your hotel door. More than half of the slopes here are intermediate, but the resort is actually ideal for beginners still.

The slopes are structured so that the entire resort can be explored on easy slopes, and when you feel comfortable, there are a lot of slopes for your progression.

The advanced rider might feel a bit limited on the pistes, there are difficult slopes to be found, 20km of them. But the real challenge for advanced riders starts where the piste ends. There is a lot of terrain for free-riding here and numerous ski routes. If you are looking for a resort with advanced challenges, freeride terrain and excellent snowparks, look this way. You will also find a lot of off-piste runs marked on a separate map through open terrain, as well as freeride checkpoints.

There is also a first-class snowpark with offerings for every level, beginner to pro and provides everything you can think of. With the exception of a halfpipe. The park offers most features during spring and autumn, at this time a year, you can find many of the top freestyle boarders and skiers in the park. Here there are multiple magic carpets for children to learn skiing, practice lifts and easy slopes.

No surprise maybe to see France on this list, since it might be one of the top countries in the world for skiing just pipped to the post for the title of best country for skiing in Europe with 16 entries in our top list. The resorts here are many and extensive, with some resorts joining together to create lift systems of monstrous proportions.

With that said, many of the resorts differ a lot, so if you like upscale dining there is a village for you, if you are keen for partying and a ski-bum lifestyle, there is a village for you as well. Here are the French ski resorts from our list of best ski resorts in Europe in alphabetical order.

Most sunny days in the Alps, true or just legend? Find out for yourself. Advanced riders can enjoy the longest black piste in the world, Sarene, with an impressive length of 16 km. If you are in the mode for deep snow, head to the Pic Blanc glacier for a free riding challenge. A lot of that snow is generally untouched due to the high altitude of the glacier, so here you might even be able to have friends on a powder day.

For the park rat, there is a huge selection of rails, boxes, kickers and more to play with. Even a halfpipe when the snow conditions are good. Looking to get your tan on but without the slushy slopes the sun can bring?

Avoriaz village is on the sunny side while most of the slopes are in the shade. Freestyle riders will love the access to five parks and the superpipe that is offered here. There is off-piste and deep snow riding to be found from the side of the piste and also backcountry. Also a part of Portes du Soleil, so if you would get bored of the Avoriaz slopes, there is more to explore.

How about great skiing too a much more affordable price than the French Alps? The French Pyrenees is your friend. Bareges and La Mongie are two connected resorts, where package prices can be up to half the price of the alps. The slopes here are great for beginners and intermediate skiers, the entire ski resort can be explored on easy slopes connecting the two resorts.

There are a few more challenging runs here as well, above La Mongie there is open and treeless terrain considered to be amongst the toughest in the Pyrenees. For the freerider, there is Pic du Midi which can be accessed with cable car and opens up great deep snow areas, but with no official slopes. You have probably heard of Chamonix before. It has gained world recognition for its challenging runs, off-piste powder, steepness and for surrounding scenery.

So if you are seeking some alpine thrills, Chamonix could be the place to go. With challenging terrain and great variety, advanced riders and experts will have a great time here.

If you are an intermediate rider, Chamonix will challenge you and probably improve your skill set. There is km of piste slopes here, and also the longest off-piste run in EU with an impressive 20 km. Courchevel, an upscale resort with loads of alternatives if you are looking for a luxurious skiing holiday.