The European continent is known for so many beautiful destinations and ski resorts that it’s difficult to name a concrete list of them all. This even applies to ski resorts. Of these, Europe has plenty, making it hard to pick a select few that really stand out.
The continent’s combination of temperate weather and a broadly mountainous landscape of numerous high altitude regions makes for superb winter skiing and snow sports weather. Add in the presence of highly sophisticated infrastructure, excellent tourism economies and great roads, and you’ve got an absolute mecca for some of the world’s absolute best winter sports venues. Here is our ranking of those that we consider to be the five absolute best destinations.
1. Courchevel, France
PHOTO: COURCHEVEL, FRANCE
Without a doubt Courchevel has to be one of the single most robustly equipped, refined and downright luxurious ski resorts on Earth. This enormous mountain complex and village features 150 kilometers of superb alpine runs that you can link to directly from the resort’s own 60 lifts. These runs however connect to a much more enormous network of ski runs that spans a total of 600 kilometers and even includes four glaciers.
The whole complex and its surroundings are spread across 10 spectacular summits that include altitudes of well over 2,500 meters. Then of course there’s the impressive 4 meters of snowfall per year and the fact that Courchevel is famous and robust enough to regularly host numerous annual premiere global ski events. On a final note, the resort is extremely family-friendly while also being home to an entire world of excellent night clubs, fine dining spots and luxury hotels. There are even several Michelin-starred restaurants. That’s right, not just one, but several.
Visit their site here: courchevel.com
2. Baqueira-Beret, Spain
CREDIT: BAQUERIA/BERET TOURIST OFFICAL
While many people associate Spain with sun-soaked coastal villages, white sand beaches and a decidedly Mediterranean atmosphere, the country is endlessly full of surprises. One of these is the luxurious and stunningly beautiful Baqueira-Beret ski resort, located in the mountains of Catalonia. This sprawling playground of snow and mountains is spread across three areas and includes both modern facilities of the first order along with rustic touches of luxury.
The carefully maintained tracks all sit at altitudes of 1500 meters or higher (up to 2610 meters) while the resort itself features fine gourmet eateries and with first-class cuisine from all over the world. There’s also no shortage of luxury accommodation, spa facilities and heated pools that are simply perfect for relaxing after a rigorous morning of exertion in the cold.
Visit their site here: baqueira.es
3. Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy
CREDIT: DIEGO GASPARI BANDION/COURTESY OF CORTINA D’AMPEZZO
Italy’s Dolomite mountains are continentally famous for their extraordinary scenery and snowy landscapes. They’re essentially perfect for the best in winter sports. The sprawling town and ski resort complex of Cortina d’Ampezzo takes full advantage of this and has done so for many decades. This is why each year, thousands of Italians and people from all over the world flock to this lovely region for world-class skiing. A total of 400 kilometers of ski runs are connected by numerous trails an dozens of rinks. There’s even a glacier in the region. Furthermore, just to underscore how historically and naturally beautiful this area is, it has also been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town even hosted the 1956 Winter Olympics.
Unlike many ski resort areas, Cortina d’Ampezzo is also a large, well-run historic town that features numerous accommodation options, many extremely intimate resort complexes, superbly fine dining in true Italian style and a vibrant night life. Despite all this, the town and resort areas still leave plenty of room for family-oriented options and shopping venues of all kinds are almost everywhere.
Visit their site here: skicortinadampezzo.com
4. Zermatt, Switzerland
CREDIT: LEANDER WENGER/COURTESY OF ZERMATT TOURISMUS
No ranking of Europe’s absolute finest ski resorts would be complete without the inclusion of at least one Swiss resort. This famously mountainous country is after all pretty much emblematic of the European Alps and Zermatt distills the essence of that whole alpine world down to its finest. The resort features Switzerland’s single largest vertical drop and surrounding this is a landscape of ski-worthy geography that spreads up to incredible 3,900 meter altitudes.
Essentially, Zermatt is Europe’s most elevated winter sports area and even offers a spectacular view of the gargantuan Matterhorn mountain in the distance. A network of 350 kilometers of ski trails and runs even includes the world’s highest 3S cableway, which can deposit skiers up to the Matterhorn Glacier at an altitude of 3,883 meters, or just over 12,700 feet.
Visit their site here: zermatt.ch
5. Val d’Isere, France
The neighboring winter resorts of Val d’Isere and Tignes share a valley that’s nestled amidst a ring of 3000 meter+ peaks. Altogether it encompass over 300 kilometers of ski-worthy trail runs that are served by 150 different ski lifts. The highest skiing landscapes tower up to 3,450 meters, or almost 12,000 feet, while more modest options for beginners sit closer to the resort complex at 1,550 meters, or just over 5,000 feet. Because of its higher altitude reaches, Val d’Isere is open right from May onward and mid-summer skiing is almost always possible along the higher peaks or on the Glacier du Pisaillas.
Despite all the above to impress even professional winter sports lovers, the resort complex include many options for family-friendly fun, children’s skiing and features some of Europe’s best ski instructors. Whether you or members of your family are beginners or experts, Val d’Isere is a perfect entry point to alpine European resorts. The town itself is also lovely, with no shortage of luxury accommodation options, gourmet dining venues and excellent shopping spots.
Visit their site here: valdisere.com
Schedule Your Own Winter Adventure
CREDIT: PASCAL GERTSCHEN/COURTESY OF ZERMATT TOURISMUS
If you’d like to create a winter sports adventure for yourself or your family on any of these or any one of dozens of other superb European ski resorts, there’s no better way to reach any of them than via chartered private jet. With charter services from FlexAir Charters staffed by trained, professional pilots who understand your privacy and comfort needs, reaching any of Europe’s premiere ski resorts is as easy as scheduling an entirely flight on the day that best suits your needs.