Home Europe Best Ski Resorts in Europe

Best Ski Resorts in Europe

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Europe has a number of ski resorts dotted throughout the Alps in countries such as Italy, Austria, Italy and Switzerland and even the smaller country of Andorra. Europe has a number of competitive skiers and snowboarders, even Britain got involved when Eddy the Eagle gained international recognition during the 1988 winter Olympics, albeit for coming last in all the events he entered.

If you are planning a ski trip to Europe I recommend purchasing a pre-paid currency card and loading it with Euro’s. Carrying cash on the mountain can be a hassle and ICE’s MasterCard’s are accepted at millions of destinations worldwide to help with your ICE Travel Money Currency.

Aiguille du Midi (3842m) - Mt Blanc
Aiguille du Midi (3842m) – Mt BlancwYnand! / Foter / CC BY-NC-SA

With so many resorts to choose from it can be hard to narrow it down. So here is my list of the best skiing destinations in Europe.

Chamonix is considered as the Mecca of all skiing and the 10 mile long valley possesses 5 different ski areas, and ski lifts which will take you to nosebleed heights. If you consider yourself more than an accomplished skier, then some of the runs available here will put you to the test. Many of the runs on the mountain also cater to beginners and intermediates, which will give newbies something to work towards.  It was the first host of the Winter Olympics in 1924 and its prestige continues to burgeon.

Andorra may not be recognized for many things, but some of the skiing it offers is second to none. Located in the Pyrenees Mountains between France and Spain, Andorra has a number of resorts, but I am going to draw your attention to Pas de la Casa. This particular resort offers 31 lifts and 100km of different ski runs. It recently became interlinked with another large Andorra resort called Soldeu. This gives skiers the option to buy passes for both areas, which delivers the opportunity of pristine off-piste skiing and a further 35 lifts and 100km of trails. Andorra is known for its excellent nightlife, so you can go enjoy some social company with a well-earned drink in the evening.

Davos Klosters is a versatile mountain located in Switzerland. It offers runs to challenge beginners, intermediates and experts. It boasts a total of 5 mountains with over 300km of skiing, which will keep experimental skiers exploring the slopes throughout their stay. Its versatility means that your holiday activities don’t have to be restricted solely to skiing or snowboarding. You can also go ice skating, play some ice hockey or even do some tobogganing. It has recently become a popular destination for aspiring and accomplished snowboarders, due its vast area, the number of schools it offers and its boarder parks.

St.Anton is known for its lively nightlife, celebrity appearances, glitz, glamour and luxury hotels, but that is not to say the skiing is second rate. In fact, the opposite is quite true. It has a number of runs which will make experienced skiers have second thoughts and the resort offers mountain guides to show experienced skiers around the off-piste areas, which are safe but challenging. Likewise, there is also a run which descends from Vullaga, the tallest summit of the mountain at a vertigo provoking 2,400 metres. You will only be allowed to attempt this run with a mountain guide in tandem, testament to its difficulty and severity.

Adam Porteous- writing on behalf of ICE plc. Click here to find out more.