So, you would love to ski in Europe, but you don’t know which ski resort in Europe would be the best for your needs? Let me help you. I have been skiing in numerous European ski resorts, and I have now listed five ski resorts that are pure diamonds. Now, this list is not about the best backcountry skiing resorts or the best telemark skiing resorts. This is a list of European ski resorts for families and those who are interested skiing on pistes, stay in a good hotel, eat good food and enjoy something special. Let’s start.
European Ski Resort #5: Andorra
Andorra provides a bit different skiing than the ski resorts in the Alps. Andorra is located in southern Europe and it provides good skiing for beginners and a little more experienced skiers. Andorra is a small country and it is known from duty free prices in resorts. Lively nightlife, extensive snow making and southern sunshine provide a great experience in Andorra ski resort.
European Ski Resort #4: Serre Chevalier, France
Serre Chevalier is a budget resort for families. This less crowded resort provides good skiing for families. Because of the quiet nightlife, Serre Chevalier is a good candidate in the list of good family skiing resorts. Serre Chevalier provides also other activities, such as horseback riding and snow-shoe walking.
European Ski Resort #3: Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy
One of the most glamourous European ski resorts is Cortina in Italy, the leading ski resort in the Dolomite Region. It is very stylish and chic, and it is known to be one of the classiest and costliest of all European ski resorts. In addition to skiing for beginners and experienced, Cortina provides also various off-snow activities. Cortina provides fine dining, shopping, and a scene in which skiing and money come together.
European Ski Resort 2: Zermatt, Switzerland
Spectacular views, beautiful mountains and a lovely village. Zermatt is one of the most beautiful European ski resorts I have ever seen. It is a resort to which you should go on Christmas time, because on that time Zermatt turns to a dreamland with full of snow-covered houses, candles and lights. Take a horse ride in the car-free village or go just window-shopping on the walking street. Zermatt, a resort not for beginners, is located under the well-known mountain, Matterhorn. The Christmas in Zermatt with a whole family can provide you and your family an experience you will never forget.
European Ski Resort #1: Cervinia, Italy
All I can say is that Cervinia rocks! Cervinia is a ski resort I prefer when skiing with my family. It is right next to Monte Rosa and Grand Combin, those two magnificient mountain peaks of the Alps. Cervinia ski resort provides long and sunny slopes and good skiing spiced up with some charmy Italian lifestyle. Cervinia, the neighbor of Zermatt, has altitude of 2000 meters. Some of the ski lifts in Cervinia get even up to 3500 meters. Pack your skis and take your family to Cervinia ski resort. They will love it!
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Good write up, Marko. I’m glad you included Zermatt, I really love Switzerland! Verbier and Saas Fee are two other of my favourites.
France has some great resorts, too. If you’re looking to ski early, I’ve just heard that Val Thorens and Alpe d’Huez will be opening Saturday (Tomorrow)! Obviously high resorts like that are going to get it first, but it’s great that the snow is coming nice and early.
Thanks Ryan! Great to hear you like. Zermatt is fantastic. I was there first time when we did the classic Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt. We were in a bad blizzard just before coming to Zermatt. We had some difficulties in the glacier and I was so happy when I walked the street in Zermatt. It was a bad bay but ended up in a great bar in Zermatt
Verbier is also fabulous. I considered putting it on my list but dropped because I wanted to focus in family skiing. Verbier is classic. I lived two years in Switzerland in Basel (came back home 8 months ago) and I went skiing and mountain biking in Switzerland in many great places.
Oh, they are opening in France. Thanks for informing, Ryan. I love France as well, just because I started from Chamonix in 1997. I really love French culture.
On a bad ski day it’s all about the aprés ski drinking…
Heh.. you’re absolutely right, Ryan
Cervinia ROCKS !!! No way the best skiing experience I ever had !! Too many slopes
– a special thanks goes to the guy that runs http://www.skirentalcervinia.com, with all his suggestions made my stay unique !!!
Skiing in Cervinia and in Italy is fantastic. Great skiing, great culture, not too expensive, beautiful mountains. You got everything a skier needs! I love Cervinia!
Hi, check out this cool new website for instructors and skiers looking for instructors http://www.skiproconnect.com. The thing I like about this site is that bookings are made through the ski school / mountain. I registered a couple of months ago when I found out where I would be instructing this season and have already had a couple of contacts enquiring about lessons. Seems like a good service, check it out. Have a great season.
The skiing from Cervinia is a little limited for anyone looking for a challenge, but go over to Valtourneche and it gets much more taxing. The run from the top, Plan rosa, is awesome and maybe the best ski run I have ever done.
I really enjoyed reading this, thanks Marko
I was surprised you included Andorra but, having read your opinion, I’m determined to go check it out for myself
We filmed the Haute Route for BBC travel show “Holiday” in ’07 and the shots were just stunning (complete with blizzard, just like your trip!).
I love this website – proper snow-lovers – drop me a line if you’d like to connect further
S
Yeah, we really love Andorra. It’s a hidden gem. Here’s a longer story if you are interested http://homeboyski.com/2010/10/06/andorra-europe%E2%80%99s-hidden-ski-destination/
Do you have your Haute Route film online? Would love to watch it. Haute Route is one of the best ski trips I’ve ever had.
Thanks! Really nice to hear that you enjoy our humble ski blog.
Yep! Tignes already open, Val Thorens opening this weekend and Courchevel at start of December. Already a covering of snow higher up here in Courchevel
Nice article
Glad that you talk about Zermatt, probably my favourite ski areas over all I’ve been to !