Champagne powder and heart-pounding slopes beckon skiers to Europe’s many resorts every winter. From the off-piste potentialities of the Swiss Alps and deep snow stashes in Italy’s Dolomite area to Sweden’s wild backcountry and Norway’s prolonged season, the continent’s high alpine locations boast one thing for everybody.
Obergurgl-Hochgurgl, Austria
In contrast to some alpine locations, it’s not essential to be an professional to ski the 75 miles of slopes at Obergurgl-Hochgurgl, the place nearly all of runs are geared towards novice and intermediate skiers. For these hoping to clock extra hours and enhance their abilities, night time snowboarding makes it attainable to proceed the enjoyable after the solar has set. Had sufficient of the planks? Take a load off and swoop down the mountain on a toboggan course.
Kitzbühel, Austria
Though the 176 miles of slopes comprising the KitzSki Kitzbuhel/Kirchberg ski space in Tyrol are light and best for intermediate skiers, there are many challenges match for extra aggressive powder hounds (living proof: the resort hosts the Hahnenkamm, a downhill World Cup race). One of many greatest attracts right here, nevertheless, is the charming Medieval city and its cozy pastel Easter egg-colored inns, eating places and bars snuggled in large snow banks.
Andermatt, Switzerland
From groomed family-friendly slopes within the Nätschen space to free-riding deep runs crisscrossing Gemsstock mountain within the Swiss Lepontine Alps, the newer resort, Andermatt’s extremely different terrain and contemporary snow will fulfill any stage of skier. If downhill snowboarding isn’t your factor, winter fans can hit the almost 20 miles of cross-country trails unfold out over the Ursern Valley or spend the day tobogganing, snowshoeing, or ice skating.
Gstaad, Switzerland
Gstaad is as scenic as it’s charming and persistently ranks amongst Europe’s high ski resorts. The season is particularly lengthy right here—working from across the finish of October via the primary a part of Might—and skiers may even conquer the Glacier 3,000 effectively into summer season. For non-skiers, the realm provides ample alternatives to get in on the motion due to difficult snow climbing terrain, in addition to winter-biking and snowshoeing trails.
Zermatt, Switzerland and Cervinia, Italy
The Matterhorn towers over picturesque Zermatt, giving this ideally located Alpine resort city a postcard-perfect really feel. The snowboarding is simply as spectacular. The world options Europe’s highest lifted ski slope, clocking in at simply shy of 13,000 ft. This and the opposite steep runs unfold out over 4 ski areas, and over 200 miles make it a mecca for superior skiers able to tackle pristine pistés in the course of the day–the descent from Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is an awe-inducingly scenic eight miles–and the Swiss city’s buzzing après-ski scene at night time. Intermediate-level skiers or these seeking to take a break from the adrenaline-filled descents in Zermatt ought to hop on the Matterhorn Glacier Trip II, a brand-new cableway that conveniently hyperlinks to Cervinia, simply throughout the border in Italy. This part of the mountains has almost 100 miles of runs that embody loads of gentler slopes.
Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy
Two hours north of Venice lies picturesque Cortina d’Ampezzo, a resort that has a relaxed vibe complemented by nerve-jangling legendary black runs, tree-lined trails and couloirs. Generally known as “The Queen of the Dolomites,” the historic UNESCO World Heritage space, host to the 1956 and upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics, is one among Europe’s most beautiful locations for mountain and winter-sports fans.
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France
Western Europe’s highest peak, Mont Blanc, serves because the jaw-dropping backdrop to the French Alps vacation spot Chamonix, dwelling to the very first Winter Olympics in 1924. The remainder of the realm’s sprawling terrain is equally spectacular for severe skiers who’re craving to carve out an excessive backcountry journey. High of the bucket listing: a 9,000-foot, 12.4-mile thrill experience down the off-piste glacier run Vallée Blanche.
Riksgränsen, Sweden
Situated in Swedish Lapland on the Norwegian border, this small resort’s place round 125 miles north of the Arctic Circle means the season doesn’t begin till mid-February when the solar as soon as once more begins to peek above the horizon. Skiers who make the trek to this space of Sweden are rewarded with a month’s lengthy accumulation of snow that makes the treeless space a coveted vacation spot totally free riders and heli-skiers.
Lillehammer, Norway
Olympic web site Lillehammer is a good deal for a Scandinavian winter retreat since one ski-pass gives entry to 5 resorts: Hafjell, Skeikampen, Kvitfjell, Gala and Sjusjoen. The ski season on this a part of central Norway runs from November via April and there’s every little thing from newbie slopes and World Cup-class alpine runs to over 1,400 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails.
