If you’re like me, a ski trip can be the highlight of the year. And when it comes to planning your ski trip, you’re usually weighing up a whole bunch of options, It can make it tricky to know where to go, when and whether you’re making the best decision for your valuable time and money.
Yes, we’ve all been there.
How do you know you’re choosing the right ski resort? Well, as a veteran of booking winter sports trips, I’ve got lots to share here. So let me help you plan your trip.
1. Who is going on your ski trip?
Before even choosing the best ski resort for you, you need to work out exactly who is going. Is it just you and a friend? Are you bringing family or kids? Are you a bunch of party ready ski bunnies, or are you half experienced and half beginners?
The people you are going with will help you to decide exactly which is the right ski resort for you, and even help to plan your budget. Talking of which…
2. Whats your budget?
The cost of a ski trip can vary massively, from a few hundred euros, to thousands. And depending on who is going and their expectations for the trip, you might find your budget goes further in some ski resorts vs another.
A reasonable budget for a single person on a budget ski trip in Europe, on a low budget is around €700-800 for 5 days. For mid-range, expect to pay anywhere between €1500-2500 per person for a week. And then once we start looking at premium or luxury ski experience, the price can literally scale as far upwards as you want.
If you have a specific budget, or if some in your party do, define what it is because that will define your trip.
Prices to factor in are:
- Travel – are you flying, driving? Do you need to pay for a transfer?
- Accommodation – likely your biggest outlay
- Lift pass price – between €50 to €80 per day in Europe, with discounts for multiple days or dynamic pricing
- Equipment – hiring vs buying? Even if you’re bringing your own gear it will cost you to transport it
- Food/drink – will be another big expense
3. When are you going?
Depending when you’re going, you might find some ski resorts offer better value, better snow or simply less crowds. For example, early season in Europe, before Christmas, you’ll find some excellent prices for accommodation and ski packages, with less crowds. BUT… You might also have patchy snow if it’s been a slow start to the season, or sometimes you won’t get full access to the ski resort.
By contrast, the week of Christmas/New Year and the February school holidays can be great for snow, but vastly more expensive and very crowded.
If you’re flexible, shop around outside of peak seasons for the best choice of accommodation and ski resort access. If you’re tied to specific dates, for example school holidays or due to work commitments, then might need to do more shopping around.
OK… So we’ve tackled the basics. Lets actually look at how to choose the right ski resort for your party.
4. Size and altitude
Many people stick to tried and tested ski resorts based on things like reputation or previous experience. For example, most Brits will flock to the hotspots of Morzine and the Portes du Soleil, Chamonix, The Three Valleys/Val Thorens/Meribel, Val d’Isere, Mayrhofen and St Anton. All of these are great ski resorts, with huge areas, offering everything you expect of a winter holiday and more – and honestly you could pick of of these and have the perfect experience.
But sometimes you want something different.
Families and beginners might want a smaller and more laid back resort, suited to enjoying the mountain vistas without the wild party atmosphere.
Some groups might be a little budget conscious, others might want more access to free riding and advanced terrain, and others might want to party every night.
And depending when you visit, or how the winter has been, you might want a higher altitude resort. Or, you might be fine this winter at 1500 metres… (always check the snow forecast for those low altitude resorts).
Generally speaking, the bigger resorts offer pretty much everything you might want – diverse terrain, options for different skill levels, plenty of choice of hotels and apartments, options for lessons and probably a good choice of places for food and drink. But then smaller resorts might be less crowded, offer better value for accommodation and simply be a less hectic experience.
5. What is important to you?
Besides everything else on this list, this is the big one… Your ski resort experience is going to depend on what you’re looking for, and the right ski resort for you might have…
- Loads of off-piste
- A traditional village
- Ski in/ski out accommodation
- Good shopping
- Premium dining
- Family friendly activities
- A thermal spa nearby…
And this is where you’ll need to do a bit of homework. If you’re just looking for snow and it’s January or February, you’ll be spoiled for choice. If you have specific requirements then you’ll need to read some reviews or even check our our super handy ski resort picker.
6. Transfer time
Some ski resorts are just a short hop from the nearest town or airport – some offer a much longer transfer time. If this matters to you then factor it in. A longer transfer time might be less appealing to those with young kids, or those on a long weekend who want to max their slope time.
Also the longer the transfer time the higher the costs – especially if you’re using a private transfer.
With that being said, a lot of ski resorts in Europe are accessible via public transport, especially in Austria and Switzerland. Both of these countries feature excellent bus and rail networks connecting cities like Geneva, Innsbruck, Salzburg and Zurich to some of the best ski resorts in the Alps.
Check out our list of ski resorts close to Geneva.
Some suggestions for the perfect ski resort in Europe
Now, when it comes to picking the right ski resort for you, there are a few favourites which should be perfect for most people. We’ve tallied up our best suggestions for the ideal ski resort based on a few common features.
| Category | Ski Resort Suggestions (Alps, Pyrenees, Nordics, Eastern Europe) | Why They Fit the Category |
| Best for Snow Sure | * Val Thorens, France (Alps) | Highest resort in Europe (2,300m) with high-altitude skiing up to 3,230m and good snow records. |
| * Zermatt, Switzerland (Alps) | Glacier skiing up to 3,899m on the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, allowing for year-round skiing. | |
| * Obergurgl-Hochgurgl, Austria (Alps) | One of the highest non-glacier resorts in Austria, with slopes topping out at 3,080m. | |
| * Tignes, France (Alps) | Home to the Grande Motte glacier, ensuring reliable snow from early winter to late spring. | |
| * Ischgl, Austria (Alps) | Over 80% of its massive ski area is above 2,000m. | |
| * Jasná, Slovakia (Eastern Europe) | High-altitude skiing in the Low Tatras with a great reputation for natural snow. | |
| Best for Apres Ski | * St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria (Alps) | Legendary for its lively and wild on-mountain bars like the Mooserwirt and Krazy Kanguruh. |
| * Ischgl, Austria (Alps) | Known for its high-end parties, concerts, and sophisticated but lively après scene. | |
| * Val Thorens, France (Alps) | Features major high-altitude venues like La Folie Douce and the largest club in the Alps, Le Malaysia. | |
| * Verbier, Switzerland (Alps) | Offers a chic, energetic après scene with famous spots like Le Farinet. | |
| * Pas de la Casa, Andorra (Pyrenees) | Known as the liveliest village in Andorra, offering duty-free alcohol and a fun, affordable party atmosphere. | |
| * Mayrhofen, Austria (Alps) | Home to the famously rowdy mountain-top “snow bar” and a vibrant town centre scene. | |
| Best for Families | * La Plagne, France (Alps) | Purpose-built, family-friendly villages, extensive easy/intermediate terrain, and great childcare facilities. |
| * Les Arcs, France (Alps) | Car-free villages (like Arc 1950), varied slopes, dedicated beginner areas, and excellent ski schools. | |
| * La Rosière, France (Alps) | Small, sunny, and traditional, with gentle slopes and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. | |
| * SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental, Austria (Alps) | Massive, affordable area with excellent snowmaking, great progression for beginners/intermediates, and fun parks. | |
| * Kranjska Gora, Slovenia (Eastern Europe) | Quiet, scenic, and excellent for beginners and young families with easy, tree-lined runs. | |
| Best for Luxury | * Courchevel 1850, France (Alps) | Part of Les 3 Vallées, offering palatial hotels, Michelin-starred dining, and designer shopping. |
| * St. Moritz, Switzerland (Alps) | Home of glitz and glamour, with a long history of luxury hotels, polo, and high-end events. | |
| * Verbier, Switzerland (Alps) | Known for its discreet clientele, exclusive catered chalets, high-end boutiques, and heli-skiing. | |
| * Kitzbühel, Austria (Alps) | A beautiful medieval town with five-star hotels, gourmet dining, and a strong history of tradition and luxury. | |
| * Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy (Alps) | Set in the stunning Dolomites, offering Italian style, high fashion, and elegant mountain dining. | |
| Best for Budget | * Bansko, Bulgaria (Eastern Europe) | Offers some of the lowest prices in Europe for lift passes, accommodation, and food/drink. |
| * Livigno, Italy (Alps) | A duty-free zone in Italy, making food, drink, and especially alcohol significantly cheaper. | |
| * Jasná Nízke Tatry, Slovakia (Eastern Europe) | Modern infrastructure at Eastern European prices, offering great value for money. | |
| * Pas de la Casa, Andorra (Pyrenees) | Duty-free shopping and affordable nightlife make it a popular choice for budget-conscious groups. | |
| * Les Menuires, France (Alps) | Offers the access of the world-class 3 Valleys ski area but with more budget-friendly accommodation than its neighbours. | |
| Best for Ski In/Ski Out | * Avoriaz, France (Alps) | A completely car-free, purpose-built resort where virtually all accommodation is genuine ski-in/ski-out. |
| * Val Thorens, France (Alps) | Due to its high, compact layout, most hotels and apartments offer direct piste access. | |
| * Courchevel 1850, France (Alps) | Many luxury hotels and chalets are situated right on the slopes for unparalleled access. | |
| * Obergurgl-Hochgurgl, Austria (Alps) | Highly convenient and compact layout with many accommodations having excellent piste access. | |
| * Flaine, France (Alps) | Another purpose-built, car-free resort with accommodation right on the slopes. | |
| Best for Size | * Les 3 Vallées (Méribel, Courchevel, Val Thorens, etc.), France (Alps) | The largest interconnected ski area in the world, with 600km of runs. |
| * Les Portes du Soleil (Morzine, Avoriaz, etc.), France/Switzerland (Alps) | A massive cross-border ski area with around 580km of interconnected runs. | |
| * Paradiski (Les Arcs & La Plagne), France (Alps) | Huge, varied, and modern area connected by the Vanoise Express cable car, totaling 425km. | |
| * Ski Arlberg (St. Anton, Lech, Zürs, etc.), Austria (Alps) | Largest connected ski area in Austria with 305km of runs and extensive off-piste. | |
| * The 4 Vallées (Verbier, Thyon, Nendaz, etc.), Switzerland (Alps) | Largest ski area in Switzerland with 412km of pistes, known for its challenging terrain. |
To help you choose the right ski resort, make sure to check out our ski resort picker for more inspiration.
Looking for cheap ski packages? Make sure to check Snowtrex for some amazing deals including lift passes.
