10 best ski resorts in Europe

With the beginning of winter, the skiers take out the equipment and start choosing a resort. Drawing attention to Europe, they view dozens of places in different countries. To make the choice a little easier, we ranked the best. These ski resorts have earned the trust and love of visitors. The top includes not only the places of Switzerland and Italy that are popular all over the world, but also lesser-known Finland, Romania and others.

In assessing the resorts, we took into account the cost of ski passes, the number and length of routes, the quality of work of the lifts and staff. Do not forget about the reviews of visitors, made their recommendations and suggestions. By a combination of these qualities, we set the position. However, the last and the first place will provide an unforgettable vacation in Europe.

Top 10 best ski resorts in Europe

10 Chamonix, France

Opens the ranking of the best in Europe Chamonix - French ski resort, which appeared in 1907. Today it is considered one of the most suitable places for experienced skiers. The season lasts from November to March, although the resort is open all year round. There are 3 ski areas connected by free buses. The most experienced go to the slopes of Gran Monte with several black tracks and a huge field for freeride. There is also the Argentiere glacier. Just 50 meters from the edge of the resort is the border with Switzerland, so most of the tourists come from there.

In total in Chamonix there are 170 km of slopes, developed infrastructure and nature, which is carefully guarded. It is considered inexpensive for Europe, and the only weak point visitors have called the lifts. Many of them are already time to replace, some even do not have a protective cap from the wind. The weather at the resort is changeable, there are fogs and blizzards. Then the visibility drops sharply, freeride limit or warn about the danger of a break. Speaking of the latter, Chamonix has many avalanches and crevasses, especially close to the summit. Covers them with snow, but passing there is risky. It seems to us that for beginners and families with children there are more suitable resorts, we will consider them further.

9 Zell am See, Austria

Zell am See is a relatively inexpensive resort in Austria, where you can find a route of any complexity, from educational for children to high-speed black. Tourists are advised to come from the end of December to the end of March, although the glacier is open all year. Experts prefer the track at the top, from there a great view of the whole valley. Several descents of medium difficulty are often overloaded, you have to wait for your turn. Many people mark the long route to Schuttdorf with its mountain lake. Tired of skiing from the slopes, the guests visit the rink, ride in teams with horses, take a sled and go on a lighted descent.

Near Zell am See there is a town with medieval buildings, where most of the tourists live. Vehicles travel through a long tunnel so as not to disturb the atmosphere.The resort trails are divided into zones for beginners and professionals. Here, as in many places in Europe, the descents are made unique, alternating views of the mountains, the valley and the lake. Before the trip, you need to take into account that the resort is about 30 minutes from the hotel, buses are heavily loaded. On the lower tracks for beginners at the beginning and end of the season, stones and ice are visible, you need to be careful.

8 Levi, Finland

Levi is a large system of trails, updated every year, which covers the mountain from all sides. Rest in Finland challenges even experienced skiers, only pros can test every slope! And beginners like gentle slopes, plentiful snow cover and temperatures a bit below zero. Lifts are located close to hotels, allowing you to use the time most profitable. And if you're lucky, you can see the northern lights. For experts there are 3 black tracks, but most of the resort is equipped for families with children. The ski school teaches all popular winter sports.

Visitors celebrate 230 km of cross-country trails and more than 880 km of snowmobile routes. Tired of the mountains, tourists go to the snow parks, send children with teachers to the children's slopes and relax in restaurants. Only here in Finland you can ride the cable car and look at the slalom championship. Parents like an inexpensive playground with sports and animators. Older children are sent to school with an instructor. Here the nurse speaks Russian, like many coaches. The only thing that can be noted is that the beautiful mountain landscapes of Austria or Switzerland are not to be found here. There are no red runs, only green, blue and black.

7 St. Moritz, Switzerland

Many have heard about St. Moritz, because it is considered one of the most luxurious in the world. The high cost is a unique business card of the resort, guests are attracted by the possibility of skiing among the stars, successful entrepreneurs and children of rich parents. 1.5 million tourists come here every six months, the Winter Olympics were held here twice, and the Swiss Freeride Trophy competitions are still taking place on the Devilovets mountain. The ski resort is divided into 2 sectors: the first is built on a hill and is filled with shops, the second is along the lake and is built up with hotels. Visitors have access to 350 km of trails throughout the Upper Engadine.

According to the reviews it is clear that tourists of any level of training are satisfied. Snow is enough for the whole season, the slopes are connected by 57 lifts. Elevation ranges from 1,700 to 3,300 meters. Everyone will find a slope under their abilities among 88 available tracks Downstairs guests are waited by 34 restaurants of every possible orientation, luxury hotels and expensive souvenir shops. If the cost and a huge number of visitors do not scare away, St. Moritz will give an unforgettable vacation.

6 Garmisch-Pantorkirchen, Germany

Garmisch-Panterkirchen is located in the north of the Eastern Alps, near the country's highest point - Zugspitze. Comparing the resort of Germany with Italy or Austria, you can see that the first takes a bit of space. However, long trails attract tourists from all over Europe. Beginners slowly roll off the green and blue gentle slopes. Guests move more confidently to the red high-speed routes. Pros roll off black tracks with large elevation differences. In Garmisch-Pantorkirchen there is everything - unprocessed ratrak spaces, gentle and steep slopes, hills, ice and deep snow. Trails are very compact.

The users in the reviews note the developed infrastructure: 46 ski lifts are carried to the top of the guests, there is a slope scheme and instructors next to each. Those who are tired of skiing, it is recommended to visit the amusement park Apres-Ski.There are shops, rental sleds and skates, restaurants, walking routes and a kindergarten. The temperature in the season drops to -25, it is recommended to dress warmer. All hotels are located far from the lifts, the way without a car will take about an hour. Since there is one road to the resort, there are always traffic jams in the mornings and evenings, there are many people on the tracks.

5 Lech, Austria

Lech is one of the unique places that open access to the White Ring. This unique ski attraction has been in use for over 50 years and offers amazing trails, cable cars and ski lifts. They are the central element of the ski resort, although he already has something to offer. 95 cableways, designed in the past century and regularly updated, await visitors. Lech is available for any kind of training, there are soft and gentle slopes, instructors and group classes. The cost of ski pass per day is 53 euros for an adult, which is quite expensive for Austria. However, this resort is the only one in the country where heli-skiing is allowed - riding with a helicopter to the top.

Just down the mountain there is a slope for snowboarders with a pipe 1,200 meters long. Nearby are the tracks for pros: black and red descents over 2 km long. There are also spaces for free skiing. It is worth noting that in Lech there are a lot of very expensive hotels and restaurants, in Austria it is considered elite. Save will not work, the main public corresponds to the prices - German retirees, local aristocrats and successful businessmen. It is recommended to book the best places in advance, sometimes for a year. To the most interesting and picturesque slopes you have to go by bus.

4 Formigal, Spain

Formigal offers extensive lighted routes for beginners and intermediate level, so come here with children. In 2007, several high-speed lifts, snow cannons, a mogul track and two winter parks were built. In the season there is always a lot of snow, everything is new and modern. Routes for beginners are located at 2,250 meters above sea level, with stunning views from there. The altitude difference is 740 m - enough to challenge the pros. Tired of riding, guests go to an amusement park, restaurants, wine cellars and bars. Formigal is a mountain village that has retained an atmosphere of comfort, despite the popular resort.

Upon arrival, guests are invited to attend school (in a group or individually). An hour of classes costs 42 euros, but there are many discounts and great deals. Prices at the resort are average in Europe and much lower than most of the positions in the ranking. Automatic lifting tracks are installed on the small slides, equipment rental booths are arranged throughout the site. In addition to the slopes, visitors are available spas, educational excursions to the wineries, a game of golf, a visit to the park of wild animals. The only weak point of the resort is the strong wind that blows almost the entire season.

3 Poiana Brasov, Romania

Opens the top three Poiana Brasov - the most elite and beautiful resort in Romania. Located in a coniferous forest at a height of 1,030 meters, it offers modern infrastructure, snow cannons, 10 tracks of varying difficulty and accommodation in the old town. The main visitors are skiers, for them special slopes and slopes are equipped. The tracks are surprisingly diverse and will suit both beginners and pros. Several runs are designed for slalom. The ride takes place at an altitude of 1,775 meters, the longest track reaches 4.6 km. For the most advanced there are 2 springboards and several tracks for cross-country skiing.

Poiana Brasov is popular with families with children. For younger visitors, there are amusement rides, a ski school, a kindergarten, animators, and slopes for sledging.Tired of the snow trails, guests can walk along one of the 10 routes laid along the most picturesque places. Every 15 minutes a bus goes to the city of Brasov - a colorful place in a traditional style. Since the resort is very popular, there are always a lot of people in season. To the queue lifts, sometimes the desired size of clothes is missing. In the low season there are no complaints.

2 Zermatt, Switzerland

Second place among the best is Zermatt, which surpasses other resorts in the number of slopes for experienced skiers. It is most popular among professionals, many trails have steep slopes at a considerable height. It is here that the famous Klein Materhorn station (3,885 meters) is located, from which the black and red descents originate. Beginners and families with children are attracted by nature, a huge number of observation platforms and excursions have been created for them, the famous Glacier Express runs.

The total length of the slopes is 360 km, the elevation difference is more than 2 km. Most of them are red slopes (220 km), black slopes (62 km) occupied a significant part. The freeride season opens in January, at which time the riskiest skiers come. There is enough space for everyone, guests are transported 72 lifts and a large train. Ski pass is quite expensive compared to other European resorts - from 340 euros for 6 days, but the skiing is exceptional. Beginners may have more peaceful places, but the pros of the slopes are better to find Zermatt.

1 Livigno, Italy

The leader of the ranking was Livigno - an Italian resort on the border with Switzerland, which is visited annually by tens of thousands of skiers. The place appeared at the beginning of the last century, but received a big push in development only in 2002, therefore all the tracks and lifts are new. Routes are added regularly, infrastructure is improved. The length of the tracks is 115 km, most of them are designed for the primary and secondary levels of complexity. The most popular are green Carosello and red Motolino. There are always a lot of snowboarders, there are slopes for freeride, half-pipe and bordercross. In Italy, Livigno enters a non-taxable area, the goods in the stores are very cheap.

Visitors in the reviews note the funicular, which rises to a height of 2,300 meters, straight to the blue and red routes. Pros move further to Monte della Neve (2,800 meters), where the black slopes begin. Beginners celebrate a simple descent back; group and private lessons are held for them. Most lifts in the green and blue sectors are drag. The only warning to future visitors is to calculate the time for the transfer, it takes up to 40 minutes. Skating zones are not connected with each other.

Popular vote - which ski resort in Europe do you think is the best?
We vote!

Livigno

Zermatt

Poiana Brasov

Formigal

Lech

Garmisch Pantorkirchen

St. Moritz

Levy

Zell am See

Chamonix

Total votes: 0

Vote results