Anyone else ready for this summer to be over with so that we can finally get back to the slopes? The most avid skiers may already be plotting a European ski trip, but sometimes the sheer amount of European
ski resorts can be difficult to choose from. Here are some of the best ski resorts in
Europe based on no particular category, but instead that meet the needs of all different sorts of skiers.
This French ski resort is really great for skiers of all different levels who really want the ski resort experience to actually ski. It offers over 300 km of slope with lots of off-piste terrain. The lift queues are extremely well serviced with waits that are 5 to 7 minutes tops, so you don’t have to spend a lot of time waiting around.
The big downside to this resort is that it attracts of young partiers, a lot of them British. If you are one of those people who has a low tolerance for drunken tomfoolery, you may want to avoid this resort. Also, accommodations and food can be quite expensive like a lot of French resorts, so make sure to budget to spend excess on food, drinks, hotels, etc.
This resort is great for intermediates and children skiers, but advanced skiers may get bored by the lack of off-piste runs and few steep pistes. You can easily checkout nearby resorts with the same lift pass. The ski-school provides great teaching for kids while allowing parents some free time to explore more challenging slopes or grabbing a cocktail. There is one main strip of shops and restaurants that have a lively
après-ski scene, and the prices are surprisingly affordable when compared to other European ski resorts.
Unfortunately, a problem with Mayrhofen is that lines are long and the slopes are crowded. To avoid the crowd try to get out as early as possible, because due to the lively après-ski many spend part of the day sleeping off the previous night’s festivities. The town does impose reasonable rules on the après-ski, so that families and couples feel comfortable despite the habits of partiers.
Morzine
This ski resort has the advantage of being a short drive from the
Geneva airport. Cars are not allowed on to the resort, so you will need to take one of the many taxi services to get out here. The short drive makes it great for families who do not want a long ride after long flight to get to their dream European ski resort. Beyond location, this resort provides great services for kids including a great indoor pool that is complete with a fake palm tree and large glass windows with views of the snowy mountains. Once you hit the slopes, the lifts are easy to access for children and adults. Outside of skiing the town provides a cinema, ice skate rink, ice hockey matches, shops and restaurants, so once everyone is done with skiing there is plenty to do. Make sure to investigate prices before choosing a restaurant, because prices vary from affordable to expensive in town.
This resort is not the best for advanced or intermediate skiers who want an environment just devoted to skiing. It is considered somewhat of a beginner resort, so the slopes are filled with people just learning to ski for the first time. Morzine can be a fun destination if you are looking to introduce family or friends to skiing.
St. Anton is a perfect place for advanced skiers looking for challenging blue, red and black runs followed by intense après-ski. If you have less skilled skiers accompanying you can they can take the ski bus over to Lech and
Zürs for milder slopes. This resort also has a state of the art lift system with a 24-person ferris wheel gonad, 8 person chair, cable car and fast chair lifts. Unfortunately these systems do not eliminate the lines!
The downside to St. Anton is that it is south facing, so the sun affects the snow rather rapidly. Also, the slopes can be prove to be difficult even for intermediate skiers. This is not a resort aimed towards families, kids or just partying. The center of town can also get quite loud at night for light sleepers!
Černá Hora
Perfect for people who want to go a little bit off the beaten path by exploring the Eastern European ski scene for the first time. This resort is a great deal for people who are looking for a good value with lift passes. There are 14 slops including the
Czech Republic’s lengthiest single run that goes for 1.2 miles. There are also vast amounts of cross country roots including 43 miles that take you through the snowy mountains. In addition, it is situated next to Czech Republic’s oldest brewery also called Černá Hora.
Due to the limited size of Černá Hora, this resort is best for a two to three day trip. Anyone who wants to have a vacation full of skiing may want to look elsewhere. That does make it perfect for travelers who just want to spend a couple days skiing then explore some other facets of the country. It almost seems like a crime to visit Czech Republic without stopping by Prague.
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Holly Williford is a travel writer who works with
PalaceTravel.com. She is a snow lover who dreams of powdery slopes instead of the icy mix of nonsense the East Coast of the U.S. offers. She starts to dream of the first day of snow as soon as it starts to get warm in spring.
