As the ski season rolls around, thoughts will be turning to your much anticipated time on the mountain. If you’ve already done Europe’s major resorts like the Espace Killy area or the Grande Galaxie, or haven’t booked your holiday and are looking for somewhere different; why not think about some other enticing options! Take a look at our recommendations for the best ski breaks on the continent. It’s not all fun and games though... you should always try to plan as best you can. Before you go, make sure you have relevant insurance cover and an up to date EHIC card. It’s better to be safe than to be sorry!
Vaujany, France (home from home)
This unspoilt little village is on the doorstep of a huge playground for skiers, being part of the well known resort of Alpe d’Huez, voted ‘2017, Best European Ski Resort’. There are slopes of varying difficulties for beginners and experts alike. Montfrais, the local ski area is great for children and beginners and is North facing so brilliant for Easter trips. The resort tops at Pic Blanc, 3300m and delves down to 1100m near the village of Vaujany, the largest vertical decent in the world that one can ski, on piste, without taking another lift! The region is home to some difficult slopes too - the Tunnel and the 16km long Sarenne black run are unmissable, with breath-taking views of the surrounding mountains. Vaujany is perfect for long family skiing trips, without the overcrowding you’ll find in other resorts.
Cervinia, Italy
Photo credit @ qwesy qwesy
If you’re looking for a skiing break out of the main season, Cervinia is perfect. Its base village sits at 2,050m, so snow is pretty much guaranteed from November right through until May, meaning you can easily avoid the busy school holiday period. The highest lift station is at 3,480m but slopes in Cervinia are long and gentle, even the reds would be classified as blues elsewhere in Europe, so it’s ideal for beginners or intermediate skiers in search of a relaxed break. If the weather’s good, it’s possible to commute across to Zermatt so you can experience the Swiss slopes as well in one break!
St Anton, Austria
Photo credit @ Johnfmh
Every young, avid skier knows that the après scene is just as important as hitting the slopes. St Anton is home to long, lively après drinks, with the Krazy Kanguruh being a must-visit bar. If you’re not part of a large student skiing trip or heading out with your friends, you might want to give the Austrian skiing village a miss. However, the area has been rated as the top five resorts in the Alps, and it’s not hard to see why when you consider the heavy snowfall, 305km of pistes and extremely efficient lift season. Plus, the town is bustling with plenty of restaurants and bars to visit when you get tired of the slopes.
Engelberg, Switzerland
Photo credit @ Gestumblindi
Conveniently close to Zurich airport, Engelberg is a town that’s set against a backdrop of stunning glacial slopes. The region is little known and pretty under-rated, even by Swiss nationals, which means that it’s fairly quiet all year round. It’s home to a hair-rising vertical slope which is 2,000m long from the very highest lift back down to the town. There’s plenty to keep advanced and intermediate skiers and snowboarders amused in Engelberg, but beginners may struggle to navigate the 84km of posted runs as only around 30% are designed with beginners in mind. For avid skiers who are looking for a new challenge, skiing in Engelberg is the best break.
Meribel, France
Photo credit @ Jean Maurice Gouedard
Placed in the heart of the 3 Valleys, this resort is perfectly placed to really explore the whole area and all the possibilities. The Rond Point is a great meeting point as it’s located on the piste and on the roadside and has a great, family friendly atmosphere where live music is played regularly. There are a number of ski schools to choose from such as Magic in Motion who cater to all levels of skiing and have a high standard of English. For accommodation options please check out our friends at Chalets Meribel.
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