Europe is and always has been one of the world's epicentres for skiing holidays; the Alps draw in tens of millions of budding skiers and snowboarders each year. The continent is home to approximately 4,000 ski resorts offering a wide range of skiing experiences from beginner-friendly resorts to some of the world's most challenging black runs. 

Join The Snow Centre as we discuss the top 10 ski resorts in Europe to determine where you can experience the best skiing in Europe throughout the ski season. Whether you’re racing down the challenging slopes across France, enjoying a family ski holiday in Austria, or taking in the après-ski in Italy, there's plenty of fantastic skiing in Europe on offer. 

We spoke with our experts at The Snow Centre, and in this guide to the best ski resorts in Europe, you'll discover:

  • Val Thorens
  • St Anton
  • Zermatt
  • Grandvalira
  • Riksgränsen
  • Bad Gastein
  • Tignes
  • Cortina D’Ampezzo
  • Alta Badia
  • Avoriaz
  • How The Snow Centre can get you ski holiday ready

1. Val Thorens, France

Where better to start than the highest resort in Europe? Val Thorens is an iconic ski resort drawing in over 300,000 tourists a year with 150km of pistes within its own sector of the wider 3 Vallées ski area. The resort reaches an altitude of 2,300 metres and sees an average snowfall of 650 metres, allowing the resort to open earlier and remain open for longer than most ski resorts. The ski season typically starts in late November and remains open until early May. Val Thorens offers a great mix of runs, catering to beginners and intermediate skiers with plenty of confidence-building options, as well as advanced runs for expert skiers. For those wanting a proper challenge, Val Thorens has some incredible black runs to experience. 

Find out more about the skiing on offer in France by checking out our guide to the best ski resorts in France.

  • The highest resort in Europe.
  • Draws in 300,000 visitors a year on average.
  • 150km of pistes to explore.
  • Reaches an altitude of 2,300 metres.
  • Ski season lasts from November to May.
  • Runs for skiers of all abilities.

2. St Anton, Austria

Austria’s premier skiing destination, St Anton, is located in the Arlberg ski area, allowing for 304km of interconnected skiing pistes. St Anton is legendary for its challenging terrain, deep powder and some of the best après ski anywhere in the world. Beginner and intermediate skiers can enjoy 130km of blue runs, whilst advanced and expert skiers can showcase their skills on 123km of red runs and 51km of black runs for skiers in search of a real challenge. The resort reaches an altitude of 1,304 metres, offering great skiing opportunities at a resort that remains open from December to late April. St Anton is renowned for its lively après ski season, offering some fantastic venues to suit everyone's taste.

Find out more about the skiing on offer in Austria by checking out our guide to the best ski resorts in Austria.

  • Located in the largest ski area in Austria.
  • 304km of interconnected pistes. 
  • 174km of red and black runs.
  • 130km of blue runs.
  • Reaches an altitude of 1,304.
  • Open from December to late April.
  • Lively après ski scene.

3. Zermatt, Switzerland

When you imagine a ski resort in the Alps, Zermatt will be painted in your mind. This ski resort is a dream come true, situated at the top of a peak, where you can get a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains before enjoying the 360km skiing area. The resort, which borders Switzerland and Italy, offers a variety of runs catering to beginners, intermediates, and advanced skiers. Reaching an altitude of 1,620, the resort provides skiers with 75km of blue runs, 220km of red runs and 65km of black runs that can push even the best skiers to their limits. Zermatt’s ski season typically runs from late November to early May. 

  • A picturesque ski resort.
  • On the border of Switzerland and Italy.
  • 360km of skiing area.
  • 75km of beginner and intermediate-friendly runs.
  • 220km of advanced skiing runs.
  • 65k of expert black runs.
  • Ski season runs from November to early May.

4. Grandvalira, Andorra

Andorra is a small country, with an annual footfall of tourists that is larger than the country's population. The Grandvalira resort sits at 1,710 metres and is the largest ski resort in the Pyrenees, split across seven interconnected sectors totalling 210km of skiing. The resort is beginner-friendly with 17% of the runs being beginner green runs, 39% blue intermediate runs, and 32% being red advanced runs. If you’re looking for a proper challenge, then 13% of the runs are black expert runs that can test even the best skiers. Grandvalira’s ski season lasts from December to April. 

Discover the resorts that make this small yet quality ski holiday destination special by exploring our comprehensive guide to skiing in Andorra.

  • The country sees more tourists than residents. 
  • Sits at 1,710 metres.
  • The largest resort in the Pyrenees.
  • 210km of skiing.
  • Runs for all abilities.
  • The ski season is from December to April. 

5. Riksgränsen, Sweden

A break from the Alps, to the frozen lands of Scandinavia. Sweden is a country infamous for the cold and snow, and Riksgränsen delivers both in spades. Located in the northernmost part of Sweden on the border with Norway, this resort provides incredible Arctic scenery and a wide array of ski runs. The ski season is shorter than most resorts due to the low altitude, operating at 500 metres, the resort is open from late February to late May. With slopes for all levels of experience, this resort is a must-experience for anyone looking for a Scandinavian ski holiday. 

  • Located in the far north of Sweden on the border with Norway.
  • Incredible arctic scenery and ski runs for all abilities.
  • The ski season is shorter, from February to May. 
  • Operates at 500 metres.

6. Bad Gastein (Sportgastein), Austria

Another of Austria’s finest ski resorts, Bad Gastein, is split across four resorts, Stubnerkogel, Graukogel, Sportgastein, and Dorfgastein, with Sportgastein being the largest. Sitting at 1,600 metres, the resort offers runs for intermediate, advanced and expert skiers. With over 200km of pistes to explore, skiers can enjoy a truly authentic Alpine experience. The resort operates from December to early May, offering some of the best skiing in Europe.

Find out more about the skiing on offer in Austria by checking out our guide to the best ski resorts in Austria.

  • Split across four resorts, Stubnerkogel, Graukogel, Sportgastein, and Dorfgastein,
  • Sportgastein sits at 1,600 metres.
  • The resort is for intermediate and advanced skiers.
  • 200km of pistes to explore.
  • The ski season is from December to May.

7. Tignes, France

Tignes is another standout ski resort in the French Alps, offering 300km of pistes to explore at the resort that sits at 1,550 metres. The resort is spread across four different sectors: Grande Motte, Tovière, Palet–Aiguille Percée and Les Brévières/Boisses. The resort offers a ski season that typically lasts from late November to early May. Tignes not only offers skiing for all abilities, with beginner runs through to a large selection of black runs that can challenge even the best skiers, but it also has a great après ski scene comprising five villages that offer great places to stop and enjoy the scenery.

Find out more about the skiing on offer in France by checking out our guide to the best ski resorts in France.

  • 300km of pistes to enjoy.
  • The resort sits at 1,550 metres.
  • Spread across four sectors.
  • The ski season lasts from late November to early May.
  • Runs for skiers of all abilities.
  • Great selection of après ski.

8. Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy

The Queen of the Dolomites, Cortina d’Ampezzo, attracts huge crowds to northern Italy who want to experience the resort's skiing heritage and striking scenery. The resort sits at 1,224 metres and provides skiers with 120km of pistes to enjoy. This resort is a favourite for families and skiers seeking some challenging red and black runs to test their skiing skills. Typically, the ski season runs from late November to early May. Be sure to experience a ski holiday at this resort that is due to host events at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

  • A popular Italian ski holiday destination.
  • The resort has a deep skiing heritage.
  • The resort sits at 1,224 metres.
  • 120km of pistes that cater to skiers of all abilities.
  • A favourite for families looking for a ski holiday.
  • Ski season lasts from November to May.
  • The resort is hosting some events at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

9. Alta Badia, Italy

Another resort in the stunning Dolomites range, Alta Badia, blends beautiful mountain scenery and some of the best ski runs in Europe across 130km of skiable terrain. The resort lies in the Dolomiti Superski network that connects multiple resorts over 1,200km of pistes. The runs offer beginner-friendly and expert-level runs, but 71% of the runs are aimed at intermediate skiers, making the resort perfectly balanced in terms of its difficulty. The resort sits at 1,324 metres and the ski season runs from early December to early April. If you’re looking for authentic ski holidays in Europe, then Alta Badia is perfect for you.

  • Set in beautiful Alpine scenery with a rich Italian culture sewn together.
  • In the Dolomiti Superski network, there are 1,200km of connected pistes.
  • The resort offers 130km of skiable terrain.
  • A mix of difficult and beginner runs, with 71% being intermediate level.
  • The ski season runs from December to April.
  • The resort sits at 1,324 metres.

10. Avoriaz, France

Last, but certainly not least, is Avoriaz, our third resort from France, which really highlights just how many stand-out ski resorts the country has, and Avoriaz definitely doesn't disappoint. The stunning village offers world-leading après ski. In the centre of Portes du Soleil, the resort gives skiers access to 605km of pistes. The beginner-friendly resort has over 50% of its runs as blue runs, making it perfect for families and beginner skiers. There is also a wide choice of advanced and expert runs for skiers in need of a challenge. The ski season lasts from December to April, a shorter ski season than most resorts in France due to the resort sitting at 1,150 metres.  

  • Fantastic selection of après ski.
  • Set in the heart of the Portes du Soleil region.
  • Access to 605km of pistes.
  • A great mix of difficulty, with over half of the runs being intermediate level. 
  • The ski season lasts from December to April.
  • Sits at 1,150 metres.

Get Ski Holiday Ready at The Snow Centre

By choosing one of the best ski resorts in Europe, you will be sure to have an incredible time out on the slopes on your ski holiday. If you’re looking to learn to ski before heading on your holiday or just shake off some of the rust, our ski lessons at Manchester and Hemel Hempstead cater for all ages and abilities, from beginners to experts and kids to adults. You can find the perfect lesson out on our slopes. 

If you have any questions about our ski lessons, be sure to contact us, and a member of our team will be happy to help.