The top 12 skiing destinations in Europe.

Many individuals frequently inquire about the top ski destination, however, there is no single answer as it depends on the preferences of the skiers and snowboarders.

Novice skiers may prefer to ski on less challenging runs, while families with young children may not enjoy the same après ski spots popular among nightlife enthusiasts.

In addition, there are train trips available for those who prefer sustainable options, as well as affordable and fully-catered chalet vacations (depending on your budget). For non-skiers, there are also opportunities for winter wonderland walks if your partner is not interested in skiing.

There are numerous options for snow sports destinations, but here are some resorts specifically selected for different types of skiers to ensure a seamless winter vacation in 2024/2025, similar to a well-maintained beginner slope.

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There are several ski resorts in Austria and Switzerland that can be accessed by train (visit snowcarbon.co.uk), however, the St Pancras to French Alps direct service is the most convenient option.

Eurostar discontinued its highly sought-after service in 2020, however, Travelski Express intervened and now provides direct trains as part of a bundled offer that includes ski passes and lodging at select resorts.

In 2022, additional resorts were incorporated, including two within the expansive Three Valleys ski area: the elevated Val Thorens and stylish Courchevel. You depart on Friday evening to allow for seven days of skiing in the largest ski domain in the world and return the following Saturday evening.

Borovets, an area in Bulgaria, placed second in the Post Office’s yearly evaluation of affordable ski destinations. However, what is the experience like?

There are three different areas where the 58km of slopes are distributed. The Markudjik sector has scenic mountain views similar to those found in the Alps. Sitnyakovo features easier slopes that weave through thick fir trees and intersect with more challenging red and black runs, offering vistas of the modern-style village.

If you ride the egg-shaped, fibre-glass gondola (reminiscent of the 1980s) to Yastrebetz, you can enjoy stunning views of the plain.

The teachers are excellent, there are swimming pools in most hotels, and the outings are reasonably priced. Therefore, it is the clear option for those on a limited budget – unless Crystal Ski introduced even more economical travel packages to Bosnia-Herzegovina. That destination is perfect for the daring traveler.

If your partner does not ski, but you do, consider traveling to Switzerland. There, you can take advantage of trains that also serve as ski lifts. Additionally, you can make use of the service from Zurich airport, which reduces the travel time to the Jungfrau region by one hour.

In this location, you have the opportunity to experience two popular attractions: Mürren’s revolving Piz Gloria restaurant, famously featured in the movie “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service,” and its scenic cliffside trails. Additionally, you can also reenact Bond’s iconic chase scene while your companion takes the cable car down.

It is mostly walkers who take the railway inside the imposing north face of the Eiger to the restaurant overlooking the Aletsch glacier stretching 23km into the distance. Again your partner can race you down – in a train that trundles alongside the piste.

For a fairer competition, consider skiing on the slopes of Grindelwald. These routes weave through lovely villages and are popular with tobogganers.

You may be surprised to learn that despite its accessibility to low-cost flights, Geneva also has resorts that are within a 20 to 60-minute drive.

Pays de Gex, located in the Jura mountains, features three ski areas for downhill skiing: Lélex-Crozet, Mijoux-La Faucille, and Menthières. These charming, small communities offer lift passes starting at €20 per day.

For those interested in cross-country skiing, La Vattay-Valserine offers a vast network of 130km of trails.

Austria is known as the ultimate destination for après-ski activities and one of the most popular spots is the renowned Mooserwirt bar located in St Anton. However, for a more budget-friendly option, consider visiting Söll.

The lively town is well-liked among younger groups for its spacious, nightclub-style venues and is included in the expansive SkiWelt region. Additionally, it has partnered with another sizable area, KitzSki, just a short three-minute bus ride away, to provide a joint pass. This allows you to earn your drinks while completing a route that includes 88km of downhill skiing and an impressive 17,000 vertical meters in a single day.

As long as you don’t drink too much schnapps, you can make your way to the slope where Dave Ryding made history as the first Briton to win an Alpine skiing World Cup race at Kitzbühel in 2022. Ski with determination and celebrate with even more enthusiasm!

Finland is a favourite for young families wanting a winter holiday that focuses on visits to Santa, Northern Lights watching, cross-country skiing, dog and even reindeer sledding, as much as downhill skiing.

In the past, there were only two primary choices available – Levi and Ylläs. However, a third ski resort, Ruka, is quickly gaining ground with the addition of a new gondola and a new village that offers a more Alpine atmosphere compared to its competitors.

The skiing experience is vastly different from that in the Alps. Due to its location, the sunrise and sunset only provide a brief period of pink light on the frosted fences each day. After that, the slopes are illuminated by floodlights. While the trails are not very long, you may appreciate them as an opportunity to take a break and indulge in some hot chocolate during the cold weather. Additionally, many of the lodges and residences come equipped with saunas for added warmth.

You can enjoy skiing at Ruka until the beginning of May, but British tour operators restrict packages and direct flights until the start of February.

For those seeking a spring getaway, all of the top ski destinations (including lower Austrian resorts that have made significant investments in snow-making technology) promise to have snow-covered slopes. However, for those seeking a snowy paradise, Norway holds onto its wintry appearance for a longer period of time.

The light rail service known as the “green line” from Bergen airport allows you to easily access resorts like Geilo. With its 34km of skiing slopes on both sides of the valley, only one train change is needed.

And it’s worth stopping at Voss, with a 3S gondola that takes you direct from the platform to the slopes. The connections from here are so good that you can leave the slopes after 3pm and be in the airport at 5.30pm for your evening flight back home.

A skiing getaway in the city is perfect for those who also enjoy the bustling city life. This season, the Ski Plus City Pass in Innsbruck offers access to 23 cultural attractions, such as Lumagica – an outdoor light show at the Hofgarten palace.

There are 13 ski resorts near Innsbruck that can be reached within 15 to 75 minutes by tram, bus, or train. These include the Stubai glacier, which has 42km of runs, and Kühtai, one of the highest resorts in the Alps.

To experience breathtaking scenes of the city, visit Nordkette which can be accessed from a recently built terminal in the city’s downtown area. Don’t feel awkward as there will likely be many others dressed in ski attire in the lively university city.

Despite its small size, Andorra remains a top destination for British skiers. One of the main draws, besides the sunny weather, is the abundance of English-speaking instructors.

A new addition this winter is the collaboration between three ski areas, allowing for national ski passes to be purchased. This means that skiers can access the expansive 210km of slopes in Grandvalira, stretching from Pas de la Casa to Canillo via Soldeu, as well as the tree-lined 63km of Pal-Arinsal or the renowned 30km of freeride terrain in Ordino-Arcalís with a single pass.

Traveling between the regions still requires taking buses (although tour companies plan to provide coaches for day trips if there is enough interest). Along the way, you can take advantage of the chance to shop duty-free in the capital, Andorra la Vella, which is home to the expansive Caldea thermal spa.

All resorts offer stunning views, but the Dolomites stand out with their beautifully pink tinted rocks. In the Dolomiti Superski region, you can enjoy excellent views as you ski in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions around the breathtaking Sella Gruppo mountain range. This central area is surrounded by a multitude of ski runs, resembling the spokes of a wheel.

This region is famous for its dining options, but those interested in history will also be eager to participate in the Grande Guerra circuit. This tour follows the ski route of the First World War’s trenches and fortifications, which were hotly contested by the Austrians and Italians. The tour concludes with a unique ski lift experience, being pulled by a horse-drawn sled to Armenterola.

Austria is a top destination for those who enjoy spas. The country’s hotels offer numerous steam rooms, saunas, indoor and outdoor pools, and relaxation rooms, perfect for relieving sore muscles and warming up after a day of skiing.

How can one decide between the options? For those who enjoy skiing in the south with lots of sunshine and reasonable costs, Ryanair is offering direct flights from Stansted and Manchester to Klagenfurt this winter. From there, the spa town of Bad Kleinkirchheim is only a 50-minute journey.

The stunning resort offers ski-in/ski-out access and boasts 103km of ski slopes, including the famous Franz Klammer run, named after Olympic downhill champion Franz Klammer. Maybe you’ll have a chance to meet him in the steam room…

Several factors, such as stricter labor policies, Brexit guidelines, concerns about Covid, and a lack of employees, caused the traditional catered chalet option for ski vacations to practically vanish in 2020.

However, after making a comeback post-pandemic in the form of the “contactless chalet”, where you find all your meals pre-prepared in the fridge and have breakfast delivered every day, keen skiers are slowly shifting back to the wined and dined lifestyle of chalet board luxury.

Val d’Isère, a renowned ski resort in France known for its off-piste terrain, offers luxurious chalet accommodations at a high cost. However, for those seeking a friendly and cozy holiday with evenings spent by the fireplace, it could be worth the splurge.

Planning a ski trip with your whole family? Discover the reasons why Abruzzo, Italy should be your top choice.

Source: independent.co.uk