The Alps offer some of the best ski resorts in the world. Choosing the right one can be overwhelming. There are hundreds of resorts spread across France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, and Slovenia. Each has its own character. Some are famous for nightlife. Others are quiet family destinations. Some have glaciers for summer skiing. Others have extensive beginner areas. The best resort depends on your skiing ability and budget. This guide covers five of the best resorts in the Alps. They are chosen for snow reliability, lift systems, and overall experience. These are the resorts worth planning your entire trip around.
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Val d’Isère: 300 Kilometres of Piste at 1,850 Metres
Val d’Isère sits at 1,850 metres in the French Alps. Skiing arrived in 1936. Today it connects to Tignes through the Espace Killy ski area, named after Olympic champion Jean-Claude Killy. The combined area offers 300 kilometres of piste with 89 lifts. The highest point is the Grande Motte glacier at 3,656 metres. This allows skiing from October to May. The famous La Face de Bellevarde was built for the 1992 Albertville Winter Olympics. It is 2.9 kilometres long with a vertical drop of 972 metres. It is graded black. Lift passes cost 71 euros per day for adults (as of 2026). Children aged 5 to 12 pay 53 euros. Ski hire costs 35 euros per day for standard equipment.
Zermatt: 360 Kilometres of Piste and the 4,478-Metre Matterhorn
Zermatt is a car-free village at 1,620 metres in the Swiss Alps. The Matterhorn rises 4,478 metres above the town. It was first climbed in 1865. The ski area offers 360 kilometres of piste. It connects to Cervinia in Italy. You can ski across the border for lunch. The highest lift is the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise at 3,883 metres. It opened in 2021. The lift cost 120 million euros to build. The resort offers year-round skiing on the Theodul Glacier. Lift passes cost 89 euros per day for adults (as of 2026). Children aged 9 to 16 pay 44.50 euros. Ski hire costs 45 euros per day. The village bans cars. Arrive by train from Visp, a 65-minute ride.
Courchevel: 600 Kilometres of Piste in the Three Valleys
Courchevel is part of the Three Valleys, the largest ski area in the world. The connected area covers 600 kilometres of piste across 8 resorts with 183 lifts. Courchevel 1850 sits at 1,850 metres. The first lift opened in 1946. The Saulire peak at 2,738 metres is the highest point. A day lift pass for the Three Valleys costs 74 euros for adults (as of 2026). Children under 13 pay 52 euros. Courchevel has 6 Michelin-starred restaurants. For affordable eating, the Pizzeria du Village does a margherita for 14 euros. Ski hire costs 35 euros per day. The resort is 2 hours from Geneva and 1.5 hours from Lyon airports.
St Anton am Arlberg: 305 Kilometres of Piste in the Arlberg Region
St Anton is one of the oldest ski resorts in the world. Skiing began here in 1901. The first lift opened in 1937. The resort sits at 1,304 metres. The Arlberg region offers 305 kilometres of piste across 6 villages with 88 lifts. The highest point is the Valluga peak at 2,811 metres. The famous Valluga run is 11 kilometres long with 1,300 metres of vertical drop. It is graded black and requires a guide. The region averages 7 metres of snowfall per season. Lift passes cost 70 euros per day for adults (as of 2026). Children aged 16 to 18 pay 56 euros. Ski hire costs 35 euros per day. St Anton is 100 kilometres from Innsbruck Airport.
Val Thorens: 160 Kilometres of Piste at 2,300 Metres
Val Thorens is the highest ski resort in Europe. It sits at 2,300 metres in the French Alps. The resort was built in 1972. The height guarantees snow from November to May. The ski area covers 160 kilometres and connects to the Three Valleys for a total of 600 kilometres. The highest lift is the Cime de Caron at 3,195 metres. It was built in 1982. The Combe de Thorens run is 6.5 kilometres long and graded blue. Lift passes cost 63 euros per day for adults (as of 2026). This is the cheapest of the five resorts listed. Ski hire costs 30 euros per day. The altitude means colder temperatures. Pack layers and bring sunscreen even on cloudy days.
Which Alpine resort would you choose for your next ski holiday? 🎿
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