Verbier, Switzerland

Often dubbed as Europe’s premiere skiing destinations, Verbier does not disappoint. You will be enticed by the flourishing international atmosphere and trendy bars and restaurants in this French-speaking area of Switzerland.  Rub shoulders with old money living the champagne life to family holiday-makers and young European travellers on a budget in the après scene.

Verbier, Switzerland by Leo-setä

The magical snow topped chalets in Verbier village nestle in a sunny bowl is truly a picturesque site. The Swiss destination has an abundance of hostels to luxurious chateaus where celebrities congregate.

Skiers will enjoy the 400km terrain and beginners can practice their carving skills with experienced instructors. Experienced snow ski enthusiasts will be spoilt for choice with the intense black runs and off-piste terrain Verbier offers.

Innsbruck, Austria

This western Austrian city is world renowned for excellent slopes and powder during peak months of December to March. Europeans and international ski aficionados flock to Austria to revel in cross-country skiing, snowboarding and skating.

Innsbruck, Austria by James Cridland

The city has a strong winter sport history and has hosted 4 Winter Olympic Games. Its beginner friendly and also challenging for elite athletes ready for a hair-raising experience.

Snowboarders rejoice with the intense vertical Nordpark. Take the Nordketten cable car from the city centre. This is the gateway to embark on your snow adventure and you will find the majestic vistas mesmerising. This is a cloud-free panorama for an astonishing 350 days a year.

Those who are truly experienced should try Hafelekarrinne. This is one of the steepest runs in Europe and not for the fainthearted!

Innsbruck also features the Nitro Pro Skylinepark where you will be treated to picturesque views of the Innsbruck skyline. Just take the Nordkettenbahn cable car up to winter sport heaven! Hoards of boarders, skiers and elite athletes flock to this park to board and ski in cutting-edge facilities but be prepared for some queues.

Chamonix, France

Chamonix is championed as the most prestigious skiing destination in France with 108km of pistes and five ski resorts. You will discover an array of bistros and restaurants that suit every palate, from gastronomic French cuisine to hearty Italian.

Chamonix, France by Jason Hickey

Take to the slopes of Vallee Blanche and explore the glaciers and crevasses. Chamonix is more than accommodating to beginners. There are five different beginners areas to hone your skills including Le Tour and Les Pianards close to the Chamonix centre.

Chamonix is undoubtedly a winter wonderland and an experience you can’t miss if you plan to Ski Europe.

After a tiring day on the slopes, satiate that appetite with scrumptious wining and dining options and select from restaurants specialising in organic local produce. There is also a great mix of cafes and delis for lunchtime cravings.

Rebecca Parish+ is a fan of exotic travel destinations and quirky adventures.

The post Ultimate European Skiing appeared first on Europe Explored.

France – Offers the best value for money in Europe. France offers large accommodation resorts, that are situated almost always right on the slope.

Courchevel Ski Resort in Parc national de la Vanoise is one of the best ski resorts in France. It is located in the eastern part of the country, in the region of Rhône-Alpes, in Les Trois Vallées, at an altitude of 1300 – 2740m. Courchevel Ski resort is also the oldest and most luxurious ski resort in Les Trois Vallées. It offers a total of 180 km of slopes of several types. Transport is providing by 25 lifts and 40 ski-tows with a total carrying capacity of 68 350 persons per hour. Ski resort Courchevel is divided into four villages. The lowest one is Courchevel 1300 m, where you can see admire the local architecture. There are houses from the 13th century. Upper one is Courchevel 1550, which offers a nice entry to the slopes. Courchevel 1650 is another historic part with the typical wooden houses of Savoy. The highest part of Courchevel 1850 offers the best access to the lifts. After skiing you can enjoy a swimming pool, sauna, jacuzzi and bowling.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Leo-setä

Italy – Offers high quality ski slopes and higher quality of Italian accommodation standards. Another positive thing is that there are beautiful mountain sceneries. The disadvantage is that Italians are not consistent, and thus you can often find something that is out of order or goes wrong. You also should start to learn Italian before your trip.

Cortina d’Ampezzo – Olympic slopes with an international atmosphere. In 1956 there were Olympic Winter Games in the resort and became famous also far beyond the borders of Italy. Cortina d’Ampezzo is the village in the Dolomites, surrounded by peaks Tofana (3244 m), Monte Cristallo (3221 m) and Sorapis (3205 m). It is located in the Veneto region, at an altitude of 1224 m.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Peter Stevens

Austria – Offers technically the best equipped ski resorts and also the reliability is very high. However the prices are higher, so skiing in Austria can be really expensive.

St. Anton belongs to the exclusive association of the best Alpine area – Best of the Alps. It offers comfortable St Anton hotels, but even more accommodation options in private. Despite the fact that it is becoming a bit busier resort, it has kept the pleasant and welcoming Tyrol atmosphere. The minor disadvantage of St. Anton are parking fees. Although St. Anton offers over 30 modern lifts, there are often queues in the early morning hours.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by vuorikari

Switzerland – here you can be sure to have snow during your skiing vacations. Switzerland offers comfortable accommodation, skiing in the middle and beautiful contrast between the modern and technologically obsolete lifts. Among the most popular ski resorts in Switzerland are Veysonnaz. It’s one of the most prestigious ski areas, situated near the highest point of Mont Fort (3300 m). Another beautiful alpine ski resort is Saas-Fee, which is located at 1 560-3 600 m. The world-famous Jungfrau ski area offers approximately 190 km of slopes and e.g. Crans Montana have beautiful scenery and excellent skiing.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by TRAILSOURCE.COM

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