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Europe is a true winter playground of fabulous ski destinations that are among the best in the world, offering experiences unlike anything on offer in the Southern Hemisphere. From glamorous ski resorts to charming alpine villages, our list of memorable European ski holiday destinations includes some of the best skiing in Europe, with something special for skiers and snowboarders of every ability:
One of Finland’s most popular ski resorts, Levi enjoys one of the longest ski seasons in the Northern Hemisphere – typically November to April. Thanks to its location north of the Arctic Circle, there’s a good chance of witnessing the spectacular light show known as the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights during your stay.
The varied terrain at Levi ensures there are trails suited to all levels of expertise, plus you’ll find numerous off-piste activities when you’re ready for a change of pace. You could try the thrilling sport of ice-carting, go on a husky-drawn sled adventure or pay a visit to the official home of Christmas at the Santa Claus Village near Rovaniemi.
Sölden, one of the most popular ski areas in the Austrian Tyrol, is located about an hour’s drive from Innsbruck. Its spectacular setting even earned it a starring role in the James Bond film, Spectre. A single pass provides access to more than 400 hectares of terrain across three mountains, with more than 144 kilometres of trails to explore. The region’s high altitude, glacier terrain and modern snow-making facilities mean you can reliably expect fabulous conditions throughout the season, which usually runs from October until May.
High tech ski lifts and gondolas provide quick and easy access from the village, and once you’ve worked up an appetite on the slopes, there are more than thirty restaurants and alpine huts to choose from, offering everything from hearty alpine fare to high-end, modern bistro style dining. The après-ski scene is authentically Austrian, with happy hour typically featuring beerhall-style live music, singing and dancing.
St Anton am Arlberg is part of Austria’s largest interconnected ski area, known as Ski Arlberg, which also comprises St Christoph, Stuben, Lech, Zürs, Warth and Schröcken. It’s considered by many to be the birthplace of alpine skiing, and today you’ll find more than 300 kilometres of marked trails as well as 200 kilometres of off-piste options.
The pretty alpine village is a wonderful location for cross-country skiing, with more than 40 kilometres of trails weaving through the picturesque mountain scenery. You can also try tobogganing, ice skating and snowshoe hiking if you’re feeling adventurous, or treat yourself to a romantic horse-drawn sleigh ride.
Set at the foot of Bulgaria’s Pirin Mountains, Bansko is located around 160 kilometres from the Bulgarian capital of Sofia. With its modern lift infrastructure and vibrant night life, Bansko is a popular (and affordable) alternative to the ski resorts of the Swiss, Austrian and French Alps.
Bansko’s Old Town is a quaint collection of cobbled streets lined with mexana, where you can compare notes on the best trails while enjoying local specialities like parlenka and chicken soup. The ski season runs from mid-December until mid-April, but the best snow conditions are usually found between late January and mid-March.
This beautiful section of the Italian Dolomites is part of a larger network of twelve ski areas known as Dolomiti Superski. It famously features the longest ski run in the Southern Tyrol region of Italy: ten kilometres of blissful downhill terrain known as La Longia.
The picturesque village of Selva Val Gardena is an idyllic setting for an Italian ski holiday. The region enjoys an average of 300 sunshine days each year, so when you’re not exploring the 1200 kilometres of trails on your doorstep, or challenging yourself to take on the 40-kilometre Sellaronda ski circuit, you can soak up the views from the terrace of a mountain chalet while enjoying a chilled glass of Aperol spritz.
Cortina is another of the ski areas that make up the Dolomiti Superski, and its reputation as the ‘Queen of the Dolomites’ is sure to be further cemented when it hosts the 2026 Winter Olympics. The entire region is designated UNESCO World Heritage status for its unique geological features, with towering granite peaks providing a spectacular backdrop to a wide variety of terrain.
When you’re not enjoying the resort’s 120 kilometres of groomed slopes, you can the explore cafes, restaurants and designer boutiques that line Cortina’s historic, pedestrian-only main street, the Corso Italia.
Chocolate-box perfect scenery, an extensive snow park to practice your bumps and jumps, and an endless calendar of festivals and concerts – what’s not to love about a ski holiday in Val d’Isère?
This purpose-built resort has a reputation as a great family-friendly destination, with ski school options to suit every level of ability and facilities that will keep the kids happy on and off the slopes. There is a sledge slope and special play areas where they can enjoy time in the snow, and even a mini snowmobile track with designated times for kids to have a go. You can choose from a wide range of accommodation options, from self-catering chalets to luxury resorts, some with direct ski-out access so you’ll be out the door and onto the ski slope within minutes of finishing your breakfast.
Tignes and Val D’Isere together make up one the largest ski resorts in Europe, together comprising more than 300 kilometres of piste. Thanks to its high altitude, Tignes is one of the snowiest ski resorts in Europe, offering reliably great snow and a wide selection of terrain. If you’re a novice skier or snowboarder, you can take advantage of the resort’s nursery slopes and free beginner lifts before progressing to the 65 blue runs and 41 red runs.
Tignes is also connected to the pristine, ungroomed slopes of Vanoise National Park, so if you are looking for an idyllic location for freeriding fun, we recommend engaging a local guide to show you their favourite couloirs, chutes and bowls. Even if you’re a non-skier, you can still enjoy the spectacular alpine environment. A pedestrian pass lets you ride the funicular and cable car to the summit of La Grande Motte for a fine-dining experience with jaw-dropping glacier views.
From its magical alpine setting to its outstanding snow conditions and extensive choice of ski areas, Chamonix is considered one of the world’s premium ski destinations. Located around an hour’s drive from Geneva, this lovely ski town is one of the few resorts where a single pass allows you to ski in three different countries (France, Switzerland and Italy) in the same day.
With ten ski areas to choose from, there’s something to suit every level: from cautious beginner to experienced powder-hound. If you’re looking for the ultimate off-piste challenge, we recommend enlisting the expertise of a high mountain guide and taking on the stunning 20-kilometre Vallée Blanche ski route. However, you don’t have to be an expert to experience the grandeur of the high peaks: the Aiguille du Midi cable car whisks passengers from the floor of the Chamonix Valley to a scenic viewing point that overlooks the Mont Blanc massif from a breathtaking 3,842 metres above sea level.
With its extensive free-riding slopes, world-class terrain parks and a fabulous après-ski scene, Livigno offers some of the best snow-boarding in Europe. It’s a popular choice for advanced skiers and boarders, so it should be at the top of your wishlist if you love to play in untouched powder. The resort’s high altitude means it offers reliable snow conditions between December and March, and there are 115 kilometres of groomed trails to complement its extensive back country slopes.
Livigno is located in the Lombardy region of Italy, roughly a four-hour drive from Milan. The historic town, which will be one of the venues for the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics in 2026, offers numerous ski-in, ski-out accommodation options, and its unique tax-free status makes it a popular shopping destination.
The beautiful, car-free village of Zermatt is located in the heart of the Swiss Alps, close to the border between Switzerland and Italy and overlooked by the iconic peak of the Matterhorn (Monte Cervino in Italian). It’s an idyllic location to access the sweeping slopes of the Matterhorn Ski Paradise, where the snow is plentiful and pillowy, and the facilities are second to none. With four interconnected ski areas (and 360 kilometres of piste) to choose from, you could easily ski or board here for days without running out of fresh adventures.
One of the largest ski areas in Europe, it offers a variety of terrain from beginner-friendly bunny slopes to hard-core heli-skiing. Be sure to allow some time to experience the Matterhorn Alpine Crossing during your stay in Zermatt: an unforgettable scenic cable car that crosses the Alps to Zermatt’s sister village, Cervinia, in Italy. Each station along the route offering something new, from incredible mountain views to the ethereal Glacier Palace.
From choosing the best lift pass and pre-booking your ski lessons, to sorting your transfers and accommodation (and knowing where to find the best hot chocolate or mulled wine), your personal travel manager is ready to help plan your perfect European ski holiday.
TravelManagers respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands where we work and gather, and those we visit.
