10 best ski resorts in Europe

With the onset of winter, skiers take out their gear and start choosing a resort. Turning their attention to Europe, they consider several dozen places in different countries. To make the choice a little easier, we have compiled a ranking of the best. These ski resorts have earned the trust and love of visitors. The top includes not only world-famous places in Switzerland and Italy, but also less well-known Finland, Romania and others.

When evaluating the resorts, we took into account the cost of ski passes, the number and length of slopes, the quality of the lifts and staff. We did not forget about the reviews of visitors, made their recommendations and wishes. Positions were placed according to the combination of these qualities. However, both the last and the first place will provide an unforgettable vacation in Europe.

TOP 10 best ski resorts in Europe

10 Chamonix, France

Chamonix, a French ski resort that appeared in 1907, opens the ranking of the best in Europe. Nowadays, it is considered one of the most suitable places for experienced skiers. The season runs from November to March, although the resort is open all year round. There are 3 ski areas connected by free buses. The most experienced go to the slopes of the Gran Monte with several black runs and a huge freeride field. There is also the Argentiere glacier. Just 50 meters from the edge of the resort is the border with Switzerland, so most of the tourists from there.

In total, Chamonix has 170 km of slopes, developed infrastructure and nature, which is carefully protected. It is considered inexpensive for Europe, and the only weak point of the visitors was the lifts. Many of them are about to be replaced, some do not even have a protective cap from the wind. The weather in the resort is changeable, there are fogs and snowstorms. Then visibility drops a lot, freeride is limited or warned about the danger of breaking loose. Speaking of the latter, there are many avalanches and crevasses in Chamonix, especially close to the summit. They are covered with snow, but it is risky to drive there. It seems to us that there are more suitable resorts for beginners and families with children, we will consider them further.

9 Zell am See, Austria

Zell am See is a relatively inexpensive resort in Austria, where you can find a track of any complexity, from training for children to high-speed black ones. Tourists are advised to come from the end of December to the end of March, although the glacier is open all year round.Experts prefer the track at the top, from there you have a great view of the entire valley. Several slopes of medium difficulty are often overloaded, you have to wait your turn. Many note the long route to Schuttdorf with its mountain lake. Tired of skiing from the slopes, the guests visit the skating rink, ride in teams with horses, take sleds and go to the illuminated slope.

Near Zell am See is a town with medieval buildings, where most tourists live. Vehicles travel through a long tunnel so as not to disturb the atmosphere. At the resort, the slopes are divided into zones for beginners and professionals. Here, as in many places in Europe, the slopes are made unique, alternating views of the mountains, the valley and the lake. Before the trip, you need to consider that it takes about 30 minutes to get to the resort from the hotel, the buses are very busy. On the lower slopes for beginners at the beginning and end of the season, stones and ice are visible, you need to be careful.

8 Levi, Finland

Levi is a large trail system, updated every year, that covers the mountain from all sides. Rest in Finland challenges even experienced skiers, only pros can test each slope! And beginners like gentle slopes, abundant snow cover and temperatures slightly below zero. The ski lifts are located close to the hotels, allowing you to make the most of your time. And if you're lucky, you can see the northern lights. There are 3 black slopes for experts, but most of the resort is equipped for families with children. The ski school teaches all popular winter sports.

Visitors celebrate 230 km of cross-country trails and over 880 km of snowmobile trails.Tired of the mountains, tourists go to snow parks, send children with caregivers to children's slopes and relax in restaurants. Only here in Finland you can ride the cable car and watch the slalom championship. Parents like an inexpensive children's town with sports and animators. Older children are sent to school with an instructor. Here the nanny speaks Russian, like many coaches. The only thing that can be noted is that the beautiful mountain landscapes of Austria or Switzerland cannot be found here. There are no red runs, only green, blue and black.

7 St. Moritz, Switzerland

Many have heard about St. Moritz, because it is considered one of the most luxurious in the world. The high cost is a kind of visiting card of the resort; guests are attracted by the opportunity to ride among the stars, successful entrepreneurs and children of wealthy parents. Every six months, 1.5 million tourists come here, the Winter Olympics have been held here twice, and the Swiss Freeride Trophy competitions are still held on Mount Diavolezza. The ski resort is divided into 2 sectors: the first is built on a hill and is filled with shops, the second is located along the lake and is built up with hotels. Visitors have access to 350 km of pistes throughout the Upper Engadine.

According to the reviews, it is clear that tourists of any level of training are satisfied. There is enough snow all season, the slopes are connected by 57 ski lifts. The elevation difference varies from 1,700 to 3,300 meters. Everyone will find a slope to suit their abilities among the 88 slopes available. Below guests are waiting for 34 restaurants of all kinds, luxury hotels and expensive souvenir shops.If the cost and the huge number of visitors do not scare away, St. Moritz will give an unforgettable vacation.

6 Garmisch-Panterkirchen, Germany

Garmisch-Panterkirchen is located in the north of the Eastern Alps, next to the highest point in the country - the Zugspitze. Comparing a resort in Germany with Italy or Austria, you can see that the first one takes up little space. However, long runs attract tourists from all over Europe. Beginners slowly roll down the green and blue gentle slopes. Guests more confidently switch to red high-speed routes. The pros ski down black slopes with big elevation changes. Garmisch-Panterkirchen has it all - uncultivated snowcat spaces, gentle and steep slopes, mounds, ice and deep snow. The trails are very compact.

Users in the reviews note the developed infrastructure: 46 lifts carry guests to the tops, next to each there is a scheme of slopes and instructors. Those who are tired of skiing are advised to visit the Apres-Ski amusement park. There are shops, sledge and skate rentals, restaurants, hiking trails and a kindergarten. The temperature in the season drops to -25, it is recommended to dress warmer. All hotels are located far from the ski lifts, the journey without a car will take about an hour. Since there is only one road to the resort, there are always traffic jams in the mornings and evenings, there are a lot of people on the roads.

5 Lech, Austria

Leh is one of the unique places that gives access to the White Ring.This unique ski attraction has been in use for over 50 years and offers amazing slopes, cable cars and lifts. They are the centerpiece of the ski resort, although it already has a lot to offer. Visitors are welcomed by 95 cable cars, developed in the last century and regularly updated. Leh is available for any type of training, there are soft and gentle slopes, instructors and group classes. The cost of a ski pass for a day is 53 euros for an adult, which is quite expensive for Austria. However, this resort is the only one in the country where heli-skiing is allowed - skiing with a helicopter to the top.

A little lower down the mountain there is a slope for snowboarders with a 1,200-meter long tube. Nearby are the trails for the pros: black and red slopes with a length of more than 2 km. There are also spaces for free skiing. It should be noted that there are many very expensive hotels and restaurants in Lech; in Austria it is considered elite. It will not be possible to save money, the main audience corresponds to the prices - German pensioners, local aristocrats and successful businessmen. The best places are recommended to be booked in advance, sometimes a year in advance. You have to take a bus to the most interesting and picturesque slopes.

4 Formigal, Spain

Formigal offers wide illuminated routes for beginners and intermediates, so people come here with children. In 2007, several high-speed lifts, snow cannons, a mogul track and two winter parks were built. There is always a lot of snow here in the season, everything is new and modern.The trails for beginners are located at 2250 meters above sea level and offer stunning views. The vertical drop is 740 m - enough to challenge the pros. Tired of skiing, guests go to the amusement park, restaurants, wine cellars and bars. Formigal is a mountain village that has retained an atmosphere of comfort, despite the popular resort.

Upon arrival, guests are invited to study at the school (in a group or individually). An hour of classes costs 42 euros, but there are many discounts and great deals. Prices at the resort are average in Europe and much lower than most positions in the ranking. On small slides, automatic lifting tracks are installed, equipment rental booths are located throughout the site. In addition to the slopes, spa centers, educational tours to wineries, golfing, visiting the wild animal park are available to visitors. The only weak point of the resort is a strong wind blowing almost the entire season.

3 Poiana Brasov, Romania

Opens the top three Poiana Brasov - the most elite and beautiful resort in Romania. Located in a coniferous forest at an altitude of 1,030 meters, it offers modern infrastructure, snow cannons, 10 slopes of varying difficulty and accommodation in an ancient city. The main visitors are skiers, special slopes and slopes are equipped for them. The trails are surprisingly diverse and suitable for both beginners and pros. Several slopes are designed for slalom. Skiing takes place at an altitude of 1,775 meters, the longest track reaches 4.6 km. For the most advanced, there are 2 ski jumps and several cross-country skiing tracks.

Poiana Brasov is popular with families with children, for young visitors there are amusement sites, a ski school, a kindergarten, animators, and sledding slopes. Tired of the snow trails, guests can walk along one of the 10 routes laid through the most picturesque places. Every 15 minutes a bus runs to the city of Brasov, a colorful place in a traditional style. Since the resort is very popular, there are always a lot of people during the season. To the queue lifts, sometimes there is no right size of clothes. In the low season, there are no complaints about the place.

2 Zermatt, Switzerland

Second place among the best is Zermatt, which surpasses other resorts in the number of slopes for experienced skiers. It is most popular among professionals, many tracks have steep slopes at a considerable height. It is here that the famous Klein Materhorn station (3,885 meters) is located, from where the black and red slopes originate. Beginners and families with children are attracted by nature, a huge number of observation platforms, excursions have been created for them, the famous Glacier Express runs.

The total length of the trails is 360 km, the elevation difference is more than 2 km. Most of the slopes are red (220 km), a significant proportion is occupied by black slopes (62 km). The freeride season opens in January, at which time the most adventurous skiers come. There is enough space for everyone, guests are transported by 72 lifts and a large train. The ski pass is quite expensive compared to other European resorts - from 340 euros for 6 days, but the skiing is exceptional. For beginners, perhaps quieter places are suitable, but for the pros of the slopes it is difficult to find better Zermatt.

1 Livigno, Italy

The leader of the rating is Livigno, an Italian resort on the border with Switzerland, which is visited annually by tens of thousands of skiers. The place appeared at the beginning of the last century, but it received a big impetus in development only in 2002, so all the tracks and lifts are new. Routes are regularly added, infrastructure is improving. The length of the trails is 115 km, most of them are designed for beginner and intermediate levels of difficulty. The most popular are green Carosello and red Motolino. There are always many snowboarders here, there are slopes for freeride, half-pipe and boardercross. In Italy, Livigno is included in the tax-free zone, goods in stores are very cheap.

Visitors in the reviews note the funicular, which rises to a height of 2,300 meters, directly to the blue and red slopes. The pros move on to Monte della Neva (2,800 meters), where the black slopes begin. Beginners celebrate the easy descent back, group and private lessons are held for them. Most of the lifts in the green and blue sectors are drag lifts. The only warning to future visitors is to calculate the time for the transfer, it takes up to 40 minutes. The ski areas are not connected to each other.

Popular vote - which ski resort in Europe do you consider the best?
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Livigno

Zermatt

Poiana Brasov

Formigal

Leh

Garmisch-Panterkirchen

St. Moritz

Levy

Zell am See

Chamonix

Total voted: 3

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