Top 3 Ski Resorts in Europe

If you are an avid skier living in Europe, then you will certainly appreciate the number of different ski resorts available to you. With this blessing, you are placed with the difficult task of having to choose which one you think will be most suitable for you.

Verbier, Switzerland

Looking to escape the monotonies of every-day life? Hop on your skis and escape to the 4 Valleys with your family or friends and immerse yourself in the euphoric scenery of this area. Verbier has earned the reputation of being Switzerland’s most popular ski resort due to its surroundings, fantastic facilities and vibrant nightlife. In addition, Verbier provides 80 lifts to more than 400km of runs which cater to all levels of skiing ability.

Whether you have years of skiing experience or if this is the first time you’ve put on a set of skis, Verbier caters to all levels and ages. Les Moulins offers a special kids club to gently ease the youth into the ski experience and for the older newcomers, Les Esserts is a fantastic place for beginners to learn in the beautiful landscape.

Mont Gele is very popular amongst the new skiers and intermediaries, which as a consequence has made it a very busy ski destination. For people looking to sharpen and improve their skiing skills, we recommend hitting the more tranquil Tortin that offers a number of excellent red runs. For the more elite skiers, the spectacular Mont Gele summit will certainly test your skills with its 3023m drop that will challenge even the most experienced.

Even for the most enthusiastic skiers, a long day of skiing can be very enduring. Thankfully, Verbier’s après are clustered into a moderately small number of venues which facilitate a more sociable atmosphere. Finish your day with a relaxing beer under the sun, meet new and exciting people, wind down in finest restaurants whilst encapsulating the scenery with loved ones. Verbier has it all.

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Meribel, France

A ski resort that is pleasing to the eye, rich on quality pistes, as well as providing a lively après scene, Meribel is one of the most desirable ski resorts in Europe. Also known as ‘little England upon the Alps,’ Meribel is a hot spot for British tourists, so don’t be surprised if you don’t come across many French speakers. Located in the center of the Three Valleys, Meribel provides holiday travelers to ski in breathtaking scenery, making it an experience to remember!

To be exact, Meribel comprises of different areas. Meribel Les Allues is the main town and is commonly referred to as Meribel. With the town only being developed merely a few years ago, it has since flourished into a village filled with luxurious apartments and ski chalets.

For the more hardcore skiers, Meribel-Mottaret is a popular choice that is located further up the mountain. It provides a wide variety of ski-in and ski-out accommodation in addition to an array of high-quality restaurants and bars, ensuring that there is something for everyone. Moreover, the famous Courcheval and Mont Vallon offer an extensively long and difficult piste that guarantees to get your adrenaline pumping!

For the less experienced crowd looking to practice their technique and become more natural in the snow, no need to panic! Meribel has 2 designated beginner areas that provide a comfortable environment for you to progress in.

Due to the prestige and popularity associated with skiing in Meribel, accommodation tends to be pricey although there is a good selection of hotels and self-catering apartments. It is important to highlight that you should be careful of where you book your accommodation since not all of the locations in Meribel have direct access to the pistes, requiring you to take a minibus.

St Anton, Austria

Regularly voted in the top 5 resorts in the Alps, St Anton is guaranteed to provide you with an experience of a lifetime. Situated in Austria’s Arlberg region, St Anton is one of Europe’s snowiest locations that boasts 305 km of pistes.

This resort favors more advanced skiers and riders, where the classified blue pistes would normally be deemed to being reds in other resorts. So much so that even the ‘normal’ off-piste routes, such as the ones located down the from Schindlerspitze and Kapall, will challenge even the more advanced skiers. If you are feeling confident enough, St Anton’s red pistes offer plenty of opportunities to perfect your technique whilst skiing down with more speed.

If you see yourself as a beginner, staying around gentle Nasserein is an ideal spot for you to practice at your own pace, whilst the more tranquil area of Rendle being better suited for intermediaries.

With regards to accommodation, St Anton promises to meet all expectations. The proliferation of grand hotels offering fantastic spa facilities, such as the fabulous five star Tannenhof Hotel, allows you to enjoy your holiday with greater comfort and luxury.

For those seeking to stay elsewhere, the Arlberg-Well center is the perfect alternative, since its array of quality facilities provides you with the opportunity to wind down, relax and recover from a long and demanding day on the slopes.

About the author: Latresa Mclain is a twenty-something travel writer who is on a mission to explore as many countries in the world as possible, on her own. Latresa avidly trots across the globe, sharing stories, pictures, and tips along the way.