Its 81 lifts include Italy's first eight-seater chairlift with heated seats, on the Piz Sella, offering a direct connection to the Sellaronda route. Zermatt, Switzerland. We understand that organising a family ski holiday can seem daunting when taking everyone’s needs into consideration. St Anton has an excellent lift system, reliable snow and its slopes are generally tougher than those in Lech so you can see why this resort is so popular. There's terrain for all skill levels, including slopes for children and beginners. Along with ample natural snow and state-of-the art grooming. North American skiers will find some differences in the trail rankings. The number of world ski competitions that have been hosted at St. Moritz should tell you something about this famous resort: this is world-class skiing. These are all included in the regional Arlberg lift pass. Plan your trip with our list of the best ski resorts in Europe. Ideally situated on the Bellecôte ski slope, the hotel is a lively home of glowing warmth, a stroll from the epicentre of one of Europe’s most fashionable and exclusive resorts, Courchevel 1850, with access to some of the most exceptional skiing in Europe … directly from the front door. For a look at the top ski resorts, see our articles on Utah, Colorado, and Lake Tahoe. All it took was a couple of gondolas to link the slopes of St Anton, Lech, Zürs, Warth and Schröcken, to propel Ski Arlberg to the top in terms of size. As the situation changes, so will the guidelines, so the best advice is to check the resort's website frequently before making plans. The long, pretty Ötztal valley is best known as the home to Solden, a ski resort that famously hosted both James Bond and the World Cup. Madonna di Campiglio, Italy: Resorts in the Brenta Dolomites, north of Verona, are less known than eastern Dolomite resorts, but Madonna di Campiglio offers some of Italy's best-groomed trails with the chic vibe of Cortina d'Ampezzo. The layout of the lifts is very skier-friendly, connecting skiers to different areas without long, level catwalk trails. Spectacular seems an inadequate description of the scenery, and lift systems at many of them make access between several mountains possible on a single trip - often in a single day. From the top of the lifts, you can ski the glacier, 2,700 meters above sea level - so high that it is often above clouds that cover the valley skies. We review the best Swiss, Austrian, French Ski areas for ski lodging accommodations, childrens programs, lessons, snow, terrain, things to do apres ski with the kids, and recommend the best European family ski holiday in the Alps. Val Gardena is included in the Dolomiti SuperSki pass, allowing access to 11 other resorts in the region. Everything here is expensive, from lift tickets and lodgings to dinner and drinks, but you definitely get what you pay for. As you might imagine from the clientele, lodging and dining in Courmayeur is pricey. Of these, Saalbach probably edges it for charm and nightlife. Advanced and adventurous intermediate skiers will love Verbier for its insane terrain, however there isn't a great deal of easy terrain for beginners. To make this immense trail network safer and more accessible, skiers can download a free app, which uses GPS and adjusts for ability, weather, and snow conditions, as well as lift operations to guide skiers safely between locations. Regardless, expect to party all afternoon and well into the night at the slopeside bars and in town at Saalbach-Hinterglemm. Written by Barbara Radcliffe RogersNov 17, 2020, We may earn a commission from affiliate links (). Courchevel consists of four villages and offers the most balanced selection of greens, blues, reds, and blacks in the 3 Valles ski area. Add to that the exceptional ski areas, and it’s clear luxurious European skiing holidays cater to discerning, deep pocketed skiers. Every winter, Val Thorens and its teams of professional and passionate people, do their utmost... 2. Pas de la Casa (or Pas to those in the know) is the largest ski resort in Andorra and offers the additional benefit of low-taxes, making it a no-brainer for a budget-friendly, beginner skiing holiday. Kitzbuhel is considered the best resort in the alps by some, due to the Tyrolean laid-backness, friendliness and hospitality. Combining the challenges of terrain best suited to experts and intermediates with the glamour of the most haute Swiss and French ski resorts, Courmayeur is the place to be seen for the upscale ski set from Milan and Turin. 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