Embrace the chill this season and visit one of Europe’s many breathtaking ski resorts.
Winter is here and it’s the perfect time to embrace the cold and hit the slopes. Across Europe, plenty of ski resorts are waiting – from the towering Alps to the scenic Dolomites. Whether you’re an expert skier chasing exhilarating thrills or just looking for a cosy mountain getaway, you’ll find breathtaking views, charming villages, and plenty of après-ski fun wherever you go.
Kitzbühel | Austria
Dominated by three majestic mountain ranges, Kitzbühel boasts flowing terrain that’s weaved between snow-laden forests and traditional mountain villages including Reith, Aurach, and Jochberg.
Known to locals as Kitz, Kitzbühel is home to perfectly groomed slopes, a state-of-the-art lift system, 233km of pistes, and a ski season that runs from early December until late March. Despite being home to what is considered one of the most challenging downhill slopes in the world (Hahnenkamm Streif), a total of 58 gondolas and lifts facilitate fun for beginners and professionals alike.
The Kitz Mini-Streif slope is tailor-made for beginners, offering a gentle introduction to skiing for the little ones. For more adventurous kids, attractions like the mini mouse trap, the chamois, the ‘steep slope’, and the Kids-Hausbergbkante provide thrilling experiences and skill development opportunities.
If you’re looking for more than just skiing, there’s endless ways to enjoy the mountains in Kitz. Tobogganing, night skiing, winter hiking, cross-country hiking, skiing on the ice, or even a freezing dip in Schwarzsee – the resort’s ‘winter classics’ offer a true taste of alpine adventure.
Let’s not forget après-ski activities! The surrounding areas of the ski resort are home to a wide variety of tasty treats that range from local dishes in the mountain huts and traditional inns in the valley to international gourmet cuisine.
Val-d’Isère | France
Widely recognised as one of the world’s best ski resorts, Val-d’Isère is among the most stylish and authentic in the Alps. The resort offers everything that lovers of skiing, fine dining, and wellbeing could possibly want – a spa, pool, yoga, and delightful opportunities to stroll and unwind.
With a ski season that runs from the first weekend in December to the beginning of May, there’s plenty of time to visit this glamorous location. There’s over 300km of slopes to explore and snow is always guaranteed due to the resort’s high altitude and top-quality snow guns which cover 65km of runs.
For those days you don’t feel like hitting the slopes, Val-d’Isère prides itself on the number of other activities available in and around the resort. With everything ranging from ice skating and snowmobile riding to ice floating and paragliding, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy your holiday.
Fancy partying with an après-ski session right on the slopes? You can start by lingering after lunch at one of the lively mountain restaurants like La Folie Douce where you’ll enjoy a Cabaret-style show or music mixed by a DJ and Bar de l’Ouillette which invites you to enjoy the sun, sipping a glass of rosé on the terrace.
In the Daille sector, the Barillon de la Rosée Blanche is well-known for its wild, English-speaking après-ski scene. There’s also the lively Bars des Tontons which spreads across two floors with its open-plan mezzanine that hosts daily concerts, wine or beer tasting nights, morning wellness activities, and afternoon lectures.
Cortina d’Ampezzo | Italy
Often described as ‘the queen of the Dolomites’, Cortina d’Ampezzo has long lured the international jetsetter, with Hollywood stars – including Sophia Loren, Audrey Hepburn, and Brigitte Bardot – and European elites choosing it as a holiday spot since the 1950s. Despite this exclusivity, Cortina retains an authentic Italian soul.
In addition to attracting a plethora of illustrious visitors, Cortina was the site of the first ever Winter Olympics to be held in Italy in 1956. 70 years later, next year in 2026, it will host them again! With this being just months away, the resort is almost ready to welcome an influx of spectators. One of the biggest investments that’s been made in preparation for this is the 4.6km-long Cortina skyline gondola, whisking skiers from Tofane to the ruggedly beautiful Cinque Torri area.
With slopes of all grades of difficulty, breathtaking scenery, and a ski season that runs from December to April, Cortina is a coveted destination for ski and snowboard enthusiasts. There are 120km of pistes that wind through the spectacular views of the two ski slopes of Faloria – Cristallo to the east and Tofana, Pocol, Cinque Torri, and Falzarego to the west.
Famed for its luxury and exclusivity, many Cortina devotees spend more time shopping and strolling along the glamorous Corso Italia promenade and sipping aperitivos than they do skiing – you really do get the best of both worlds here!
Verbier 4 Vallées | Switzerland
Ideal for expert skiers, the largest ski area entirely located in Switzerland is open for 10 months every year. The Verbier 4 Vallées area is paradise for skiers, snowboarders, and mountain bikers where you can escape to the summits and explore beautiful scenery.
Spanning four distinct valleys, the ski area offers over 400km of pistes plus some of the world’s most challenging off-piste terrain – it’s not for the faint-hearted!
The first valley is Verbier, where the famous Attelas piste starts at 2,700m and there’s an exhilarating 1,000m-long descent. In the Bruson area, you’ll find the La Pasay slope with two choices: a black run with a 35° slope at the top or a second option which circles round a hill before gradually becoming steeper. With a 600m vertical drop, it promises quite the challenge! Savoleyes-La Tzoumaz is a red run that’s 2,354m and takes you down the northern face towards La Tzoumaz. At 3,330m, Mont-Fort is the highest point of the ski area, where the black runs down the Tortin glacier.
After a long day of some of the most challenging slopes in Europe, it’s only right that there are plenty of opportunities to let your hair down! Verbier offers many bars and pubs, including Bar 1936, Ice Cube Bar, and many more!
