10 of the Best European Skiing Destinations

We owe our name to the coldest side of a mountain in the northern hemisphere, and it’s up in the mountains that our founders loved to be. But their mountaineering clothing soon became the go-to gear for skiers and the burgeoning snowboard scene, and now it’s impossible to separate the brand from the slopes. Europe is home to a rich collection of unbelievable ski destinations. They blend incredible pistes with the whole range of après-ski activities, be they family-oriented or not. We thought we’d share ten of our favourites here. 

1. Zermatt (Switzerland)

Zermatt is a truly beautiful town in the far south of Switzerland, near the Italian border at the foot of the Matterhorn. The view of the famous mountain is so treasured that the town has banned non-essential combustion-engined vehicles, so locals and tourists get around in electric vehicles or horse-drawn carts. It’s loved for its vivacious but classy nightlife, and also because its altitude (1600m) means the snowy season is a little longer than many of the lower resorts. There are more than 350km of awesome slopes surrounding the town, some of which reach 3,000m elevation.

2. Courchevel (France)

No list of the best places to go skiing in Europe could omit Courchevel. This time we’re on the French side of the Italian border, about 40km inland, midway between Turin and Lyon. What’s known as Courchevel is a collection of seven villages in “the Three Valleys”. The whole area is completely geared to skiing and snowboarding and all the connected entertainment and shopping, which is why it’s probably the most popular ski resort in Europe, if not the world. It blends picture postcard chalets and 5-star hotels, but its purpose is to get people together on the slopes with memorable après-ski thrown in. Primarily, though, if you love the sporty side of skiing, this is your place, whatever your level.

3.  Lech (Austria)

When you’re looking for the best ski destinations Europe has to offer, you might simply want a tranquil, picturesque place with culture and craft on tap. If that’s the case, Lech am Arlberg, in the Bludenz district in western Austria could be for you. In addition to excellent skiing on the 20km White Ring ski circuit, the village is home to luxury hotels, boutiques, art galleries and fine dining, so it’s a magnet for Europe’s elite at the peak of the season. As well as around 300km of slopes, you’ll also find 180km of backcountry runs to work up an appetite.

4. Crans-Montana (Switzerland)

It’s not unusual to talk to relatively well-travelled skiers who haven’t heard of Crans-Montana in the Valais canton of South-West Switzerland. That guarantees you a select set of new ski friends as you mix with purists in the evenings. But that doesn’t mean it’s at all snobbish – quite the opposite. It’s a laid-back resort with awesome views of Weisshorn, where people just come to ski and have fun. If you’re taking your snowboard, you’ve got to check out the fantastic snow park with a huge half-pipe that’s begging to be experienced. 

5. St Moritz (Switzerland)

This one’s at the other end of the scale, because everyone, even those who have never been on a ski lift, has heard of St Moritz. It’s synonymous with ski tourism, and is probably the oldest ski resort in the world, by any reasonable measure. St Moritz is to skiing what Monaco is to motorsport – it’s a jewel in the crown, the haunt of celebrities and maybe even royalty, but it’s welcoming to those of us lower down the social ladder if you pick your venue and season well. At 1,800 metres altitude, the air is crisp and dry, and it’s sunny for most of the year, so remember to pack those goggles for when you’re negotiating the 180km of runs.

6. Courmayeur (Italy)

After skirting around the borders, we finally make it into Italy thanks to the (distinctly French-sounding) Courmayeur. It sits in a particularly attractive area of the Alps, with Chamonix just over the border 15km away, and the peak of Mont Blanc, the highest point in the Alps, 9km away. It’s a genuine something-for-everyone resort. There are challenging runs galore – plenty of professional skiers get their practice in here, so you’ll be in good company if you take your skiing seriously. But being Italy, it’s also a resort for those who just want to experience la dolce vita because there’s ample culinary and hedonistic joy to be had here. 

7. Les Arcs (France)

In the same general area but over the border from Courmayeur, Les Arcs nestles in the Tarentaise Valley in South-East France. What draws skiers to this resort is the miles and miles of high altitude runs that will be just challenging enough for an experienced skier but not too taxing to stop you from taking in the magnificent views. Mont Pourri is the dominant peak in the area, but it’s one of those resorts where you feel like you’re almost touching the sky, such is the sheer, breathtaking sensation of altitude. It’s easy to get to and family-friendly, so no wonder it’s one of the most popular in France.

8. Verbier (Switzerland)

This place in South-East Switzerland is a few kilometres from the point where the Swiss, Italian and French borders meet just near the peak of Mont Dolent. Recently, Verbier has become incredibly fashionable, with cool clubs and bars attracting fun-seekers alongside committed skiers. All levels of skill on the skis are catered for on the many slopes surrounding the resort, however, right up to some of the continent’s most challenging runs and famed backcountry skiing experiences. If you like Nordic skiing, there are about 20km of calf-stretching trails to explore. It’s fair to say this is a real all-rounder, but definitely among the best places to ski in Europe.

9. Branäs (Sweden)

If you’re asking yourself “where can I ski in Europe?” you’ll be inundated by resorts in the Alps and Dolomites, yet there’s a place where skiing is just part of everyday life, and snow is all but guaranteed in the winter. Yet Scandinavia remains relatively undiscovered by many committed European skiers. Branäs is about 300km north of Gothenburg, close to the Norwegian border (actually much closer to Oslo than any major Swedish city). It is developing into a ski resort with something of a reputation among Europeans, even though the locals have been coming here for decades. You won’t find the most extreme slopes here by any means, but if you like having the mountains to yourself, or if you’re here with kids or learners, you’re going to have a memorable stay.

10. Flims, Laax and Falera (Switzerland)

We’re back in the east of Switzerland for the final resort, at Flims, Laax and Falera. It’s 60km from St Moritz, with a similar mountain aspect, but it doesn’t quite have that film star image, and for the people who come here to ski on the pristine powder now, that’s a good thing. The whole area is beautifully developed as a year-round resort, so the infrastructure is in place to make coming and staying easy and comfortable. But once the ski season starts, the whole place is transformed, as winter sports lovers ascend to 1,200 metres and start simply enjoying the snow, the excellent backcountry runs, and the sheer, breathtaking beauty of the mountains. Throw in four snow parks and kilometres of awesome freeride terrain, and who needs movie stars and royals?

Europe is spoiled when it comes to ski resorts, and we could easily produce a top 50 without breaking into a sweat. These ten are just a representative sample, in no particular order, of the range of resorts on offer. If you’re getting ready to head off to the peaks, make sure you’re wearing the best possible mountain clothing.