Top 5 picturesque ski resorts in Europe

Winter holidays in the mountains – this is a special atmosphere. After a day of skiing or snowboarding, you can stroll through the small village, admire the snowfall and warm up with hot tea or mulled wine. We prepared a list of the most comfortable and picturesque resorts, where it is easy to forget that the rest of the world exists.

1. Alpe d’Huez, France

Photo source: www.skiworld.co.uk

Alpe d’Huez – the largest ski resort in the French Alps, the length of one of its slopes, “Sarenna”, is 16 km and partially passes through a tunnel, it is the longest track in Europe. But the main advantage of this place is a special microclimate, the ski area is even called the “Sunny Island” because clear weather is at an average of 300 days a year. Despite the impressive size and popularity, the resort retains the comfort of a small alpine village, especially thanks to the wooden chalets and a small stone church.

Season: December – April

Number of tracks: 118

Ski pass price: 47.50 € per day

Accommodation per night: 

• Alp’azur 3*(from 150 €) 150 m from the center;
• Le Dôme 3*(from 99 €) 350 m from the center;
• Royal Ours Blanc Boutique Hôtel & Spa 4* (from 206 €) 250 m from the center.

2. Val Gardena, Italy

Val Gardena combines three ski resorts in the heart of the Dolomites in northern Italy. Majestic stone cliffs that are above the city and the ski area. In contrast with the warm light of busy city streets, they look especially impressive. There are not a lot of decorations on Christmas, just a Christmas tree and a magic fair. Also, this resort is great for families with children, those who are not yet 8 years old can use the lift for free!

Season: December – April

Number of tracks: 112

Ski pass price: 53 € per day

Accommodation per night: 

• Hotel Genziana 4*(from 220 €);
• Garni Hotel Franca 3*(from 190 €);
• Hotel Cir 3*(from 97 €).

3. Livigno, Italy 

Photo source: www.ski-livigno.com

Livigno is a small mountain village. On both sides of the wide sunny valley, there is more than 110 km of tracks, but the resort has gained its main popularity due to freeride. In the center of the city, between the beautiful wooden houses, there is a wide alley with bright illumination and a huge number of duty-free shops because the entire resort is a duty-free zone. Streets and buildings are decorated with garlands of stars and snowflakes, so the mood here is festive all season.

Season: November – April

Number of tracks: 78

Ski pass price: 47 € per day

Accommodation per night: 

• Hotel Piccolo Tibet 3* (from 179 €);
• Hotel Intermonti 4* (from 168 €);
• Hotel San Giovanni 3* (from 140 €).

4. Montgenevre, France

Montgenèvre is the oldest ski resort in France, in 2018 it turned 111 years old. Despite the small square, the city has two churches, three chapels, and an obelisk. It is very quiet here – no parties and nightly entertainment, thanks to which here you can have a great rest with children. The resort has very good slopes for intermediate skiers.

Season: December – April

Number of tracks: 52

Ski pass price: 41 € per day

Accommodation per night:

• Hôtel Restaurant de la Chaussée 3* (from 88€);
• Anova Hotel & Spa  (from 260€);
• La Grand Hotel 3* (from 200€).

*prices for accommodation are for the winter holidays.

5. Zermatt, Switzerland

Photo by Joshua Earle

The village of Zermatt is located in the valley between the highest mountains of the Pennine Alps. The main and most beautiful attraction of this place is the Matterhorn, the most photographed mountain in the world. It rises above the city like a regular quadrangular pyramid, and in the morning the rays of the rising sun paint the slope of the rock in all shades of pink. In the evenings, there is nothing more pleasant than walking along the streets with snow, especially since they are all pedestrian, there are no cars here, the city is kept ecologically clean and quiet in the mountains. But the most important thing is that this alpine resort is open for skiing all year round, however, most of the snow is from November to April.

Season: all year

Number of tracks: 109

Ski pass cost: 79 € per day

Accommodation per night:

• Hotel Couronne Superior 3*(from 166 €);
• Hotel Ambassador Zermatt 4 * (from 204 €);
• Hotel Sarazena 3* (from 120 €).