There are a whole host of fantastic ski resorts across Europe but some just stand out for their setting, atmosphere and personality. Here are our top 10 most beautiful alpine ski resorts.
Grimentz, Switzerland
Grimentz is a small village with just a few hundred residents. Situated in the Pennine Alps it receives plenty of snow each year and thus is one of the best places in the world for skiing. At the southern end of the village is the ‘Great Crown’ which consists of several big mountains that include Weisshorn, Bishorn and Matterhorn. It’s famous for its chalets and rustic style.
Kitzbuhel, Austria
The Austrian medieval town of Kitzbuhel can be found in the Kitzbuhel Alps. It is home to an internationally renowned ski resort which hosts the historic Hahnenkamm race each January. The resort has featured world famous skiers for many years and many have even settled in the area. It is one of Austria’s largest ski regions and has some 168 kilometres of slopes. The town itself is incredibly beautiful and the backdrop of the Wilder Kaiser mountains is spectacular.
Wengen, Switzerland
Wengen is a Swiss village home to a world class ski resort. This shows when the population of 1,300 rises hugely during summer and winter as tourists flock to the area. The village can only be reached by cable car or cog railway and is one of the few car-free resorts. Surrounded by 4,000 meter peaks, it is home to the internationally famous Lauberhorn ski races. The village is absolutely charming while the scenery of the Alps is beautifully dramatic.
Saas-Fee, Switzerland
One of several world famous Swiss ski resorts, Saas-Fee is closely located to glaciers such as Dom and Allalinhorn. This means that there are plenty of skiing opportunities throughout the year. It is surrounded by an extensive number of 4,000 meter mountains including Nadelhorn and Stecknadelhorn. Saas-Fee is an attractive village and in fact featured in Wham’s Last Christmas music video. It has a certain charm with its narrow streets and old chalets. Beyond, the setting is dramatic with the huge peaks and glaciers.
Alpbach, Austria
Alpbach had to feature in this list since it was once named Austria’s most beautiful village. It’s easy to see why with its traditional wooden architecture and snow-covered landscape. The west Austrian town can be found in Tyrol, which is also home to the city of Innsbruck. The well-known ski resort is well maintained and has a variety of slopes for all levels of ability, though advanced skiiers may look to other resorts on higher ground.
Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy
Situated in Northern Italy just two hours from Venice, Cortina d’Ampezzo is ideally situated in the Alps. The popular winter resort is surrounded by mountains of some 3,000 meters and the location was home to the 1956 Winter Olympics. The local economy thrives on the tourism from skiing and the population increases from 7,000 to 40,000 in the winter season. The resort is said to be fashionable and expensive. This is unsurprising when you see the jaw-dropping scenery, made all the more beautiful come dawn and dusk.
Megeve, France
Megeve is a small French town with a population of around 4,000 people. Despite its small size, the town is quite famous in the ski communities thanks to its excellent ski resort near Mont Blanc in the French Alps. For skiers, Megeve is surely heaven with as many as 217 slopes at a total of 445 kilometres. The resort hosts a range of events and is also popular in the summertime. Megeve is still one of the most famous and exclusive ski resorts in the world.
Lech, Austria
The mountain village of Lech is home to an exclusive ski resort that has become one of the world’s very best. In fact, it has been home to a number of world champions. The high quality of this resort has attracted a number of royal families and celebrities such as Diana, Princess of Wales and Tom Cruise. The town itself sits in an open bowl and has a population of around 1,400. This old farming village is well known for its traditional charm and its very picturesque riverside location.
Zermatt, Switzerland
Zermatt is world famous as a ski resort. It sits below the renowned Matterhorn peak and has a population of around 5,800. Its high altitude slopes allow skiing for much of the year, including summer. The skiing in Zermatt is divided into four key areas which are Sunnegga, Gornergrat, Klein Matterhorn and Scwarzsee. The resort is constantly being updated to ensure it remains among the best. Such excellence comes at a price though, and Zermatt is one of the most expensive ski resorts available.
Courmayeur, Italy
Courmayeur is a famously attractive tourist destination. Situated in northern Italy at 4000 feet above sea level, it lies at the foot of Mont Blanc – the highest mountain in the Alps and indeed in Western Europe. The mountain scenery is the perfect place for a ski resort and many skiers flock to the area to sample the snow at Europe’s highest peaks. It is home to the renowned glacial ski run by the name of the Vallee Blanche. Its picture perfect location makes it arguably the most beautiful ski resort around.
