{"id":18950,"date":"2018-10-26T15:36:52","date_gmt":"2018-10-26T15:36:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thesojournseries.com\/bavaria\/?p=18950"},"modified":"2018-11-23T10:28:48","modified_gmt":"2018-11-23T10:28:48","slug":"a-list-of-some-of-the-best-european-ski-resorts-compiled-by-an-addict","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.thesojournseries.com\/bavaria\/a-list-of-some-of-the-best-european-ski-resorts-compiled-by-an-addict\/","title":{"rendered":"A List of some of the Best European Ski Resorts (compiled by an addict)"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Andermatt
Andermatt – Bavarian Sojourn<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Family tradition dictates that at this time of year Mr R starts to panic that we’ve left booking next year’s half term ski\u00a0 trip too late, albeit that we are completely undecided on where to actually go.\u00a0 \u00a0“We” consists of Mr R (expert ski level – up and ready to go at the crack of dawn, even though his off-piste skiing allowance has been somewhat curtailed by his mean wife when he became a Father).\u00a0 \u00a0 The 13 Year old (a fearless danger mouse like her Dad.\u00a0 \u00a0Not so up and ready to go at the crack of dawn, but can be blackmailed into surfacing with food typically, and is usually fully awake by the time she jumps off the first lift), the 11-year-old (a skier of reasonable skill, not quite as fearless as his Father and older sister, but can chuck himself down most mountains without mishap (touch wood!).\u00a0 Doesn’t need blackmailing to get out of bed of a (ski holiday) morning, but will need feeding periodically throughout the day).\u00a0 And last, but not least, next year they will be joined by the one who scares me the most if I am honest, the now three-year old.\u00a0 \u00a0The child is tank-like in so many ways, and I am sure will be as fearless as ever when he has a pair of skis attached to his feet.\u00a0 \u00a0 And me?\u00a0 \u00a0 I can actually ski, but as I have said countless times, I just don’t love it.\u00a0 I do however love the mountains, and am happy to wander (often with snow shoes), enjoying the scenery (and taking a billion photographs), the apr\u00e8s skis, and if I am honest, the peace and quiet whilst everyone else is piste happy.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0That’s why I agree to go nearly every year…<\/p>\n

As I am somewhat of a novice compared to my other half,\u00a0 I think my ski trip tally (where we’ve actually stayed somewhere, not including when we lived with mountains on our doorstep and could just visit!) amounts to around 5 trips compared to his countless ski jaunts.<\/p>\n

As he’s a bit of an oracle when it comes to European slopes – especially those in France, Austria and Germany, I thought I would do a mini interview\/pester him to come up with a\u00a0 list of where he has actually stayed and skied in Europe, in the hope that it might inspire a few people\/help us to decide where to go, and\/or whether or not to venture further afield.<\/p>\n

This can also serve as a record for the future when he’s old and forgetful…\u00a0 We don’t have much time left to book for half term, or before he’s too old if we are honest (I am joking!)…<\/p>\n

France:<\/h2>\n

Tignes:<\/h4>\n
\"Frozen
Tignes by Rob Bye on Unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At 2100 metres, you are pretty much guaranteed decent snow in Tignes.\u00a0 \u00a0It also has the Grand Mott Glacier on its doorstep which reaches the heady heights of 3,400 metres.\u00a0 \u00a0It’s not the prettiest of resorts as it’s so very high up (it’s perfect if you love a bit of concrete architecture however), but it’s great fun, and has a brilliant lift system.\u00a0 \u00a0If you want to head further down the mountain to find prettier scenery (no trees grow above 2000 metres!), you can ski down to Tigne Les Bois\/Brevier, where you can find great restaurants too (just don’t stay too long or you may miss the last lifts up again and have to get a taxi all the way back – speaking from experience!!).\u00a0 \u00a0Tignes Les Bois is also a really beautiful place for snow shoe walking.<\/em><\/p>\n

La Grave:<\/h4>\n

This has to be THE destination for the expert\/more experienced skiers.\u00a0 \u00a0It’s definitely not somewhere to book for a week if you are a beginner, as there are just two slopes to speak of, and the rest of it is all off piste.\u00a0 It’s probably not great for a family ski holiday (unless you don’t like them very much) as it’s famous for something like 1,500 vertical metres of un-pisted incredibly challenging skiing.\u00a0 Easily reachable from nearby Alpe D’Huez<\/span> if you fancy visiting for the day but not staying in the area.\u00a0 \u00a0A guide is recommended here, as are Avalanche alarm systems.<\/em><\/p>\n

Val D’Isere:<\/h4>\n
\"Val
Val D’Isere – photo credit Jack Finnigan – Unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

One of the most iconic French resorts close to the Italian border.\u00a0 \u00a0It really does have something for everyone at every level although more advanced skiers will get the most out of it.\u00a0 Val D’Isere has Great pistes, brilliant night life, more of a “refined crowd” (apart from when we visited!), and just the most incredible back country off piste options.\u00a0 Tignes is also in easy reach.\u00a0 \u00a0 Also a much prettier, more traditional looking resort than many of the higher up French Resorts.\u00a0 A really lovely fun place to stay with\u00a0 great night life and some truly lovely ski chalet\u00a0 options<\/a>.\u00a0 Would come high in my list of favourites*.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Les Deux Alpes:<\/h4>\n
\"Les
Les Deux Alpes – Photo Credit – Toa Heftiba – Unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Guaranteed snow all year around thanks to the Glacier at 3570 metres.\u00a0 \u00a0It’s also home to one of the best snow parks in France.\u00a0 \u00a0Les Deux Alpes is North facing so the snow is usually very good, but because of this it can feel super cold.\u00a0 You can also get to La Grave via the lift system here by the way if you are feeling brave enough ((lift passes from Deux Alpes cover La Grave too – see above).\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Alpe D’Huez:<\/h4>\n

A lively snow sure resort that has a glacier at 3300 metres.\u00a0 It’s also one of the world’s largest, with some 80 ski lifts and 150 odd miles of piste.\u00a0 \u00a0More charming than Les Deux Alpes, but it is quite modern in style so for a more rustic location, stay in nearby Vaujany.\u00a0 \u00a0Alpe D’Huez also boasts the world’s longest black run – the Sarenne which is ten miles long.<\/em><\/p>\n

Val Thorens:<\/h4>\n
\"\"
Val Thorens – Photo credit – Joan Oger – Unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Val Thorens is the highest ski resort in Europe at 2,300 metres, the highest point in the Three Valleys ski-region.\u00a0 \u00a0The skiing is fantastic, and it also boasts brilliant nightlife.\u00a0 \u00a0It’s another resort at a really high level so it’s snow sure, and you can ski from the door onto typically perfect snow which is a big plus.\u00a0 This also makes it a good option for skiing with kids.\u00a0 A resort that offers great options for many other winter sports\/activities too. Another favourite.<\/em><\/p>\n

Les Menuires:<\/h4>\n
\"\"
Les Menuires – Photo Credit – Melvin Trav – Unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Les Menuires is good value, and a great base for the Three Valleys.\u00a0 \u00a0Not the prettiest resort, but you can head to Val Thorens in one direction which at 2,300 metres is guaranteed snow, and on another day you could head in the other direction and spend the day skiing in the more expensive prettier resorts of Meribel and Corchivel.<\/em><\/p>\n

Pra Loup:<\/h4>\n

Definitely not as well-known as many of the above resorts, Pra Loup is in the Southern French Alps, and not typically on the British skier’s radar.\u00a0 \u00a0A brilliant place to begin your off piste explorations, and a great place for many other snow adventures<\/a>…<\/em><\/p>\n

Austria:<\/h2>\n

Saalbach Hinterglem:<\/h4>\n

A Very extensive ski area just south of Salzberg.\u00a0 Not all that high, so you must check snow levels before you go.\u00a0 If the snow isn’t brilliant, hop on a bus and head to the glacier at Kaprun.\u00a0 Because it’s not always snow sure, Saalbach is a good option for other winter sports such as winter mountain biking, and snow shoeing.<\/em><\/p>\n

Kaprun\/Zell am See:<\/h4>\n
\"\"
Kaprun – Photo Credit – Daniel Frank – Unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

An hour and a half from Salzburg, Kaprun is home to the Kitzenstein Glacier, so you are guaranteed snow even when there’s not much in the surrounding mountains.\u00a0 \u00a0The new lift system makes it great for all levels of skiers.\u00a0 Lower down, the same pass covers Zell am See which is full of traditional alpine scenery.\u00a0 \u00a0 Beautiful in the summer months too<\/a>…<\/em><\/p>\n

Kitzbuhel:<\/h4>\n
\"Kitzbuhel\"
Bavarian Sojourn – Kitzbuhel<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Just east\u00a0 of Innsbruck, this iconic Tyrolean resort is home to the famous Hahnenkamm downhill race – viewed by many of us on Ski Sunday.\u00a0 \u00a0Extensive lift system that stretches all the way down the valley over two provinces and 7 municipalities.\u00a0 \u00a0Good for all abilities.\u00a0 \u00a0 We loved Mittersill in particular<\/a>, with a lift directly on the doorstep.<\/em><\/p>\n

Scheffau:<\/h4>\n

Brilliant for families, nothing too challenging, modern\/fast lifts mean no queues with one or two hidden gem restaurants with live bands etc.\u00a0 More challenging skiing can be found in the black runs above S\u00f6ll\u00a0 and Ellmau nearby.\u00a0 Scheffau was home to the school ski club, and holds many fond memories for the Small People as the very first place they skied<\/em>.<\/p>\n

S\u00f6ll:<\/h4>\n
\"\"
Soll sunset – Photo Credit – Pien Muller – Unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

S\u00f6ll is included in SkiWelt, the largest linked skiing region in the world.\u00a0 \u00a0 It has 280 km of pistes, and some 90 odd high speed lifts.\u00a0 \u00a0Ski Welt includes Brixen im Thale, Ellmau, Hopfgarten, Going, Kelchsau, Scheffau, and Westendor.\u00a0 Soll is particular popular with a British crowd, and has some great night life to boot.\u00a0 Plenty of North facing slopes so the snow tends to be good.\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

St Anton:<\/h4>\n
\"\"
St Anton – Photo Credit – Naomi Hutchinson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Known as the cradle of alpine skiing, St Anton is probably my favourite resort, with legendary Apres Ski that starts at the top of the slopes.\u00a0 \u00a0Full of charming Alpine scenery, this resort has amazing off piste options, but also plenty of skiing for all other levels. A good family holiday choice option.<\/em><\/p>\n

Germany:<\/h2>\n

Reit Im Winkel:<\/h4>\n

Reit Im Winkel literally translates as “right in a wrinkle” and because of this, it often gets great snow when other German resorts don’t have much.\u00a0 Known as the Tyrol of Germany, Reit Im Winkel is great for families, as there’s nothing too challenging (the Steinplatte is your best bet for something a little more difficult!).\u00a0 A great cross country skiing resort too.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Garmisch\/Zugspitze:<\/h4>\n
\"\"
Our Iglu home for the night on the top of the Zugspitze<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Garmisch is home to Germany’s highest mountain The Zugspitze, and makes for a snow sure break.\u00a0 \u00a0 The glacier at the top of is shaped like a huge bowl so is good for basic off piste skiing.\u00a0 \u00a0A downside used to be the lift system, although the new lift should solve some of that.\u00a0 Also great for all levels, and will be forever remembered by us as the place we spent the night at the top of a mountain in an iglu<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Sweden:<\/h2>\n

Isaberg:<\/h4>\n

Definitely the smallest mountain\/resort on the list, but it’s a brilliant beginners option just 3 hours from Copenhagen.\u00a0 If you are based there or in Southern Sweden, and a snow trip elsewhere isn’t on the cards, Isaberg is a great place to take children to learn, or for you to keep your skills up.<\/em><\/p>\n

Finland:<\/h2>\n

Meri – Teijo:<\/h4>\n

Close to Salo in the South of Finland, a good option for a day trip.\u00a0 Mostly red and blue runs so great for beginners or Intermediates with some good cross country loops.\u00a0 \u00a0 Or you can head North to Finland’s much larger mountains.<\/em><\/p>\n

Switzerland:<\/h2>\n

Andermatt:<\/h4>\n
\"Andermatt\"
Andermatt – Bavarian Sojourn<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Andermatt<\/a> is legendary for its off piste and free riding adventures, and is fantastic value for Switzerland.\u00a0 Incredibly pretty resort with traditional streets filled with chocolate box wooden buildings and fondue restaurants a plenty.\u00a0 \u00a0Best for intermediate and advanced skiers, although there are good ski school options available –\u00a0 you must book well in advance for these though.\u00a0 In my top four favourite resorts.<\/em><\/p>\n

Crans-Montana<\/h4>\n

Crans and Montana are two towns that share a ski area.\u00a0 \u00a0Extensive Skiing, probably best suited for beginners and intermediates.\u00a0 \u00a0 Really pretty slopes, with great views, catered by a good modern lift system.\u00a0 \u00a0 Another place where you can ski to the door.<\/em><\/p>\n

Nb.\u00a0 This is a list of the resorts Mr R has stayed\/skied in in Europe\u00a0 – with a couple of extras thrown in if you happen to be staying in Denmark\/Southern Finland.\u00a0 \u00a0 If you have any European resort you would like to recommend, please do add them in the comments section below!<\/strong><\/p>\n

*this is a collaborative post, all words and opinions are my own (and that of Mr R!)…<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Otis<\/a><\/div>\n
\"Suitcases<\/a><\/div>\n

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