Are you looking for the best snow in the Alps and North America? There is no such thing as a ski holiday without snow. Beds of fresh powder, snowy glaciers and chalets blanketed in white are the ingredients for an unforgettable trip. Our expert-recommended selection of the best snow sure ski resorts in Europe and North America offer some of the finest snowy conditions. Enjoy high-altitude locations, impressive historic snow records and generous offerings of glaciers that can grant skiing all year round.
1. Les Deux Alpes, France
Sitting just a one hour drive from Grenoble, Les Deux Alpes ski resort is a great destination for a ski weekend. At an elevation of over 3,500m, Les Deux Alpes is perfect for an early or late snow-sure ski holiday. This charming village is a long, narrow development, with modern architecture and amenities. The ski resort itself benefits from varied slopes perfect for all abilities, making it an equally perfect spot for families and groups. It’s also home to the vast Glacier de Mantel – one of Europe’s largest glaciers – making it a great snow sure ski resort in France. This means lifts can open from December and close late April every year.
Stay At:
Chalet Renard Lodge has an open-plan interior and a delightful outdoor pool.
2. Saas Fee, Switzerland
One of the best snow sure ski resorts, Saas Fee in Switzerland is the ultimate high-altitude mountain escape. The ski resort is nestled among thirteen 4,000m high summits that lie on a plateau of the Saas Valley and encircle this boutique Alpine town. Its towering position, with skiing reaching up to 3,500m, grants its skiers some of the most splendid and dramatic vistas in Europe, filled with sparkling blue glaciers and peaks that disappear into the clouds. Amongst these you will find the Dom Mountain; the second highest in Switzerland at an impressive 4,545m.
Fresh powder can be found here as late as April, with almost all of Saas Fee’s skiing sitting above 2,000m. Beginner skiers should not be put off by the high-altitude glacial and freeride skiing that draws in those who are more advanced. Beginners and intermediates will also enjoy the flat, sunny pistes lower down in resort, which still receive their fair share of powder.
Stay At:
Hotel Schweizerhof is a modern wellness hotel with an emphasis on nutritious cuisine and excellent spa facilities.
3. Cervinia, Italy
Cervinia sits at a heady 2,050m. It offers skiers 200km of skiing between the local slopes and those that connect with the neighbouring ski resort of Zermatt. Snow is virtually guaranteed between early December and late April due to the high-reaching ski terrain that goes all the way up to 3,820m. Paired with southerly facing slopes, skiers really are treated to the best of both worlds. Enjoy blissful days making fresh tracks through the powder and stopping for aperitifs in the sunshine.
The lower slopes have artificial snowmaking facilities on hand to top up the snowy offering. Once skiers have enjoyed the Italian side they can cross over into Zermatt to enjoy even more high-altitude descents. We recommend the run down from the top of the Klein Matterhorn, which starts at 3,820m and unfolds 21km down in one interrupted go.
Stay At:
Hotel Breuil is an iconic property located right on the piste in a perfect ski-in ski-out position.
4. Val d’Isère, France
Val d’Isère is our favourite snow sure ski resort in France. The fresh snow fall in the Alps makes France the ideal choice for some spring skiing, and Val d’Isère has direct access to what is arguably the best all-year skiing in the world – the Espace Killy ski area. A huge number of ski schools make this a family-friendly resort, with plenty of green and blue runs for less experienced skiers, while experts will relish the challenge of the Solaise bumps and black runs such as the Trolles piste down to Tignes le Lac. Choose from a number of late season ski deals at Chalet Millega. This rustic, charming property is set right beside the slopes, just a short distance from the après ski scene. It sleeps up to eight, making it a great choice for larger groups.
Stay At:
Chalet La Rocheure has a classic Alpine charm with fantastic, modern facilities.
5. Sierra Nevada, Spain
Sierra Nevada ski resort is one of Europe’s highest ski resorts with lifts going up to an impressive 3,300m. Just a one hour transfer from Malaga, this is the perfect snow-sure ski resort for a weekend getaway. Skiing here you’ll enjoy fabulous views and long hours of winter sunshine. Despite being in the south of Spain, Sierra Nevada is one of the most snow sure ski resorts in Europe. In fact, Sierra Nevada translates as ‘snowy mountain range’.
Stay At:
El Lodge is an Alpine paradise that is luxuriously decorated and furnished throughout to take care of your every comfort
6. Val Thorens, France
Val Thorens ski resort – the highest in Europe – offers terrain that reaches all the way up to a staggering 3,230m. As one of the best snow sure ski resorts in France, Val Thorens has over 99% of the total terrain situated above 2,000m and some of the best snow in the Alps. Skiers are welcomed by not one but two skiable glaciers – Péclet and Thorens. These can remain open during the summer months thanks to their wonderfully snowy pistes. The jewel in Val Thorens’ crown is the dominant summit of the Pointe du Bouchet mountain. This is the highest point in the whole of the Three Valleys ski area, complete with incredible panoramic vistas.
As a result of Val Thorens’ high-altitude and its north facing slopes, the ski resort can typically open as early as mid-November through to May. Have your fill of 600km of snow-sure runs, before returning with ease to one of our ski-in ski-out accommodation options. Purpose-built, Val Thorens has been created to offer its skiers immediate access to some of Europe’s best snow, so you certainly will not be disappointed.
Stay At:
Stay at Fahrenheit Seven, a modern ski-in ski-out hotel with its own ski hire shop, restaurant and spa.
7. Courchevel, France
Courchevel ski resort in France is a popular choice for spring skiing – not only is it part of the gigantic Three Valleys ski area, but many of its slopes are north-facing, meaning the snow stays colder for longer. A grand total of 1,300 snow guns keep the natural snow fall topped up. The altitude reaches 2,738 metres, and a state-of-the-art lift system transports skiers around with minimum inconvenience. Situated just 100 metres from the Croisette lift station, the Dahu Chalet Hotel is a prime choice for a late season stay. The mountain-view restaurant and open-plan lounge are welcoming spots in which to unwind after a long day on the slopes, and the ski school is only a few minutes walk away. Meanwhile, the Forum Centre, with its bowling alley, skating rink and climbing wall, is located directly opposite the hotel.
Stay At:
Chalet Jacques is a superb ski-in ski-out property with excellent facilities.
8. Lech, Austria
Lech is undoubtedly one of the best snow sure ski resorts in Europe, with a historic snow record of up to 10m of fresh powder every season. The ski resort is renowned for having its own micro-climate, which is to thank for its incredibly high volumes of snow in comparison to the rest of Austria. Lech also stands out from other Austrian ski resorts as the only location to allow heli-skiing. Visitors can tuck into incredible high-altitude beds of untouched powder on an exhilarating freeride adventure.
Down at the lift-accessed ski terrain, there is 305km of pistes on offer across the Arlberg ski area. This ski resort is great for all abilities with plenty of choice to suit intermediate and advanced skiers. Lech’s investment in state-of-the-art ski lifts means that skiers can enjoy seamless access to endless snowy pistes. After a day on the slopes visit the boutique town for evenings spent dining on Michelin-starred cuisine and planning the next day on the mountain.
Stay At:
Chalet 1597 is a unique and enchanting property located in the Stubenbach area of Lech.
9. St. Anton, Austria
St. Anton is a charming town with a bustling and cosmopolitan atmosphere. It also has vast ski terrain and a snow-sure record. Just two hours from three major airports, St. Anton ski resort is easily accessible. With over 340km of pistes serviced by 90 lifts, there’s plenty of skiing for intermediate and advanced skiers. You can be sure to find fantastic skiing all season long, with the ski resort at an altitude of up to 2,811m. This is coupled with no shortage of legendary slopeside après ski bars including the world-famous MooserWirt.
Stay At:
Chalet Marmotta has a perfect ski-in ski-out location and an excellent wellness area.
10. Whistler, Canada
As part of the British Columbia ski area, Whistler benefits from a prime position along the Pacific coast. This world-renowned ski resort lives up to its reputation, offering skiers 200km of skiing across two mountains and a rich variety of slopes, trails, and off-piste terrain. Why not venture up to the Horstman glacier, where snow-sure pistes greet skiers all year round. If these vast quantities of natural snow weren’t quite enough, Whistler has also invested in a 7.5 megawatt hydroelectric dam, which powers the ski resort’s snowmaking operations. Whistler can offer the longest ski season in North America, paired with its exclusive, modern village makes for the ultimate snowy holiday. Tuck into the international dining scene in resort before resting your head in a boutique mountain hotel.
Stay At:
Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel is a quirky colourful mountain base in a prime location just moments from the slopes.
To find out more about the best snow sure resorts, you’ll need to speak to our ski experts. Call our ski experts on 0207 471 7700.
