Best Ski Resorts for Intermediates in Europe

If you crave the adrenaline rush of a tricky red or a challenging black run but yearn for the comfort of familiar greens and gentle blues at the end of the day, intermediate ski resorts are your best choice. From French and Austrian intermediate ski resorts with superb après ski, to Italian and Swiss ski resorts with incredible scenery. Finding a ski resort that’s just right for your skiing skills can make all the difference to your trip. Here’s our pick of the best ski resorts for intermediates in Europe.

Méribel, France

One of the best French ski resorts for intermediates, Méribel is part of the Three Valleys ski area –  the largest ski area in the world. With over 300 runs, 132 of which are blue, this is one of the best ski resorts for intermediates who’ll find there’s more than enough snow to sink their skis into. The main valleys are Méribel, home to the soaring Mont Du Vallon; Courchevel, where you’ll find stunning Mont Blanc; and Val Thorens, which usually has near-perfect snow conditions thanks to its height. Méribel also has two snow parks if you’re in the mood for freestyle frolics. Accommodation-wise, it’s equipped with apartments, chalets, and hotel options – many with ski-in, ski-out access.

Lech, Austria

One of the best Austrian ski resorts for intermediates, Lech, is luxurious, exclusive, and packed with powder. Its ‘White Ring’ ski area is composed of a balanced mix of red and blue runs. It’s perfect for intermediate skiers looking for a more leisurely pace. The focus here is on taking in the sights. You can stop off at one of the many cosy Alpine huts for a bubbling beer and wood-fired pizza. Skiing isn’t the only attraction here – food is a major draw for Lech, and for good reason. Some of Austria’s finest cuisine can be sampled at restaurants such as Aurelio’s, which offers mouth-watering modern and traditional dishes and an impressive range of aged brandies.

Engelberg, Switzerland

Engelberg is a jewel in the Swiss Alps. It is just over an hour from Zurich airport and is a perfect Swiss ski resort for intermediates. There are 82km of slopes with the majority blues and reds. The best runs for intermediates are around Jochstock. Engelberg also has great off-piste areas and is perfect for intermediates wanting to improve their off-piste skiing.

Trysil, Norway

Trysil is Norway’s oldest, largest, and most popular ski resort. It is home to one of the best lift systems in Europe, giving skiers access to the Scandinavian terrain in no time. The slopes are varied, with almost 70 runs suiting all abilities, ranging from gentle green slopes to thrilling black routes. Of the 71km of pistes surrounding Trysil, 54km of them are blue and red slopes — music to the ears of any intermediate skier. The ski area is perfect for those looking to maximise their time on the slopes, the lifts barely have any queues! Plus, during the week there’s late night skiing and early morning skiing available.

St. Anton, Austria

St. Anton is one of the best ski resorts in Austria for intermediates. The ski resort is part of the incredibly varied Arlberg ski area, which is perfect for both intermediate and advanced skiers. St. Anton is also located on a train line and only 90 minutes from Innsbruck airport; making it very convenient for a ski weekend.

Courmayeur, Italy

Only an hour and a half from Geneva airport, Courmayeur is the perfect Italian ski resort for intermediate skiers. The ski area has a well-balanced level of difficulty with plenty of blue and red runs. You can look forward to weaving through tree-lined runs and enjoying the spectacular views of Mont Blanc.

Photo Credit: Pila © Paillex

La Plagne, France

Located in the Alpine valley of Tarentaise, France, La Plagne is a family-friendly ski resort that offers lots of après-ski activities and accommodations. La Plagne is one of the world’s largest ski resorts and with over 200 intermediate runs together with the Paradiski ski area – which includes Les Arcs and Peisey-Vallandry – it’s one of the best ski resorts for intermediates. For accommodation, choose between self-catering chalets and apartments or three and four-star hotels.

Pila, Italy

Above the old Roman town of Aosta, you can take the 20-minute gondola to the slopes. The tree-lined pistes offer pretty runs and powder opportunities within the trees, perfect for intermediates. Those looking for some competition could race their friends against the clock on the timed slalom run. The majority of the slopes are north-facing, and as a result, the snow quality doesn’t deteriorate. Après ski is family-friendly in Pila, and if you are staying in Aosta you have a wealth of restaurants and bars available.

Verbier, Switzerland

Part of the massive Four Valleys ski area, Verbier is a brilliant Swiss ski resort with over 300km of blue and red runs to keep intermediate skiers occupied. The slopes are extremely diverse and impeccably maintained. They will keep even the most seasoned skiers entertained. Verbier is also only a short transfer from Sion, making it great for short breaks.

Chamonix, France

Chamonix is one of Europe’s skiing capitals and the area is well suited to intermediates. Almost 50% of Chamonix’s slopes are blues, with the best areas being around Flégère and Brévent. Chamonix is also in a prime location, only an hour from Geneva airport, making it a popular destination for those looking for a ski weekend.

To find out more about the best ski resorts for intermediates in Europe, call our ski experts today on 0207 471 7700.