Are you looking for the highest ski resorts in Europe? When it comes to choosing a ski resort, our advice is always the same: the higher the resort the better. Journey further up the mountain and you will be rewarded with exceptionally scenic views of the surrounding towering peaks and glaciers. Finding a great high-altitude ski resort is ideal for skiing in the ‘non-peak’ months, where fantastic snow can be found as early as December and as late as April. Discover some of our favourite highest ski resorts in Europe for your next trip. Our hand-picked selection has world-class skiing and remarkable views.
1. Val Thorens, France
Standing tall at 2,300m, Val Thorens is officially the highest ski resort in Europe. The area reaches up to 3,230m at the peak of its skiable glaciers, Péclet and Thorens. This prime location was no accident. Val Thorens was purpose-built to ensure it occupied the ultimate location in the Three Valleys ski area. There’s an abundance of ski-in ski-out accommodation making it easy access to the snowy slopes on your French ski holiday. Most other French ski resorts sit at an altitude of under 2,000m. Staying in Val Thorens ski resort you can wake up each morning to the sunrise dancing across the surrounding summits, before clipping into your skis and setting off from your doorstep to enjoy the powder.
The Three Valleys is a phenomenal winter playground that is second to none. It’s the world’s largest ski area and has a huge choice of runs for every type of skier. Beginners and intermediates can try the gentle, sunny terrain on the Maurienne side. Whilst more advanced skiers can take on the off-piste around the Lac du Lou area, or even try the 150km of scenic cross-country routes.
Stay At:
Hotel Le Fitz Roy is one of the highest hotels in Val Thorens sitting at an altitude of 2,300m. Expect luxury when staying at this hotel.
2. Tignes, France
Tignes is one of France’s most famous ski resorts, thanks to its link with the renowned Val d’Isère ski resort. Skiers can enjoy all the après and fine dining they could dream of from their snowy base which sits at a snow-sure 2,100m. The ski terrain reaches 3,456m at its peak at the Grande Motte glacier. This can remain open for 11 months of the year thanks to its guarantee of impressive snow. Investing in a full-area lift pass offers access to Val d’Isère’s Pisaillas glacier too, which also peaks at over 3,000m.
After a rewarding day on the mountain, skiers can enjoy the ultimate convenience when it comes to returning home. A large proportion of the ski resort’s accommodation offers ski-in ski-out access. When it comes to an unbeatable high altitude and overall experience Tignes ski resort has thought of everything. Enjoy a huge choice of gourmet dining options dotted around its slopes. Try Le Panoramic restaurant, situated at 3,032m on the Grande Motte glacier and kitted out with cosy sheepskin rugs.
Stay At:
The high-quality luxury apartments at the Residence Village Montana are designed to make your holiday as enjoyable as possible.
3. Sierra Nevada, Spain
Relatively undiscovered by Brits, Sierra Nevada is a snow-sure and a great ski holiday destination. The ski resort sits at a whopping 2,100m and reaches an impressive 3,300m. Ski in the winter sunshine and marvel at the stunning views of the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. With a total of 102km of slopes, there’s plenty of variation for every type of skier. There’s a nice balance of pistes, with the majority suiting beginners and intermediates. The ski area is split into four areas that are well-linked and easily accessible. Sierra Nevada is a great destination for a ski trip away from the busy crowds in France and Switzerland. The quick transfer time from Granada means you can take a quick trip to the beach too!
Stay At:
This five-star hotel is an Alpine paradise in the Spanish mountains. With fabulous amenities everything will be taken care of during your stay.
4. Val d’Isère, France
Val d’Isère is undoubtedly one of the highest ski resorts in the world with some of the best high altitude skiing on offer. It’s linked to neighbouring Tignes ski resort. The shared Espace Killy ski area has over 300km of marked piste runs and unlimited off-piste skiing. The snow coverage tends to be some of the best in Europe and conditions normally facilitate skiing right to the end of the season. Col Pers is one of our favourite off-piste runs for experienced skiers, from the Pisaillas glacier down to Le Forne. The nursery slope is right by the centre of town and is a good place to start for beginners. Val d’Isère is a top ski destination with a vibrant and lively atmosphere centered on the wide main street that runs the length of the town.
Stay At:
Le Refuge de Solaise is one of the most exciting places to stay in Val d’Isere. The hotel is the highest in the French Alps, sitting at an amazing 2,551m.
5. La Plagne, France
La Plagne has six high-altitude ski resorts. Belle-Plagne (2,050m) and Plagne 1800 are the most popular. Comprised of 11 characterful villages, La Plagne offers a wide choice of accommodation that ranges from the brilliant all-inclusive Club Med Hotel in La Plagne 2100 to a huge range of self-catered apartments and catered chalets. If you are new to the slopes, visit the nursery slopes in Bellecote. Alternatively, visit one of the free lifts in each village.
Intermediate skiers can choose a local La Plagne ski resort-only lift pass, which gives access to a fantastic 100km of skiing. Those looking for more of a challenge will enjoy a full Paradiski ski area pass, offering 425km of skiing across the third-largest ski area in the world. As well as offering a great choice of ski schools, La Plagne has some great extra-curricular activities. Take on the iconic Funslope – the longest snow-cross course in Europe, comprised of jumps and curves, or try out the 1,500m long Olympic bobsleigh run that you can shoot down at up to 80kph in a four-seater bob raft.
Stay At:
Club Med La Plagne 2100 offers a contemporary-style hotel with ski-in ski-out access in the ski resort of La Plagne in France.
6. Zermatt, Switzerland
Some of the highest skiing in Europe can be found in the iconic ski resort of Zermatt. Home to the Matterhorn glacier ride – the world’s highest aerial cableway; and the highest viewing platform in the Alps at a towering 3,883m. This sophisticated Swiss ski resort’s collection of titles is enough to tempt any discerning skier who is looking for a world-class week in the mountains. The snowfall record is so good that the ski resort can even permit summertime skiing on its highest glacier runs. This is followed by a top-up from Zermatt’s ‘Snowmaker’ for 14 days each year in the early Autumn. A new kind of snowmaking system that produces the highest quality artificial snow possible.
When winter comes around the snow conditions are reliable enough that any further help from the snow canons is rarely needed. The south-facing runs are greeted by an average of over 3 metres of snow annually. We recommend enjoying these offerings on the Klein Matterhorn on your ski holiday to Switzerland. An exhilarating 21km run that can be descended in one swoop from 3,820m all the way down into the resort.
Stay At:
Hotel Alex has been in the Perren family for generations and year after year guests are drawn back to the relaxed and welcoming atmosphere that the family have worked so hard to create.
7. Cervinia, Italy
Cervinia is the highest ski resort in Italy located at over 2,000m in the peaks of the Alps. Its slopes proudly offer up the highest skiing in Europe across its well-linked terrain that merges with the neighbouring Zermatt. This ski resort is the perfect choice if you are looking for all the benefits of a world-class, high-altitude ski holiday in Italy. It’s purpose-built to offer prime access to the mountain. Guests can enjoy spectacular, sun-drenched vistas of the surrounding glacial mountains and, of course, the iconic peak of the Matterhorn. The local ski area offers a wide range of beginner and intermediate slopes. There’s a modern, high-speed gondola available to whisk skiers over to Zermatt in under 10 minutes, where more challenging terrain awaits.
Stay At:
Situated on the south side of the Matterhorn, the Cervinia ski resort is one of the highest in the world sitting on the Italian-swiss border.
8. Sölden, Austria
One of the highest ski resorts in Austria, Sölden offers its skiers an incredibly long season that can start as early as September and stretches into May. The two towering glaciers of Tiefenbach and Rettenbach are to thank for the resort’s snow-sure slopes. With a network of high-altitude blues and reds for skiers to weave their way down there’s plenty to enjoy. The ski resort has an extensive and efficient well-linked lift system, making it quick and easy to get your fill of ski terrain. Sölden’s landscape is instantly recognisable for its ‘Big 3’ mountains, Gaislachkogl, Tiefenbachkogl, and Schwarze Schneide. Enjoy peaks at over 3,000m and spectacular views of the Italian Dolomites. The scenery is so remarkable that Sölden was chosen to feature in the James Bond film ‘Spectre’. Film buffs will enjoy a visit to the 007 ELEMENTS cinematic installation that is situated at 3,050m on the Gaislachkogl mountain.
Stay At:
Hotel Das Central is a 5-star hotel in the quiet but spectacular resort of Sölden. Set amongst the pines, each of the 121 rooms and suites are unique and exude opulence.
9. Lech, Austria
Lech is one of the highest ski resorts in Austria with superb skiing. Once a traditional farming village, Lech rose to fame as a world-class ski resort through the clientele it has attracted over the years including Princess Diana. This chocolate box Alpine village promises an indulgent week’s skiing in the Alps, whilst retaining its authentic Austrian atmosphere.
Cruise with ease down the well-groomed pistes. You’ll enjoy peaceful lift queues thanks to the ski resort’s cap on the number of ski passes sold per day. When it comes to après ski, Lech carries out proceedings in style, with a choice of exclusive bars and eateries. Sample one of 60 single malt whiskies at the Fux Lounge Bar. Alternatively, take a romantic horse-drawn carriage ride on a cultural tour of the valley.
Stay At:
A charming hotel in stylish Lech, Hotel Monzabon combines old-school Alpine décor with modern touches making it a favourite of Ski Solutions clients.
10. Courmayeur, Italy
Courmayeur is based in the Aosta Valley ski area and has some great high-altitude skiing. It has a superb choice of snow-sure runs reaching up to 2,755m. Visit the cobbled town complete with boutique shops and lots of Italian sophistication and charm. The cosy, winding streets are a hotspot for European fine dining; overflowing with gourmet eateries that serve up rustic local fare or Michelin-starred plates.
Courmayeur ski resort has attracted the likes of Tom Kerridge, Heston Blumenthal, and Marcus Wareing. All whom have come together to host a range of dining experiences. For a truly authentic and luxurious dining choice on the slopes, we recommend a visit to Maison Vieille. Your charming Tuscan host Giacamo will greet you with fine Tuscan wines. Enjoy wild boar, fresh tagliatelle, and suckling pig fresh from the wood-fired oven.
Stay At:
The Gran Baita hotel is situated in one of the most elegant residential areas of Courmayeur, just a 10 minute walk away from the main centre ‘Via Roma’.
To find out more about the highest ski resorts in Europe, please call our ski experts on 0207 471 7700.
