Europe’s highest snowsure resorts

Val Thorens – 3230 metres

Val Thorens sits at 2300 metres making it the highest ski resort in Europe. Along with Meribel, Courchevel, Les Menuires and La Tania it forms part of the immense Three Valleys ski region, the largest linked ski area in the World.

You will have 600 kilometres of pistes to choose from, so the skiing is great for all levels, from absolute beginner to experience pro. I like Val Thorens as it has some great hotels and it is fully ski in-out and has a relaxed and fun vibe. The skiing is good for all levels and particularly good for beginners as the easy nursery slopes run through the village.

There is a decent apres ski scene in Val Thorens. La Folie Deuce, at 2600 metres is renowned for its raucous slope side parties. There is a good range of accommodations available, from affordable apartments to stylish and cool design hotels. If your taste is high end luxury and Michelin starred restaurants you might prefer to stay down the mountain in Courchevel.

LA PLAGNE – 3250M

La Plagne is made up of several small villages set on a high plateau, all linked to create a large, snowsure ski area of 225km. The huge Vanoise express gondola links La Plagne to Les Arcs which boosts the ski area to 425km. Enough to keep even the most experienced skiers busy. There are lots of cruisy wide blues and reds so the skiing is good for all levels and a great choice for first timers. 80% of the runs are above 2000m so it is a great resort for those late season weeks.
As well as a huge and varied ski area, La Plagne offers great value and a wide range of accommodations, many being ski in out. There are a lot of catered chalet options and family hotels with many offering childcare. So La Plagne really is a great resort for families. The apres ski is low key, so if you want to party you might want to think about booking somewhere else..

ZERMATT – 3899m

Zermatt offers the highest skiing in Europe, with slopes at a dizzying 3900 metres. It is also an attractive car free resort and as it sits at the foot of the mighty and iconic Matterhorn, boasts incredible views. Zermatt is a sophisticated luxury resort with high end hotels and chalets but still with a lot of traditional alpine charm. There is a decent apres scene here and plenty to do when you are not on the slopes. The skiing is great for all levels and being linked to Cervinia in Italy, offers a large ski area that caters well for beginners, intermediates and even the most experienced skiers.

CERVINIA – 3480M

On the other side of the iconic Matterhorn sits Cervina.  Italy’s highest major resort and great value way to ski in linked Zermatt. Many people will stay here instead of Zermatt to save money. The two linked resorts offer a combined 322kms of pistes. Although the Cervinia side doesn’t have quite as much for the more advanced skiers and boarders as the Zermatt side. Cervinia is a pretty resort, with cobbled streets and a low key nightlife. It is a relaxed resort, popular with families.

LES DEUX ALPES – 3560M

If you are looking for amazing value and great skiing then look now further. Les Deux Alpes offers some of the best value accommodation costs in the Alps. There is a huge choice of hotels and apartments, although don’t expect luxury 5star as there aren’t any. The resort isn’t particularly pretty with its myriad of apartment blocks but it does offer really good, convenient skiing, a lively apres ski and plenty of really good restaurants, all offering great value. Take the gondola up the mountain and you will find a decent size ski area with plenty of sunny slopes for all levels. Down at the village there are several easily accessed nursery slopes and great ski schools, making it a great resort for beginners and families.

SAAS FEE – 3500M

Saas Fee is a glacier resort with almost year round skiing. The majority of the slopes above 2500m and largely North facing, so the snow conditions are generally excellent . Beginners and improvers will love the long cruisy runs and there is a decent terrain park on the glacier. Saas Fee is a pretty, car free village with a traditional alpine feel. It is a family friendly, relaxed resort with low key apres scene and a really good snow record.

VAL D’ISERE / TIGNES – 3456M

Val D’Isere is one of the Worlds top resorts and with Tignes, makes up the Espace Killy ski area. This is a huge ski area with varied terrain which caters to all levels, although experts will find it especially interesting – The resort has hosted both the World Cup & Olympic downhills. Val D’Isere offers a wide choice of accommodations and is one of the most exclusive resorts in France. There are some great luxury hotels and high end chalets and the village boasts two Michelin starred restaurants, trendy bars and lots of fashionable boutiques. Up the hill, Tignes offers lower prices and a more relaxed vibe, so if you are on a budget but still want to ski the Espace Killy you should look into Tignes.

Solden – 3340M

Solden is one of the World Cup downhill venues and offers some really good skiing for all levels. The ski area links two glaciers and three well connected mountains, giving you 145km of slopes to choose from. There is skiing for all levels but intermediates and advanced are particularly well catered for. There is a lively apres scene in Solden where the main strip is buzzing with lively bars, restaurants and clubs and a decent choice of hotels which caters for various budgets.

ALPE D’HUEZ – 3330M

Alpe D’Huez offers a great value option for high altitude skiing. This is a purpose built resort and not the prettiest but it offers a decent size and very sunny ski area that is generally ski in-out from a lot of the hotels. It is great for beginners and improvers with wide greens and blues coming into the village. It also boasts the longest black run in Europe (18km) and some great runs for more advanced skiers and plenty of terrain parks t keep boarders happy. There is a lively apres ski scene in the village as well as plenty of things to do when you are not on the slopes.

Verbier – 3330 metres

Verbier is an attractive and exclusive resort in the heart of the Large 4 valleys ski area in Switzerland. There is an impressive 410 kms of pistes on one lift pass. With a wide range of pistes to suit all levels from beginner to expert, although this is a Mecca for advanced skiers. Verbier is popular with the trendy jetset, looking for a premium resort with luxury hotels and chalets, high end restaurants and a lively and trendy apres ski scene. As well as some of the best skiing in Europe.

Want more information? Or do you want help organising a trip – just ask Paul