Top 10 Ski Destinations in Europe

Are you looking for some of the best places for single parent ski holidays in Europe? There are plenty of choices in the continent that are worth your time. Given the number of options that there are, though, it might lead you to a bit of analysis paralysis. Thus, if you're looking for a way to narrow down which places to go to, this article can help.

best ski resorts in europe

This list has narrowed down to ski destinations that are lovely for a ski holiday that you can enjoy whether you're by yourself, with family, or with a loved one. On that note, here are the top ski destinations in Europe that you're not going to want to miss.

1. Courchevel, France

The largest ski area in the entire world is one that you can find in the lovely country of France, and it holds the name Les Trois Vallées or The Three Valleys in English. What's noteworthy about Les Trois Vallées is that it's an interlinking of multiple ski resorts, and you can even ski through these three valleys with only one ski pass, which is why it's the largest ski area in the world.

If you had only to pick one of these ski resorts, you should try the one in Courchevel, France. It's the largest one of the many ski resorts along the Three Valleys.

Aside from the great skiing, you can also try eating at one of the Michelin star restaurants. You can even admire sculptures around the area if you want.

2. Cortina, Italy

Italy has always been a hot holiday destination, no matter what time or season it may be. Many people all over the world go to Italy to enjoy some time off to relax. Therefore, it stands to reason that Italy may have something up its sleeve that could help scratch that skiing holiday itch that you have.

Cortina d'Ampezzo, in particular, is an excellent choice of skiing destination in Italy because you might not know this, but it is the oldest skiing destination in the entire country. The ski resort here is quite popular and is on the higher-end in terms of ski resorts as the elites make this their second home most of the time.

If you want a bit of glamor along with your skiing holiday, going to Cortina, Italy, should help you with that.

3. Verbier, Switzerland

Verbier, Switzerland, serves as one of the most exclusive ski destinations in Europe and the entire world. Many professional ski athletes enjoy Verbier, Switzerland, because of how challenging some of the terrains there is. That's why it's also the setting for the Freeride World Tour - an athletic event for professional snowboarders and skiers.

With that said, Verbier is also kind of a place for the upper class to hang out but in a subtler and less obvious way. Don't be surprised to see celebrities and the like when you're there.

What's more, is that Verbier also has a pretty active nightlife for a quiet ski town. Therefore, if you want to do something else aside from skiing, you can go wild with the Verbier nightlife scene.

4. Sunnmøre Alps, Norway

Norway is filled with gorgeous all-year-round skiing destinations that you would want to visit. Alpine skiing is even a growing activity in Norway. With that said, there are plenty of choices to choose from when looking for the best ski resorts in Norway. One excellent ski destination in the country would be the Sunnmøre Alps of Norway.

The Sunnmøre Alps are some of the best snowy playgrounds in Norway for a ski-lover looking for a European destination. You can go on a ski tour if you want to see the best that the Sunnmøre Alps have to offer or go traversing snowscapes yourself. You can also get your kids to a ski school, so they know how to ski.

5. Zermatt, Switzerland

Speaking of alpine destinations, Switzerland should be included in this list of the top 10 ski destinations in Europe. After all, the iconic Swiss Alps are always a sight to behold in real life and chocolate packaging. With that said, Zermatt, Switzerland, is one of the top ski destinations in the country.

Zermatt is a seeming fantasy land with an idyllic town hugged around it by gorgeous green trees and towering, majestic mountains around. It also contains one of highest ski resorts in Europe, so you should give this a try when you find yourself in Switzerland.

6. Lech, Austria

If you’re taking a ski trip to Austria, know one thing in advance: Après-skiing here is no joke. Be ready to dance on tables, sing until you’ve lost your voice, and stumble back to the hotel after dark. But slope-centric revelry is far from the only reason to visit Austria in winter. The food is hearty, cities from Vienna to Linz come alive with holiday markets and cultural happenings, and the crowds are much thinner than in the busy summer months. There’s also a double-decker ice skating rink if you’re skilled enough to ascent it.

Lech, Austria, is a ski destination for looking for nothing too easy or too hard as a skier. It's also a luxury ski destination since many royal families often go here to enjoy a bit of fun in the snow. If you're looking for another luxurious ski destination that's quite underrated, Lech, Austria is the place to be.

7. Lapland, Finland

Finland boasts of some of the best ski resorts in the world. Another winter wonderland that you want to go to would be gorgeous Lapland, Finland. All skiers of any level are welcome in Lapland so that you can bring family and friends with you.

An even more popular spot in Finland to ski within Lapland would be Ylläs that has had ski lifts running there since 1957. Ylläs is the largest ski resort in Finland, and probably for a good reason, so you won't make a wrong turn by going there to ski.

8. Sierra Nevada, Spain

Spain isn't the first place you'd think of when you think of a ski destination, but the Sierra Nevada in Spain has most southerly ski resort in Europe. If you want a unique skiing holiday, go skiing in the Sierra Nevada. You can enjoy the cool bite as you ski down the slopes, but you can also enjoy a splash on the Spanish coast.

9. Pelion Mountain, Greece

The Pelin Mountain in Greece is most known for its history as the home of Centaurs in Greek Mythology. However, it's also a very lowkey and underrated skiing destination.

If you want to go to a new place to go skiing that doesn't have as many crowds in it but still offers majestic sceneries, you should go to the Pelion Mountain of Greece.

10. Zakopane, Poland

When you think about going to Poland to ski, one of the best places to go would be Zakopane, a Southern town in Poland with a snowy landscape. It even has the title of being Poland's winter capital. You can go skiing, mountaineering, or simply relaxing while surrounded by the snow while in Zakopane, Poland, so give it a try.

We didn't include many ski destinations in Europe in this list, but that doesn't mean those aren't better or worse than the ones here. If you do try out these ski destinations on the list, you won't regret stopping by for a ski holiday. That's for sure, so give these ski destinations a try if you're itching to go skiing.

Kalyan Panja