The best ski resorts in Europe: Austria, Italy, France, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Spain, Germany, Andorra, Scandinavia

The ski resorts have a lot of nuances that affect the quality of rest. Some shortcomings “pop up” when changing something is problematic. This question is especially acute for those who are going to ski resorts for the first time.

What is important to consider when choosing a ski resort?

When choosing a ski resort, you need to proceed from two parameters: the amount that you are ready to spend on vacation, and your wishes regarding rest conditions.

With the price, it is more and less clear: there are cheaper/more expensive hotels, the price depends on the rise/decline in demand (New Year's tours are more expensive by 15-20%than the same at the end of January), the cost will increase various additional services, and so on.

And how to determine the criteria of the resort itself?

The level of complexity of ski tracks

It is customary to mark ski routes in Europe with a certain color, depending on their complexity. Each resort has its own set of tracks, information about which should be clarified when choosing a vacation spot.

• Green track - The easiest level is for children and beginner skiers. The route is usually quite wide, a slope of no more than 15%, the snow is treated with a tank (a special machine that compacts freshly fallen snow, and levels the surface of the slope, since when rolled on it, deep ruts and irregularities form)
• Blue track - A simple level of complexity, similar to green, but has a more steep slope (from 10% to 25%.) And somewhat already wide. It is processed by a tank. Those who have mastered the most elementary skills of skiing are crossed here

• Red track - The average level of complexity, can be quite narrow, a slope of 20 to 40%, is processed by a tank only on where the technique can pass, in hazardous areas it has security fences. OSK for experienced skiers and snowboarders
• Black track - Complex, only for very trained people. Steepness-40-50%, sharp side inclinations and changes, often not processed by a ratrap, but has security fences and patrolls the resort rescue service
• Yellow or orange track -Such a marking is in some ski resorts-a high-altogous level with an irregular angle of inclination. Suitable exclusively extremes, are not processed, not patrolled and not fenced

Remote tracks from the place of accommodation

The tracks are sometimes located at a considerable distance from each other and from hotels of residence. If it is important for you to ride near the hotel and do not depend on the transport (ski bass), pay attention to this parameter.

The location of the hotel

It happens that the hotels are “apart”, at a distance from the main village and the general infrastructure (cafes, shops, recreation, etc.). Not everyone loves to live on outflow - if you are from their number, specify the remoteness of the hotel from the main entertainment

Resort infrastructure

Entertainment and additional services are at any ski resort, but their set is different. Find out if there is what you need at the resort: Russian -speaking instructors, kindergartens, individual excursions and the like.

Ski resorts in Europe: General features

Despite all the variety of ski resorts in Europe, there are several common features inherent in them as a whole. Wherever you go, you can definitely count on:

• Well-developed recreation infrastructure: cafes and restaurants for any wallet, spa and nightlines, shops and attractions, etc.
• At any ski resort, you will have the opportunity to go on a historical excursion to some nearby medieval town

• Small distances between settlements: for one trip you can visit several ski resorts and even countries
• A well -developed transport network and communications: Internet, phone, taxis, excursions and regular bus traffic are everywhere
• High level of service and life as a whole: even at the hotel 2* you will receive quality services, worthy rest and courteous staff
• In all resorts you will find equipment rental, ski schools, lifts of different types (kegel, tubell, capsule), storage rooms, etc.

Austria ski resorts

For the most part, the territory of Austria is located in the Alpine Mountains - an ideal place for classes of all types of winter sports, especially skiing and snowboarding. In Austria, probably the largest density of ski resorts per capita. From the variety of local skiing zones, ripples in the eyes. Here you can find a resort for any requests and wallets, for the most motley companies and all categories of skiers.

Zaalbach-Hinterglom

Expensive, prestigious, the service is impeccable, the tracks are in perfect condition. Khelestglem - quiet and family, Zaalbach - parties, fireworks, tusa. Blue, red and black tracks. The lifts go right from the village. The nearest city is Salzburg at 90 km. Read more ...

Mayrhofen

Small heights are suitable for young children and pensioners. Highways of all levels of complexity. Snowboard Park. There are Russian -speaking instructors. Some highways and hotels at a considerable distance from the center. The nearest city is Innsbruck. Read more ...

Zolden

Several villages in a large square. Picture, soft climate. Tracks: blue, red, black, most complex. Huge park for snowboarding, freestyle, Ryd. Most hotels are next to the lifts. Many inexpensive hotels, democratic prices. Read more ...

CENTER-am-sta

Three villages, active life - in the center. The tracks of all types, the lightest - in the village of Kaprun. On the Kitssteinhorn glacier, skating all year round. Kindergarten in each village, a large selection of hotels, are crowded in the season. The nearest city is Salzburg, 80 km. Read more ...

Ishgl

Strongly stretched, look at the location of the hotel when choosing. Many Russians are generally crowded. A lot of luxury hotels, everything is expensive. Nearby is a large Duty-Fri zone. Blue, red and black tracks. Read more ...

Kitzbuel

Dear medieval city. Tracks of all levels of complexity, Streyf highway is one of the most dangerous in the world. Four ski areas, cableways are not everywhere. There is a ski spari. Different prices. During the stage of the World Cup, prices take off to heaven. Read more ...

Innsbruck

A large city, attractions, an excellent guide. Seven large zones of skiing, closest 10 minutes from the city. Highways of all levels. Cheap rental of equipment. The level of hotels is lower than in other resorts, pleasant prices. Read more ...

Bad Gastein

Located at three levels. Five areas of skiing, to some to get only by bus. Tracks of different levels, a ski school for children 3-5 years old. A lot of thermal sources, including open (T +36). Medical and health complexes, casino. Read more ...

St. Anton

It is considered expensive and prestigious. Most ski routes are complex. The lifts are located almost in the center of the resort. One of the best ski schools. Noisy and crowded, especially on weekends. Read more ...

Lech

The place of rest of aristocrats and bohemia. The only resort where the skiers are officially allowed by a helicopter in extreme skiing zones. There are exclusively children's skiing zones with excellent infrastructure. The best restaurants in Austria. Read more ...

The ski resorts in Italy

Italy in the representation of the layman is a hot southern country, saturated with the sun, the sea and the smell of lemons. Few, with the sounds of Tarantella, recall crisp snowdrifts and endless snowy plains. And in vain. Winter vacation in Italy is no less good. Want to see a crazy Italian temperament against the backdrop of harsh alpine snow? Italy ski resorts are not cheap, but very distinctive.

Val-di-Fass

Family resort, calmly, most fun in kanacea. It is pulled by 20 km, many villages, some are inaccessible. Blue and red tracks, professionals are not interesting. Modest hotels. The lifts do not always work, you can "get stuck". Read more ...

Val Garden

Best family resort in dolomites. Good routes, many hotels, children's entertainment. Dear, a lot of people. There are few tracks and entertainment for youth. Picturesque villages, large territory. There is a ski spari. The nearest cities are Verona and Venice. Read more ...

Cherviniya

Democratic prices, compact location of tracks and hotels. Tracks of all levels, there are “virgin lands” for extreme ones. It is crowded. On the upper routes there is often wind and a ban on skating. The nearest cities are Milan and Turin. Read more ...

Cortina d’Ampezzo

A small town. Many Italians (do not ski on skiing, just rest). Active nightlife, excellent shopping, many excursions. Routes of the initial and middle level. Prices are higher than average. A small ski area. The nearest city is Verona. Read more ...

Sisters

A little bitter, comfortable, a large ski area. Hel-vi and Snowboard Park. There are not many entertainments: a couple of night clubs and one kindergarten. Good sports infrastructure: pools, gym, saunas, rink. The nearest city is Turin. Read more ...

Kurmayor

Prestigious, expensive, near Mont Blanc. The skiing area is not large, but interesting, more suitable for experienced skiers. Good freeride. Some hotels are far from the lifts. A lot of luxury hotels and high kitchen restaurants. Fantastic shopping. Read more ...

Alta Badia

Six villages, the most noisy - corvara, quietly in the rest. Prices are higher than average, crowded. Most of the tracks are in one place (blue and red, black). Tracks for snowboarding and running skis. Entertainment Park, kindergarten, discounts for children in hotels and rolling offices. Read more ...

Ski resorts in France

The ski resorts of France are an excellent quality and unique French charm in everything - from interiors to the service style. All resorts are located in the French part of the Alps and are constantly used as a platform for various winter international competitions, including the Olympiads and world championships. Therefore, the quality and variety of tracks, as well as the level of service in France, is simply on top.

Val Torans

The highest in Europe, there is no road transport, a long transfer to the resort. Blue, red and black tracks, door skating. Family, there is an animation for children and a large gaming center. Great restaurants, one Michelin. Read more ...

Curses

A large territory - four villages, crowded, very expensive. A lot of social events, some of the public are traveling only for entertainment. Light and middle -level highways. The lifts are close to hotels. Read more ...

Shamoni

Very old resort (200 years), a special atmosphere. Not far from Montblan. Several zones for skiing, tracks of all levels of complexity, freeride. Casino, cinemas, night clubs, children's activities. Special pride is branded coffee houses with pastries. Read more ...

Meribel

Strongly stretched, and vertically, from remote places to the center, steep roads up or down. Accommodation in chalet and apartments, there are almost no hotels. Village atmosphere. Prices are higher than average. Not suitable for kids and lovers of parties. Read more ...

Mezhev

Rothschild residence, bohemian place. An old aristocratic town. Picturesque forest tracks, simple and medium level. There are black tracks nearby. Your airfield, a lot of entertainment. Guests are all celebrities, everything is very expensive. Read more ...

Alp d’yuz

A large skiing zone, tracks of different complexity. A lot of sun, crowded, short transfer to the resort. It is considered the best in terms of entertainment and leisure. The prices are average, the hotel level is democratic. The lift system between all parts of the resort is convenient to get. Read more ...

Val d’izer

An extensive skiing zone, complex routes, a lot of pros and lovers of freeride, there are night routes. A small zone for beginners. Part of the hotels on the outskirts. The prices are high. Hotels are expensive, shawl cheaper. A lot of family entertainments and spa treatments. Read more ...

Le Dlo Alp

Located by the glacier, the riding year -round. The lifts are close to hotels. Highways of all levels. A lot of youth and families with children, entertainment for every taste, medium prices. Nearby lam is the dream of all extremes. The prices are medium. Read more ...

Switzerland ski resorts

Switzerland is a stronghold of centuries -old traditions, thoroughness, stability and tranquility. The same atmosphere reigns in the ski resorts of Switzerland. Local resorts are considered the standard, like everything Swiss. Resting here is expensive, but very comfortable. It is worth forking into Switzerland not only for the best routes throughout Europe, but also are glad of purely aesthetic pleasure: you will not see such fabulous landscapes and gingerbread houses surrounded by mountains anywhere else.

Saint-Moritz

One of the best in the world. Respectable, expensive, elegant. A comfortable climate, few tracks for beginners, some areas are inaccessible. Entertainment to match the public, a lot of social events and events of international level. Read more ...

Davos

Six skiing zones are connected by ski bass. Not boring, tracks for all categories of skiers. Snowboard zone: cheap, excellent park, a lot of young people. A huge children's zone is a hotel city. There is a zone of complex tracks for pro. Medium hotels. Read more ...

Grindelwald

Unrealistically beautiful mountains. An elite place, but there are inexpensive apartments. Tracks of different complexity. There are few spa and nightclubs, a lot of classes for family tourists. Very popular on Christmas - a good entertainment program. Read more ...

Villar-Grine

A picturesque place, family resort, a very large territory. Highways of all levels. 5 entertainment parks, near Lausanne, Geneva, Montreo. A lot of events at the resort itself. Good spa and restaurants. Live music, there are few night bars. For large companies. Read more ...

CERMATT

Geographically, it is very stretched, moving on ski basses (carefully choose a hotel). Motor transport is prohibited. Universal tracks, skating all year round. The price level is above average. There are inexpensive hotels. Suitable for families and large companies. Read more ...

GSTAAD

Cozy, small, their contingent of vacationers. Classics of alpine recreation, the highest service, but without pathos and glamor. Simple routes. Family. Individual approach in everything. The price level is decent. Many celebrities among vacationers. Read more ...

Le Dyababer

It is very similar in the atmosphere to the GSTAD (see over), but the prices are much lower. Family entertainment, expensive hotels are not enough. No spa and velnes centers. The routes are medium, the ski area is small. Quiet, calm: a village idyll. Read more ...

Saas-Fe

Year -round resort, a variety of tracks. Very pulled out - more careful with the choice of the hotel. Cars are prohibited, but there are metro and electric cars. Suitable for all categories of tourists with any budget. Read more ...

Ski resorts Bulgaria

Bulgarian ski resorts not differ impeccable service and comfort. Winter kinds recreation in Bulgaria started develop relatively recently, and bye they far away from perfection. Counts, what on the local resorts very democratic prices. Truth, in last thing time Bulgaria lost rank « yourself cheap european countries», but relaxation here all more can name economical. From others pluses: nearly no language barrier, simplicity design visas and short -lived flight.

Borovets

Most old and large resort countries. A plus: zones skiing laid in forest – picture, castle, safely. A lot of entertainment. Minus: very chaotic infrastructure village, some highways crosses roads. Read more ...

Bansko

Most new and fashionable in Bulgaria. Soft climate, a lot of snow. Highways all levels difficulties. Zone skiing in removal from village, but some hotels provide transfer. An object natural heritage UNESCO, there is what look. Read more ...

Pamporovo

Most south and solar. Highways not complicated, located in forest zone, supported in good condition. Modern lifts. Family, a lot of excursions. A lot of clubs, restaurants, big choice hotels. Read more ...

Ski resorts Spain

home peculiarity all spanish ski resorts – they are located near from coast. Skating on the anyone from them can combine with beach rest, so how many from them located high in mountains, and nearly always can find highways, on the which snow not melting round year. Second undoubted a plus – from anyone ski resort Spain can organize excursion trip on nearby cities, which pravious his history, medieval beauty and huge quantity attractions.

Sierra—Nevada

Located in Andalusia. Six zones skiing. Highways all categories, good technical equipment, high service. There is russian -speaking instructors. A lot of entertainment, in volume number for children nursery age. Prices moderate. Read more ...

La Molina

Vast zone skiing, good highways different difficulties. A little bitter, in mainly spaniards. Entertainment few, but good excursion (beside Barcelona). Hotels cheaper in neighboring villages. Cheap, calmly, cosy. Read more ...

Formed

Wide highways, simple and medium. Mogul, helly—ski, 2 snow—parka, firamide. A lot of sun. Family, happy, high -quality hotels and entertainment. There is night clubs, zoo, a park entertainment, golf—fields and winery with tasting. Read more ...

Serler

Most highly in Spain, two zones skiing, get comfortable. Good thought out and high -tech. Highways for all. Half—pip la snowboard. Accommodation: hotels, hostels, apartments in rent – prices various. A lot of family entertainment. Read more ...

Espot Eskui

Calm, family, forest highways all levels difficulties. Very cozy atmosphere. Hotels any categories, there is apartments in rent, a lot of wooden eco—houses. A great service at very moderate prices. Youth maybe to be boring. Read more ...

Bakeera—Beret

Most popular in Spain, 3 zones skiing for all categories skiers. Lifts beside with hotels. Two snow—parka. Cheap, fun. There is night clubs, children's animators. Prices high, public decent. Favorite resort king Spain. Read more ...

Pantikos—Los—Lagos

Small city, two sectors skiing. One from the best in Pyrenees on level service. Family, majority tracks – simple and medium. Good equipment, comfortable infrastructure, comfort in everyone. Prices medium. Read more ...

La Mazelly

Typical alpine resort, forest highways. A lot of snowboarders. Ski highways all categories. Russian -speaking staff in many institutions (hotels, cafe, ski schools). Good ones Spa, wide choice entertainment. Read more ...

Ski resorts Germany

Basic ski resorts Germany concentrated in Bavaria with german parties Alp. A lot of old villages and typical for Bavaria coniferous forests. Infrastructure resorts thought out with german pedantry before little things: ski highways in ideal condition, service in hotels impeccable, to schedule ski—basov not fight, there is entertainment for all categories tourists. Prices, how and everywhere in Germany, they bite, but level ski resorts togo costs.

Garmish—Perenkirhen

Ratio simple and complex tracks 50/50. Several areas skiing, good infrastructure, two snow—parka and haf—pip international level. A lot of entertainment, local festivals, there is excursions. Read more ...

Berchtesgaden

Five gorodokov, thermal resort, open pools and salt adit, national a park. Highways lungs, there is the track for bobsleya, night skating. Winter warm and snow.  Huge choice places residence. Highly short season skiing. Read more ...

Oberstdorf

Three zones skiing, highways different level. Sports sites world class: mountains skis, skater the track, carving, snowboard, sprinkles, curling. Respectably, expensive, a lot of celebrities. A great Spa—center, excursions. Read more ...

Wright—them—Winkle

Big zone skiing, highways for profi and beginners, haf—pip and sona—a park. Sunny, picture. Entertainment traditional bavarian (beer, folk—music, walks on ancient towns) or sports (bowling, curling, pools and t.d..). Read more ...

Ski resorts Andorra

Andorra – this is, on essence, one big ski resort. Here they go in the first turn ride, in second – arrange shopping (all territory Andorra – zone harry trade), in third – well have fun big company. Her unique location allows visit straightaway two countries with the richest excursion routes – Spain and France, moreover get to before the closest Barcelona, Carcison or Toulouse not will be labor. Main a plus Andorra: prices much below european.

Ordino—Arkalis

Highly various landscape, popular u all categories ski. Small, backstage, cO his own contingent constant tourists. Majority skiers – local. Good family infrastructure, the best highways for newcomers. Read more ...

Pal—Arinsal

Two zones skiing with general network lifts. Silent slopes, highways for beginners and advanced. Separate children's zones. Nearly not happens winds. A lot of entertainment, good service. On the pIK winter ski they reach directly before hotels. Read more ...

Grandvalira

Huge zone skiing, the most big in Europe  – 6 resorts (Pass—de—la—Tas, Grau—Ruzh, El—Tarter, Encamp, Soldeu, Canillo). Acts single ski—pass for all areas. Infrastructure not amenable description: there is all and for all, transfer impossible even short. Prices various, can find options under any budget. Read more ...

Ski resorts Scandinavia

Scandinavia – this is territory, where mountains skis are not only way attraction tourists, but and integral part national cultures and beloved view sports local residents. Ski resorts scandinavians build in the first turn for myself, a oh after for different visitors foreigners. That's why ski resorts Scandinavia organized with the highest knowledge affairs and big love to mountain skis.

Kuusamo—Hand (Finland)

Beside with polar around (can see polar shine). Highways different categories, there is slalom and running skis. Two zones skiing: light (east) and complex (western). All for snowboard. Sports and family entertainment, there is aquapark. Read more ...

Vuratti (Finland)

Calm, measured, family. A lot of simple tracks, good base snowboard. Aquapark, sports entertainment, village Santa—Claus, fishing—deer—dogs solders, several museums. There is year -round covered ski the track. Read more ...

OSS (Norway)

Two zones skiing, between them free ski—bass. Combination ski tracks and non -freezing fjords. Highways different levels, freirade, snow—a park, children's entertainment. The highlight: local serpentine iron road with amazing views. Read more ...

Lillehamer (Norway)

One from the best in Scandinavia, universal highways.  Small city, homeland elves and trolls (chip resort). Four zones skiing – single ski—pass and free ski—bass. Olympic a park. Separate zones for children and game town. Several museums. Read more ...

Gail (Norway)

100—summer resort, base conducting international competitions. Three zones skiing, different level difficulties. Superpipe (height 6m). Snowing. Entertainment: traditional scandinavian (dogs, fishing, motosani). Fun, crowded. Read more ...

Hemedal (Norway)

Big resort, the main one area stages cup mira on slalom. Gorgeous highways different level, freirade, snowboarding, red night highways. Active night life. Children a park entertainment. Hunting on the motosans. Read more ...

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