Ski resorts: our favourite places to ski in the Alps, Scandinavia and the US

There is something special about the first morning of a ski holiday. Snow crunches under your boots, the lift glides silently towards the peaks, and the whole day lies ahead of you like a blank page of freshly groomed pistes. Here we have gathered every ski resort Picolo has written about, from classic Alpine villages to Scandinavia’s biggest resort and the great ski areas of Colorado.

Looking for a ranking? We have picked the best ski resorts in Europe. Here you get the full overview, so you can find the resort that suits you.

The links to the hotels are partner links. If you book through them, Picolo may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. You choose your own dates and room on the hotel page.

How to choose a ski resort

Think about who you are travelling with and what you dream of. If you want high mountains and long descents, the Alps are hard to beat. If you want a short journey and family-friendly slopes, Åre is a natural choice. And if you want powder days and American service, Colorado awaits.

• Big mountains and long runs: Zermatt and Chamonix

• Après-ski and hot springs: Bad Gastein

• Short journey and family-friendly: Åre

• Powder and great service: Vail, Aspen and Breckenridge

• Luxury and glamour: St. Moritz

Skiing in the Alps

Zermatt, Switzerland

The car-free village sits at the foot of the Matterhorn, and its ski area links up with Cervinia on the Italian side. You can ski down to Italy for lunch and take the lift back to Switzerland. Read our full guide to skiing in Zermatt.

Stay here: See rooms at CERVO Mountain Resort, with ski-in/ski-out access and a spa.

Chamonix, France

Chamonix lies at the foot of Mont Blanc and hosted the very first Winter Olympics in 1924. Here you will find some of the most challenging terrain in the Alps, with the Aiguille du Midi and the Vallée Blanche as highlights. Read our full guide to skiing in Chamonix.

Stay here: See rooms at Grand Hôtel des Alpes, with a spa and a short walk to the Aiguille du Midi cable car.

Bad Gastein, Austria

Bad Gastein combines snow-sure mountains with hot springs and atmospheric Belle Époque architecture. After a day on the slopes, thermal baths and lively après-ski await. Read our full guide to skiing in Bad Gastein.

Stay here: See rooms at Alpine Spa Hotel Haus Hirt, with a spa and a free ski bus.

St. Anton, Austria

St. Anton am Arlberg is where Alpine skiing became a way of life, with challenging terrain, Ski Arlberg and legendary après-ski. Read our full guide to skiing in St. Anton.

Stay here: See rooms at Schwarzer Adler, with a spa in the heart of the village.

St. Moritz, Switzerland

This is where winter tourism was born. St. Moritz offers sunny pistes on Corviglia, frozen lakes and some of the most legendary hotels in the Alps. Read our full guide to skiing in St. Moritz.

Stay here: See rooms at Suvretta House, with ski-in/ski-out access and a spa.

Skiing in Scandinavia

Åre, Sweden

Åre is Sweden’s biggest ski resort and has hosted the Alpine World Ski Championships several times. You get downhill skiing, cross-country trails and a lively mountain village. Read our full guide to skiing in Åre.

Stay here: See rooms at Copperhill Mountain Lodge, with ski-in/ski-out access, a spa and a free ski bus.

Trysil, Norway

Norway’s biggest ski resort, with slopes on several sides of the mountain, dedicated children’s areas and plenty of ski-in/ski-out lodging. Read our full guide to skiing in Trysil.

Stay here: See rooms at Radisson Blu Resort Trysil, with ski-in/ski-out access and a spa.

Skiing in the US

Colorado is home to some of the world’s best-known ski resorts. Read our guide to the best ski resorts in the US.

Vail, Colorado

One of the largest ski areas in the US, famous for its wide Back Bowls.

Stay here: See rooms at The Sebastian Vail, with ski-in/ski-out access and a spa.

Aspen, Colorado

Four mountains, glamour and a lively town centre.

Stay here: See rooms at The Little Nell, ski-in/ski-out at Aspen Mountain.

Breckenridge, Colorado

A historic mining town with high-altitude slopes and a charming main street.

Stay here: See rooms at Gravity Haus Breckenridge, with ski-in/ski-out access and ski storage.

When is the best time for a ski holiday?

Peak season in the Alps and Scandinavia runs from late December to Easter. January often brings good snow and fewer crowds than half term, while March and April offer longer days and sunshine. The highest resorts, such as Zermatt, often have snow well into spring. Book early if you plan to travel during the school holidays, as hotels fill up quickly.

Frequently asked questions about ski holidays

Which ski resort is best for families?

Åre is a good choice for families, with dedicated family areas and plenty of places to stay close to the slopes. In the Alps, it pays to choose a hotel with a ski bus or ski-in/ski-out access, which makes the days much easier with children.

What is the difference between skiing in the Alps and the US?

The Alps offer high mountains, long descents and charming villages with great food. Colorado’s resorts are known for dry powder, wide pistes and excellent service, but the journey is longer. Both offer world-class skiing.

Why stay ski-in/ski-out?

With ski-in/ski-out access you do not have to carry your kit or take a bus to the lift. It saves time every day and makes it easy to take a break in the middle of the day. Several of the hotels in this guide offer ski-in/ski-out access or their own ski bus.