Ski resorts in the Alps: 39 places to ski in France, Switzerland, Austria and Italy

The Alps stretch across eight countries, but it is above all in France, Switzerland, Austria and Italy that you find the resorts skiers dream of. Here wide, groomed pistes meet steep couloirs and glaciers, and the villages offer everything from quiet, car-free streets to après-ski that lasts well into the evening.

Looking for a ranking? We have picked the best ski resorts in Europe. Here you get the full overview, country by country.

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Skiing in France

France has some of the world’s largest linked ski areas, such as Les 3 Vallées, Paradiski and the Portes du Soleil, and many ski-in/ski-out resorts.

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.

Val Thorens, France

Europe’s highest ski resort, snow-sure and ski-in/ski-out almost everywhere. Read our guide to skiing in Val Thorens.

Stay here: See rooms at Altapura Hôtel & Spa

Méribel, France

The chalet village at the heart of Les 3 Vallées, with runs to Courchevel and Val Thorens. Read our guide to skiing in Méribel.

Stay here: See rooms at Hôtel Le Kaïla

Courchevel, France

The most exclusive ski resort in the Alps, with palace hotels and its own mountain airport. Read our guide to skiing in Courchevel.

Stay here: See rooms at Hôtel Le Strato

Val d’Isère, France

Olympic runs in Espace Killy and après-ski that set the standard in the Alps. Read our guide to skiing in Val d’Isère.

Stay here: See rooms at Hôtel Barmes de l’Ours

Avoriaz, France

A car-free village high in the mountains, with the Portes du Soleil and skiing into Switzerland. Read our guide to skiing in Avoriaz.

Stay here: See rooms at Hôtel des Dromonts

Morzine, France

A real Alpine town with markets and timber houses, and the Portes du Soleil on the doorstep. Read our guide to skiing in Morzine.

Stay here: See rooms at Le Petit Dru

Tignes, France

Snow-sure by the Grande Motte glacier, and part of Espace Killy. Read our guide to skiing in Tignes.

Stay here: See rooms at Le Lodge des Neiges

La Plagne, France

Ten villages in Paradiski, and one of France’s most family-friendly resorts. Read our guide to skiing in La Plagne.

Stay here: See rooms at Le Terra Nova

Les Arcs, France

Long descents from the Aiguille Rouge and views of Mont Blanc. Read our guide to skiing in Les Arcs.

Stay here: See rooms at Hôtel du Golf

Serre Chevalier, France

The great ski area of the Southern Alps, with forest runs, fortified Briançon and hot springs. Read our guide to skiing in Serre Chevalier.

Stay here: See rooms at Grand Hôtel & Spa NUXE

Flaine, France

Modernist architecture in the Grand Massif, with views of Mont Blanc. Read our guide to skiing in Flaine.

Stay here: See rooms at Totem, Friendly Hotel

La Clusaz, France

A real mountain village in the Aravis, with five ski areas and reblochon. Read our guide to skiing in La Clusaz.

Stay here: See rooms at Au Coeur du Village

Megève, France

An elegant medieval village with sleigh rides, gourmet food and Mont Blanc views. Read our guide to skiing in Megève.

Stay here: See rooms at Four Seasons Resort Megève

Alpe d’Huez, France

The island of the sun, with the Sarenne from Pic Blanc and the Tour de France hairpins. Read our guide to skiing in Alpe d’Huez.

Stay here: See rooms at Grandes Rousses Hotel & Spa

Skiing in Switzerland

Switzerland offers car-free villages, trains that climb into the mountains and some of the most iconic peaks 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.

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.

Verbier, Switzerland

The freeriders’ favourite in the 4 Vallées, with Mont Fort and a village that lives for the mountains. Read our guide to skiing in Verbier.

Stay here: See rooms at W Verbier

Grindelwald, Switzerland

Skiing beneath the Eiger North Face, with trains towards the Jungfraujoch. Read our guide to skiing in Grindelwald.

Stay here: See rooms at Bergwelt Grindelwald

Crans-Montana, Switzerland

A sunny plateau in Valais, with views from the Matterhorn to Mont Blanc. Read our guide to skiing in Crans-Montana.

Stay here: See rooms at Six Senses Crans-Montana

Wengen, Switzerland

A car-free village above Lauterbrunnen, with the Lauberhorn and the Jungfrau overhead. Read our guide to skiing in Wengen.

Stay here: See rooms at Hotel Regina Wengen

Saas-Fee, Switzerland

The Pearl of the Alps, with a glacier, four-thousanders and a car-free village. Read our guide to skiing in Saas-Fee.

Stay here: See rooms at The Capra Saas-Fee

Andermatt, Switzerland

Old stone houses at three mountain passes, and freeriding on the Gemsstock. Read our guide to skiing in Andermatt.

Stay here: See rooms at The Chedi Andermatt

Arosa, Switzerland

A peaceful village at the end of the valley, with the Arosa Lenzerheide ski area. Read our guide to skiing in Arosa.

Stay here: See rooms at Tschuggen Grand Hotel

Skiing in Austria

Austria is known for welcoming villages, Tyrolean hospitality and world-class après-ski.

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.

Lech, Austria

Quiet luxury in Ski Arlberg, with the classic Weißer Ring circuit. Read our guide to skiing in Lech.

Stay here: See rooms at Hotel Arlberg

Kitzbühel, Austria

A medieval town, the Hahnenkamm and the Streif, and Tyrolean après-ski. Read our guide to skiing in Kitzbühel.

Stay here: See rooms at Zur Tenne

Mayrhofen, Austria

The Zillertal’s liveliest resort, with the Harakiri and Tyrolean après-ski. Read our guide to skiing in Mayrhofen.

Stay here: See rooms at Hotel Neue Post

Saalbach Hinterglemm, Austria

The Skicircus, the 2025 World Championship slopes and legendary après-ski. Read our guide to skiing in Saalbach Hinterglemm.

Stay here: See rooms at Hotel Saalbacher Hof

Sölden, Austria

Two glaciers, three peaks above 3,000 metres and the World Cup season opener. Read our guide to skiing in Sölden.

Stay here: See rooms at Bergland Design- und Wellnesshotel

Obergurgl, Austria

One of Austria’s highest villages, snow-sure and quiet. Read our guide to skiing in Obergurgl.

Stay here: See rooms at Top Hotel Hochgurgl

Skiing in Italy

Italy gives your ski holiday a taste of la dolce vita, with sunny pistes, great food and the dramatic peaks of the Dolomites.

Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy

The Dolomites, Olympic history and Italian elegance. Read our guide to skiing in Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Stay here: See rooms at Rosapetra Spa Resort

Cervinia, Italy

The Italian side of the Matterhorn, with long sunny runs and skiing to Zermatt. Read our guide to skiing in Cervinia.

Stay here: See rooms at Hermitage Hotel

Livigno, Italy

Italy’s Little Tibet, with a long season, snow parks and duty-free shopping. Read our guide to skiing in Livigno.

Stay here: See rooms at Hotel Lac Salin

Courmayeur, Italy

The Italian side of Mont Blanc, with the Skyway Monte Bianco. Read our guide to skiing in Courmayeur.

Stay here: See rooms at Grand Hotel Royal e Golf

Sestriere, Italy

2006 Olympic slopes in the Via Lattea, with skiing into France. Read our guide to skiing in Sestriere.

Stay here: See rooms at Hotel Principi di Piemonte

Madonna di Campiglio, Italy

The Brenta Dolomites, imperial history and a night slalom. Read our guide to skiing in Madonna di Campiglio.

Stay here: See rooms at Hotel Spinale

Val Gardena, Italy

The Sellaronda, the Saslong and Ladin culture in the heart of the Dolomites. Read our guide to skiing in Val Gardena.

Stay here: See rooms at ADLER Dolomiti

Frequently asked questions about skiing in the Alps

Which country in the Alps is best for a ski holiday?

It depends on what you are looking for. France has the largest linked ski areas, Switzerland has iconic mountains and car-free villages, Austria is known for après-ski and hospitality, and Italy offers sunshine, good food and the Dolomites.

When is the snow best in the Alps?

The season usually runs from December to April. January and February often bring wintry conditions, while March offers longer days and sunshine. High resorts and glacier areas often have snow well into spring.

How do you get to the Alps?

The most common airports are Geneva, Zürich, Innsbruck, Salzburg, Munich, Milan and Turin. From there, trains, buses and transfers run to most resorts.

See also all our ski resorts, including Scandinavia and North America.