Who doesn’t dream of a white Christmas? SnowTrex has selected some of the snowiest destinations for your ski holidays over Christmas. If you are fast now, you can still secure the best places on the mountain in these popular resorts.
Valmeinier (France)
Ski area: Galibier-Thabor, 150 km of pistes
The family-friendly resort Valmeinier is situated in the middle of the two national parks Ecrins and Vanoise. The municipality consists of the picturesque mountain village of Valmeinier 1500 with traditional stone houses, and the modern ski resort of Valmeinier 1800. The Galibier Thabor ski area, which stretches between the villages of Valmeinier and Valloire, offers 150 kilometres of pistes. With snow heights of around 100 cm during the season, Valmeinier is a place with guaranteed snow during the festive season, and you can spend cosy Christmas days in quaint bars and restaurants.
Fügen (Austria)
Ski region: Zillertal, 515 km of pistes
In the heart of the Zillertal, Fügen with its historic churches and chapels makes for a particularly beautiful backdrop for a Christmas holiday. If everything is snow-covered here, a homely Christmas mood is spreading. It is not for nothing that the Christmas song “Silent Night, Holy Night” comes from Fügen. In addition to a relatively high security for snow, the Zillertal also scores with a large selection of pistes in several ski areas as well as on the Hintertux glacier. The offer reaches from 110 kilometres of pistes in the Hochfügen-Hochzillertal ski area, continues with a total of 515 km of downhill runs throughout the Zillertal, and is rounded off with a wide range of leisure activities aside from skiing. In addition to toboggan runs, this also includes the Zillertal Thermal Spa. Free buses and the Zillertal Railway connect all ski areas in the valley.
Chamrousse (France)
Ski area: Chamrousse, 90 km of pistes
Chamrousse with pistes up to an altitude of 2,250 m is one of our most popular ski resorts, and, when it comes to reliability for snow, a fairly safe option in the French region of Belledonne. The ski area above Grenoble offers a great view over the city, and the large apartment complex directly at the lift entrance makes the start into the skiing day particularly comfortable. The short distances and the cosy huts at the ski station also contribute to the Christmas atmosphere. An additional plus point: Chamrousse ski area was awarded the SnowTrex Award.
St. Anton am Arlberg (Austria)
Ski area: Ski Arlberg, 305 km of pistes
Arlberg mountain is probably the most famous “snow hole” in Vorarlberg. At best, there is up to 150 cm of snow on the mountain. No wonder that it is one of the top freeride areas in Austria. Since the winter of 2017/2018, “Ski Arlberg” has grown together to become Austria’s largest ski area. 305 km of pistes between the villages of St. Anton, Lech-Zürs and Warth-Schröcken can be skied seamlessly. St. Anton is the heart of the ski region on the Tyrolean side. This is where sophisticated holiday flair meets sporting diversity. A great, snow-rich holiday resort for everyone.
Sölden (Austria)
Ski area: Sölden, 254 km of pistes
The Ötztal valley is always worth a visit for a snowy end of the year. There is an average of up to 180 cm of snow at the mountain stations. Sölden is thus not only the popular and après-ski-friendly ski area with glacier slopes, but also offers a great winter landscape with fantastic powder snow. If you like it a little quieter, you can retreat to the back of the Ötztal to Obergurgl-Hochgurgl. Due to the altitude, the fluffy snow cover is even thicker here and white Christmas is almost guaranteed.
Davos (Switzerland)
Ski area: Davos Klosters Mountains, 279 km of pistes
When it comes to ski resorts in Switzerland, we have many tips! As far as the amount of snow and a selection of slopes for all family members are concerned, the region Davos Klosters Mountains is at the top of our list of recommendations. With a total of almost 280 kilometres of pistes, the region offers everything a winter sports enthusiast could wish for. The ski areas Parsenn, Jakobshorn, Madrisa, Pischa, Rinerhorn and Schatzalp offer a lot of fun sports and leisure activities. The village of Davos itself has an eventful history, delightful little Christmas markets and the “Songbird Festival”, a musical highlight during the Advent season. Definitely a worthwhile destination for the holidays.
Bad Gastein (Austria)
Ski area: Gastein, 186 km of pistes
Gastein Valley with its ski resorts Dorfgastein, Bad Hofgastein and the principal town of Bad Gastein is a very popular destination throughout the winter. With average snow heights of more than one metre, you can also expect lush snow splendour over the Christmas holidays. The four ski areas of the Gastein region comprise a total of 186 kilometres of pistes and 52 lifts, making them well-prepared pistes for everyone. The quality of the Gastein ski region is underlined by our SnowTrex Award 2016.
SuperDévoluy (France)
Ski area: SuperDévoluy & La Joue du Loup, 100 km of pistes
SuperDévoluy in the Maritime Alps is a perfect family destination. The entire ski area union between La Joue du Loup and SuperDévoluy boasts 100 km of pistes, and the ski lifts are pleasantly short. The slightly smaller La Joue du Loup, on the other hand, is a top destination for a romantic Christmas skiing holiday. In this small village you can enjoy the peace and quiet and explore the surroundings on a snowshoe hike or a ride in a horse-drawn sleigh.
Berchtesgaden (Germany)
Ski area: Region Berchtesgaden, 49 km of pistes
The Berchtesgaden ski region comprises six smaller ski areas which spread over the picturesque winter landscape of the foothills of the Alps. The most demanding ski area is the Jenner, which is closed until the end of the 2017/2018 season due to modernisation work. However, the family mountains at Götschen, Hochschwarzeck, Rossfeld and Obersalzberg offer full skiing fun and up to 50 cm of snow during the season. If you want to combine the holidays with a good portion of winter sports round here, then this beautiful spot in front of the famous postcard panorama of Watzmann and Königsee is the perfect place to go.
Livigno (Italy)
Ski area: Livigno, 115 km of pistes
Its snow-sure location at 1,816 m above sea level makes Livigno an ideal destination for a successful skiing holiday in December as well. Known as a duty-free shopping paradise, this ski resort lies on the sunny side of the Lombardy Alps and offers wonderfully wide pistes on both sides of the valley. The ski area has a total of 115 km of pistes. In the evening you can enjoy the Dolce Vita in Livigno – in cosy cafés, bars or a wine bar.
Gaschurn (Austria)
Ski area: Silvretta-Montafon, 113 km of pistes
The Montafon alpine valley in Vorarlberg, Austria, stretches over 39 km and impresses winter holidaymakers mainly with its smaller, traditional villages, where you can spend an excellent skiing holiday at Christmas. Gaschurn is one of these places and offers a fantastic nature on an altitude of 979 m above sea level. The village lies at the foot of the Silvretta-Montafon ski area and is the ideal starting point for Christmas fun on the slopes.
Damüls (Austria)
Ski area: Damüls-Mellau, 75 km of pistes
The Damüls-Mellau ski area is certainly a hot tip when it comes to snow reliability. The Damüls ski resort lies at 1,431 m and is considered the snowiest village in Austria. In some winters up to 9 m snow height has been measured here. The 75 km of pistes in the ski area lie in a landscape that seems to have sprung from a winter fairy tale. With 75 km, the ski area is exactly large enough for varied skiing pleasure over the holidays.
Obertauern (Austria)
Ski area: Obertauern, 100 km of pistes
Similarly good snow conditions can be found in Obertauern. The popular ski resort lies at an altitude of 1,600 m – the perfect place in the Radstädter Tauern for regular snow fall. The ski area Obertauern measures up to 178 cm of snow on its 100 km of pistes, and is regarded as one of the most snow-sure ski areas in Salzburger Land. Piste safaris such as the “Tauernrunde” and the “Super Seven”, or challenges such as the “Gamsleiten 2” make the ski day even more interesting. Obertauern boasts a lively après-ski scene but is also a family-friendly holiday resort. A true top tip!
Wald im Pinzgau (Austria)
Ski area: Wildkogel-Arena, 64 km of pistes
Among the insider tips for Christmas destinations are the quiet romantic places such as the tranquil resort Wald im Pinzgau. The ski village in the Hohe Tauern National Park offers romantic leisure activities such as the “Kristallbad”, a public pool with spa area, as well as excursion destinations such as the waterfalls in Krimml. From Wald, attractive ski areas such as Zillertal Arena and Wildkogel Arena are easily accessible by ski bus.
Heiligenblut am Großglockner (Austria)
Ski area: Großglockner-Heiligenblut, approx. 55 km of pistes
The beautiful village of Heiligenblut lies on Austria’s highest mountain, the Großglockner. The mountain rises a full 3,798 m into the sky and offers an impressive backdrop for a great ski holiday at Christmas. The ski area Großglockner-Heiligenblut reaches up to 2.902 m and therefore has an enormous snow guarantee. White Christmas is almost guaranteed here!
Fusch am Großglockner (Austria)
Ski area: Zell am See-Kaprun, 138 km of pistes
With its “Fürstenquelle” springs, Fusch is one of the most famous health resorts in the province of Salzburg. Fusch is just the place for everybody who wants to spend a quiet ski vacation at Christmas – always with the option to enjoy the hustle and bustle in the nearby ski region Zell am See-Kaprun. The neighbouring ski areas at Kitzsteinhorn and Schmittenhöhe have been awarded the SnowTrex Award in 2016 and offer around 145 cm of snow in the season.
Brixen im Thale (Austria)
Ski area: SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental, 284 km of pistes
Christmas on the sunny plateau in the midst of a snow-covered winter wonderland – the friendly Tyrolean village of Brixen im Thale makes it possible. From here, winter sports enthusiasts can directly access the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental with a total of 280 kilometres of pistes. A guarantee for relaxed and sporty Christmas holidays.
Saint Sorlin (France)
Ski area: Les Sybelles, 310 km of pistes
Here you celebrate Christmas in a charming mountain village. The townscape of Saint Sorlin is characterised by traditional wooden houses. Small boutiques, cosy restaurants and bars line the village street. The village is also known for its cheese dairies. In the evening you can enjoy a traditional raclette or cheese fondue. As small as the village may be, as large is the range of pistes: Saint Sorlin belongs to the ski region Les Sybelles with 310 km of pistes.
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