Snow lovers know the problem: some time has passed since the last winter holiday, and you are starting to long for snow-covered peaks and fresh mountain air again. There is a considerable number of ski areas in different countries and you are spoilt for choice. Where should the next skiing holiday go to? Which ski areas are suitable for the beginners among winter sports holidaymakers, and where are the best après ski parties? Where can experienced winter sports enthusiasts find varied downhill runs, breathtaking views or exciting off-piste routes? SnowTrex knows the ski areas in all European countries. Fortunately, there is something for everyone, so that nothing stands in the way of your next skiing holiday.
Ski areas in Austria
Austria is still the favourite destination for German snow lovers – and not without reason! Austria has a lot more to offer than quaint accommodations in traditional villages in the valley or charming mountain huts. Whether beginners or experienced skiers, singles or families – more than 400 ski areas guarantee skiing fun for everyone. Especially families and newcomers will find areas with many blue pistes, such as Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental, Warth-Schröcken, Montafon or Gargellen at Vorarlberg Mountain. But also experienced skiers and freeriders will get their money’s worth when exploring adventurous ski routes here and in the many other ski areas. The high reliability for snow in Austria is another reason to consider the country for your next holiday in the snow. Top snow conditions on the pistes and untouched deep powder snow in open terrain are guaranteed!
Snowboarders and freestylers will find a wide range of modern and varied snowparks in Austria. Action and adrenalin are guaranteed in the “Absolut Park Flachauwinkl” in the Salzburger Sportwelt! From kickerline and raillines over a 100 m long halfpipe up to a boulder rock the park offers all challenges which make the heart of every freestyler beat faster.
Snow sports enthusiasts, who can hardly wait for the snowy season, even have the opportunity to ski the pistes of the Hintertux Glacier at any time of the year. The area is the only all-year skiing area in Austria! Austria also offers other glacier ski resorts with reliable snow conditions, such as the Dachstein Glacier, the Kaunertaler Glacier, the Kitzsteinhorn, the Mölltaler Glacier and the Pitztal Glacier. The glaciated giants are also enthroned above the Sölden ski area and in the Stubai Valley.
Après ski enthusiasts will definitely also get their money’s worth in Austria. In après ski strongholds like Ischgl, St. Anton or Sölden, every partygoer will find the right umbrella bar, mountain hut or bar for singing, celebrating and dancing.
Ready for ski holidays in Austria? Here is an overview of all ski areas in Austria!
Ski areas in France
Apart from the culinary delicacies, the diverse cultural offers and the charm of beautiful cities, France has perfect conditions for a successful ski holiday. Excellent snow conditions allow for descents in untouched powder snow and on perfectly prepared pistes which have the hearts of skiers and snowboarders beat faster. Additionally, winter enthusiasts will find magical views of snow-covered peaks in numerous French ski areas. A descent overlooking Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps, can be enjoyed in the Chamonix Mont Blanc ski area.
In the French Alps, ski holidaymakers will find the largest and highest winter sports areas of Europe. The gigantic ski region Les 3 Vallées offers – believe it or not – 600 km of piste, which makes it the largest interconnected ski area in the world. Freeriders looking for adventure in untouched deep powder snow can look forward to ski routes with an overall length of 200 km in the Les 3 Vallées region.
Freestylers will also get their money’s worth in the diverse ski regions in France. Some of them come from all over the world to visit snow parks such as the “Freestyle Land” in the Les 2 Alpes ski area. The park offers a Big-Air zone, several kicker lines, a half pipe, numerous rails and boxes as well as an Easy Park for beginners.
France is an attractive holiday destination especially for winter holidaymakers with a comprehensive budget. The inexpensive accommodations are often located right next to the pistes. Unstrap your skis and go to eat lunch right in your chalet – and all that at fair prices!
Fancy a skiing holiday in France? Here is an overview of all ski areas in France!
Ski areas in Italy
How about ski holidays in “Bella Italia”? Cappuccino, pasta, excellent wine and exquisite antipasti. The Italian cuisine is probably one of the most popular in the world. All the delicious food, however, is only one reason why ski holidays in Italy are absolutely worth a try.
The Dolomites, a mountain range in Northern Italy, are part of the Southern Alps, and they are not only known among winter sports enthusiasts for their breath-taking beauty. The largest part of the Italian winter sports areas can be found in this impressive mountain world, such as e.g. the Gröden/Seiser Alm ski area, a union of the two ski areas Val Gardena and Alpe di Siusi. The ski area comprises a total of 175 km of piste, and thanks to numerous blue and wide pistes, the area is especially suitable for newcomers as well as families with children. Experienced skiers can perfect their carving technique in large swings or conquer the demanding Ski World Cup piste “Saslong”.
By the way: winter sports enthusiasts who appreciate diversity and the opportunity to explore new ski areas should have a look at the “Dolomiti Superski” union of ski areas. The lift pass gives you access to 12 ski areas with a total of 1,200 km of pistes that you can explore. Among others, you can pay a visit to the Drei Zinnen Dolomiten ski area and enjoy pistes with a view of the mountain formation of the same name (“Tre Cime”, “three peaks”).
Lovers of snow – especially families – who value comfortable skiing days, a cosy lunch break and many hours of sunshine, are in perfect hands in Italy. “La Dolce Vita” – enjoying life to the fullest. The following applies also in Italian ski areas: besides sport, relaxation must not be neglected in any case.
Fancy a skiing holiday in Italy? Here is an overview of all ski areas in Italy!
Ski areas in Switzerland
Ski holidaymakers will find superlative winter fun in Switzerland. Switzerland is known for huge ski areas, giant mountains, first-class restaurant, stylish accommodations and finest après ski. Whether beginners or professionals, families of singles – winter holidaymakers with a wide variety of interests will find everything their heart desires in Swiss ski regions.
In Switzerland, winter sports enthusiasts will be flying high: Many ski areas above 2,500 m and numerous glaciers provide unique snow conditions and a considerable reliability for snow. In the Zermatt glacier ski area, the mountain station at Klein Matterhorn is on an altitude of 3,883 m. This makes Zermatt the highest ski area in Europe; furthermore, the area convinces with modern lift systems, approx. 200 km of piste and a broad offer of exciting ski routes for freeriders and professionals. – Not to forget the enchanting view of the steep rock faces of Matterhorn.
Enthusiastic freestylers will find sensational snowparks in numerous Swiss ski areas. Whether you’re a beginner in the field or an experienced aerialist – everyone gets their money’s worth. The “NoName Snowpark” in the Laax glacier ski area has the longest halfpipe in the world with a length of 200 metres. The Pro-Kicker-Line guarantees gigantic jumps, and beginners can test their newly acquired skills in the “Snowpark Beginner”.
Winter holidaymakers with a certain budget should consider travelling to glamorous St. Moritz. Luxurious accommodations, stylish bars and exclusive restaurants make for a unique flair. Après ski enthusiasts will also get their money’s worth here in St. Moritz. Further après ski strongholds in Switzerland are Saas-Fee or Arosa-Lenzerheide. If you love exuberant partiers in the expressive Swiss mountains you should visit at least one of these places.
Fancy a skiing holiday in Switzerland? Here is an overview of all ski areas in Switzerland!
Ski areas in Germany
When German winter sports enthusiasts go on a ski holiday, Austria is still the number one travel destination. There are also numerous opportunities in Germany for a break in the snow, and thanks to short distances to the nearest ski region, even relaxing weekend trips with family or friends are possible and definitely worthwhile. Now the question arises as to which ski resorts exist in Germany and in which regions can they be found?
Zugspitze is possibly the most famous mountain in Germany, and it’s definitely worth a visit. The ski area of the same name offers winter holidaymakers about 20 km of piste at altitudes of 2,000 to 2,720 metres. This makes the Zugspitze ski area the highest ski area in Germany, and it is generally open from December to the beginning of May. Numerous snow cannons care for good snow conditions on mainly easy to intermediate pistes, which are especially suitable for families and beginners. The “Twinticket”, which comprises the ski areas Zugspitze and Garmisch-Classic, enables you to explore a total of 60 km of piste. Experienced winter sports enthusiasts can look forward to the “Kandahar” piste, which also hostes Ski World Cup events on a regular basis.
Aside the ski regions in Bavaria, there are also popular ski areas in Sauerland, the Ore Mountains as well as in the Harz Mountains and the Black Forest. The Liftverbund Feldberg is the largest ski area in the Black Forest, and year after year it builds a snowpark that guarantees winter fun for freestylers.
Apart from great descents, Germany’s snow regions offer a multi-faceted alternative programme in the snow: tobogganing, snow shoe hikes or cross-country skiing in diverse nature – even those snow lovers who are not drawn to the slopes will get their money’s worth here.
Fancy a skiing holiday in Germany? Here is an overview of all ski areasin Germany!
Ski holidays in the Czech Republic
Czech Republic is probably not the first country that comes to mind when thinking about winter sports. Nevertheless: apart from breath-taking, snow-covered landscapes, there are numerous ski areas in Czech Republic which attract winter sports enthusiasts from all over the world.
Czech Republic is especially interesting for German skiers from the eastern federal states because of the short journey there. Furthermore, moderate prices make a varied holiday possible for snow lovers with a rather small travel budget.
Excellently prepared pistes, especially suited for families with children and beginners, can mainly be found in the Ore Mountains, the Giant Mountains as well as the Bohemian Forest. One of the most popular ski areas in Czech Republic is the Keilberg ski area (Klínovec), which is situated right next to the German border. Here, the highest mountain station in the Ore Mountains can be found on an altitude of 1,244 m. 90 % of the 18 km of piste can be covered with artificial snow, so that there is little in the way of skiing and snowboarding fun, even when there is not much snow. The blue pistes in the ski area are perfectly suitable for families and beginners, while experienced and intermediate skiers can enjoy the black pistes.
Winter holidaymakers who are also interested in cultural aspects should definitely plan a visit to the “city of 100 towers”: especially when the historical buildings’ roofs are covered with snow, Prague has a special charm. Charles Bridge, Prague Castle as well as the historic district of Prague are definitely worth a visit.
Fancy a skiing holiday in Czech Republic? Here is an overview of all ski areas in Czech Republic!
