These Are the 7 Best Ski Resorts in Europe

That some ski resorts in Switzerland, Austria, and France rank among the best in Europe is no surprise. However, according to the well-known travel guide 'Lonely Planet', the 7 best ski resorts in Europe also include those from other European countries that may not yet be on many people's ski vacation bucket list.

We reveal which are the current 'Top 7' according to 'Lonely Planet'. Spoiler: Unfortunately, ski resorts in Germany didn't make the list.

Going specifically to Scandinavia for a ski vacation? Not many travelers do. Yet, according to 'Lonely Planet', skiing in Scandinavia can wonderfully combine with a winter vacation - with luck including the Northern Lights, lots of wilderness, and Sami culture. This generally places Scandinavia at number 7 on the list of Europe's best ski resorts.

The article on the travel guide's website suggests the popular ski resort of Levi in Finnish Lapland. This can be well combined with a visit to Santa Claus in Saariselkä, with reindeer, an ice bath, and sauna enjoyment.

Sälen in central Sweden is considered Sweden's largest alpine ski resort, while Norway's largest is the also alpine Trysil, 76 kilometers from Sälen. Both winter sports resorts are easily accessible from the Scandinavia Mountains Airport, with direct flights to and from Stockholm, Copenhagen, and Amsterdam.

The travel guide also has a secret tip for the early and late ski season: Riksgränsen at the Swedish-Norwegian border in Swedish Lapland, supposedly a freeride hotspot. The slopes here only open in February and remain open until Midsummer's Eve in June, allowing you to ski under the midnight sun!

In sixth place on the 'Lonely Planet' list is the futuristic village of Avoriaz in the French Alps, enjoying a location at 1,800 meters above sea level. Notable here is the 'mimetic architecture,' architecture that in some way imitates nature.

The multi-story buildings of Avoriaz are built in a stair-step fashion or rise like mountain peaks to the sky. Not only is it unusual that this 'design village' emerged as early as 1966, designed by three young architects, but also that it was considered particularly eco-friendly - which in the 1960s was far from trendy.

Beyond the architectural highlights, Avoriaz is considered the snowiest ski resort in France. Additional ski resorts recommended by 'Lonely Planet' in the region include Val Thorens and La Plagne. They not only promise snow reliability but also additional eye candy for design enthusiasts.

Zermatt in Switzerland is already a world-famous ski resort - not least because of the Matterhorn and what is claimed to be the highest ski point in Europe: rising to 3,899 meters with 360 kilometers of slopes, according to 'Lonely Planet', which ranks Zermatt fifth among the best ski resorts today.

What's surprising: according to the travel guide, Zermatt is not only a top tip for skiers but especially for winter fans who don't ski! The reason given is the Gondola Glacier II, opened in 2023, part of the Matterhorn Alpine Crossings.

The new cable car connects Zermatt in Switzerland with Breuil-Cervinia in the Italian Alps over a 90-minute ride, highlighted with the summit station Glacier Paradise. One of the most beautiful panoramic views over the glacier also includes additional attractions for those who enjoy skiing and for winter holidaymakers who prefer not to be on skis.

Visitors can explore the Matterhorn Museum Zermatlantis, about the transformation of Zermatt from a farming village to an internationally recognized ski resort. Another highlight according to 'Lonely Planet' is a ride on the 125-year-old Gornergrat cog railway, leading to Europe's highest hotel, the Kulmhotel Gornergrat.

Non-skiers might also visit Chamonix with its picturesque pedestrian zone, varied shopping options, Belle Époque architecture, and the Aiguille du Midi cable car up to Mont Blanc.

Skiing in Bulgaria? If it's not on your radar yet, according to 'Lonely Planet', the fourth-best ski resort in Europe is a great hidden gem: Borovets offers the best value for money with lift passes costing 85 Lev, equivalent to 43 Euros.

From the airport in Bulgaria's capital Sofia, it's only about an hour to the ski area, which includes ski schools and rentals. Compared to the French Alps, even a dinner costs about half as much.

For beginners, 'Lonely Planet' recommends the main market and the ski area of 58 kilometers, whose longest run measures twelve kilometers. Additionally, the village offers English-style bars and local taverns called Mehana, with traditional Bulgarian food and music.

Those seeking more nightlife are advised to head to Bansko. This town with its cozy old town is slightly pricier than Borovets, but worth it.

Located in the Swiss Alps, Crans Montana is listed as Europe's third-best ski resort by 'Lonely Planet' - and allegedly even the home of Bond actor Roger Moore!

The travel guide highlights the freestyle spot Alaïa Chalet, which features trampolines, indoor skate ramps, foam pits, bowls, an outdoor skate park, a lodge, and an action sports camp, as well as the 'mechanical surf pool' Alaïa Bay.

Fans of freestyle can enjoy 150 kilometers of slopes, where the 'Red Bull The Nines' event took place in 2022. The Alaïa Parks by Tudor is even the largest snow park in Western Switzerland, with a main park of more than 100,000 square meters spread over two locations.

If you can't get enough of freestyling, 'Lonely Planet' recommends the Mottolino Snowpark in Livigno, Italy. It's set to host the Olympic freestyle competition in 2026 in Milano Cortina.

The resort St. Anton am Arlberg in Austria is known not only to passionate skiers but also to those who love to party during their ski vacation. That's one of the reasons why St. Anton ranks second in the 'Lonely Planet' ranking. Famous there is the ski hut 'MooserWirt', considered by the travel guide as one of the 'wildest après-ski spots in Austria', or even worldwide.

If you want to join a real après-ski pub crawl on site, be on slope 1 at the Heustadl at 3 pm, continuing on to the Sennhütte. The highlight is the party at Mooserwirt at the end.

'Lonely Planet' describes the St. Anton ski area as an 'amphitheater of frozen peaks that soar like static sails', offering varied gourmet experiences. As an alternative to après-ski, the Skicircus Saalbach-Hinterglemm-Leogang-Fieberbrunn is mentioned, featuring over 30 bars. It also offers Bartl Enn, a local schnapps considered among the best in Europe.

Topping the 'Lonely Planet' list is not a ski resort in the Alps of Switzerland or Austria, but in Italy, in the Dolomites, around the town of Selva. The Costabella chairlift takes you directly to the famed Sella Ronda ski circuit. The 40-kilometer circuit guides you from one picturesque location to the next, past the impressive limestone formation of the Sella Massif, through traditional valleys, and across five mountain passes.

For those who want an even longer route, the guide suggests trying the 85-kilometer long 'Run of Fame' or the '12 Portes Du Soleil' resorts. Its highlight is the Sella Ronda in Italy, which combines 'Dolce Vita' with a stunning Dolomites landscape.

The ski region ranks first not only because of its distances but also because the roughly 200 million-year-old mountains are part of the UNESCO World Heritage. According to 'Lonely Planet', the partly pink hues of these mountains are a must-see, especially glorious in the morning and evening twilight. The travel guide also recommends Europe's largest connected ski area, Les Trois Vallées, with more than 600 kilometers of pistes.

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