Travel the World

France

One of the best ski resorts in Europe is France’s Chamonix Mont-Blanc.  Host of the 1924 Winter Games (the first Winter Olympics), they are one of the most famous resorts in the world.  With a vertical drop of over 9000 feet, and with Vallee Blanch, one of the longest runs in the world, they have some extreme activities to their credit.  Whether you want to stick to the piste and ski throughout your vacation, or store your skis for a couple of days and have a go at hang gliding or ice climbing, you’re sure to have a great time.

Another famous French winter vacation resort is Courchevel in the Three Valleys of France (Meribel and Val Thorens are the other two).  This resort comprises four villages that are named for the altitude at which they’re situated.  The highest of these Courchevel 1850 has gourmet restaurants and boutiques to add to its winter activities.  Apart from great ski-ing Courchevel also offers the opportunity to ice skate, ski jump, ice climb – and for those who don’t get enough snow air during the day, night-time toboagganing!

Italy

With 87 miles of ski runs Contina d’Ampezzo in Italy is a great ski resort.  Buy a ski pass however and you’ll be allowed access to many of the other resorts in the area so you’re assured of plenty of variety.  Other extreme snow fun can be found at the Adrenaline Center which organizes high-speed tobogganing, bobsledding and even snow rafting!  Contina d’Ampezzo hosted the 1956 Olympic games and is a place to see and be seen by trendy winter thrill seekers.

Switzerland

Gstaad is a winter playground renowned for its patronage of celebrities and royalty.  Cars are banned in the area so transport around the resort is usually via funiculars (and chairlifts/gondolas of course).  A daily ski pass gives you access to both the downhill slopes, which total about 155 miles, and the local transportation system. 

Zermatt is another of Switzerland winter gems which also is car free.  It has the second largest vertical drop in the world that’s lift-served so if you have a need for height, this is a great choice.  Zermatt’s high altitude ensures that there’s plenty of snow to go around so you shouldn’t be disappointed!

Austria

Lech and Zürs are Austria’s celebrity resorts attracting royalty, sports personalities and politicians alike.  This is an exclusive ski resort where the rich and famous can enjoy short waits for the lifts, and tickets to the slopes are limited each day.  The two resorts are linked by lift and if your budget doesn’t quite stretch to Lech and Zürs, you could check out nearby resorts of St Anton (the most lively ski resort in Europe), St Christoph and Stuben.  Together these resorts are known as Arlberg.

The most popular of Austria’s ski resorts is Kitzbuhel.  At 700-years old, Kitzbuhel is a charming alpline village situated only 50 miles from Innsbruck.  Free buses are available to get around the resort which has access to four mountains – Jochbert-Pass Thum, Bichlalm, Hahnenkamm and the town’s namesake Kitzbuheler Horn.