Best European Ski Resorts for 2024

Are you just getting into skiing? Not sure the difference between your uphill and downhill edges? Do you blanch when you hear people excitedly talking about the last big dump? Not to fear, everyone starts somewhere. And if you’re just developing a taste for the sport, ski resorts can be downright intimidating. These places will make you feel right at home and have you gliding down the mountain in no time. These are great ski resorts for beginners.

The Dolomites in Northern Italy are among the more beautiful mountains in the world. It’s hard to go wrong vacationing here in any capacity. Cortina d'Ampezzo is part of the larger Dolomiti Superski, which comprises 12 ski resorts and is one of the world’s largest combined ski areas. Cortina earned a reputation as a prestigious winter sports community after hosting the 1956 Winter Olympics. It's also scheduled to host the 2026 Winters Olympics. The main town is surrounded by tall peaks and the ski areas are easily accessible from the resort areas. What makes this such a good choice for beginners is that the over half of all the slopes are rated as easily and there are well-defined areas billed for beginners. Plus there are practice chair lifts and several on-site ski schools. If you're just starting out as a skier, Cortina d'Ampezzo is one place we can surely recommend.

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Les Deux Alpes is a French ski resort located in the country’s Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. It’s France’s second oldest ski resort behind only the famed Chamonix. Les Deux Alpes famed not only for its lovely mountain slopes but also because it has the largest skiable glacier in Europe. Runs extend all the way up to 3,600 meters, meaning you’re practically guaranteed good snow conditions all year-round. Peak winter season is in full swing until March 1 and you can purchase multiday and multi-person passes, each of which offers progressive savings off the headline price. Beginnings will benefit from the numerous state-qualified ski instructors and guides at Les Deux Alpes. The resort offers several free runs for beginners and a number of easy slopes as well. When combined with the general atmosphere of a storied French resort town, it’s no mystery why Les Deux Alpes is a great ski resort for beginners.

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Are you totally stoked when shredding a gnarly run? Do you know the difference between regular and goofy? Do you like to see how much air you can grab or how many smoothly you can rail grind? If so, you might be a snowboarder. Long gone are the days when snowboarding was relegated to a handful of resorts in America. Snowboarding is now a global phenomenon and names like Shawn White and Chloe Kim are well known even among non-powder heads. These resorts are great places to send it. These are the best European ski resorts for snowboarders.

Sankt Anton am Arlberg, aka St. Anton, is located deep in the Tyrolean Alps. At a time when many resorts try to cater to beginners and non-skiers, St. Anton continues to brandish its reputation as a challenging resort that’s ideal for intermediate and advanced riders. The resort areas feature various snowboard parks, carving areas, racetracks, and hangout spaces for visitors to enjoy. A single Arlberg ski pass offers access to several resort areas, all of which feature excellent snowboard terrain. First-time visitors can link up with a local tour operator offering guided packages popular terrain and off-piste areas. When you’re done on the mountain, you can enjoy the lively Austrian party culture at one of the bars and restaurants located along St. Anton’s cobblestone streets. This place is hands-down one of the best ski resorts in Europe for snowboarders.

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Tucked away less than 20 miles south of Lake Geneva, Avoriaz is a top-class snowboarding destination. The resort itself is nestled on a perch in the mountains above the town of Morzine. Skiing in the area dates back many decades with some of the first lifts built in the 1930s. Today, it would not be a stretch to say that Avoriaz is the snowboarding capital of Europe. The resort was one of the first to feature dedicated snowboard-only areas. Riders of all stripes can find something to enjoy at Avoriaz, including plenty of big drops, bowls, flats, and more. Easily accessible from Geneva or Annecy, Avoriaz is well connected to the surrounding regions. Having many areas to choose from, Avoriaz is great for anyone for beginners to grizzled veterans. We have no trouble offering up Avoriaz as one of the best ski resorts in Europe for snowboarders.

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Val Thorens forms one part of the famed Les Trois Vallées (The Three Valleys) ski resort region. Together the resorts comprising the Les Trois Vallées form one of the largest combined ski regions in the world. Val Thorens is a place for when you need to get above it all, literally. Extending up to 3,200 meters, Val Thorens ranks among the highest ski resorts in Europe. This helps ensure snow conditions extend well into what others resorts consider their summer seasons. Many in-town accommodations offer easy access to the slopes. The area can get a bit cold given the altitude; however, the high quality and consistent snow conditions make that a minor inconvenience. Snowboarders will appreciate the well-kept runs and open mountain slopes. In the purpose-built resort town, there are plenty of places to warm up indoors including a fine selection of bars and restaurants, all of which combine to make Val Thornes one of the best ski resorts in Europe for snowboarders.

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When asked, many a ski buff can recall fond memories of family vacations spent on the slopes. The joy on children’s faces as they experience the mountains for the first time is a heart-warming experience. As a parent, however, planning a family ski vacation can be anxiety inducing. There’s the need to balance your own desires for some quality time on the slopes with the realities of having kids in tow. Fortunately, these results make things easier by offering lots of options for young and old alike. These are the best European ski resorts for families.

Zermatt sits in the shadow of the famed Matterhorn, in a valley ringed by impressive Alpine peaks. The slopes rising on either side of the village make for an amazing backdrop for family vacation photos. Zermatt’s popularity has led to a boom in tourism-related infrastructure over the years. Numerous hotels, shops, restaurants, and other activity centers dot the village. When paired with the valley’s three varied ski areas – the Sunnegga-Rothorn, Gornergrat-Stockhorn, Schwarzsee and Matterhorn glacier paradise, Zermatt offers an ideal family vacation getaway. One additional plus is that the entire village is a combustion engine-free zone so you won’t have to worry about cars when you’re out and about with the kids. This means less time spent worrying and more time enjoying your vacation together. For all these reasons, and more, we think Zermatt is one the best European ski resorts for families.

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When it comes to skiing in Europe, there’s more than just the Alps. Located in the heart of Sweden, Åre has emerged in recent years as one of the best ski resorts on the continent. Plenty of hotels, shopping, and other recreational opportunities have sprung up in Åre. The town sits along the shoreline of Åresjön lake, which freezes throughout the winter months, making it ideal for ice skating and hockey. Whereas in previous years Åre’s relative remoteness in the Swedish midlands would have been enough to put off family concerned about travel options, European budget airlines have increased flights to Åre from Stockholm, London, and other major cities. Another plus is Åre’s recent development has focused on attracting families but offer lots of kid-friendly options. These include children’s ski areas, plenty of hotels and restaurants catering to kids, and outdoor activities taking advantage of the beautiful natural environment. If you’re looking for a family-friend ski resort, consider Åre. You won’t regret it.

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Not to be outdone by its Scandinavian neighbor, Geilo in Norway offers up one of the best family-friendly ski resorts in Europe. Located in Southern Norway just over 150 miles from the capital Oslo, Geilo is primarily a ski resort town. Scenic rail links, in particular the Bergen Line, connect Geilo to the rest of Norway. The resort town’s northern latitude means ski season tends to run between late October and late April. Geilo is a place for families that enjoy spending time together outdoors. The area is great for a wide variety of outdoor activities in wintertime including downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, dog sledging, and tobogganing. The slopes at Geilo offer several options for beginners and kids. Ski instruction is available as are various child-oriented areas and terrains. For the little one, Geilo has on-site childcare and a fun play area. With lots to entertain kids of all ages, we think Geilo is one of the best European ski resorts for families.

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Offers something for kids of all ages

Scenic terrain that’s good for beginners

Fun Scandinavian vibes

Friendly and helpful staff

Ski resorts often seem like mini worlds onto themselves, complete with arcane social norms and expectations. If you’re someone who loves the mountain life but doesn’t necessarily relish plummeting downhill strapped to a pair of fiberglass boards, these locations are for you. They offer plenty of great scenery, nightlife, dining, and shopping options to keep you engaged. Plus the skiing is great too so, if you do feel the urge to hop on a chairlift, you can easily do so. These are the best European ski resorts for non-skiers.

Sandwiched between France and Spain, the landlocked microstate Andorra checks several boxes for us. It’s a conversation starter. "You went where on vacation?" Andorra is home to several amazing wellness centers and spas. These are definitely worth a visit if you enjoy being pampered. Caldea is a popular choice. It’s the largest spa complex in Europe and is located in the Andorra capital, Andorra la Vella, Caldea features lots of different pools and treatment options. Inúu is an adults-only space at Caldea that’s great for couples. In addition to relaxation, Andorra also features excellent shopping plus a raft of historic architecture and charms. This is, of course, not to mention the skiing, which it also quite nice. The Grandvalira ski area comprises several resorts, the best known of which is probably Pas de la Casa. If you enjoy the famed après ski culture, you’ll enjoy Pas del la Casa. Come discover why Andorra is one of the best ski resort destinations in Europe for non-skiers.

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Kitzbuhel is a small Alpine town situated between Innsbruck and Salzburg. One reason this place tends to attract families is that there are several ways to save when you vacation here. Several practice lifts and some non-chair lifts are available free of charge. The resort area also features numerous kid-friendly areas that include childcare and other services. A few of the slopes here also have dedicated children’s and family areas where you can enjoy yourselves without worry about some absentminded downhiller coming through. Kitzbuhel is a good choice for young skiers as it features several ski schools where the little ones can learn the basics while enjoy fun play activities such as obstacle courses and other adventure-type settings. Kitzbuhel is a convenient stop if you’re making your way between Innsbruck and Salzburg. You can also pair it with a visit to Berchtesgaden in neighboring Germany. We think you’ll agree that Kitzbuhel is one of the best ski resort destinations in Europe for non-skiers.

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Ideal location

Family-friendly resort areas

Lots of activities for kids

Free access to some chairlifts

As you’re planning your European ski vacation for 2024, the resort areas we’ve provided here offer excellent value and are sure leave you with lasting memories. Make sure to check the latest travel restrictions before making your plans and, as always, stay safe out there on the slopes!