The European winter ski season is nearly upon us, with early December traditionally welcoming the requisite snow blanket over The Alps, and in turn heralding the opening of the proverbial gate into the continent’s greatest slopes.
This season is looking like a busy one, with Ski Mag predicted huge snowfall this winter. We don’t blame anyone seeking that sense of escapism after the couple of years we’ve all had, but for those still in the planning stage of their skiing holiday, let’s explore 6 of the best resort villages in the Swiss and French Alps for ski season 24/24.
Saas-Fee, Switzerland
We start in Saas-Fee, a place known for both the quality and predictability of its snow. As any keen skier will attest, those two attributes are a perfect mix for a holiday on the slopes.
Nicknamed ‘the pearl of the Alps’, owing to its position amongst 13 peaks including Switzerland’s highest, the Dom, Saas-Fee boasts over 150 kilometres of ski slopes and 1’800 metres of vertical. Whilst this might sound like a hair-raising proposition, Saas-fee is actually well-known for being perfectly suited to beginner and intermediate skiers, with a practice slope and nearly 40 kilometres of beginner slopes.
The resort village itself is car-free, with the chalets in Saas-Fee perfectly suited for a skiing holiday with the children… The family that skis together, stays together, after all.
Laax, Switzerland
If that all sounds a little pedestrian for you, then perhaps you might want to head north-east to Laax, which has been voted as the ‘World’s Best Freestyle Resort’ at the World Ski Awards for six years on the bounce.
Because of this, Laax has become one of the coolest (and that’s not just the temperature!) ski resorts in the world, populated by pros who head here to have a go on Laxx’s halfpipe, the world’s largest.
Here, the skiing happens in the midst of the Vorab Glacier (over 3’000 metres at its summit) and on the 225 kilometres of slopes, runs and trails of Vorab and four other interconnected mountains.
Laax is also revered for its environmental credentials, with the resort pioneering the concept of ‘greenstyle’, which aims to see the resort become the world’s first to be totally self-sufficient and use 100% sustainable resources. Bravo to that, we say!
Away from the slopes and half-pipes, Laax is also ideal for winter hiking and is home to some of Switzerland’s most beautiful lakes.
Espace Killy, France
Named after Val d’Isere native and three-time Winter Olympic medal winner Jean Claude-Killy, Espace Killy combines the two iconic resorts of Val d’Isere and Tignes, coupling 300km of downhill skiing.
Situated close to the Italian border, Espace Killy is defined by the Grande Motte Glacier at its summit, which rises some 3600 metres above the group of villages that make up this high altitude ski resort.
In Tignes, the action is focused around Val Claret; the highest village at 2’300 metres and with direct access to the slopes (there are five lifts here, all within a few minutes of each other), as well as plenty of bars. In fact, there are two nightclubs in town notorious for debauchery, the Blue Girl and the Melting Pot.
Read: 5 travel tips for a skiing trip in Tignes
Speaking of debauchery, Tigne’s sibling Val D’isère is famous on the snow circuit for its raucous apres-ski, a reputation which is defined largely by globally celebrated apres-ski bar La Folie Douce, where a level of impropriety is actively encouraged. It’s even earned Val D’isère the nickname of being ‘Ibiza on the Snow’.
It’s also here where you’ll find the infamous black downhill run, La Face. So, whether you’re looking to get off your face or tackle La Face, you’ll find Espace Killy an incredibly satisfying place.
Paradiski, France
Another collection of Tarentaise Valley resorts with a quirky name, Paradiski primarily encompasses La Plagne, Les Arcs and Peisey Vallandry. The former is particularly good for beginners and intermediate skiers, as it’s home to plenty of gentle runs and the longest ‘funslope’ in Europe, as well as a 1500m Olympic Bobsleigh which is now open to the public.
For something a little more full-throttle, the ski resort of Les Arcs was the first of its kind in Europe, boasting ski-in and out apartment access as standard and plenty of hair raising descents.
If you’re planning a ski holiday in Paradiski, it’s important to know that the villages here are, rather prosaically, named numerically. The original village, for instance, is Arc 1600, and the most party-heavy is Arc 1800. In Arc 2000, on the other hand, the ice bar known as Igloo Village attracts tourists to its freezing cold climes for cocktails and traditional Savoyard fare.
Meribel, France
Nestled in the Tarentaise Valley of the Alps is Meribel, a ski resort which is part of the Three Valleys Ski area, the largest on earth with 600km of piste. It’s particularly suited to beginners, with green runs making up around a tenth of the total offering here, and the Easy Rider slopes safe and accessible for all.
Ski season here lasts from early December to late April, and if you’re after a longer holiday with a greater frequency of challenging runs, Meribel is perfectly positioned between Courchevel and Val Thorens. That said, accommodation here is particularly lovely, and is a touch more affordable than its neighbouring resorts. When combined with the easy links between the Three Valleys ski resorts, this makes Meribel the perfect launchpad to hit the superb slopes of this region.
Read: The best things to do in Meribel away from the slopes
Zermatt, Switzerland
We finish, somewhat topsy-turvily, at the summit of the highest winter sports area in the Alps, Switzerland’s Zermatt. Here, altitudes reach almost 4’000 metres, with the resort resting in the shadow – or, rather, bathing in the glory – of the Matterhorn with Italy on the other side. In fact, at 3’295 metres in altitude, you’ll find the legendary Theodul Pass, which allows you to descend from Switzerland’s side of the Matterhorn down into Italy via a spectacular sloping trail.
So spectacular it is, that we’ve run out of superlatives and energy to ski onwards. Now, where’s the best bar for a spot of apres-ski?
Should you be seeking a skiing holiday on the more affordable side, do check out these best budget friendly skiing holidays in Eastern Europe. We’ll see you on the slopes!