Best Ski Resorts to visit in Europe
While we all have winter sports on our mind, it might be time to get those 2023 winter plans booked so you can get ready for Summer! We have listed some of the top (and most luxurious) ski resorts and towns for you to plan the perfect ski trip!
Courchevel, France
The best place to start is the ski capital of the world! Courchevel, France is located in the center of the French Alps and is known for being the largest ski area in the world! This resort is home to over 100 slopes of varying levels and moguls, with snowboarding and snowmobiling available! You won’t have to worry about skiing on fake snow here; due to the height of the slopes and the north-facing slopes, you will almost always have fresh snow ready! After a day of hitting the slopes, you may have worked up quite an appetite. Towards the town, you can find seven Michelin star restaurants, the highest concentration for any ski resort. If those aren’t your cup of tea, there are over 100 other food options ranging from bistros, brasseries, world cuisine, Italian, pizzerias, and so much more!
Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia
Whistler Blackcomb consistently ranks at the top of the must-visit locations for ski aficionados. The resort is two mountains that were combined into one, the Whistler and the Blackcomb mountains. The two mountains are linked by a cable car and feature one mile of vertical and over 8,000 acres of varied terrain. You may have seen whistler grace your televisions during the 2010 Winter Olympics; the ski and bobsleigh events took place there. If you need to brush up on your ski skills, you can enroll in the Whistler Blackcomb snow school. The snow school can also take children three and up to teach them the importance and safety of snow sports while making it enjoyable. Whistler is also known for its Apres-ski culture; after a long day, you can hit the legendary bars and nightspots to keep the enjoyment going!
Aspen, Colorado
One of the best ski destinations is found right in the United States! Aspen has four different mountains for skiers and snowboarders of all levels to enjoy. Aspen is also the host of the X Games, a yearly competition of some of the biggest names in winter action sports. Not only can you enjoy the competition but you can also enjoy live music, food, drinks, and more as it’s a true festival experience! Aspen isn’t just a winter destination, the summer season is perfect for a trip to the Maroon Bells. The Maroon Bells is a popular photo spot, with views of the mountain peaks, the lush valley, and a beautiful lake. You can choose from six different hiking trails to explore, and go biking and camping across the area.
Niseko, Japan
Niseko is a popular ski destination for all international travelers. Every winter season is graced with over 600 inches of powder straight from Siberia, allowing for the perfect skiing and snowboarding conditions. There are four resorts to stay at, all collectively named Niseko United and connected on the same mountain. Niseko is located near the Sea of Okhotsk and the Sea of Japan, providing easy access to some of the best fresh seafood! Niseko is also known for its land food: potatoes, corn, dairy, and beef that are all in thanks to the volcanic soils over the island. The Apres-ski tradition is a little different here; after a day on the slopes, most will head to an onsen to relax. An onsen is an indoor or outdoor pool with water sourced from geothermally-heated springs that average over 100°F.
We hope that these destinations have inspired you to spend next winter on the slopes! If you need help planning your perfect winter getaway, then give us a call at 843-626-9998 so we can help you!