Winter In Europe: Top 10 Ski Resorts By European Best Destinations

Based on votes of more than 1.2 million travelers from 184 countries to select their favorite ski resorts in Europe this year, European Best Destinations (EBD) has unveiled the top 10 ski resorts for this season.

The leading ski holiday destinations on the list are not only the best in Europe, but the the best in their respective countries and even worldwide as Europe is the leading ski-holiday destination in the world, according to EBD.

“Chic, sporty, family-friendly, authentic, gourmet, perfect for New Year’s Eve, for wellness, or simply for skiing, they are the best ski resorts in Europe,” EBD explains.

The organization is part of the European Commission’s EDEN Network (“European Destinations of Excellence”), working to promote sustainable tourism on the continent.

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Sustainability is high among the criteria for choosing the best ski resorts and the ten on the list have developed a selection of experiences to enjoy in the spring, summer and fall in an effort to appeal for all seasons and to enabler locals to live from their professional activity throughout the year.

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For the sixth time, The French ski resort of Val Thorens has been selected as the “European Best Ski Resort” for the 2022-2023 season, making it EBD’s most-awarded destination.

Val Thorens has also been named seven times as Best Ski Resort in the World by the World Travel Awards.

Like Val Thorens, the nine other favorite destinations listed below are committed to welcoming travelers in a friendly and safe environment this winter.

The German resort of Garmisch-Partenkirchen appears on the list for the first time while all the others have already been ranked among the best during the past eight years.

1. Val Thorens, France

Voted as the best ski resort by 288,105 travelers, Val Thorens is the ‘youngest’ of all the big ski resorts in Europe, even as it celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

Under the motto of ‘Live United,” the resort makes sure to create unique, festive, and sporting experiences for everybody.

To a significant degree, Val Thorens owes its exceptional reputation to its location at 2,300 meters above sea level. “Val Thorens has achieved the impossible by becoming the highest ski resort in Europe, and the largest ski area in the world with over 600 kilometres of runs,” explains resort director Vincent Lalanne.

Considered a “true smart ski resort,” Val Thorens is alone in claiming a six-month season without breaks, this season from November 19 to May 8, 2023.

2. Val Gardena, Italy

Val Gardena and the villages of Ortisei, Santa Cristina and Selva are well-known names on the international skiing circuit, making them the perfect destination for visitors who want to spend a winter holiday with loads of outdoor leisure activities.

The Sella ronda, the legendary skiing carousel around the Sella — a plateau-shaped massif in the Dolomites mountains of northern Italy — and the connections to Alpe di Siusi and Dolomiti Superski (12 skiing areas and 1,200 kilometers of slopes) can satisfy the needs of every skier, from beginner to pro.

The resort boasts five Alpine skiing and two mountaineering schools welcoming enthusiasts of all ages every year.

It opens December 3 and closes April 11, 2023.

3. Zermatt, Switzerland

Zermatt is not only one of the best ski resorts in Europe but also named the Best Ski Resort in Switzerland.

It has also been ranked by European Best Destinations among the most beautiful in Europe, a best destination to visit by train and one of the most luxurious ski resorts.

The snow-sports resort of Zermatt on the cMatterhorn offers a breathtaking alpine panorama and, with 360 kilometers of pistes, attracts ski fans, bon vivants and alpinists from around the world.

The village at the foot of the Matterhorn is surrounded by beautiful alpine landscape. Covered in snow at 1,620 meters (the altitude of the train station), it looks like a dreamscape from a fairytale.

With its runs ranging from 1,620 to 3,883 meters and crossing back and forth to Italy, its skiing opportunities are virtually limitless.

It opens on December 3 and will close on April 23, 2023.

4. Kitzbühel, Austria

Kitzbühel is also the best ski resort in Austria and was voted as the best ski resort in Europe for the New Year, offering an impressive New Year’s Eve fireworks show.

It sponsors original activities including a torchlight downhill run by ski instructors, ‘Ski & Fun’ parties and fireworks for three days starting December 30.

Kitzbühel is a place of contrasts, with rustic Tyrolean guesthouses bumping up against international designer boutiques in the medieval old town and surrounded by scenic hiking trails.

The resort opens November 19 and closes April 10, 2023.

5. Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy

Cortina d’Ampezzo, one of the Best Ski Resort in Italy, is 40 kilometers from the Austrian border and famous for the quality of its slopes.

Cortina d’Ampezzo — or simply Cortina — is Italy’s best-known mountain resort offering an all-encompassing experience: skiing on perfectly groomed slopes surrounded by the breathtaking Dolomites, and with cozy mountain huts serving local dishes for lunch.

The resort opens November 26 and closes on May 1, 2023.

6. Verbier, Switzerland

Verbier is the gateway to the 4 Vallées ski area with some 100 lifts and more than 400 kilometers of ski runs for all levels of expertise.

The resort is popular with skiers from around the world, and its après-ski activities are a veritable institution welcoming a cosmopolitan clientele to a rich variety of sports and musical events.

In December, the Polaris Festival offers a Christmas gift to fans of electro music. In March, the famed Verbier Xtreme welcomes the best free-riders in the world to the slopes of Bec-des-Rosses.

Enjoy skiing there from December 3 to April 23, 2023.

7. Baqueira Beret, Spain

The best ski resort in Spain, Baqueira Beret is divided into three areas: Beret, Baqueira, and Bonaigua, a network of modern installations and carefully maintained pistes to satisfy all skiers.

Baqueira, the pioneer inaugurated in 1964, offers a wide range of runs suitable for all levels and is also the area with most black diamond pistes for the more experienced.

Beret is ideal for beginners and families, with easy access by foot from the parking area to all amenities (restaurants, cafeteria, schools). Its pistes are wide and of moderate slope.

It opens on November 25 and closes on April 10, 2023.

8. Gstaad, Switzerland

Gstaad has always been considered one of the best ski resorts in Europe.

Surrounding the Gstaad upscale resort town in the Bernese Oberland region of the Swiss Alps, the soaring mountains and prestigious international boarding schools have long made it a holiday destination for royalty and celebrities.

Cable cars connect surrounding ski areas such as Wispile and Rinderberg with hundreds of kilometers of all-level pistes and cross-country trails. Glacier 3000 offers nearly year-round skiing.

Gstaad also appears on the rankings of the most beautiful ski resorts in Europe and luxurious ski resorts in Europe.

Strap on your skiis from November 12 to May 7, 2023 (Glacier 3000).

9. Sölden, Austria

At Sölden, the alpine resort of the Ötztal Valley in the Austrian state of Tyrol, skiers and snowboarders can choose from no fewer than 148 kilometers of perfectly-groomed slopes for all levels and abilities that are reached via 35 mountain lifts, including the high-tech Giggijoch mountain gondola.

The panoramic Ötztal Glacier Road connects with the Rettenbach and Tiefenbach glaciers.

The glacier slopes on the upper Ötztal, towering high above the skiers village, offer perfect snow conditions from early September. Snow is also guaranteed from 1,350 to 3,340 meters from October through May thanks to a top snowmaking system.

The resort opens from November 17 to May 7, 2023.

10. Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany

In addition to being a village of exceptional beauty, Garmisch Partenkirchen is one of the best ski resorts in Germany.

Stroll through the historic heart of this mountain village or discover its many tracks, including the famous Olympic descent of Kandhar.

The ski resort connects three mountains: Hausberg, Kreuzeck and Alpspitze and offers more than 40 kilometers of slopes. A family-friendly ski resort, perfect for professional and amateur skiers.

Ski there from December 16 to April 2, 2023.