STORIES

Between the feeling of zipping down snowkissed slopes, enjoying hot chocolate with a view of sprawling mountaintops and cosying up in front of a fireplace every night, Europe ski holidays really do have everything. We can’t get enough of them… which is why it’s great that there are so many to choose from across the continent! From Switzerland to Italy, Poland and even Slovenia, we’ve rounded up the best opportunities for skiing in Europe for you to consider when booking your next trip. Snow boots at the ready – it’s time to slide into your next adventure.

1.   Hotel Falken and Grindelwald skiing: Wengen, Switzerland

Just a short walk from the station and the main street of car-free Wengen, Hotel Falken is a Victorian-style furnished in traditional alpine style. Think wooden floors, chandeliers and centuries-old furniture which transport you back to 19th-century glory. Whether you crave steep peaks or gentle, wide runs, the local area has plenty of choice for skiers. There’s pistes galore on the Grindelwald side, served by wonderfully speedy chairlifts.

2.   Hotel L’Helios & SPA and Les 3 Vallées: France

Don’t want a long commute between your bedroom and your ski set? Hotel L’Helios and SPA bridges that gap wonderfully. The chalet is actually based on the Doron’s slope overlooking Les 3 Vallées – the largest linked ski area in the world – so you can switch between skiing and relaxing with ultimate ease. Enjoy a traditional French snack at the hotel’s creperie, “2 de Doron”, before jumping into one of the resort’s 180 ski lifts and heading up to your favourite mountaintop. Or book a quick massage at the hotel’s spa before stocking up on ski equipment at the handy onsite store. Europe

3.   Hotel Alte Goste and Kronplatz: South Tyrol, Italy

A mountain mutiny, Kronplatz is an exception to the usual rough and rugged Dolomite terrain. It’s like a smooth cone, a poster boy for the perfect slope – as if purposely sculpted for adrenaline-pumping skiing. Fast long pistes provide thrill-seekers with the ultimate descent, while beginners can cruise at their own pace on gentler slopes.

Then, after a day hurtling down the mighty mountain, linger in a herbal bath, warm up in the sauna or enjoy a recharging treatment at Hotel Alte Goste. Book in for the weekend and soak up the Dolomites from your very own bedroom in this charming hideaway, first mentioned in a document in 1142.

4.   Sierakow Manor and Podstolice resort: Dobczyce, Poland

After a revitalising day in the mountains, a beautiful night’s sleep is just the thing. Sierakow Manor is one of the most charming ski hotels in Europe, delivering endless comfort to skied-out guests. Bask in winter sun on the peaceful Wieliczka slopes of Podstolice before retiring to an English-style masterpiece. There are paintings, engravings, photographs and furniture filled with soul – savour a wine by the roaring fire and admire them all. Slow food buffs will delight at the award-winning menu here – chefs blend modern and traditional recipes for natural, local cuisine you’ll never want to end.

5.   Villa Bergzauber and Hinterstoder ski area: Austria

Based on top of a hill overlooking glorious Windischgarsten, you couldn’t pick a nicer location than Villa Bergzauber from which to experience skiing in Europe. Sink into the hotel’s heated outdoor saltwater pool to admire dreamy landscapes aplenty after spending long days zipping down the various slopes, hills and peaks of the neighbouring Hinterstoder ski area: a typical Austrian mountain village where you can enjoy unspoiled surroundings and hours of snow-sporty fun. Europe ski holidays don’t get much better than this.

6.   Gino Park Palace and Mojtín ski resort: Slovakia

Embrace 7km of slopes and an endless amount of thrills at the Mojtín ski resort, located in Slovakia’s Trenčín region. Both skiing and snowboarding are popular activities here, and with easy and intermediate slopes to choose from, skiers of every ilk are bound to find ample entertainment. Better yet, amazing accommodation awaits you. Just 20km away from the resort you’ll find the award-winning Gino Park Palace, which was recently voted “Best Hotel in the Region” at the Local Tourism Chamber awards. After marvelling at the property’s carefully-renovated rooms and various indulgent lounge areas, you won’t be surprised that it’s so well-loved! 

7.   Kurhaus Bergün and Darlux ski resort: Switzerland

Looking for opportunities for skiing in Europe that the whole family can enjoy? Head over to Darlux. Along with a variety of adrenaline-pumping, skills-testing slopes, you’ll discover a winter sports region designed especially for children: perfect for when you want to bring the whole gang along. For a taste of something different, you can even go tobogganing!

If that weren’t enough, you’ll discover an astonishing art nouveau-style hotel, Kurhaus Bergün, close by. It comes complete with a glittering blue ballroom, seventy renovated rooms and much more, and along with skiing, guests can also enjoy 200km of hiking trails, a visit to “the most beautiful lake in Switzerland” and a whole host of other wonderful activities during their stay. A true pastoral paradise.

8.   Antiq Palace and Kranjska Gora: Ljubljana, Slovenia

Out of more than 100 ski areas in Slovenia, the biggest and best is in Ljubljana. Kranjska Gora is where the world cup competitions are held, and with slopes for all levels of experience, it’s unsurprising that it’s one of the best places for tourists to go when skiing in Europe too. Less than a half-hour drive from the city centre is Krvavec ski resort, named the best winter sports region of Slovenia multiple times. 

Make Antiq Palace your winter base to add the final flourish to your snowkissed stay. Based in the heart of the capital and brimming with majestic old-world charm, it’s close to Ljubljana’s most iconic landmarks and all the ski-based fun.

9.   Hotel Park and Voss Resort: Norway

Hotel Park is a family-run hotel beloved for its ambience and based in historic Bergen. Enjoy easy walking distance to the city centre, fine, plush furniture and friendly service during this most splendid of Europe ski holidays.

Take care of the ski portion of your stay with frequent trips to Voss Resort – the biggest ski resort in Western Norway, and, accordingly, packed with opportunities for enthusiastic skiers. Fly down 24 ski slopes and fuel up at the resort’s four restaurants during your exciting visit. You can even book evening ski sessions to slide down the slopes under the stars. Sign us up.

10. Hotel Waldhaus Sils: St. Moritz, Switzerland

Skiing in Europe doesn’t get any better than in Switzerland. High up on the best places to indulge in the winter sport is the formidable Corvatsch/Furtschellas ski area, which contains a multitude of winter sports areas covering a huge stretch of ground. Special touches include its magical ‘snow nights’, where you get to ski down the country’s longest floodlit slope. The resort also boasts a single malt whisky distillery sitting 3,300 metres above sea level, making it the highest single malt whisky distillery in the world! Now that’s what we call a special touch… and if special is what you’re after, make Hotel Waldhaus Sils your hotel of choice, too. This legendary five-star forest lodge is nestled among some of Switzerland’s finest rural scenery, and is an exemplar of hospitality as well: having won The Historic Hotels of Europe Customer Care Award in 2013. There’s a lot to love.

11. Hotel am Stetteneck: St. Ulrich, Italy

Culture and skiing go hand in hand at the Dolomiti Superski. This impressive range of sixteen ski resorts is based in the Italian Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is one of the world’s biggest ski destinations! Experience thrill after thrill on this magnificent mountain range which features 1,200 kilometres of slopes, 450 ski lifts and more, before wrapping up each day at Hotel am Stetteneck. Whether you opt for a Standard, Classic or Grand Classic room, or even splash out for a Junior Suite, you’ll be swept away by your experience in this peach-coloured property. Make sure to take advantage of its wider amenities too, like the hotel’s enviable sunlit swimming pool and rich breakfast buffet: perfect ways to bookmark your athletic adventures.

12. Hotel Chesa Grischuna and Davos/Klosters skiing: Klosters, Switzerland

Did you know that members of the British Royal Family reportedly visit Klosters each year? This stunning spot shares more than 250 kilometres of slopes (and endless thrills!) with Davos, and visitors can access the entire area using just one ski pass. From towering mountaintops zip down red, black or off-piste runs straight back down into the characterful village, where your hotel is waiting. Hotel Chesa Grischuna has been the favourite haunt of well-known names and historic figures since 1938. Nowadays, it offers heartwarming fare and comfortable rooms within a classic chalet-style setting. Holidays just don’t get more charming than this…