Laura Sanders

The best ski resort in Europe? Pretty impossible to say – as it depends entirely on what you’re looking for, be it wild aprés ski, affordability, or guaranteed snow. While the basic premise of a ski holiday is the same (ski, drink, sleep, repeat), I’ve visited enough resorts to know that each one has its own character.  Below, you’ll find my top picks for every kind of ski holiday, from the best ski resort for Christmas to where to ski at Easter, the bougie to the budget-friendly, and even the best resort for the non-skiers. To do this, I’ve factored in snow conditions, ski runs, life off the slopes, and of course, my own many years of skiing. Enjoy the slopes! Europe’s best ski resorts at a glance ⛷️ Best for beginners: Cervinia, Italy 🍺 Best for nightlife: St Anton, Austria ⛷ Best for non-skiers: Seefeld, Austria 💸 Best affordable: Vogel, Slovenia 👪 Best for families: Morzine, France ❄️ RECOMMENDED: The most The most affordable ski holidays in Europe   Laura Sanders is a travel writer and skiing expert. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by experts. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

Growing up, I’ve been lucky enough to ski in some of Europe’s most sought-after resorts – St Anton, Saalbach and Chamonix, a family favourite. Driving to the Alps afforded us the luxury of packing up our skis and exploring what’s nearby and I’ve found that some of the most underrated resorts are often just around the corner from the big names, offering skiing on the same slopes without the premium price tags or crowds.  In other instances great skiing is where you’d least expect it, such as in southern Spain or high in the Bulgarian Dinaric Alps. Here are the off-the-radar ski resorts worth checking out. 💸 The best affordable ski resorts in Europe 📍 Ultimate guide to Europe Laura Sanders is an experienced travel writer who has skied regularly since she was a child. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by experts. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.