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Zermatt, Switzerland |
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Height: 1620m (snow range 1620 – 3283m)
Airport: Geneva (approx 150 miles, 3.5 hours)
Zurich (approx 160 miles, 4 hours)
Milan (approx 130 miles, 3.5 hours)
Season: Year round (glacier skiing)
Winter season: Late November to early May
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 Considered by many to be Europe’s best ski resort, Zermatt boasts high altitude slopes and an unbeatable scenic location beneath the mighty Matterhorn.
The Matterhorn Ski Paradise not only enjoys an excellent snow record but also covers an immense area from Rothorn Paradise, through the Gornergrat and onto the Klein Matterhorn (and Matterhorn Glacier Paradise).
From the Klein Matterhorn, not only can you enjoy fantastic views but you also have access to the Italian ski resort of Cervinia whilst higher up, glacier skiing is the name of the game. And it’s thanks to this glacier that Zermatt is able to boast year round skiing – in the summer there are 20km of runs, rising to 313km in the winter season.
Although there are a number of wide, gentle runs for beginners, it is intermediate skiers who will be in their element here with a fantastic choice of runs amongst beautiful scenery - many are long and varied, across mountains and even between countries
For more advanced skiers there are 9km of challenging black runs including Hörnli (Schwarzsee) as well as some fantastic off-piste skiing opportunities such as Stockhorn – Triftji. And enthusiasts are also known to head straight for Europe’s most famous mogul fields.
A car-free centre, picturesque location and welcoming atmosphere are the final ingredients to a holiday in Zermatt, proving a winning combination with many wintersports enthustiasts.
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Verbier, Switzerland |
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Height: 1500m (snow range 1500 - 3330m)
Airport: Geneva (approx 88 miles, 2 hours)
Season: Year round (glacier skiing)
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Well known for its good ski conditions, Verbier lies in a south-facing bowl in the heart of the Swiss Alps – meaning the resort enjoys a sunny yet sheltered position.
Located within the Four Valleys, Switzerland’s largest lift-linked domain, not only does the resort boast over 400km of varied runs but there is also glacier skiing on offer at 3330m – providing intermediate and advanced skiers both guaranteed and challenging year-round skiing. But to ensure the slopes stay in peak condition, the resort has also invested in a number of snow cannons.
Experts are advised to head for the Tortin snow bowl or try their hand at heli-skiing whilst beginners will enjoy the sunny, nursery slopes found just above the village.
This is a resort that appears to have it all – fantastic pistes with a strong snow record, a lively nightlife, amazing restaurants and a cosmopolitan atmosphere – all proving to be a winning combination which draws the crowds back year after year. The only drawback is the resort’s popularity – you’ll find it hard to find unmarked snow here and there may be long queues for lifts at peak times.
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Val Thorens, France |
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Height: 2300m (snow range 1300 – 3200m)
Airport: Chambery (approx 70 miles, 2 hours)
Lyon (approx 135 miles, 3 hours)
Season: 6th December – late April
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Val Thorens is Europe’s highest resort, enjoying good snow conditions throughout a long season.
Whilst the resort itself enjoys a sunny, south-facing position, many of the resort’s better slopes face north or north-west - enjoying good snow conditions but also a less sunny aspect. As such, the resort tends to attract more serious skiers than those who simply want to be seen out on the slopes. The resort has a youthful and sporty feel, buzzing with activity and enthusiasts bursting to get out onto the slopes.
 Although Val Thorens is fairly compact, there is certainly plenty of space out on the slopes – ski down the valley to La Masse ski area or make your way over to the Three Valleys (Les Trois Vallées) circuit – there is enough varied terrain to keep most abilities happy.
The highest skiable peaks are Pointe du Bouchet (3220m) and Cime de Caron (3200m). The latter boasts impressive mogul fields to challenge more advanced skiers. Experts will also enjoy the powder snow on the Peclet and Chaviere Glaciers whilst intermediates have a good choice of long and wide red runs and beginners will find their feet in no time on the gentle slopes just above the resort.
To top up the snow on the more fragile southerly facing pistes, Vals Thorens boasts 348 snow cannons, with a further 1500 across the Three Valleys domain.
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Tignes, France |
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Height: 2100m (snow range 1550 – 3550m)
Airport: Chambery (approx 83 miles, 2 hours)
Lyon (approx 150 miles, 3 hours)
Grenoble (approx 100 miles, 2 hours)
Geneva (approx 110 miles, 2.5 hours)
Season: Year round (glacier open 21 June – 31 August)
Winter season: 29 November – 3 May
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 Due to its high altitude in the Savoie Alps, Tignes enjoys an enviable snow record and long season. Plus, with access to the Grand Motte Glacier and year round snow on the highest slopes, visitors can ski here most of the year.
A fast lift system transports you to the L’Espace Killy ski area with over 300km of pistes. There is a wide variety of runs and terrain to suit all abilities, as well as extensive off-piste opportunities for more advanced skiers.
Head for Val Claret- the highest part of the resort at the foot of the glacier - for the best access to skiing (not forgetting some of the best views from the Panoramic Restaurant). From here you also have access, via high speed chairlift, to Val d’Isere and the Fornet Glacier.
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