11 Top Ski Holiday
Destinations For
Your Next Trip
Skiing holidays are incredibly popular among Brits, with research revealing around 1.5 million of us jet off from the UK for an overseas ski holiday on a regular basis. There are more than half a million Google searches for the term "ski holiday" from UK browsers each year as we plan our winter break.
With popular ski destinations all over the world, there's no shortage of holiday spots for people who enjoy skiing as a hobby. For those people who love white fluffy snow, rather than sun-kissed beaches, winter is certainly the best time of year.
Many of us look forward to the skiing season to dust off our skis and travel to beautiful mountain landscapes. The approach of the new ski season is forever exciting, bringing new adventure and a wonderful break from the winter bleakness of Britain! And of course, it provides an opportunity to stock up on any new ski equipment that we might need for a safe and enjoyable experience.
France and Austria are consistently the top destinations for UK skiers to head to. While France is by far the most popular destination, for those who prefer to stay within the UK, Scotland has also emerged as a popular spot for ski holidays in recent years.
Research suggests skiing enthusiasts who couldn't travel for international holidays due to Covid restrictions found resorts closer to home and enjoyed the experience. However far you want to travel, read on to find out about some of the top holiday destinations for skiing, and what makes them so popular.
1. Tignes Ski Resort, French Alps
France retains its lofty place in the heart of many European skiers as the most popular winter ski destination. One of the leading resorts is Tignes Ski Resort, nestling in the French Alps in the Tarentaise Valley region.
The family-friendly resort promises skiing for everyone, with beginners' areas in three Ski Start progression zones and fun areas including Gliss Park's parallel slalom. The Boardercross challenge in the DC Park enables skiers to take on 1,200 metres of banked turns and extreme corners.
The DC Park will satisfy freestylers from novices to top international skiers. There are two sectors, an easy zone and an expert snowpark reserved for the pros. Try out Ski de Randonnée, comprising ski fitness activities described as being like cardio-training on skis!
A flagship resort for the Paralympic Games 1992, Tignes is a world leader when it comes to accessibility for disabled skiers. Skiing and snowboarding lessons are available for everyone. Tignes also has restaurants, bars, supermarkets, wellness and fitness sessions, health services, a childcare centre and more.
2. Westendorf, Austria
Westendorf has always been a popular skiing destination for UK skiers. Located on a plateau in the Brixental valley, it's ideal for beginners but is also great for intermediates, who can ski the slopes throughout the whole resort.
There are a few challenges for advanced and expert skiers too. There's also an option to access the whole SkiWelt area, Austria's largest connected skiing area, from Westendorf.
The village at Westendorf, at the southern end of the SkiWelt, has its own selection of varied slopes. The Alpenrosenbahn transports skiers and snowboarders up the local slopes, providing the opportunity for long ski runs back down to the valley floor.
The village is pretty, featuring traditional chalets and a church. The accommodation is mainly traditional hotels and guesthouses, while local speciality foods are top of the menu.
3. Lecht Ski Centre, Scotland
Located in the Eastern Cairngorms, in Scotland’s largest National Park, Lecht Ski Centre is situated at 2,090 ft above sea level. Operational since the mid-1970s, it has grown into an all-year-round Highland activity centre, boasting 20 well-maintained ski runs and 14 lifts.
It is accessible from one of Scotland's most scenic routes, the A939, between Strathdon and Tomintoul. There are both winter and summer activities on offer at this natural playground, as it has its own snow-making facilities, providing consistent snow.
It is suitable for all levels of skiers, including beginners and intermediates. Children aged two to eight can enjoy the Penguin Park, where there's a Rotondo Carousel to help them get to grips with balancing and sliding around on skis. There are many other features to make learning to ski great fun to be found here as well.
There's also a ski school for people of all ages to develop their skills. During the summer, the centre has two mountain bike trails. Cyclists can attach their bikes to the chairlift to ascend the slopes before cycling down again, making Lecht a great destination for those who enjoy a range of outdoor activities all year round.
4. Zermatt, Switzerland
The Swiss ski resort of Zermatt has perhaps the world's most beautiful mountains as a backdrop. The stunning peak of the Matterhorn can be seen from just about everywhere on its 350 km route of slopes and trails. The highest winter sports resort in the Alps, it boasts Switzerland's greatest vertical drop.
Around 2,000 skiers an hour travel up the ski lift to the Matterhorn Glacier, at an altitude of 3,883 metres, where skiing is on offer all year round.
Ski across a mountain pass and down the trail system on the other side, crossing the international boundary on the Matterhorn's southern face into Italy while doing so!
Skiing over Theodul Pass leads you into the massive trail system of Breuil-Cervinia, in Val d'Aosta. Europe's longest downhill run at more than 25 km spans from the Matterhorn glacier into Zermatt.
5. Whistler Blackcomb, Canada
Whistler Blackcomb, part of Vail Resorts group, is known as Canada's premier ski resort. It combines the terrain of two mountains to create more than 200 runs and 37 ski lifts. The Peak 2 Peak gondola joining the two mountain tops is more than 3 km long, making it the longest unsupported lift span in the world.
The varieties of terrain, combined with outstanding technical facilities, make it one of the world's most spectacular ski resorts. Whistler Mountain has amazing wide-open bowls and you can ski all year round at Horstman Glacier on Blackcomb. This is an area popular among serious, experienced skiers and freestyle skiers, and is perfect for those who want to put their skills to the test.
Five parks cover 99 acres of snow, catering for all standards of freestyle skiers, from easy rails and jumps to an Olympic-size pipe and the Nintendo Terrain Park for experts. While pro-skiers train here, it is also a great place to learn the basics.
6. Bansko, Bulgaria
Bulgaria is fast becoming one of the world's most popular ski destinations because it’s among the best cheap places for a skiing holiday. Significant investment has been poured into Bulgaria's tourist infrastructure and ski resorts. The results have met skiers' wildest dreams.
Compared to some other destinations in Europe, the cost of visiting Bansko is relatively cheap, while the resorts are world-class. The Bansko resort offers some of the best in skiing, and there’s also a vibrant après-ski scene. Voted Bulgaria's best ski resort by the World Ski Awards, it boasts great snow conditions and 75 km of unspoiled ski runs.
Located at the foot of the Pirin Mountains, Bansko is uniquely positioned on a UNESCO World Heritage site, with quaint scenery, such as cobbled streets and an ancient clock tower. There's also a huge choice of apres-ski activities, bars and restaurants to enjoy once the sun goes down.
7. Grandvalira, Andorra
The small, independent principality of Andorra, located between France and Spain in the Pyrenees mountains, is growing in popularity as a top destination for skiing. Grandvalira is the largest resort in the Pyrenees for skiing and snowboarding.
The seven different ski areas are all connected by the slopes and skiers can cover the entire area within the territory without having to remove their skis. The Encamp sector is Grandvalira's first access point from Spain. The 6 km-long Funicamp gondola lift joins Encamp with Solanelles in only 15 minutes.
The Funicamp itself is part of the whole experience. When you reach the top of the slopes at Solanelles, at an altitude of 2,500 m, you will see one of the best panoramic views across the whole region. Check out the services on offer at the top of the Funicamp and enjoy the breathtaking views.
Dine at one of the numerous restaurants, open both in winter and summer. In winter, it’s an ideal place to learn to ski. There are slopes suitable for skiers of all levels and abilities, cross-country skiing routes, children's themed areas, snow gardens, childcare centres and more.
8. Vail Mountain Resort, USA
Vail Mountain Resort is the biggest ski resort in Colorado, and one of the largest ski resorts in the world. It provides terrain to keep a keen skier of any skill level busy. The long, well-maintained ski slopes overlook several luxury hotels and high-quality restaurants and shops in the equally well-maintained town of Vail.
Experienced skiers prefer the seven back bowls for bumps and glades. An average 350 inches of snowfall annually keep it in pristine condition.
Vail Mountain Resort is known for its size, offering more than 5,289 acres of perfect skiing served by 31 lifts. It is also renowned for its variety. There are three separate terrain parks to keep skiers of all abilities happy, while back-country skiers can also find their haven here.
9. Ruka, Finland
Finland is often overlooked as a top skiing destination because large parts of it aren't particularly mountainous. Yet the country offers incredible cross-country skiing opportunities. In addition, the available mountains provide visitors with some of the most fun skiing in the world. It's a great family skiing destination for people of all abilities.
Finland's top ski resort, Ruka, is located in the unspoiled beauty of the natural wilderness, around 60 km south of the Arctic circle. Ruka has guaranteed snow between October and May, offering excellent skiing on well-maintained and uncrowded pistes.
There are 34 runs, of which 16 are suitable for beginners, 14 for intermediates and four for advanced skiers. The highest ski lift ascends to an altitude of 492 metres and there are 24 km of ski runs to explore, with 26 lifts across the resort.
Cross country skiers can enjoy the challenge of trying to cover the whole 260 km of trails among fantastic scenery. Ruka is known for its apres-ski activities, including plenty of restaurants, mountain cafes, pizzerias, fast food diners and more. You can also take a snowmobile safari across the frozen lakes, enjoy a reindeer safari, or go husky dog sledding.
10. Cortina D'Ampezzo, Italy
The five peaks of the Cinque Torri give the Italian ski resort of Cortina D'Ampezzo the most incredible setting. It was known only to local skiers and avid professionals before hosting the 1956 Winter Olympics. Suddenly, it became an overnight sensation for jet-setting winter skiers from all over Europe, and has been popular ever since.
The town is high-end, but skiing is quite a bargain, thanks to the Dolomiti Superski Pass, giving access to the trails and lifts of 12 resorts. Most are linked to provide almost 400 km of interconnected skiing.
The whole area is included in a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ride more than 36 ski lifts from the centre of town to scenic snowfields at the crest of the tallest ridges. Then, ski down into the town in one exhilarating run. The terrain is suitable for intermediates and experts. There's also an Olympic ice skating rink.
11. Chamonix, France
Nestled at the base of Mont Blanc at the intersection between France, Switzerland and Italy, Chamonix is a popular destination that’s known for its challenging slopes and vibrant community that offers a plethora of activities for visitors.
Something of a mecca for off-piste ski enthusiasts, Chamonix is famous for the range of ski touring and other forms of extreme skiing that can be accessed in vicinity. With steep slopes and multiple areas around the Aiguilles de Chamonix mountains and Chamonix Valley, each offering something different, there are certainly plenty of options for winter sports enthusiasts.
The slopes and surrounding country means Chamonix is best suited to those with experience. However it also boasts plenty to see and do for non-skiers, over and above what you’d find at many ski resorts. This makes it the perfect destination for mixed activity breaks, or for non-skiers to visit with skiing friends and family.
With the famous Mont Blanc a big draw for all types of visitors, as well as skiers, the area offers a range of activities throughout the year including country skiing, snowboarding, hiking, mountaineering and cycling, all with the added benefit of stunning views and beautiful surroundings.
Ski Equipment For Your Next Ski Holiday
Once you've decided on the best ski resort for your winter break, make sure you have the appropriate ski equipment and ski clothing for your trip, either in the UK or abroad.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or an absolute beginner, here at Coast Outdoors we have everything you need to hit the slopes safely and in style, from skis and ski boots, to ski goggles, helmets and ski jackets.