19 of the best ski resorts in Europe for 2017

Thinking of heading off on a skiing adventure this year?

If you love mountains, specifically getting to the top of them and sliding down to the bottom, or you simply love the thought of wrapping up with a warm glass of gluhwein as you gaze out on a snowy panorama, we’ve rounded up the best places to head for ski and apres-ski in Europe.

Whether you want to rub shoulders with a millionaire on the mountain or plan a family-friendly escape, here’s our run-down of the best places to hit the slopes...

Val d’Isere, France

More Britons head here for their ski fix than any other place in the world - and with good reason. This resort in the French Alps has the charm of a typical Alpine village, but is linked to neighbouring Tignes to form a ski area of 300km of pistes and 94 lifts - so everyone from the complete beginner to the snow veteran can feel challenged here.

Courchevel, France

Just one of the ski resorts in one the largest linked ski areas in the world, Courchevel forms part of the Three Valleys, which boasts 600 kilometres of prepared and maintained pistes. The ski terrain is mostly intermediate, but there are plenty of easy areas for beginners. The clientele at Courchevel, despite it previously being a locals' resort, is now rich and glamorous - boasting skiers from Russia, Japan and Brazil. As such, the area is one of Europe's most sophisticated ski resorts, with nine luxury five-star hotels, five regular four-stars and 13 three-star properties, many of which are far more luxurious than their star rating implies.

Lech, Austria

One of Austria’s most fashionable ski resorts, Lech offers the perfect combination of traditional charm, pristine ski slopes and brilliant hotels for both couples and families. This charming Alpine village is set beside a meandering river and links to the slopes of Zürs and Oberlech.

Meribel, France

Lively restaurants and friendly bars make Meribel a lure for 20-something skiers. There are luxurious chalet-style lodgings, cosy spots for a round of apres-ski and a vibrant party scene that goes on well into the night. For keen skiers, Meribel is ideally located close to the biggest ski network in the world. Those in-the-know stay at five-star Le Kaila, right in the thick of it all.

Verbier, Switzerland

The young and beautiful ski set flock to Verbier, the main resort in Switzerland’s biggest ski area, the Four Valleys. Verbier has runs suited to everyone from the expert skier to the first-timer. At the end of the day, the British-run bars in the resort centre and around the Rond-Point are packed with partygoers. For lodgings, try the stylish Bella Coola or the five-star stay in Verbier - Chalet Adrien.

St Anton, Austria

340km of pistes, 200km of off-piste itineraries and more than 55km² of challenging off-piste terrain make St Anton one of the top five resorts in the Alps. The area hosts the ski world championships, but also boasts luxury spas by the dozen, romantic sleigh rides and boutique hotels (try Raffl’s St Antonnerhof) for those looking for a relaxing couples getaway.

Chatel, France

This incredibly charming ski resort boasts an untouched French flair, unlike other rival ski destinations. Being part of the Portes Du Soleil means that some of the best skiing in Europe is on offer, with access to neighbouring resorts of Les Gets, Morzine, Avoriaz and a few others too.

La Clusaz, France

This undiscovered gem of the Alps is fast becoming a snowy playground for those in-the-know. The area has long been a popular weekend destination for the French and the Swiss, but Brits are just beginning to catch on. As well as potential for off-piste and extreme skiing, the resort offers brilliant facilities for beginners and intermediates. Regulars recommend staying in the charming Hotel Chalet Alpage, a Savoyard farmhouse that has been tastefully redecorated.

Zermatt, Switzerland

Offering 223 miles of runs in four huge ski areas, Zermatt is a quaint Alpine village that lies at the foot of Switzerland’s most famous and photogenic mountain, Matterhorn. As a ski destination, it’s ideal for families - offering skiing, climbing, hiking and biking at reasonable prices.

Megeve, France

If you’ve ‘done’ the purpose-built ski resorts of Courchevel, Les Arcs or La Plange, head to Megeve for a completely different experience. The traditional Alpine town, which was made fashionable in the early 1900s by the Rothschild family, has a well-preserved Medieval town with a picturesque church, cobbled streets and horse-drawn carriages. The slopes are set out on three different mountains – Rochebrune, Mont d’Arbois and Le Jaillet – and are mainly wooded, making them great if the weather is poor.

Val Thorens, France

Purpose-built Val Thorens is the highest resort in the Three Valleys ski area - and the highest in Europe, meaning you’re pretty much guaranteed snow from November to May. Night Owls should stop by the Folie Douce for music, toffee vodka and dancing on tables.

Les Arcs, France

This ski resort, located in Savoie in the Tarentaise Valley town of Bourg-Saint-Maurice is actually made up of a number of different villages, each at slightly different altitudes and each with their own character and ambience. It's renowned as a family friendly resort, with a good selection of beginner pistes and ski areas, as well as those for the more advanced skier or snowboarder.

Chamonix-Mont Blanc, Switzerland

Just an hour from Geneva, Chamonix is one of the greatest accessible mountain ranges in the world - in fact, It was the site of the very first Winter Olympic games in 1924. Intermediates should be comfortable skiing all of Chamonix's different ski areas, but the fact that most of the runs are not connected by ski lifts means that it's not a resort for those who like to cover vast distances of well-groomed pistes. Popular stays include the 110-year-old Hameau Albert Premier, or Les Aiglons - a comfortable modern hotel with an attractive price per room.

Klosters, Switzerland

This ski resort is where you’re most likely to spot a Windsor or a Middleton on the slopes - Prince Charles is also a regular guest. Situated in what has remained the rural part of the Prattigau, romantic Klosters stands in stark contrast to the nearby metropolis of Davos. Alpina, a chalet-style hotel is conveniently located close to a cable car, and easily one of the best places to stay - boasting airy, rustic-chic rooms.

St. Moritz, Switzerland

Easily one of the most glamorous and exclusive skiing resorts in the world, St. Moritz attracts everything from royal polo matches on the frozen lake to Russian billionaire patrons. With its 1,800-metre altitude, 300-plus sunny days a year, and federal investment in lifts for the Alpine World Ski Championships, the area is one of the best-maintained and easy-to-use ski spots in the world. If you want to blow your budget like a billionaire, head to Suvretta House, which is a St. Moritz institution. This five-star hotel is majestically placed in beautifully kept grounds at the foot of the Corviglia ski area - with its own private life and ski school, as well as three brilliant restaurants.

Les Arcs/La Plagne, France

The alpine valley of the Tarentaise is catnip for adventurous skiers. The La Plagne area has ten separate villages giving you both the laid-back option of sleepy chalets or more lively ski-to-the-door resorts. Plagne Soleil is a sunny snow bowl that’s perfect for beginners, while the Bellecôte glacier offers some of the most challenging off-piste in Europe. Neighbouring Les Arcs, meanwhile, can be accessed by the Vanoise Express cable car and offers steep descents and wooded areas to ski through. Buzzing Arc 1800 is where you’ll find the après ski crowd getting boozy.

Grindelwald, Switzerland

A traditional mountain village with olde-world village charm, a cog railway, superb views and easy access via mountain train and cable-car to the famous ‘Jungfrau’ ski region. Winter sport enthusiasts can take on the challenging Lauberhorn race run or slide across the steep slopes of Scheidegg and Männlichen. Few places rival stunning Grindelwald and its world-famous three peaks for postcard-perfect vistas.

Crans-Montana, Switzerland

The neighbouring resorts of Crans and Montana sit atop a sunny plateau high above the pretty Rhone Valley. Expect crowds and queues at the bar - together these two form one of the biggest holiday destinations in the Valais. The twin towns boast panoramic views of the Valais Alps, family-friendly accommodation and broad pistes that are ideal for beginners.

Courmayeur, Italy

A ski resort that’s popular with the foodie crowd. Gingerbread-pretty Courmayeur sits at the foot of Mont Blanc with lively nightlife, brilliant restaurants (Michelin starred Petit Royal is a must) and challenging off piste skiing. In January, the likes of Heston Blumenthal, Marcus Wareing, and Sat Bains hit the slopes for an innovative culinary festival simply titled the “Gourmet Event”, where world-famous chefs cook up three-course food and booze pairings for the ultimate post-slope revelry. The resort also boasts a high-tech new cable car, Skyway, which whizzes you up to Punta Helbronner for unprecedented views of Mont Blanc.