12 Luxury Ski Resorts in Europe for an Exclusive Winter Getaway

Luxury ski resorts in Europe attract those in the know as much as the rich and famous, and the good news is that both crowds are usually welcome on the same slopes. Whether you’re after post-piste partying in France, a traditional Austrian village with dependable snow, or the polish of Swiss skiing, there’s a resort here to match.

Booking a ski holiday in Europe can deliver luxury and adventure in equal measure. These are the 12 most exclusive ski resorts in Europe I’d recommend to anyone seeking a more elevated winter escape.

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At a glance

Map of the best luxury ski resorts in Europe

Use my map below to see where each of these resorts is located.

Luxury ski resorts in Austria

1. Lech

Lech is arguably the smartest ski resort in Austria, known for reliably deep, powdery snow and some of the country’s best gourmet dining and après-ski. I’d also recommend it for anyone new to powder skiing, since its slopes are gentler than others in the Arlberg.

Most of Lech’s runs are broad and smooth, which makes them ideal for beginners. When you’re ready for more, the modern lift network gets you to tougher terrain quickly.

The village centre is full of stylish hotels, refined restaurants and elegant après-ski bars, which explains its pull with celebrities and royalty. Despite that, Lech keeps an authentic, local feel, with traditional wooden chalets and an old church at its heart.

Beyond the slopes, look out for 25 miles of winter hiking trails, sleigh rides across the frosty landscape, and the chic Strolz champagne bar.

2. St Anton

St Anton is the pick for skiers after tougher terrain, part of the wider Arlberg area, which is famed for vast snowfields and a lively Tyrolean village centre. There are close to 200 miles of slopes here, and it isn’t the easiest resort to learn on if you’re new to skiing.

The Run of Fame is the big draw: a 40-mile route that ends on the far side of the Arlberg in Warth-Schröcken. By night, the main street buzzes with après-ski pubs and bars filled with skiers from all over the world, despite the traditional look lent by the domed church and wooden chalets.

Away from the slopes, there’s a sports park with climbing walls, a bowling alley and tennis courts, plus a sports bar for the inevitable post-piste socialising.

If you’d like something more budget-friendly nearby, I’d recommend Sölden or the Hochgurgl-Obergurgl resorts, both among the highest ski resorts in Austria. 

Read my review of Das Central Hotel in Sölden too.

3. Luxury ski resorts in France

Courchevel

Courchevel forms part of the Three Valleys, the largest linked ski area in the world, and from here you can reach around 373 miles of pistes without ever taking off your skis. 

This smart collection of four villages also has Michelin-starred dining, deluxe spas and stylish boutiques among its draws.

There’s a good mix of terrain, from open runs to routes threaded through trees, and the resort’s north-facing position gives it one of the more reliable snow records in the Alps.

Dining is a serious pastime here: seven Michelin-starred restaurants are spread across Courchevel, Le Praz, Courchevel Moriond and Courchevel Village. Between runs, there’s a state-of-the-art spa and wellness centre, or you can try something new like paragliding or ice climbing.

If you’re staying in Méribel or Val Thorens, it’s well worth skiing over to Courchevel for lunch. My go-to spot is Fire and Ice at the Portetta hotel.

Dining out is de rigueur in Courchevel. There are seven Michelin-starred restaurants shared between Courchevel, Le Praz, Courchevel Moriond and Courchevel Village.

By day, the abundance of smart stores here could mean you max out your plastic.

Courchevel is also home to a state-of-the-art spa, swimming and wellness centre. Or you can sample a new activity like paragliding or ice climbing during your stay.

If you’re staying in either Meribel or Val Thorens then I’d really recommend heading over to Courchevel for a ski and lunch. My personal favourite spot is Fire and Ice at Portetta hotel.

4. Megève

Megève sits close to the Swiss and Italian borders in south-east France, and unusually for a resort of its pedigree, it has its own airport.

Established in the 1920s as a haunt for the rich and famous, it’s stayed relatively low-key and affordable, and remains something of a snow-clad secret outside peak weeks.

Skiers and snowboarders of most levels will find a route here, with spacious slopes and Mont Blanc views throughout. Off-piste, the town has a good spread of upmarket shops, along with climbing, bowling, tennis, swimming and ice skating if you fancy a day off the mountain.

A couple of restaurants hold multiple Michelin stars, though there are also plenty of family-friendly pizza, pasta and fondue spots. The resort sprawls a little, so check how close your accommodation is to a lift before booking.

5. Val d’Isère

Val d’Isère suits skiers who want to party late and still tackle seriously adrenaline-fuelled off-piste terrain the next day. It’s also a strong choice for food, with everything from regional specialities to Michelin-starred restaurants.

Beginners have a range of green runs to start on, or can head to neighbouring Tignes for the blues. Back in Val d’Isère, longer blue runs and thrilling reds test more confident skiers, and the resort’s elevation makes good snow more or less guaranteed.

There’s no shortage of five-star hotels and restaurants here, alongside more traditional, pocket-friendly options if you’d rather keep costs down.

Off the slopes, try fatbiking, ice driving, tubing or ice climbing, before joining the après-ski scene into the evening.

👉 Discover more of the highest ski resorts in France.

6. Méribel

Méribel sits at the heart of the Three Valleys, with routes for everyone from complete beginners to advanced skiers. I spent a wonderful Christmas here myself, and it remains one of my favourite French resorts for its mix of a traditional mountain-village feel and a lively après-ski scene.

The lift system is one of the best in the Alps, with rapid chairlifts and gondolas that let experienced skiers rack up plenty of miles. Its position close to Courchevel and Val Thorens is a real bonus if you want to explore further afield.

There’s plenty of choice for refuelling too, from hearty pub classics to authentic local cuisine and crowd-pleasers like crêpes. For something different, try dog sledding, horse trekking, snowmobiling or snowshoeing. The resort has picked up awards over the years for being especially family-friendly.

👉 It’s also possible to reach Méribel from the UK by train. Read my guide to the best ski resorts by train for the details.

Luxury ski resorts in Italy

7. Cortina d’Ampezzo

Cortina d’Ampezzo, known as the Queen of the Dolomites, combines some of the most historic ski runs in the world with a lively Italian party scene. A mix of nursery slopes, easy blues and tougher reds and blacks means it suits most levels, all set against the dramatic backdrop of the Dolomites.

Italians treat Cortina as a social occasion as much as a ski trip, and weekends can get busy with stylish visitors from Rome and Milan. Family-run trattorias sit comfortably alongside opulent five-star hotels here, which sums up the resort’s appeal.

Away from the slopes, go bear-spotting at the Ampezzo Nature Reserve, or browse the hundreds of shops along Corso Italia, from local art and jewellery to the latest ski wear.

It’s a strong pick if you’re after some of the best designer ski wear brands, and one of the best ski resorts for non-skiers too, thanks to its shopping and social scene.

Luxury ski resorts in Switzerland

8. Verbier

Verbier’s terrain isn’t for the faint-hearted, and that’s exactly the draw for committed thrill-seekers. Add upmarket accommodation, Alpine views and a thriving social scene, and it’s easy to see why this is the pick of Switzerland’s ski resorts for seasoned skiers.

That’s not to say mixed-ability groups can’t visit, since there are plenty of intermediate slopes and nursery areas too. The après-ski scene is one of the best in the Alps, often starting in the early evening and running until daybreak.

If you do plan to tackle Verbier’s steeper routes, don’t go alone. The lines are marked but not maintained, and there’s no avalanche patrol in place.

9. St Moritz

St Moritz is hard to beat for classic Swiss luxury, and it has the history to prove it: this was the first place to put Alpine winter tourism on the map, back in the mid-19th century. Today it’s a sunny resort town with over 200 miles of ski routes and truly spectacular scenery.

The town’s name actually comes from its network of natural springs, first identified thousands of years ago, and it has hosted the Winter Olympics twice. St Moritz is known for refined dining, a lively arts scene and some of the most prestigious hotels in the Alps.

Its lakeside setting also makes it popular with watersports enthusiasts, who come to sail, windsurf and row in summer.

It retains plenty of old-world charm, from tinkling pianos to glittering chandeliers, while quietly staying ahead of its time: one of Switzerland’s first ski lifts was built here, and it was also among the first places anywhere to be lit by electricity.

Read my review of the Grand Hotel Kronenhof in nearby Pontresina, or discover more of my favourite spa resorts in Switzerland.

10. Klosters

Klosters is a favourite with British royalty, and it’s easy to see why: it’s a quiet, unspoiled Swiss village set in a valley below soaring, granite-hued peaks. Pretty views turn up around every corner, whether that’s a placid lake, a tumbling waterfall or a lush Alpine meadow.

A good variety of terrain makes it popular with skiers and snowboarders of most abilities, and combined with nearby Davos, the local routes stretch for around 150 miles.

There’s plenty for non-skiers too, including winter hiking trails, snowshoeing, tobogganing and horse-drawn sled rides.

Klosters offers tranquillity and beauty in equal measure, with the added chance of rubbing shoulders with the odd heir apparent.

👉 Discover more of the best ski resorts near Zurich.

11. Gstaad

Glamorous Gstaad is one of the most luxurious ski resorts in Europe, and home to one of Switzerland’s finest hotels, the Gstaad Palace. Its five linked ski areas are joined by a public transport network that’s a model of Swiss efficiency.

There’s a good mix of smooth, broad beginner slopes and more challenging wooded runs for confident skiers.

In recent years, the village has drawn a steady stream of celebrities, who come for the gourmet restaurants, lavish hotels and upmarket shops as much as the pistes.

Fairy-lit chalets and the castle looming over the village give Gstaad a magical feel after dark. Wandering the car-free streets each evening is one of the simplest pleasures of a stay here.

12. Zermatt

Zermatt is car-free and pedestrianised, and one of my personal favourites among Switzerland’s ski resorts. It sits at the foot of some of the country’s most dramatic peaks and glaciers, including the Matterhorn.

There’s a great range of luxury accommodation here, plus a seamless network of more than 50 mountain trains and cable cars linking the peaks.

Zermatt also offers the highest skiable terrain in Europe, with lifts reaching almost 3,900 metres, which is why ski teams from around the world train here through the summer.

From traditional mule-merchants’ trails to the multi-day Haute Route, Zermatt attracts serious skiers, from freestylers to those with an eye on Olympic glory.

Don’t miss the cog railway during your stay, which climbs above 3,000 metres for once-in-a-lifetime views over the Monte Rosa massif, the surrounding glaciers and the Matterhorn.

👉 Read my guide to the best hotels in Zermatt, or discover my full Zermatt ski resort guide.

Combining resorts in one trip

🇫🇷 The Three Valleys: Courchevel, Méribel and Val Thorens are all linked by lift, so basing yourself in any one of them gives you easy access to the whole network without needing a car.

🇦🇹 The Arlberg: St Anton and Lech share a lift pass and much of the same terrain, so it’s easy to base yourself in one and explore both over a week.

🇨🇭 Davos and Klosters: These two Swiss villages share a combined ski area, so it’s worth treating them as one destination rather than choosing between them.

FAQs

Which of these resorts is best for beginners?

Lech and Méribel are both known for gentle, broad slopes that suit newer skiers well, while St Anton, Verbier and Val d’Isère are better suited to more confident skiers.

Which resort has the best snow record?

Zermatt and Val d’Isère both benefit from high elevation, which makes reliable snow more likely even in a poor season, while St Anton and Lech are known for consistently good powder.

Is Zermatt really the highest ski resort in Europe?

It depends how you measure it. Val Thorens has the highest resort base, at 2,300 metres, but Zermatt’s lifts reach the highest skiable point in Europe, at almost 3,900 metres on the Matterhorn glacier.

Do I need a car at these resorts?

Not for most of them. Zermatt and the Davos-Klosters area are car-free or well served by train and local transport, though a car gives you more flexibility in resorts like Megève and Val d’Isère.

Continue planning your ski trip

Europe’s ski resorts range from the adrenaline of Verbier and Val d’Isère to the quieter charm of Klosters and Megève, so the right pick really comes down to what kind of week you’re after. 

For more skiing inspiration, have a read of my other guides:

• 15 best ski resorts in Europe
• Top ski resorts for beginners
• 20 best ski resorts for après and nightlife
• 10 amazing ski resorts in Switzerland