The best ski resorts


By Amy Rosoman

Title Photography by haveseen / Getty Images

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Find the perfect resort for your ski holidays. Venture to the mountains for a mini ski break in Europe, jet set across to the Canadian Rockies for powder pillows, or cruise the pistes near the Arctic Circle in Norway. Discover your snowy ski retreat, in a glistening winter destination.

Best for cheap ski: Bansko, Bulgaria

Venture to the slopes of Bulgaria, for a ski adventure that won’t pull on your purse strings. Make your way to the resort of Bansko, a great place for beginners and intermediates. Grab your skis or snowboard and glide between the treelines of Bansko. Or, like Bambi on ice, start on the nursery slopes to find your ski legs. Play your days away with some classic apres ski in this vibrant resort. Dance from afternoon until the early hours at Happy End Bar, with its electrifying atmosphere and stage performers. Catch a flight to Sofia and journey to the twinkling Pirin Mountains, where you can savour a cheap ski holiday.

Where to stay: Kempinski Hotel Grand Arena – for sweeping views of the Pirin Mountains. This five-star chalet-styled hotel is just steps away from the gondola station, perfect for early morning ski starts. After spending long days on the mountains, you can unwind in the tranquil spa. Relax in the Finnish sauna, take a dip in the swimming pool and bubble away in one of the indoor or outdoor Jacuzzis, then book yourself in for a spa treatment to soothe your ski legs. In the evening, cosy up with a cup of cocoa by one of the roaring fires after dining in one of three restaurants.

Book a stay at Kempinski Hotel Grand Arena

  • Church in Chamonix town, France. ©Kisa_Markiza.

    Discover character in Chamonix

    Explore the quaint alpine scenery of the Southern Alps.

    Book a stay at Lykke, Chamonix
  • Ski lifts in Trysil, Norway. ©Andreas Ulvdell/Folio Images.

    Family-fun

    Make the most of the family-friendly resort of Trysil.

    Find our cheapest flights to Oslo
  • Cable car cabin and snowy peaks in Bansko, Bulgaria. ©Kisa_Markiza.

    Did you know…?

    The highest ski point in Bansko is at 2600m above sea level.

    Book your ski break

Best for ski weekends: Chamonix, France

Head to the heights of Chamonix, for a ski weekend to remember. Frolic in the French Alps and discover a playground for advanced skiers and snowboarders – with epic off-piste and sensational snowfall. Intermediates can cruise trickier reds to push their ski skills and when in need of a break, soak up the quaint alpine vibes of the village. Sip a cold beer in the sun for a quiet round of apres down the mountain, or enjoy the buzz and burgers at Moo, where you can hit up the only self-serve beer tap in the resort. Take off to Geneva and land just an hour’s transfer away from Chamonix, to make the most of that ski weekend.

Where to stay: The Morgane is a great option, just 100 metres away from the Aiguille du Midi cable car. This lavish hotel has a stunning contemporary design, adding a splash of modern style to its natural surroundings. Interiors are elegantly styled, oozing character and charm. Enjoy a leisurely swim in the pool, followed by relaxation in the sauna.

Best for family ski: Trysil, Norway

Make tracks to the temptations of Norway. With its multiple wins as Norway’s best family ski resort, Trysil is a clear choice for your family ski holiday. Savour the 40 miles of uncrowded runs, perfect for first-timers and advanced riders. Immerse yourself in a resort of mesmerising scenery, where the snow is guaranteed. Beginners can book into the ski school and learn from friendly ski instructors, in a place where everyone is welcoming. Enjoy more fun-filled activities as a family, with tobogganing and snowshoeing around the resort too. Fly away to Oslo and make the two-and-a-half-hour transfer to the sparkling slopes of Trysil, for your family ski holidays.

Where to stay: Radisson Blu Mountain Resort & Residences – for stylish rooms in a family-friendly resort. Take the kids for a splash about in one of the pools, after a day on the mountains. Or immerse yourself in the tranquillity of the Kulpen Spa, while they play in the games room. Bulk up on a big breakfast, ready for those play days on the slopes. In the evening, kick back in the Kubben lobby bar for an after-ski drink by the fire.

Book a stay at Radisson Blu Mountain Resort & Residences

Best for luxury ski: Whistler, Canada

Explore the charms of Canada. Whisk yourself away to Whistler, where the ski terrain is surreal and the snow is the real deal. The resort of Whistler Blackcomb is a dream for skiers and snowboarders alike, with its variety of pistes, parks, off-piste and tree trails, there are plenty of options. If you’re up to it, book an experience of a lifetime and go heli-skiing or snowboarding in this enchanting landscape. After a day on the mountains, relax slope-side, with a roaring fire, plush blankets and hot chocolate or a signature cocktail. Or keep the energy going with some apres ski at Dusty’s Bar & BBQ. Fly to Vancouver and venture north to Whistler, with just a short 90-minute transfer.

Where to stay: Fairmont Chateau Whistler – indulge in the epitome of luxury. Relax and soak up the sweeping mountain views from the heated outdoor pool, after an epic ski day. Take advantage of this ski-in ski-out retreat at the base of Blackcomb Mountain and explore the ski resort on day one with the hotel’s on-the-slopes Ski Host. Return to unwind in the spa and find your zen in a complimentary yoga class. Savour an alpine dining experience at The Chalet during ski season and tuck into a pot of fondue, then sip a tasty cocktail and listen to live entertainment at the Mallard Lounge and Terrace.

Book a stay at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler

Best for apres ski: Val d'Isere, France

Up there with the best French ski resorts, is the dazzling resort of Val d'Isere – within Espace Killy. Take a ski trip to a destination renowned for its swanky chalets and incredible apres ski. Savour an incredible 300km of slopes, with a variety of runs for every type of rider. For those brave enough, take on the black Face de Bellevarde, with a gradient of up to 71%. Or cruise the blues over to Tignes and head to the Loop Bar for big bites and a lively social hub. Ski or board your way over to the renowned Folie Douce for an apres scene like no other. After a day on the slopes, you can head back to your hotel retreat to unwind.

Where to stay: The luxurious Hotel Avenue Lodge is well placed for exploring Val d’Isere. Relax with a cocktail by the fireplace in the elegant lounge bar area after a long day on the slopes or make the most of the uniquely designed, luxurious spa with indoor pool, two saunas, a steam bath, Jacuzzi and beauty salon offering face and body treatments from the Institut Esthederm in this stylish hotel.

Best for all-inclusive: Val Thorens & Alpe d’Huez, France

Hit the best slopes in the French Alps and sip hot chocolate during your Val Thorens ski holiday. Stay in one of our great all-inclusive hotels where everything is taken care of for you. Val Thorens in Three Valleys is known for its well-maintained wide slopes and enviable powder white snow conditions.

You might also like to discover Alpe d’Huez, one of the liveliest resorts in the Alps. Visit the striking church of Notre-Dame des Neiges, grab your skates and glide across the sparkling open-air ice rink. Then uncover the glistening ice sculptures hidden in the confines of a man-made ice cave, 2700-metres above sea level. Beyond, the linked villages of Auris-en-Oisans, La Garde, Vaujany and Villard-Reculas promise more uninterrupted mountain vistas.

Where to stay: Club Med Val Thorens Sensations. Part of the much loved and trusted Club Med brand, this hotel offers an impressive range of spacious rooms and suites – all with interconnecting categories, a top-of-the-range fitness centre and spa and gourmet dining options led by a Michelin-starred chef. The all-inclusive plan is exceptional and includes ski passes and lessons, plus you are well-placed to experience the region’s best apres ski.

Club Med Alpe d’Huez. This winter wonderland promises endless skiing with all-access lift passes, complimentary winter sports, world-class facilities, gourmet dining and apres ski on sun-dappled terraces.