5 Must-Visit Resorts for Your Next Ski Trip
If you are looking to explore new resorts and improve your skiing, then look no further! The expert team at Maison Sport, the industry-leading ski instructor booking platform, has rounded up some of the best resorts that offer a balanced mixture of terrain for skiers of all ability levels. Whether it’s a buzzing apres ski scene, beautiful scenery or challenging slopes that you are looking for, keep reading to discover the perfect ski resort for your next trip.
If you are looking to explore new resorts and improve your skiing, then look no further! The expert team at Maison Sport, the industry-leading ski instructor booking platform, has rounded up some of the best resorts that offer a balanced mixture of terrain for skiers of all ability levels. Whether it’s a buzzing apres ski scene, beautiful scenery or challenging slopes that you are looking for, keep reading to discover the perfect ski resort for your next trip.
1. Flaine, France
Best for: Skiing on a Budget
Flaine is a popular and incredibly snow-sure ski resort set in the heart of the Haute-Savoie in France. Sitting at 1,600m, the high-altitude resort is almost entirely ski-in-ski-out and offers some incredible skiing for all abilities. Linked to Les Carroz, Morillon, Samoëns and Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval via an excellent lift system, Flaine offers a vast amount of top-tier skiable terrain. The 265km of well-maintained pistes, of which 78% are red or blue, offer incredible views of Mont Blanc. Don’t miss Les Cascades! The 16km run takes you from the top of Les Grandes Platières all the way down to Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval and is one of the longest ski runs in Europe! Despite its great skiing, Flaine’s ski pass prices are some of the cheapest in the French Alps. The resort is only a 1-2 hour drive from Geneva Airport (dependent on traffic), meaning you can also cut costs on transfers. Find everything you need to know about Flaine in Maison Sport’s Ultimate Resort Guide to Flaine.
2. Zermatt, Switzerland
Best for: Scenic Views and Varied Terrain
Located in the German-speaking part of the Valais, Zermatt is a popular Swiss resort due to its incredibly diverse skiing and its traditional alpine charm. Sitting at 1,620m, the car-free, picture-perfect resort offers reliable snow conditions and draw-dropping views of the magnificent Matterhorn. Zermatt is also home to the highest ski area in the Alps. Way up at 3,883m the Matterhorn Ski Paradise ski area boasts 360km of varied skiable terrain. If you fancy hopping over the border, glass-bottom gondolas connect Zermatt to the neighbouring Italian resort of Cervinia and offer amazing views on the way. It’s worth the trip over for the views alone! Zermatt is accessible by train from Zurich and Geneva, offering a stress-free, eco-friendly travel option. The trains to the resort go through the deepest cleft valley in Switzerland, which is a sight to behold! If you want to ski scenic runs and stay in traditional wooden chalet-style accommodation offering unbeatable mountain views, then this is the resort for you!
3. Alpe D’Huez, France
Best for: Family-Friendly Fun
Alpe D’Huez is a high-altitude resort (1,860m) with reliable conditions throughout the season. It has a great lift system, accessible from 7 different locations in the town, meaning you won’t be too far from a ski lift wherever you are staying. With 49km of green runs and 54km of blue runs to explore, Alpe D’Huez makes an excellent resort for beginners. There are designated learning areas and plenty of ‘beginners only’ runs that are ideal if you have kids who are just starting out with skiing. Beyond the beginner slopes, the resort boasts some wonderful, challenging terrain to keep yourself or older kids occupied while the youngest are in lessons! Accommodation, shops and restaurants have family values in mind, and an array of non-skiing activities including ice skating, swimming and crazy golf are all included with your ski pass, so you can save some pennies! Due to its family-centric ethos and amenities, the resort has been awarded ‘Famille Plus’ status by the French Ministry of Tourism! Check out more of the best ski resorts for families.
4. Les Arcs, France
Best for: Adventure and Challenges
Les Arcs, sitting in the heart of a 400-year-old pine forest, consists of four purpose-built villages; Arc 1600, Arc 1800, Arc 1950 and Arc 2000. With lots of ski-in-ski-out accommodation across the resort, you’ll have easy access to the slopes and all that they have to offer! Les Arcs is linked to La Plagne by the valley-spanning, double-decker Vanoise Express gondola, creating the Paradiski ski area and providing adventurous skiers access to 425km of pistes and two glaciers! Les Arcs is home to one of the most challenging ski runs in Europe; Aiguille Rouge. The 9km run starts at the highest peak in the Paradiski ski area (3,226m) and descends all the way down to Villaroger at 1,200m. Les Arcs also has two fantastic snow parks that cater to various skill levels, so you can have a go at some freestyle skiing if you fancy learning some new tricks! Booking a local guide or instructor on Maison Sport is a great way to safely discover the resort and advance your skiing.
5. Morzine, France
Best for: Après-Ski Fun
Morzine is the central resort in the Portes du Soleil ski region in France and is linked directly to Avoriaz and Les Gets via an excellent lift system. Known for its vibrant après ski scene, the resort has a lively, feel-good atmosphere. Morzine caters to all types of skier, with 650km of diverse skiable terrain to explore. It also caters to all types of après skier! Whether it’s a sophisticated glass of French wine by the fire you are looking for or dancing on the tables until dusk, there is something suited to everyone, even families! Popular spots include Le Tremplin, Coup de Coeur and Bar Robinson. The uphill neighbouring resort of Avoriaz is also home to a wildly popular Folie Douce venue, so you can dance the day away to a soundtrack of live music and head back to Morzine on the Super Morzine gondola unharmed and ready for another day of skiing and partying! Booking an instructor through Maison Sport will allow you to get insider knowledge of all the best local spots. You can even message your instructor prior to your holiday so that you can start making reservations!
From the high-altitude slopes of Zermatt to the mixed-ability pistes of Flaine, choosing a resort tailored to your skills and needs will make your next ski trip one to remember! Maison Sport offers expert instructors in all of the above-listed resorts that can help you take your skiing to the next level and discover all that each resort has to offer!
Visit: maisonsport.com to find out more
