Alpine intelligence,
written for people who ski.
The complete resort guides: who each resort suits, where to stay across every budget, the skiing, the food and the après. No sponsored fluff.
Browse all 26 resort guides →400 results
Featured
Adelboden or Châtel: more mountain at home, or the circuit at the door?
Two traditional family villages our engine pairs. Adelboden has more piste, more black and more height; Châtel has the Portes du Soleil circuit.
The short answer
Both are traditional family villages, and Adelboden gives that family more of what it uses every day: about 33 more kilometres of piste around the village, more than half of it at or above 1,800 metres, and kinder reds. Châtel is the right answer when the circuit is the reason you are going.
adelboden
you want more skiing around the village, more of it up high, more black for the stronger skiers and gentler reds for the improvers, in a traditional Swiss chalet village.
chatel
you want the Portes du Soleil at the door and a group that will use it, a rustic farm village with value on its list, some green for the first timers, and Geneva for the flight.
The Ski Snug team · 6 min read
Shortlists · 4
Shortlists
When half the group does not ski: Kitzbühel, and seven more that work
The short answer
a free old town, lifts that take walkers up to the huts, a pool for the wet day, and a farm on the Hahnenkamm where the skiers arrive on skis and the others walk up to meet them.
zermatt
the non skier wants the mountain every day and one pass to cover it.
chamonix
your skiers are strong.
grindelwald
the non skier would rather sledge than shop.
st-moritz
the week is about the events and nobody is counting.
The Ski Snug team · 8 min read
High ski resorts that suit beginners: Les Arcs leads the seven that pass
The short answer
Nobody can promise snow, but on our measure it is high enough, and it is the one high resort that gives you both halves of the answer: blues as soft as the Swiss and Italians measure, and the room of a big French resort to use them in.
la-plagne
you want a higher village and more easy piste, and can live with steeper blues.
alta-badia
everyone is learning and lunch matters.
sestriere
height at the door counts most.
The Ski Snug team · 8 min read
Where to ski in late April: go high, and start with Cervinia
Thirteen of the 55 resorts we cover usually ski into May. We ranked 12 on how much of their piste sits above 2,200 m.
The Ski Snug team · 8 min read
Collection · 1
Collection
Comparisons · 350
Two resorts, one straight answer
Adelboden or Les Gets: the same kind of village, at very different heights
The short answer
The two villages are as close as our engine finds for either of them; the height is not. Adelboden has 55 percent of its piste at or above 1,800 metres against Les Gets's 1, and 15 more kilometres around the village, for a family that will ski most of the week close to home. Les Gets is the right answer when the circuit is the reason you are going.
adelboden
you want more of the skiing up high, a little more piste around the village, more black and some marked itinerary, in a traditional Swiss chalet village.
les-gets
the Portes du Soleil is the point and your group will use it, you want reliably mapped green for the first timers and a few steep blacks for the strongest, and Geneva for the flight.
The Ski Snug team · 6 min read
Adelboden or Serre Chevalier: the same starting height, a bigger mountain above one
The short answer
From the same village height it gives you about 38 more kilometres of piste, about 39 more kilometres of easy skiing, the same share of gentle ground, and 72 percent of its skiing at or above 1,800 metres. Adelboden is the right answer when the chalet village and Switzerland are the point of the trip.
adelboden
the traditional Swiss chalet village is why you are going, you want a family resort with gentle blues for the improvers, Zurich or Geneva suits your flights, and your dates sit in the heart of the season.
serre-chevalier
you want more skiing, more easy skiing and more black, a mountain that is snow sure on our measure, sun, trees and a quiet week, and Turin or Grenoble suits your flights.
The Ski Snug team · 5 min read
Adelboden or Val Gardena: a Swiss chalet village or a Dolomite circuit?
The short answer
It gives more skiing to more of the group: 145 kilometres around the valley against 115, a far bigger circuit, more of the piste high, and a mountain that skis gentler than its colours. Adelboden is the right answer when the family label and the chalet village matter most, or when the stronger skiers want reds with more bite.
adelboden
you want a Swiss chalet village built around families, more blue on the map, reds with some bite and a flight to Zurich or Geneva, and 85 kilometres from the door is plenty.
val-gardena
you want more piste, more of it high, a gentler slope at almost every grade, and the Sella Ronda on the doorstep.
The Ski Snug team · 6 min read
Planners · 3
Planning the week
School holiday ski dates: which weeks clash
One Saturday decides the season: 13 February 2027, when England's half term, French Zone A and the second week of Paris's break all change over at once.
The Ski Snug team · 7 min read
February half term ski holidays
The week everyone books at once. Where February half term 2027 falls in each UK nation, which French school zones it collides with, and the honest playbook for getting a good week out of it.
The Ski Snug team · 7 min read
Christmas and New Year ski holidays
The short answer
Christmas week
Pick it for younger families and anyone who wants the calmer half of the fortnight.
New Year week
Pick it for groups, teenagers and anyone going for the occasion.
The Ski Snug team · 7 min read
Data · 4
The season's numbers
How steep is a red run? We measured 55 resorts in four countries
A red in France is not a red in Italy. We measured piste gradients at 55 resorts in four countries.
The Ski Snug team · 7 min read
Ski transfer times: every resort, every airport
Distances and typical winter drive times for 159 airport-to-resort routes across France, Switzerland, Austria and Italy, in one sortable table.
The Ski Snug team · 7 min read
Ski season opening and closing dates
Every opening and closing date for the 55 resorts we cover in France, Switzerland, Austria and Italy.
The Ski Snug team · 5 min read
Opinion · 3
Our view
Why ski holidays run Saturday to Saturday
At February half term, moving one like for like flight from Saturday to Sunday saved £661 per person.
The Ski Snug team · 6 min read
What a ski holiday actually costs
Per person, mid-market, six days on snow, winter 2026/27. Every figure below is a published tariff or labelled a projection, and the flagship lift pass alone now clears €400.
The Ski Snug team · 5 min read
Oversold and underrated: our honest map of the Alps
Four big names that are weak value for the traveller they attract, five that deserve the booking instead, argued with pass prices and transfer times.
The Ski Snug team · 7 min read
Articles · 9
From the journal
Catered chalet, apartment or hotel: which is actually for you
What a catered chalet, an apartment, an aparthotel and a hotel really include, what each leaves out, who each one suits, and a straight answer for your group.
The Ski Snug team · 7 min read
What is a drag lift? A lift that pulls you up while you stand
A drag lift pulls you uphill on skis or a board. Button lifts and T-bars, how to ride each on skis and on a snowboard, and the mistake nearly everyone makes.
The Ski Snug team · 2 min read
Off piste or backcountry: one is beside the lifts, one is beyond them
Off piste is skiing beside the pistes, backcountry is beyond the resort, and a marked itinerary sits between.
The Ski Snug team · 3 min read
Resort guides · 26
Every guide, country by country
Switzerland
6 guidesAdelboden or Châtel: more mountain at home, or the circuit at the door?
Two traditional family villages our engine pairs. Adelboden has more piste, more black and more height; Châtel has the Portes du Soleil circuit.
Adelboden or Les Gets: the same kind of village, at very different heights
Our engine's closest pair: two warm, traditional family villages.
Adelboden or Serre Chevalier: the same starting height, a bigger mountain above one
Both start at 1,350 m. Serre Chevalier has more piste, more easy skiing and is snow sure on our measure; Adelboden has the Swiss chalet village.
Adelboden or Val Gardena: a Swiss chalet village or a Dolomite circuit?
Two traditional villages. Adelboden is the Swiss family pick with more blue on the map; Val Gardena has more piste, more height and gentler slopes.
Adelboden or Wengen: a chalet village or a car free one?
Two Swiss family villages on near identical gentle skiing. Wengen is car free, with more piste and more black; Adelboden is the traditional one.
Alta Badia ski holidays: the complete resort guide
Alta Badia sits high in the Italian Dolomites, a cluster of five Ladin speaking villages on the famous Sella Ronda circuit.
Alta Badia or Cortina d'Ampezzo: one lift pass, two very different weeks
Same Dolomiti Superski pass, not the same lifts. Alta Badia has more piste, easier runs and the Sella Ronda; Cortina has the town and the higher top.
Alta Badia or Crans-Montana: the bigger valley or the higher plateau?
Two sunny family resorts at almost the same height. Alta Badia has far more easy piste and the Sella Ronda; Crans-Montana skis higher.
Alta Badia or Kronplatz: same pass, opposite ends of the gradient
Both on the Dolomiti Superski pass. Alta Badia is higher, bigger and gentler; Kronplatz is compact, groomed and steeper than you would guess.
Alta Badia or Les Arcs: the long lunch or the bigger mountain
Two family resorts at the same height. Les Arcs has more piste, higher skiing and gentler blues; Alta Badia has the Sella Ronda, softer reds and the food.
Alta Badia or Madonna di Campiglio: near twins, different weeks
Two Dolomite resorts at the same height with the same snow. Alta Badia has the Sella Ronda and more easy piste; Madonna has the town and kinder runs.
Alta Badia or Val Gardena: two valleys on one circuit, so pick your base
Same Sella Ronda, same pass. Alta Badia has more blue, and the food; Val Gardena has more piste, more black and gentler gradients than its map suggests.
Andermatt or Bormio: the same height on the hill, two very different weeks
Both snow sure on our measure, at the same height. Andermatt has the off piste, more easy piste and more linked by lift; Bormio has steep blacks and a spa town.
Andermatt or Cortina d'Ampezzo: the same piste, very different weeks
Their piste measures almost the same. Andermatt skis higher, joins up and has over twice the itinerary; Cortina has the town and more gentle piste.
Andermatt or Courmayeur: the bigger mountain or the steeper one?
Two expert resorts known for off piste. Andermatt is higher, bigger and has more marked itinerary; Courmayeur has steeper piste, the town and lunch.
Andermatt or Zürs: the higher mountain or the quieter village?
Zürs has the higher, quieter village, more piste and more marked off piste.
Argentière or Bormio: two quiet bases, and how steep you want it
Two quiet bases, both snow sure on our measure. Argentière has the biggest share of steep piste of the 55 we cover; Bormio, long reds and a spa town.
Argentière or Chamonix: one valley, so choose your end of it
Same valley, same pass, same 3,222 m top. Argentière has the steepest piste we measure and a quiet base; Chamonix has the town and far more skiing.
Argentière or Kronplatz: two steep mountains, two very different weeks
Two of the biggest steep shares of the 55 resorts we cover. Argentière is high, quiet and serious; Kronplatz is groomed and lower, with more piste.
Arosa or Courchevel: the same shape of mountain, at two sizes
Arosa and Courchevel ski the same way: high, gentle, snow sure.
Arosa or Davos: one joined up area, or a town with mountains round it
Both snow sure, both a Zurich flight. Arosa has more piste, more easy skiing and one linked area; Davos has the town, the black and more piste up high.
Arosa or La Plagne: two family resorts at the same height, measured
Two high, gentle family resorts at the same village height. La Plagne has the bigger area, more easy piste and more height; Arosa the steeper blacks.
Arosa or Lech: the height and the easy miles, or the steep and the off piste
Arosa and Lech measure about the same piste. Arosa is higher with more easy skiing; Lech has the steep, the black and the off piste itinerary.
Arosa or Méribel: the higher village, or the higher skiing
Arosa's village is higher, but Méribel's skiing is: more piste above 1,800 m, more easy runs and the Three Valleys.
Arosa or Sestriere: more of it easy, or more of it high?
Each is the other's closest match on our measure. Arosa has more piste and more easy skiing; Sestriere the higher village, more piste up high and more steep.
Bad Gastein or Bormio: more mountain, or a higher one?
Two old spa towns with steep skiing. Bad Gastein has more piste and more easy runs; Bormio is higher and snow sure on our measure, with little blue.
Bad Gastein or Gstaad: belle époque or quiet money, and where the snow sits
Both low, scenic and spread over separate areas. Bad Gastein's skiing goes far higher; Gstaad has more piste, the village and the food.
Bad Gastein or Kitzbühel: the height, or the town and the night
Kitzbühel has the town, the nightlife, more piste and the most black we measure.
Bad Gastein or Kronplatz: the spa town or the groomed dome?
Two low villages with the same height of skiing. Bad Gastein has more piste, gentler blues and the spa; Kronplatz has steeper groomed runs and more black.
Bad Gastein or La Clusaz: the same steep, at very different heights
Two steep, traditional, low villages. La Clusaz has more easy piste and the steepest reds we cover; Bad Gastein has far more skiing high up, and the spa.
Bad Gastein or Le Grand-Bornand: level at the door, not on the hill
Same village height, same steep share. Le Grand-Bornand has the green runs and the quiet; Bad Gastein far more skiing high up, gentler blues and the spa.
Bad Gastein or Schladming: one lift pass, two very different mountains
Both on the Ski amadé pass, not linked to each other. Bad Gastein is higher and steeper; Schladming bigger, gentler and floodlit.
Big linked ski areas for a mixed ability group: where everyone is happy
Beginners, intermediates and strong skiers in one group? We ranked every big linked ski area we cover by how evenly its terrain is spread.
Bormio or Zürs: the long way down, or the way off piste?
Two quiet, steep resorts. Bormio skis 561 m higher above a spa town; Zürs sleeps higher, with 40 km of marked off piste to Bormio's 4.
Catered chalet, apartment or hotel: which is actually for you
What a catered chalet, an apartment, an aparthotel and a hotel really include, what each leaves out, who each one suits, and a straight answer for your group.
Cervinia ski holidays: the complete resort guide
Cervinia sits high on the Italian side of the Matterhorn, with some of the most reliable snow and longest cruising runs in the Alps.
Cervinia or Courmayeur: the high cruise or the mountain town
Same valley, same airports, very different weeks. Cervinia is high, big and gentle; Courmayeur is compact and steeper, with the town and off piste.
Cervinia or Tignes: two high resorts, two very different reds
Both are high and snow sure, but they ski very differently. Cervinia is long gentle cruising; Tignes covers every level, all on one lift pass.
Cervinia or Val Thorens: the quiet cruise or the big, loud week
Two of the highest resorts we cover. Val Thorens has far more piste, more easy runs and nightlife; Cervinia is gentler on every colour and quieter.
Chamonix ski holidays: the complete resort guide
Chamonix is the grandest name in Alpine skiing, a proper working town under the biggest mountain in western Europe.
Chamonix or Ischgl: the mountaineers' town or the big snowy party
Two lively resorts that ski differently. Ischgl has more piste, higher snow and gentler reds; Chamonix has the off piste, the town and Mont Blanc.
Chamonix or St Anton: two expert mountains, and only one of them is a town
Two expert mountains, first and third for marked off piste of the 55 we cover.
Chamonix or Verbier: the steeper mountain or the higher one
Both fly to Geneva and both mean serious skiing. Chamonix measures far steeper on piste; Verbier sits higher, skis gentler and has the bigger scene.
Châtel or La Clusaz: the big circuit, or the steep reds?
Two traditional family villages near Geneva. Châtel has the Portes du Soleil and kinder reds; La Clusaz more at the door and the steepest reds.
Châtel or Le Grand-Bornand: the same village, a different mountain
Two farm villages near Geneva. Châtel has a vast linked circuit on a gentler mountain; Le Grand-Bornand is quieter, with more green and steeper reds.
Châtel or Les Gets: one lift pass, two doorsteps
Same Portes du Soleil pass, so the question is the village. Les Gets has more piste at the door; Châtel has more of its skiing higher up.
Châtel or Villars: the same mountain, a very different map
Measured, the two mountains top out 10 metres apart. Châtel adds a vast linked circuit and more black; Villars is calmer, Swiss and has a view.
Christmas and New Year ski holidays
Christmas Day 2026 is a Friday, so the peak fortnight splits cleanly: 19 to 26 December with Christmas Day as your last full day on snow, and 26 December to 2 January with New Year's Eve midweek.
Cortina d'Ampezzo ski holidays: the complete resort guide
Staggering Dolomites scenery, effortless Italian style and lunches that last all afternoon, wrapped around genuinely enjoyable skiing.
Cortina d'Ampezzo or Crans-Montana: near twins on the snow, worlds apart off it
The same amount of piste around each, but Crans-Montana's is all joined up and sits higher, while Cortina has the town, more blue and more bite.
Cortina d'Ampezzo or Engelberg: the long lunch or the long descent
Two low valley bases. Cortina has almost twice the piste and the Italian style; Engelberg has steeper reds, serious freeride and skiing into May.
Cortina d'Ampezzo or Klosters: the same shape, a different gradient
Two upmarket bases on split ski areas, each the other's near match.
Cortina d'Ampezzo or Kronplatz: one pass, and a surprise on the gradient
Same Dolomiti Superski pass, different mountains. Cortina is far higher and kinder underfoot; Kronplatz is groomed, compact and measures much steeper.
Cortina d'Ampezzo or Laax: Italian style, or more of the mountain
Laax gives you more piste, all of it linked, more of it high and three times the itinerary.
Cortina d'Ampezzo or Val Gardena: the town, or the Sella Ronda
One Dolomiti Superski pass, two weeks. Val Gardena has the Sella Ronda, far more piste and gentle reds; Cortina has the town, the height and the bite.
Cortina d'Ampezzo or Verbier: the long lunch or the late night
Two smart resorts that surprise on the measure. Cortina's piste is steeper; Verbier sits higher, with more off piste and the louder evenings.
Courchevel ski holidays: the complete resort guide
Courchevel is the polished heart of the Three Valleys, with 600km of pistes on your doorstep and a name for doing mountain life beautifully.
Courchevel or Saint-Martin-de-Belleville: the polished heart or the old village, on one pass
One Three Valleys pass, two kinds of village. Courchevel has nearly four times the piste at the door; Saint-Martin is old, quiet and skis higher.
Courchevel or Sestriere: the same mountain shape, a very different week
Our engine calls them close, and the shape matches. Courchevel has nearly twice the piste and far more easy runs; Sestriere is higher and snowier.
Courchevel or Val Thorens: same lift pass, which end of it to wake up in
Same Three Valleys pass, so pick the village. Val Thorens has the height and the party; Courchevel has more piste at the door, the trees and the food.
Courmayeur ski holidays: the complete resort guide
Courmayeur is the stylish Italian side of Mont Blanc, all stone streets, long lunches and serious off piste.
Courmayeur or Engelberg: two small, steep mountains, and what lies beyond the piste
Our engine's closest pair: small on piste, steep, built for off piste.
Crans-Montana or Klosters: the sunny plateau or the quiet neighbour?
Two Swiss family resorts whose red maps ski gentle. Crans-Montana is higher and all joined up; Klosters is quieter, gentler and on a bigger pass.
Crans-Montana or Madonna di Campiglio: the higher plateau or the bigger, gentler week
Two smart family resorts at the same height. Madonna has more piste and twice the easy runs; Crans-Montana skis higher, more of its piste up high.
Crans-Montana or Obertauern: the higher mountain or the higher village?
Obertauern has the higher village and more blue; Crans-Montana the higher skiing, more black and the snow sure call on our measure.
Crans-Montana or Saint-Martin-de-Belleville: the same gentle skiing, a very different map
Around each village the skiing is close to a match: gentle, high, snow sure on our measure.
Crans-Montana or St. Moritz: two sunny Swiss names, one much higher
Both sell sunshine. St. Moritz is higher at every point, with more piste and the lake; Crans-Montana is one linked mountain, gentler, nearer Geneva.
Crans-Montana or Verbier: the same height, the same airport, a different week
Both villages at 1,500 m, both from Geneva. Verbier goes higher, has more piste, gentler blues and the off piste; Crans-Montana is sunny and calmer.
Davos ski holidays: the complete resort guide
Davos is the highest town in Europe and one of the biggest ski areas in the Alps, spread across five separate mountains.
Davos or Ischgl: a real town, or the higher and louder mountain
Both big and snow sure. Ischgl's skiing is higher, steeper and all joined up, with famous nights; Davos is a real town spread over separate mountains.
Davos or Klosters: one mountain, two very different bases
Davos and Klosters share the Parsenn and a lift pass. Davos has more skiing near the door, the higher village and a town.
Davos or Serre Chevalier: closer on the hill than you would think
Similar size, height and steep share. Davos has the town, the black and the off piste; Serre Chevalier has far more easy piste and the sun.
Davos or Sestriere: a high town, or a higher resort that joins up
Level at the top. Sestriere has the higher village, more snow up high and skiing that joins up; Davos has the town, the easy piste and the black.
Davos or Tignes: much the same skiing, at very different heights
Both quote 300 km, both ski much the same. Tignes is far higher and its area joins up; Davos is a real town spread over separate mountains.
February half term ski holidays
The week everyone books at once. Where February half term 2027 falls in each UK nation, which French school zones it collides with, and the honest playbook for getting a good week out of it.
Grindelwald ski holidays: the complete resort guide
Grindelwald sits under the Eiger north face in the Swiss Jungfrau region, a scenic and family friendly base with some of the best rail access in the Alps.
Grindelwald or Klosters: the Eiger, or the higher snow
Two pretty, gentle Swiss villages. Grindelwald has the view, more skiing and twice the easy piste; Klosters has higher skiing and the Parsenn link.
Grindelwald or Laax: the same gentle skiing, a very different week
Both gentle, both low villages. Grindelwald has the Eiger, the black and the non skier days; Laax has skiing 472 m higher and far more marked off piste.
Grindelwald or Samoëns: two old villages, and one keeps its snow higher
Two traditional, gentle, family villages. Grindelwald has more skiing, more black and far more of it above 1,800 m; Samoëns has the old village.
Grindelwald or Wengen: the same mountain, a different front door
Grindelwald and Wengen share the Jungfrau slopes. Grindelwald reaches more of the pass and has the train to the door; Wengen is car free and quiet.
Gstaad ski holidays: the complete resort guide
Gstaad is understated Swiss luxury with a car light village, gentle tree lined skiing and scenery that does most of the talking.
Gstaad or Megève: the same calm, not the same mountain
Both are low, quiet and upmarket. Megève has more skiing from the door and the gentler easy runs; Gstaad has the Swiss valley, the train and the glacier day.
High ski resorts that suit beginners: Les Arcs leads the seven that pass
Seven of the 55 resorts we cover are high on our measure and kind to beginners.
Hintertux or Livigno: higher at the top, or higher at the door
Both snow sure on our measure, both red mountains. Hintertux skis higher, all year, with more piste; Livigno sleeps higher and skis steeper.
Hintertux or Mayrhofen: one Zillertal pass, two very different villages
One Zillertal pass, two villages 870 m apart. Hintertux is a glacier, snow sure on our measure; Mayrhofen a lively family town with kinder blues.
Hintertux or Sölden: a glacier for the snow, or a resort for the week
Two high Tyrolean glacier resorts, both snow sure on our measure.
How steep is a red run? We measured 55 resorts in four countries
A red in France is not a red in Italy. We measured piste gradients at 55 resorts in four countries.
Ischgl ski holidays: the complete resort guide
Ischgl pairs some of the most reliable snow in the Alps with a party scene that has genuine legend status.
Ischgl or Sölden: level on snow, so pick by the skiing
Same village height, the same snow on our measure, both lively.
Ischgl or St Anton: two loud weeks, one much steeper mountain
Both lively, both snow sure, much the same size. Ischgl's piste sits higher and gentler; St Anton is steeper, with the most marked off piste we cover.
Ischgl or Val d'Isère: two late nights, one much higher village
Both lively and snow sure, with similar piste at the door. Val d'Isère is higher, joined to Tignes and has more off piste; Ischgl has more black.
Kitzbühel ski holidays: the complete resort guide
Kitzbühel is a real medieval town that happens to have 230km of skiing on its doorstep, not a purpose built resort with a town bolted on.
Kitzbühel or Mayrhofen: the famous town, or the higher skiing
Two lively, low Tyrolean towns. Kitzbühel has more piste, the most black we measure and the old town; Mayrhofen's skiing sits far higher.
Kitzbühel or Saalbach-Hinterglemm: the town or the circuit
Both low, lively and Austrian. Kitzbühel has the medieval town, gentle reds and the most black we measure; Saalbach has more piste, the loop and steeper runs.
Klosters or Laax: two gentle Swiss mountains, one quiet and one modern
Two upmarket, gentle Swiss resorts, both flown to from Zurich.
Kronplatz or Le Grand-Bornand: two family resorts, steep in different places
Two small family resorts that measure steeper than their names.
Kronplatz or Val Gardena: one pass, the steep dome or the gentle valley
Same Dolomiti Superski pass, not joined by lift. Val Gardena is bigger, higher and gentle, on the Sella Ronda; Kronplatz is compact and far steeper.
La Clusaz or Le Grand-Bornand: one Aravis, the lively village or the quiet one
Neighbours in the Aravis, so pick the village. La Clusaz is livelier and bigger, with gentler blues; Le Grand-Bornand is quiet, with more green.
La Clusaz or Mayrhofen: the same size and top, a different family week
Two lively family resorts, the same size and the same height at the top.
La Plagne ski holidays: the complete resort guide
La Plagne is one of those resorts that quietly does everything well, from first ever snowploughs to the long red runs the confident crew will happily lap all week.
La Plagne or Les Arcs: which is right for you?
Same pass family, same cable car link, two different holidays.
La Plagne or Méribel: the gentler week or the bigger one
Two family favourites, level on snow. Méribel is bigger, prettier and has real greens; La Plagne sleeps higher and has gentler blues and reds.
La Plagne or Sestriere: the bigger easy area, or the higher village
Two high, purpose built resorts, both snow sure on our measure.
Lech ski holidays: the complete resort guide
Lech is the calm, quietly moneyed side of the Arlberg, sharing a lift pass with lively St. Anton.
Lech or Méribel: the same village height, two different ideas of a week
Both villages sit at 1,450 m and ski much the same. Méribel has more piste, set higher; Lech has the off piste and the calm.
Lech or St. Anton: one Arlberg pass, so pick the village you want to wake up in
Same Arlberg lift pass, so this is a choice of village. St. Anton is steeper and louder; Lech is calmer, with more easy piste nearby.
Lech or Val d'Isère: two smart resorts that ski much the same, one far higher
Both are smart, serious about skiing and strong on off piste.
Lech or Zürs: the family village, or the high, quiet one
Lech and Zürs share the Arlberg pass. Lech has more piste, more blue and more black at the door; Zürs sleeps higher, quieter, with skiing for strong skiers.
Les Arcs ski holidays: the complete resort guide
Les Arcs is one of the great crowd pleasers of the French Alps, with genuine ski in ski out at every level and half of Paradiski on your doorstep.
Les Arcs or Serre Chevalier: doorstep skiing, or sun and old villages
Both snow sure on our measure, with the same share of high piste.
Les Gets or Madonna di Campiglio: the bigger circuit or the higher village
Two family resorts our engine pairs. Les Gets opens the vast Portes du Soleil; Madonna di Campiglio is higher, gentler and known for its grooming.
Les Gets or Saint-Martin-de-Belleville: two old villages, very different heights
Two traditional French villages on two huge linked areas. Les Gets has more piste at the door and the family label; Saint-Martin has the height.
Lift pass prices compared
From €245 in Le Grand-Bornand, last winter's tariff, to Gstaad's published CHF 504 for 2026/27: every 6-day adult price across all 55 resorts in one sortable table, every gap labelled honestly.
Like Adelboden, but in Austria: the family skiing travels, the chalet village less so
Austria splits Adelboden in three. Schladming keeps the family week and the shape of the skiing, Bad Gastein the tradition, Obertauern the height.
Like Adelboden, but in France: the chalet village is easy, the height is not
France keeps Adelboden's traditional family village: Les Gets and Châtel are its closest matches anywhere.
Like Adelboden, but in Italy: the family week, the tradition next door
No Italian resort we cover is both traditional and family. Alta Badia keeps Adelboden's family week and feel underfoot, and is snow sure on our measure.
Like Alta Badia, but in Austria: a harder match than you would think
Austria is the hardest place to find an Alta Badia. Obertauern comes closest on height and blues, Schladming on gentle piste, Sölden on snow, measured honestly.
Like Alta Badia, but in France: the gentle runs, the circuit or the table?
France has nothing quite as gentle as Alta Badia. Saint-Martin-de-Belleville comes closest on the week, Serre Chevalier on easy piste, Les Gets on the circuit.
Like Alta Badia, but in Switzerland: closer than you might think
Switzerland is where Alta Badia's nearest matches live. Wengen is closest on size, gentleness and scenery, Adelboden underfoot, Crans-Montana on sun and snow.
Like Andermatt, but in Austria: more off piste, less height at the top
Zürs gives an Andermatt skier more marked off piste in a higher, quieter village; Ischgl has more piste high up and more of it.
Like Andermatt, but in France: the off piste travels, the sleeper feel does not
France has more marked off piste than Andermatt and more of its skiing high.
Like Andermatt, but in Italy: the expert's pick, the piste or the snow line
No Italian resort we cover has as much marked off piste as Andermatt.
Like Argentière, but in Austria: the steep or the quiet, on one Arlberg
Austria makes you choose between Argentière's steep and its quiet.
Like Argentière, but in Italy: the quiet in one place, the steep in another
Italy splits Argentière in two. Bormio keeps the quiet, the height and the size; Livigno and Kronplatz the steep share.
Like Argentière, but in Switzerland: how close can you get?
No Swiss resort we cover is near Argentière's steepness. Engelberg keeps the vertical, the season and the freeride; Andermatt has the off piste.
Like Arosa, but in Austria: the family week, a little lower down
No Austrian village we cover is as high as Arosa's. Lech comes closest on size and the family week, Ischgl on snow and Obertauern on height, measured honestly.
Like Arosa, but in France: the same height, more mountain
France matches Arosa on size and snow with ease. The gentleness is harder to find.
Like Arosa, but in Italy: the family week in one valley, the snow in another
Italy splits Arosa in two. Alta Badia keeps the family week and the gentle runs, Sestriere the height and size, and Val Gardena the gentlest piste.
Like Bad Gastein, but in France: the steep reds, without the spa
No French pick is a spa town, and none climbs as high. La Clusaz matches Bad Gastein's steep reds and its size; Le Grand-Bornand its village height.
Like Bad Gastein, but in Italy: another old spa town, set higher
Bormio is Italy's answer to Bad Gastein: an old spa town with steep skiing that climbs higher, but little blue.
Like Bad Gastein, but in Switzerland: the place, without the steep
No Swiss resort we cover is as steep as Bad Gastein. Gstaad keeps the low village, the scenery and the spas; Crans-Montana the spa and higher skiing.
Like Bormio, but in Austria: the spa town or the high mountain?
Austria has a spa town and a high, steep mountain like Bormio's, but in different valleys.
Like Bormio, but in France: the quiet old village, without the spa
No French resort we cover lists a spa. Saint-Martin-de-Belleville keeps Bormio's quiet, its tradition and its snow sure call; Le Grand-Bornand, the steep.
Like Bormio, but in Switzerland: the mountain travels, the old town does not
Bormio's closest match anywhere is Swiss. Andermatt keeps its height on the hill, Engelberg the steep and the long drop, Crans-Montana the spa.
Like Cervinia, but in Austria: the snow is there, the gentle reds are not
Austria matches Cervinia's snow and season, not its high village or gentle reds.
Like Cervinia, but in France: the height travels, the gentle reds stay in Italy
France matches Cervinia's height and snow easily, but not its gentle reds.
Like Cervinia, but in Switzerland: if not Zermatt, then where?
Zermatt shares Cervinia's lifts. For a new mountain, Verbier comes closest on gentle cruising, St Moritz on height and sun, Crans-Montana on the soft reds.
Like Chamonix, but in Austria: more of the skiing, none of Mont Blanc
St Anton has more off piste and more steep piste than Chamonix.
Like Chamonix, but in Italy: the other side of the same mountain
Courmayeur shares Chamonix's mountain and its serious streak, on far less piste.
Like Chamonix, but in Switzerland: how close can you get?
No Swiss resort we cover is as steep as Chamonix. Engelberg comes closest on the shape of the place, Andermatt on off piste and Davos on town life.
Like Châtel, but in Austria: keep the family week, or fix the height
Schladming keeps Châtel's family week, its value and its reds, lower down.
Like Châtel, but in Italy: the family welcome, higher up
Alta Badia keeps Châtel's friendly family week and a circuit, with far more easy piste, and is snow sure on our measure.
Like Châtel, but in Switzerland: the village travels, the circuit stays behind
Adelboden keeps Châtel's traditional family village and adds height and black.
Like Cortina d'Ampezzo, but in Austria: the polish, the old town or the mountain?
Austria has no Dolomites. Lech comes closest on the polish and the long lunch, Bad Gastein on the grand old town and Ischgl on the mountain, measured honestly.
Like Cortina d'Ampezzo, but in France: the mountain, the lunch or the village?
France has no Dolomites. Serre Chevalier matches Cortina's mountain and snow, Saint-Martin-de-Belleville the long lunch and Les Gets the village, measured.
Like Cortina d'Ampezzo, but in Switzerland: where its closest matches live
Cortina's closest matches anywhere are Swiss. Crans-Montana comes nearest on the whole week, Klosters on the quiet polish and Laax on the off piste, measured.
Like Courchevel, but in Austria: the polish travels, the size does not
Courchevel out-measures every Austrian resort we cover. Lech keeps the polish and the food, Ischgl the black runs and Sölden the height.
Like Courchevel, but in Italy: the village or the skiing?
Madonna di Campiglio keeps Courchevel's polish, Sestriere its skiing and height, Val Gardena its sense of scale.
Like Courchevel, but in Switzerland: the skiing or the glamour?
No Swiss resort we cover matches Courchevel's size. Arosa comes closest on the skiing, St Moritz on the glamour and Davos on the black runs, measured honestly.
Like Courmayeur, but in Austria: the spa town or the steep blacks?
No Austrian resort is a whole Courmayeur. Bad Gastein comes closest on the town and the spas, Obertauern on short, steep blacks and Mayrhofen on steepness.
Like Courmayeur, but in France: the lunch travels, the off piste stays
No French pick keeps Courmayeur's off piste or its gloss. Saint-Martin-de-Belleville matches its snow and its lunch, Châtel and Les Gets its village, measured.
Like Courmayeur, but in Switzerland: the off piste, without the Via Roma
Courmayeur's closest match anywhere is Swiss. Engelberg keeps the steep and the freeride, Andermatt the marked off piste, Crans-Montana the sun.
Like Crans-Montana, but in Austria: the family week travels, the soft reds stay home
No Austrian match skis as gently as Crans-Montana or clears our snow test outright.
Like Crans-Montana, but in France: the sun or the gentle height, rarely both
France splits the Crans-Montana week. Saint-Martin-de-Belleville keeps the high, gentle skiing, Serre Chevalier the sun and Les Gets the family village.
Like Crans-Montana, but in Italy: the closest neighbours we measure
Our three closest matches to Crans-Montana are Italian. Alta Badia keeps the family week and fixes the thin blue; Madonna has the soft reds, Cortina the size.
Like Davos, but in Austria: how close can you get?
Austria can match Davos's skiing but not its town. Lech comes closest for a mixed group, Ischgl on size and snow, Hintertux on snow alone.
Like Davos, but in France: more mountain, less town
France will not give you Davos's town, but it will join up the big, snow sure skiing.
Like Davos, but in Italy: the town or the mountain?
Italy gives you Davos's town in Cortina, or its size and snow in Sestriere, not both at once.
Like Engelberg, but in Austria: the steep and the drop, lower down
None of Austria's closest matches to Engelberg is snow sure on our measure.
Like Engelberg, but in France: the snow or the steep, not both
Our matching finds nothing in France close to Engelberg. Saint-Martin-de-Belleville keeps the snow and the drop, La Clusaz the stiff reds.
Like Engelberg, but in Italy: the closest match of all 55 is here
Courmayeur is the closest resort to Engelberg of the 55 we cover.
Like Grindelwald, but in Austria: how close can you get?
Austria is the hardest place to find a Grindelwald. Schladming comes closest for a family, the SkiWelt on size and Bad Gastein on scenery and height, measured.
Like Grindelwald, but in France: the gentle family week, or the snow?
In France, Grindelwald's gentle, traditional family week and a safer bet on snow come apart.
Like Grindelwald, but in Italy: the view changes, the gentle skiing does not
Italy cannot give you the Eiger. Val Gardena matches Grindelwald's gentle skiing almost to the decimal, Alta Badia its family week and Cortina its town life.
Like Gstaad, but in Austria: old grandeur, or more snow?
None of our Austrian picks is quietly wealthy. Bad Gastein is closest on the old village and setting, Sölden on size and snow, Mayrhofen on the family week.
Like Gstaad, but in France: quiet money, more skiing
Megève is as near a French Gstaad as we measure: low, quiet, upmarket and bigger.
Like Gstaad, but in Italy: the same kind of week, higher up
None of Italy's closest matches is as quiet, wealthy and family minded as Gstaad at once.
Like Hintertux, but in France: the snow travels, the year round glacier does not
No French resort we cover runs all year. Tignes keeps Hintertux's snow and its modern tag, set higher still; Serre Chevalier and Saint-Martin trade height.
Like Hintertux, but in Italy: higher at the door, lower at the top
No Italian resort we cover runs all year. Livigno keeps Hintertux's snow and red mountain from a higher village; Cortina reaches higher, Madonna matches size.
Like Hintertux, but in Switzerland: the snow is easy to match, the no frills feel is not
Only Zermatt shares Hintertux's year round season. For a winter week, St Moritz matches its snow, Davos its modern tag and Crans-Montana its village height.
Like Ischgl, but in France: only one keeps the nights
Val d'Isère is the one close French match that keeps Ischgl's nights, and it skis higher.
Like Ischgl, but in Italy: which half can you keep?
Ischgl is snow and nights out in one valley. In Italy, Livigno keeps both, Sestriere the size of the skiing and Cortina the highest lifts.
Like Ischgl, but in Switzerland: the snow travels, the party stays home
Davos keeps Ischgl's size, snow and reds in a real town. Arosa has more linked piste and Crans-Montana the same red heavy mix.
Like Kitzbühel, but in France: the old village feel, without the nights
None of France's closest matches to Kitzbühel is lively. Les Gets comes nearest on village and cruising, Le Grand-Bornand on the steep, Châtel on the mix.
Like Kitzbühel, but in Italy: a real town, and far more snow
Italy has no lively match for Kitzbühel, but Cortina is a real town with a racing past and far more snow.
Like Kitzbühel, but in Switzerland: the race village or the mountain?
No close Swiss match for Kitzbühel is lively. Adelboden keeps the tradition and a World Cup race, Wengen the shape of the skiing, and both sit far higher.
Like Klosters, but in Austria: the manner travels, the gentle reds do not
No Austrian resort we cover has reds as gentle as Klosters's.
Like Klosters, but in France: the quiet village beside a big name
Our French matches lack Klosters's polish. Saint-Martin-de-Belleville keeps the quiet village and height, Samoëns the gentle slopes, Serre Chevalier the size.
Like Klosters, but in Italy: the same shape of week, a louder village
No Italian match is tagged quiet, but Cortina d'Ampezzo keeps the shape of Klosters: a low, upmarket village under high skiing.
Like Kronplatz, but in Austria: the same height of skiing, and more of it
Bad Gastein matches Kronplatz's height of skiing and most of its pitch, with spas for the day off.
Like Kronplatz, but in France: the pitch travels, the height does not
France keeps Kronplatz's steep family skiing but not its height.
Like Kronplatz, but in Switzerland: the steep blues, or the snow?
No Swiss resort we cover has blues as steep as Kronplatz's. Gstaad comes closest on them and on the family week, Andermatt on the snow, Villars on the size.
Like La Clusaz, but in Austria: keep the life, or keep the bite?
No Austrian resort we cover is lively, traditional and family at once.
Like La Clusaz, but in Italy: the family week, higher up
None of Italy's closest matches is lively. Madonna di Campiglio keeps the family week higher up, Cortina the historic town, Bormio the steep end.
Like La Clusaz, but in Switzerland: the family side travels, the buzz stays
No Swiss match keeps La Clusaz's buzz or its steep reds. Adelboden keeps the gentle side and the village, Crans-Montana adds height, Villars is small and easy.
Like La Plagne, but in Austria: one for the family, two for the snow
Lech comes closest to La Plagne in Austria for a mixed family.
Like La Plagne, but in Italy: the easy skiing or the height?
No Italian resort we cover has La Plagne's size and easy skiing at once.
Like La Plagne, but in Switzerland: the closest match we measure anywhere
The resort we measure closest to La Plagne anywhere is Swiss: Arosa, at the same village height.
Like Laax, but in Austria: keep the off piste, lose the gentle gradient
No Austrian pick is as gentle as Laax. Lech keeps the upmarket feel with more marked off piste, Ischgl the piste high up, Schladming the easy runs.
Like Laax, but in France: the gentle ground travels, the mood stays home
No French pick has Laax's modern mood or its marked off piste.
Like Laax, but in Italy: the gentle mountain, with lunch
Italy is where Laax's gentle piste travels best. Alta Badia matches its size and its blues, Val Gardena its gradient and Cortina its upmarket feel.
Like Le Grand-Bornand, but in Austria: the same village height, more skiing up high
No Austrian resort we cover is quiet and family minded. Bad Gastein keeps the village height, tradition and bite; Kitzbühel the town, Mayrhofen kind blues.
Like Le Grand-Bornand, but in Italy: the quiet village or the family week?
No Italian match keeps Le Grand-Bornand's family week. Bormio keeps the quiet and the tradition, far higher up, Kronplatz the families, Courmayeur Geneva.
Like Le Grand-Bornand, but in Switzerland: gentler skiing, higher up
Every Swiss match is gentler than Le Grand-Bornand past the green runs.
Like Lech, but in France: the same mountain, without the hush
None of our French picks is as quiet as Lech. Méribel measures closest on the skiing, Courchevel on the polish and Val d'Isère on the off piste and the snow.
Like Lech, but in Italy: the polish, the snow or the steep?
Madonna di Campiglio keeps Lech's polish and its families, Cortina the snow up top and Sestriere the mountain.
Like Lech, but in Switzerland: the family mountain travels, the polish does not
None of the Swiss resorts nearest Lech has its off piste or quiet luxury.
Like Les Arcs, but in Austria: the size, the snow or the steep, pick one
Austria is the hardest place to match Les Arcs's gentle runs.
Like Les Arcs, but in Italy: nearer than you might think
The resort we measure closest to Les Arcs is Italian. Sestriere matches how it is built, Alta Badia the family week and Val Gardena the gentle blues, measured.
Like Les Arcs, but in Switzerland: the size or the gentle runs?
Arosa comes closest to Les Arcs in Switzerland on size and easy runs, Grindelwald on gentle skiing, Crans-Montana on village height.
Like Les Gets, but in Austria: the family week, but not the height
Austria keeps Les Gets's family week but adds little height. Schladming has the gentle skiing and a big linked area; Bad Gastein the height.
Like Les Gets, but in Italy: the family week, higher, on the Sella Ronda
All three Italian picks sit higher than Les Gets. Alta Badia keeps the gentle skiing and a big network; Madonna one linked area; Val Gardena the old valley.
Like Les Gets, but in Switzerland: the village travels, the circuit does not
No Swiss pick has a circuit like the Portes du Soleil. Adelboden keeps the village and the family skiing, higher; Crans-Montana the snow.
Like Livigno, but in Austria: the height moves up the mountain
No Austrian village we cover is as high as Livigno's. Sölden keeps the snow, the season and the lively week; Hintertux skis higher; Obertauern sleeps highest.
Like Livigno, but in France: the height crosses the border, the duty free stays
Val d'Isère matches Livigno's high village and lively feel on a far bigger mountain; Tignes goes higher still; La Clusaz keeps the steep.
Like Livigno, but in Switzerland: the same height, a different week
St Moritz sleeps as high as Livigno and skis higher; Andermatt keeps more of the steep, Crans-Montana the shape.
Like Madonna di Campiglio, but in Austria: the cruising, the height or the grandeur
Austria has no single Madonna, but it has the parts. Schladming comes closest on cruising, Obertauern on height and Bad Gastein on grandeur, measured honestly.
Like Madonna di Campiglio, but in France: the gentle skiing travels, the gloss less so
No French pick keeps Madonna's polish. Saint-Martin-de-Belleville comes closest on the skiing and the snow, Les Gets on the family village, Châtel on cruising.
Like Madonna di Campiglio, but in Switzerland: Crans-Montana comes very close
Crans-Montana is the closest Swiss match for Madonna: same height, same gentle share, smart, sunny and snow sure.
Like Mayrhofen, but in France: the lively family week travels, the height does not
La Clusaz keeps Mayrhofen's lively family week, its size and its top; Le Grand-Bornand next door is quieter, with more black.
Like Mayrhofen, but in Italy: a town to come back to, with the skiing higher
No Italian match for Mayrhofen is lively. Cortina keeps the town and the size and skis higher, snow sure on our measure; Kronplatz keeps the steep.
Like Mayrhofen, but in Switzerland: the family week at the same height, without the nights
No Swiss match for Mayrhofen is lively. Adelboden keeps the family week with its piste at the same height; Engelberg keeps the steep, snow sure on our measure.
Like Megève, but in Austria: the old town or the easy miles?
Every Austrian match for Megève sits lower. Kitzbühel keeps the old town and the long lunches, the SkiWelt the easy miles and Schladming the gentlest piste.
Like Megève, but in Italy: the same manners, higher up
Italy keeps Megève's style and adds the height it lacks. Madonna di Campiglio comes closest on manner, Cortina on the town, Val Gardena on the easy cruising.
Like Megève, but in Switzerland: the same manners, with more snow
Klosters keeps Megève's discreet, gentle character and adds snow; Wengen keeps the calm and Adelboden the chalet village.
Like Méribel, but in Austria: the same mountain, at the same height
Lech matches Méribel's village height and the shape of its skiing.
Like Méribel, but in Italy: the circuit, the mountain or the village?
No Italian resort we cover is near Méribel's size. Alta Badia keeps the family week, Sestriere the mix of skiing and Madonna di Campiglio the village.
Like Méribel, but in Switzerland: the family week travels best
Arosa is the closest match to Méribel we measure anywhere. Davos matches its snow, Adelboden its chalet village.
Like Obertauern, but in France: lower villages, and one with higher skiing
Our French picks for Obertauern all sit lower. Saint-Martin-de-Belleville keeps its size and gentle mix with snow sure skiing; Châtel keeps the loop.
Like Obertauern, but in Italy: the high village, with the skiing above it
Livigno matches Obertauern's high village and long season, with snow sure skiing above it.
Like Obertauern, but in Switzerland: the height moves up the hill
No Swiss pick matches Obertauern's high village. Crans-Montana keeps its gentle share with snow sure skiing; Adelboden keeps the blues, Villars the size.
Like Saalbach-Hinterglemm, but in France: the circuit or the party?
Méribel gives you Saalbach's big circuit and easy miles with far more snow.
Like Saalbach-Hinterglemm, but in Italy: the skiing travels, the party stays home
None of our Italian picks parties like Saalbach-Hinterglemm. Madonna di Campiglio comes closest on the circuit, Kronplatz on the steep, Cortina on the snow.
Like Saalbach-Hinterglemm, but in Switzerland: the family week travels, the party stays
No Swiss resort we match to Saalbach is lively. Arosa keeps the size and easy skiing with real snow, Adelboden the family village.
Like Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, but in Austria: you will have to choose
No Austrian resort we cover is a close match for Saint-Martin.
Like Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, but in Italy: the long lunch and the big circuit travel
Alta Badia keeps Saint-Martin's table, a big linked circuit and gentle runs.
Like Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, but in Switzerland: the quiet neighbour travels best
No Swiss pick has the Three Valleys. Klosters keeps the quiet village beside a bigger neighbour, Crans-Montana the skiing figures, Adelboden the chalet village.
Like Samoëns, but in Austria: the same low village, a livelier valley
Schladming keeps Samoëns's low family village, its value and its gentle share, with more piste.
Like Samoëns, but in Italy: the gentle mountain, lifted into the Dolomites
Alta Badia matches Samoëns's gentle share and family label, with more easy piste than any Italian resort we cover, and it is snow sure on our measure.
Like Samoëns, but in Switzerland: the same gentle mountain, higher up
Grindelwald keeps Samoëns's traditional family feel and gentle runs, with far more piste above 1,800 m.
Like Schladming, but in France: the same gentle family week, a little higher
Samoëns is our closest match to Schladming anywhere: a low family village, gentler still, skiing higher.
Like Schladming, but in Italy: the gentle family mountain, moved up the hill
Alta Badia keeps Schladming's gentle family skiing and puts it high, snow sure on our measure.
Like Schladming, but in Switzerland: the same mountain, with its piste up high
Adelboden skis almost exactly like Schladming, the same black and gentle mix, with most of its piste above 1,800 m.
Like Serre Chevalier, but in Austria: the mountain travels, the quiet does not
Ischgl matches Serre Chevalier's size and snow, with loud nights.
Like Serre Chevalier, but in Italy: the easy miles travel, the bite softens
Alta Badia keeps Serre Chevalier's easy miles, with the Sellaronda beyond.
Like Serre Chevalier, but in Switzerland: the sun travels, the size stays at home
No Swiss pick matches Serre Chevalier's size or easy runs. Crans-Montana keeps the sun and the snow, Wengen the quiet, Adelboden the village height.
Like Sestriere, but in Austria: the height is on the hill, not at the door
No Austrian village we cover is as high as Sestriere. Ischgl keeps its snow sure call and its size, Lech the size and more off piste, Obertauern the mix.
Like Sestriere, but in France: higher is easy, softer blues are not
France can beat Sestriere's height, not its gentle blues. Tignes keeps the snow sure call and the feel, La Plagne the value, Val Thorens the size.
Like Sestriere, but in Switzerland: lower villages, the same snow sure call
No Swiss village we cover is as high as Sestriere. Arosa matches its size and gentle side, Davos its practical feel, St Moritz its high piste.
Like SkiWelt, but in France: the family village travels, the size does not
Les Gets keeps the SkiWelt's gentle, traditional family week, with the Portes du Soleil beyond.
Like SkiWelt, but in Italy: choose the tradition or the families
No Italian resort we cover is both traditional and family like the SkiWelt.
Like SkiWelt, but in Switzerland: the traditional family week, higher and smaller
Grindelwald keeps the SkiWelt's traditional family feel and gentle skiing, higher up under the Eiger.
Like Sölden, but in France: where the snow and the nights both travel
Val d'Isère keeps Sölden's glacier snow, long season and nights out, with more to ski.
Like Sölden, but in Italy: how close can you get?
Livigno keeps Sölden's season, its nights and even its gradients, from a higher village.
Like Sölden, but in Switzerland: the height travels, the party does not
St Moritz matches Sölden's height and snow, Crans-Montana its village and Gstaad its size.
Like St Anton, but in France: the steep, the off piste or the nights?
No French resort we cover has St Anton's off piste. Val d'Isère keeps the hard skiing and the nights, Chamonix the steep and Méribel the black runs, measured.
Like St Anton, but in Italy: the closest is high, big and quieter
No Italian resort we cover has a sixth of St Anton's off piste.
Like St Anton, but in Switzerland: how close can you get?
Switzerland has no St Anton among the resorts we cover. Andermatt comes closest on the off piste, Davos on size and black runs, Arosa on one big linked area.
Like St Moritz, but in Austria: the snow, if not the sparkle
No Austrian village we cover is as high as St Moritz. Sölden skis higher at the top, Hintertux matches its snow and Obertauern its village height, measured.
Like St Moritz, but in France: the altitude travels, the lake does not
France can match St Moritz's height and beat its size, not its glamour.
Like St Moritz, but in Italy: the style is easy, the height is not
Italy does St Moritz's style but not its height. Cortina is closest on the town and the occasion, Madonna di Campiglio on the numbers, Alta Badia on the food.
Like Tignes, but in Austria: keeping the snow, losing the height
No Austrian match sleeps you as high as Tignes. Ischgl comes closest on size, season and black runs, Hintertux on the snow, Zürs on village height.
Like Tignes, but in Italy: closer than you might think
Italy has the closest match to Tignes we measure anywhere: Sestriere.
Like Tignes, but in Switzerland: the snow or the skiing?
No Swiss village we cover is as high as Tignes. Davos comes closest on the skiing, St Moritz on the snow and Arosa on one linked area, measured honestly.
Like Val d'Isère, but in Austria: the steep and the nights, lower down
Ischgl keeps Val d'Isère's long season, snow and nights, St Anton its steep and off piste, Lech its shape.
Like Val d'Isère, but in Italy: higher villages, gentler mountains
Sestriere and Cervinia sit higher than Val d'Isère and Cortina has the style, but none has as much black.
Like Val d'Isère, but in Switzerland: the height travels, the steep is harder
St Moritz matches Val d'Isère's height and snow, Davos its black runs, Arosa its linked size.
Like Val Gardena, but in Austria: the gentle slope, the size or the high village?
Austria skis steeper than Val Gardena. Schladming keeps the most gentle ground and a linked four mountain domain, Ischgl the size, Obertauern the high village.
Like Val Gardena, but in France: the village, the size or the circuit?
No French resort we match skis as gently as Val Gardena. Saint-Martin-de-Belleville keeps the village and the big linked area; Serre Chevalier the size at home.
Like Val Gardena, but in Switzerland: the soft reds travel, the circuit does not
Grindelwald skis nearly as gently as Val Gardena and keeps the scenery; Arosa comes nearest on size and height.
Like Val Thorens, but in Austria: how close can you get?
No Austrian village we cover is near Val Thorens's height. Sölden, Ischgl and Obertauern come closest on snow, season, size and nights out, measured honestly.
Like Val Thorens, but in Italy: the height travels, the nights do not
Italy has two of the four highest villages we cover. Cervinia comes closest to Val Thorens on snow and season, Sestriere on size, Alta Badia on the easy runs.
Like Val Thorens, but in Switzerland: pick the part you would miss
No Swiss village we cover is near Val Thorens's height. Arosa comes closest on the skiing, St Moritz on the snow and Davos on black runs and nights.
Like Verbier, but in Austria: the nights or the off piste?
No Austrian resort we match to Verbier keeps both halves of it.
Like Verbier, but in France: the piste travels, the scene stays home
The French resorts we match closest to Verbier keep its gentle piste and its height, not its off piste or its nights.
Like Verbier, but in Italy: swap the late night for the long lunch
No Italian resort we match to Verbier keeps its nights or its off piste.
Like Villars, but in Austria: the easy skiing travels, the quiet stays home
No Austrian pick is quiet the way Villars is. Schladming keeps the family week and gentle runs on a bigger linked area.
Like Villars, but in France: the calm, or the same mountain?
Only one French pick keeps Villars's calm: Samoëns, gentler still, with a far lower village.
Like Villars, but in Italy: the family cruising, set higher
Alta Badia keeps Villars's gentle family skiing and sets it higher, snow sure on our measure.
Like Wengen, but in Austria: the gentle family skiing, a long way lower
No Austrian resort we cover is car free, and none we tag both quiet and family.
Like Wengen, but in France: the quiet travels, the car free village does not
No French resort we cover is car free. Serre Chevalier keeps Wengen's quiet and gentle ground and is snow sure on our measure; Les Gets keeps the family week.
Like Wengen, but in Italy: the gentle family week, higher and in the Dolomites
No Italian resort we cover is car free. Alta Badia keeps Wengen's gentle family week and calm, snow sure on our measure; Madonna keeps the black.
Like Zermatt, but in Austria: you can have the glacier, not the village
No Austrian resort we cover reaches Zermatt's top or has its car free calm.
Like Zermatt, but in France: high, snowy and smart, but steeper
No French resort we cover reaches Zermatt's height or matches its gentle reds.
Like Zermatt, but in Italy: how close can the Dolomites get?
No Italian pick has Zermatt's height or car free streets. Cortina comes closest on style, Val Gardena on the gentle skiing and Alta Badia on lunch, measured.
Like Zürs, but in France: nearly everything but the quiet
No French pick is as quiet as Zürs. Val d'Isère keeps the polish, a high village and the off piste, snow sure on our measure; Chamonix has more off piste still.
Like Zürs, but in Italy: the quiet or the polish, not both
No Italian resort we cover is both upmarket and quiet. Bormio keeps Zürs's quiet and steep, snow sure on our measure; Cortina the polish, Sestriere the height.
Like Zürs, but in Switzerland: a grander village, or the off piste?
Switzerland splits Zürs in two. St Moritz keeps the exclusive, high village, snow sure on our measure; Andermatt keeps the off piste.
Livigno or Obertauern: the same height at the door, not at the top
Two high villages on the same long season. Livigno's skiing climbs far higher and is steeper; Obertauern is gentler, smaller and skis as a loop.
Livigno or Sölden: the high village or the high mountain
Both high, lively and open late November to May. Livigno has the higher village and steeper mix; Sölden has more skiing, glaciers and a 3,306 m top.
Love Adelboden? Where to go next for the chalet village, more skiing or more snow
Adelboden is a warm, traditional family village with 85 km linked from the door, so the right next resort depends on what you love: the village, size or snow.
Love Alta Badia? Where to go next for the easy runs, the long lunch or the view
Alta Badia is gentle, sociable and sits on a huge circuit, so the right alternative depends on what you love: the polish, the easy runs, the lunch or the view.
Love Andermatt? Where to go next for the off piste, the snow or a town at the bottom
Andermatt is loved for its off piste and its snow, on a modest amount of piste.
Love Argentière? Where to go next for the steep, the freeride or the quiet
Argentière has the steepest piste we measure, high skiing and a quiet base.
Love Arosa? Where to go next for the family week, the snow or the gentle runs
Arosa is a high, gentle family resort with a big linked area.
Love Bad Gastein? Where to go next for the spa, the steep reds or surer snow
Bad Gastein is a spa town with steep reds and skiing that climbs high.
Love Bormio? Where to go next for the old town, the spa or the big mountain
Bormio is a quiet spa town under a steep mountain that tops 3,000 m on little piste.
Love Cervinia? Where to go next for the height, the gentle reds or the Italian week
Cervinia is high, sunny and gentler than its red map suggests, so the best alternative depends on what you love: the height, the long easy reds or Italy.
Love Chamonix? Where to go next, depending on what you love about it
Chamonix is a town and a terrain, and the right alternative depends on which you love.
Love Châtel? Where to go next for the farm village, the gentle skiing or the value
Châtel is a rustic family village on a huge linked circuit, with a low top.
Love Cortina d'Ampezzo? Where to go next for the style, the whole week or the old town
Cortina is a stylish old town with high skiing, long lunches and a bus between its areas.
Love Courchevel? Where to go next for the glamour, the polish or the food
Courchevel does glamour, food and serious skiing at once, so the best alternative depends on which you love: St Moritz, Madonna di Campiglio or Megève.
Love Courmayeur? Where to go next for the off piste, the long lunch or the polish
Courmayeur is a chic Italian town with long lunches, serious off piste and the least piste we measure.
Love Crans-Montana? Where to go next for the sun, the height or the soft reds
Crans-Montana is sunny, high and kinder than its red piste map, so the right next resort depends on which part you love: the sun, the snow or the gentle reds.
Love Davos? Where to go next for the size, the snow or the black runs
Davos is big, high and spread over separate mountains, so the right next resort depends on what you love most: the size, the snow or the black runs.
Love Engelberg? Where to go next for the steep, the freeride or the long season
Engelberg is small on piste and big on vertical, freeride and late season snow.
Love Grindelwald? Where to go next for the view, the gentle runs or more snow
Grindelwald is low, gentle and beautiful, so the right next resort depends on what you love most: the view, the easy family skiing or the old village.
Love Gstaad? Where to go next for the quiet, the village or a little more snow
Gstaad is quiet, wealthy and low, so the right next resort depends on what you love most: the hush, the village, the long lunch or more snow.
Love Hintertux? Where to go next for the snow, with more mountain around it
Hintertux is a glacier you can ski all year, with steep blues and little black.
Love Ischgl? Where to go next for the snow, the nights or the long red miles
Ischgl is high, snowy and loud, so the right alternative depends on which part you love: the nights out, the snow, the long red miles or all of it.
Love Kitzbühel? Where to go next, depending on what you love about it
Kitzbühel is low, lively and historic, and most resorts with its character are low too.
Love Klosters? Where to go next for the whole picture, the quiet or the gentle cruising
Klosters is discreet, snow sure and gentle, with little marked blue and a split ski area.
Love Kronplatz? Where to go next for the steep cruising, the snow or the family week
Kronplatz is groomed, compact and far steeper than its family name suggests.
Love La Clusaz? Where to go next for the evenings, the family week or more to ski
La Clusaz is lively, low and close to Geneva, with gentle blues and the steepest reds of the 55 we cover.
Love La Plagne? Where to go next for the size, the easy skiing or the whole package
La Plagne is big, high and easy on a family, so the right alternative depends on which part you love: the size, the gentle runs or all of it at once.
Love Laax? Where to go next for the gentle piste, the height or the style
Laax is modern and gentle, with more marked off piste than any other Swiss resort we cover.
Love Le Grand-Bornand? Where to go next for more skiing, gentler skiing or higher skiing
Le Grand-Bornand is a quiet farming village with plenty of green and reds steeper than they look.
Love Lech? Where to go next for the polish, the mountain or the off piste
Lech is calm and polished, and more serious on snow than it looks.
Love Les Arcs? Where to go next for the gentle blues, the scale or the family week
Les Arcs has the gentlest blues of any French resort we cover, so where next depends on what you love: those blues, the scale or the family week.
Love Les Gets? Where to go next for the village, the big circuit or more snow
Les Gets is a pretty family village on a vast linked circuit, but low.
Love Livigno? Where to go next for the height, the nights or the steep
Livigno is high, lively, duty free and steeper than it looks.
Love Madonna di Campiglio? Where to go next for the gentle runs, the style or the family week
Madonna di Campiglio is gentle, smart and good with families, so the best alternative depends on which part you love.
Love Mayrhofen? Where to go next for the evenings, the steep or the family week
Mayrhofen is a lively, low town under a high red mountain. Where to go next for the evenings with surer snow, the steep, or a bigger family week.
Love Megève? Where to go next for the manners, the easy miles or more height
Megève is elegant, gentle and low, so the right next resort depends on what you would keep: the polish, the easy cruising or all of it, higher up.
Love Méribel? Where to go next for the family week, the skiing or the big circuit
Méribel is the friendly middle of the Three Valleys, so the right alternative depends on what you love: the family week, the skiing or the circuit.
Love Obertauern? Where to go next for the height, the snow or a bigger map
Obertauern has a high village, a compact loop and skiing that stops at 2,304 m.
Love Saalbach-Hinterglemm? Where to go next for the circuit, the nights out or the family week
Saalbach-Hinterglemm is big, lively, surprisingly steep and low.
Love Saint-Martin-de-Belleville? Where to go next for the quiet village, the long lunch or the snow sure skiing
Saint-Martin is an old, quiet village with the Three Valleys around it.
Love Samoëns? Where to go next for the old village, a bigger circuit or the gentle runs higher up
Samoëns is old, calm and gentle, but low. The right next resort depends on what you would keep: the village, the size of the area or the easy runs.
Love Schladming? Where to go next for the snow, the same gentle skiing or more of it
Schladming is a gentle, friendly family mountain with low snow.
Love Serre Chevalier? Where to go next for the easy miles, the quiet village or the sun
Serre Chevalier is sunny, quiet, easy and snow sure. Where next depends on what you would take with you: the easy miles, the old village or the sun.
Love Sestriere? Where to go next for the height, the steep or the easy runs
Sestriere is high, big and snow sure, with kind blues and a steep streak.
Love Sölden? Where to go next for the snow, the nights or both at once
Sölden is two glaciers and a long night out, so the right alternative depends on which you love: the snow, the nights, or both of them somewhere new.
Love St Anton? Where to go next, depending on what you love about it
St Anton has more marked off piste than anywhere we cover. Where to go next, depending on what you love: the off piste, the steep pistes, the nights or the lot.
Love St Moritz? Where to go next for the glamour, the style or the height
St Moritz is glamour on top of real altitude, with its skiing on separate mountains.
Love the SkiWelt? Where to go next for the easy miles, the village or the snow
The SkiWelt is huge, gentle and the lowest resort we cover. Where to go next for the easy miles, the village or more snow underfoot.
Love Tignes? Where to go next for the snow, the glacier or the size
Tignes is high, snow sure and built for skiing, so the right alternative depends on what you need from it: the altitude, the glacier or a bigger area.
Love Val d'Isère? Where to go next for the steep, the nights or the altitude
Val d'Isère skis big and stays up late, so the right alternative depends on what you love: the steep and off piste, the nights, or the altitude.
Love Val Gardena? Where to go next for the soft reds, the circuit or the scenery
Val Gardena skis far gentler than its red map suggests, with around 500 km in reach.
Love Val Thorens? Where to go next, depending on what you love about it
Val Thorens is the highest village we cover, so the right alternative depends on what you love: the altitude, the size, the easy runs or the nights, measured.
Love Verbier? Where to go next, depending on what you love about it
Verbier is loved for its off piste and its scene, yet its pistes measure gentler than you think.
Love Villars? Where to go next for the calm, the easy skiing or more snow
Villars is calm, easy and good for families, but its skiing stops low.
Love Wengen? Where to go next for the car free village, the quiet or the gentle runs
Wengen is car free, quiet and gentler than it looks, so the right next resort depends on what you love most: no cars, the peace, or easy skiing for a family.
Love Zermatt? Where to go next, depending on what you love about it
Zermatt is hard to replace, so the right alternative depends on what you love about it: the car free village, the altitude, the easy cruising or the off piste.
Love Zürs? Where to go next for the off piste, the high village or the quiet
Zürs is tiny, exclusive and quiet, and far harder on snow than it looks.
Madonna di Campiglio ski holidays: the complete resort guide
Madonna di Campiglio is Italy at its most polished: immaculate grooming, elegant streets and long intermediate cruising under the Brenta Dolomites.
Madonna di Campiglio or St. Moritz: two smart resorts, and which one skis for your group
Both are smart and stylish. St. Moritz is far higher and best for non skiers; Madonna di Campiglio is linked, gentler and kinder to a mixed group.
Madonna di Campiglio or Val Gardena: polish, or the Sella Ronda
Two gentle Dolomite resorts at one height. Madonna di Campiglio has the polish and family set up; Val Gardena has more skiing and the Sella Ronda.
Mayrhofen or Schladming: the higher mountain or the gentler one?
Two low Austrian family towns. Mayrhofen skis higher on a mountain of reds; Schladming has more piste and far more blue, but skis low.
Megève ski holidays: the complete resort guide
Megève is the French Alps at their most elegant and easy going, a place where lunch matters as much as the skiing.
Megève or Serre Chevalier: the elegant village or the higher skiing
Two quiet French resorts with lots of easy skiing. Megève has the village, the food and more piste; Serre Chevalier has the height and the snow.
Megève or SkiWelt: the French village or the Austrian giant
Two gentle, traditional family resorts, neither of them high.
Megève or Wengen: two quiet villages, and which one skis better for a family
Two quiet villages at a similar height. Megève has more skiing and the food; Wengen is car free, gentler and keeps more of its piste up high.
Méribel ski holidays: the complete resort guide
Méribel sits right in the middle of the Three Valleys, which makes it one of the easiest places in the Alps to say yes to.
Méribel or Courchevel: which is right for you?
Same €421 lift pass, same 600km of linked skiing, and every euro of difference sits in the bed and the dinner table.
Méribel or Saint-Martin-de-Belleville: same pass, same height, a different village
One Three Valleys pass, two villages at 1,450 m. Méribel has far more skiing close by and the steeper reds; Saint-Martin is old, quiet and foodie.
Méribel or Val Thorens: same Three Valleys pass, 850 metres apart
One lift pass, two villages. Val Thorens is higher, easier and louder; Méribel is central, prettier and has more steep and black near it.
Off piste or backcountry: one is beside the lifts, one is beyond them
Off piste is skiing beside the pistes, backcountry is beyond the resort, and a marked itinerary sits between.
Oversold and underrated: our honest map of the Alps
Four big names that are weak value for the traveller they attract, five that deserve the booking instead, argued with pass prices and transfer times.
Piste colours explained: a resort's judgement, not a measurement
Green, blue, red and black, and why a red in France is not a red in Switzerland: what each piste colour means, and how steep each measures in four countries.
Saalbach-Hinterglemm ski holidays: the complete resort guide
Two linked villages, one huge sunny ski circus and some of the best apres in Austria.
Saalbach-Hinterglemm or St. Anton: two steep, lively Austrians, and the one with the height
Both are lively and among the steepest we cover. Saalbach has more piste and easy runs; St. Anton has the height, the snow and the off piste.
Saint-Martin-de-Belleville or Val Thorens: the old village or the high one
One Three Valleys pass. Val Thorens is the highest village we cover, with snow at the door and a party; Saint-Martin is old, quiet and foodie.
Samoëns or Schladming: a gentle family week, in France or Austria?
Two low family villages our matching puts side by side. Samoëns skis higher and gentler; Schladming has more piste around town and night skiing.
Schladming or SkiWelt: the bigger week or the gentler one?
Two low, friendly Austrian family areas. The SkiWelt has far more piste, more blue and more black; Schladming is a little higher, with gentler blues.
School holiday ski dates: which weeks clash
One Saturday decides the season: 13 February 2027, when England's half term, French Zone A and the second week of Paris's break all change over at once.
Serre Chevalier or Wengen: two quiet villages, and how high the mountain goes
Two quiet villages at a similar height. Serre Chevalier skis bigger and higher, snow sure on our measure; Wengen is car free and gentler underfoot.
Sestriere or Tignes: two high resorts built to ski, told apart
Near twins on our data: high, practical, snow sure. Tignes goes higher with a longer season; Sestriere has more piste near the door and kinder blues.
Sestriere or Val Thorens: the highest village we cover, or the steeper week in Italy
Two high, purpose built resorts. Val Thorens is higher, bigger and livelier with far more easy piste; Sestriere has more black and steep, in Italy.
Ski or snowboard? For a first week, skiing gets you further
Skiing is easier in the first days, a board is harder at the start and quicker once it clicks.
Ski season opening and closing dates
Every opening and closing date for the 55 resorts we cover in France, Switzerland, Austria and Italy.
Ski transfer times: every resort, every airport
Distances and typical winter drive times for 159 airport-to-resort routes across France, Switzerland, Austria and Italy, in one sortable table.
Snow sure resorts with big linked areas in France
Six French resorts are snow sure and sit on a lift linked area of 200 km or more.
Sölden ski holidays: the complete resort guide
Sölden sits high in the Ötztal valley with two glaciers, reliable snow from late November to May and a nightlife scene that few Austrian resorts can match.
St. Anton ski holidays: the complete resort guide
St. Anton is the Austrian resort that confident skiers and up for it groups keep coming back to, with 300km of Arlberg piste and an apres scene that is genuinely famous.
St. Anton or Zürs: the loud heart of the Arlberg, or its quiet corner
One Arlberg pass. St. Anton has twice the piste near the door, more steep and the après; Zürs is tiny, exclusive, quiet and sleeps higher.
St. Moritz ski holidays: the complete resort guide
St. Moritz sits high in the Engadin valley, a glamorous name with 350km of sunlit skiing and more to do off the snow than almost anywhere in the Alps.
St. Moritz or Zermatt: more to do, or more to ski?
Zermatt has more piste, the joint highest skiing we cover, one linked area.
Tignes ski holidays: the complete resort guide
High, purpose built and reliably white when other resorts are counting rocks, Tignes is one of the surest bets in the Alps for a snow filled week.
Tignes or Val d'Isère: which is right for you?
They share 300 km of pistes and the same €468 adult pass, so the skiing cannot decide this one.
Tignes or Val Thorens: which high resort is right for you?
The two highest villages we cover, on different lift passes. Tignes and Val Thorens compared on altitude, size, terrain and evenings, with a straight answer.
Tignes or Zermatt: both high and snow sure, but not the same skiing
Tignes has the higher village, steeper pistes and nearly twice the black.
Used to Austria? The French ski resorts that go bigger and higher
Used to St Anton, Ischgl or Sölden? French resorts that are bigger and higher, measured, and an honest answer to the question everyone asks: is the après worse?
Used to Austria? The Swiss ski resorts that will feel like home
Used to St Anton, Ischgl or Kitzbühel? Verbier is the only Swiss resort with an Austrian evening.
Used to Austria? Where to ski in the Dolomites without losing the village life
Used to St Anton, Ischgl or Kitzbühel? Which Dolomites resorts give you the scenery and a village with life in it, measured, and what 1,200 km really means.
Used to France? The Austrian ski resorts with the snow, the village and the après
Used to Val Thorens, Tignes or Val d'Isère? Austrian resorts that keep the snow and add a real village and après, measured, with the honest catch on altitude.
Used to France? The Italian ski resorts that will feel like home
Used to Val Thorens, Tignes or Val d'Isère? Which Italian resorts are as high and as big, with an honest verdict on each and who should stay in France instead.
Used to France? The Swiss ski resorts that keep the altitude
Used to Val Thorens, Tignes or Val d'Isère? Swiss resorts that keep your altitude and add the scenery and a real village, measured, with pass figures explained.
Used to Italy? The Austrian ski resorts that keep the long lunch and the kind reds
Used to Alta Badia, Cortina or Cervinia? Lech keeps the long lunch, Ischgl the kind reds and the snow, Kitzbühel the town.
Used to Italy? The French ski resorts that go bigger and higher
Used to Cortina, Alta Badia or Courmayeur? The French resorts that go bigger and higher and still feel like a village, and why the reds there are steeper.
Used to Italy? The Swiss ski resorts that keep the sunshine and the kind reds
Used to Cortina, Alta Badia or Cervinia? Crans-Montana is the closest Swiss match: sunny, kind reds, one linked area.
Used to Switzerland? The Austrian ski resorts that keep the snow, or the polish
Used to Zermatt, Verbier or St Moritz? The Austrian resorts that keep your snow, or your polish, measured, with the honest catch: Austrian runs are steeper.
Used to Switzerland? The French ski resorts that will feel like home
Used to Zermatt, Verbier or Grindelwald? The French resorts that keep a real village, the snow and the view, measured, and why French reds ski steeper.
Used to Switzerland? The Italian ski resorts that keep the view and the village
Used to Zermatt, St Moritz or Grindelwald? Cortina keeps the town, Cervinia the mountain, Val Gardena the gentle runs.
Val d'Isère ski holidays: the complete resort guide
High, snow sure and genuinely good at everything, Val d'Isère is one of the few Alpine resorts that works as well for a first family week as it does for a group of friends chasing the best snow in the Alps.
Val d'Isère or Zermatt: more skiing at the door, or the Matterhorn above it
Val d'Isère has more piste on one pass, more black, more off piste and the livelier nights.
Val Thorens ski holidays: the complete resort guide
Val Thorens sits at 2,300m, the highest resort in Europe, with 600km of Three Valleys skiing on its doorstep.
Verbier ski holidays: the complete resort guide
Verbier is Switzerland at its most sociable: a smart, international resort on a sunny shelf above the Val de Bagnes, with long lunches on the terraces, evenings that run late and the 410km of the Four Valleys above it.
Verbier or Zermatt: the better nights, or the bigger, higher mountain
Zermatt has more piste, the joint highest skiing we cover, far more of it up high.
Villars or Wengen: the same calm family week, on two different mountains
Two calm family villages at a similar height. Wengen has more skiing, more of it high, kinder reds and real black; Villars is a relaxed week of blue.
What a lift pass covers: often less than the number on it
What a lift pass covers: one resort or the whole linked area, pedestrian passes, what it leaves out, and why the pass figure can be far more than you can ski.
What a ski holiday actually costs
Per person, mid-market, six days on snow, winter 2026/27. Every figure below is a published tariff or labelled a projection, and the flagship lift pass alone now clears €400.
What is a catered chalet? A ski house where someone else cooks
A catered chalet is a ski house where staff cook and clean for your week.
What is a drag lift? A lift that pulls you up while you stand
A drag lift pulls you uphill on skis or a board. Button lifts and T-bars, how to ride each on skis and on a snowboard, and the mistake nearly everyone makes.
What is après ski? The end of the ski day, at whatever volume you like
Après ski is the drink, the snack and the company when the skiing stops, from a hot chocolate to a dance in ski boots.
What ski in ski out means: skis on at the door, in theory
Skis on at the door, a lift without walking, and a run back home: what ski in ski out should mean, why listings use it so loosely, and the questions to ask.
When half the group does not ski: Kitzbühel, and seven more that work
Eight of the 26 resorts we cover in full work when half the group skis and half does not.
Where to ski in late April: go high, and start with Cervinia
Thirteen of the 55 resorts we cover usually ski into May. We ranked 12 on how much of their piste sits above 2,200 m.
Why ski holidays run Saturday to Saturday
At February half term, moving one like for like flight from Saturday to Sunday saved £661 per person.
Zermatt ski holidays: the complete resort guide
Zermatt is the car free Swiss village that sits under the most famous mountain in the Alps.
First tracks, first dibs.
Be first to hear when our stays go live, plus snow reports and straight answers about the resorts from the team.