Skiing is something I live for. 18 years I have skied and been lucky enough to ski in the southern hemisphere, America and Europe. Now based in Europe and desperately keen to take my mind off the weather I decided some research was in order -where should I book my next ski trip to?
This list is the top 5 ski fields in Europe, please understand I am not talking about top ski fields that provide for the shopping, cafes of five star hotels. I’m talking skiing, vertical drop, steep runs, most snowfall or powder. These things that actually apply to skiing not the pre-madonna culture surrounding it.
5.) St Anton – AustriaSt Anton is spoken about as one of the best ski resorts in the world. It has to be assumed this is true because only the best get the joy of hoisting the World Alpine Skiing Championships which Anton did in 2001. There is a small village nearby which ensures that attraction of a huge night drinking is reduced and instead you can spend the night drinking wine around an open fire arguing over the ‘bail or stack’ of the day. The resort attracts a diverse range of skiers, and English seems to be dominant language. Now to important matters . . . the slopes themselves? The reason Anton is in the top 5 is simple, St. Anton is not for beginners, its widely recognised that in St. Anton, a blue run is a red, while a red is a black. This field is pitched at experts and ambitious intermediate level skiers. The only downside to it is that unless there’s been a fresh snow-fall, conditions are sometimes less than perfect, because of the south-facing aspect the field it can get icy and very hard if there is not fresh snow. However, if you have a nice snow-dump, then you’re in for one of the best European ski holidays of your life.
4.) Cervinia, Italy
Often overlooked in favour of Zermatt, this Italian field actually gets better snow than its more famous Swiss neighbour. It shares a large area with nearby resorts and is perfect for intermediate skiers or boarders.
If you really feel like giving your legs a workout, this ski resort has some of the longest runs you will find, anywhere in Europe. Try 22 kilometres all the way from the Swiss-Italian border to the village at the bottom. It is actually possible to cross international boarders by ski or board while skiing. For someone that grew up on a small island 5 hours plane trip from our nearest neighbour jumping across boarders like that is incredible and fantastic to claim such bragging rights.
Cervinia is based on the same glacier as Zermatt, thus ensuring that there is always snow to ski on even in early season (or over a warm winter) and often right into summer, with over 60 lifts and gondolas you will be spoilt for choice.
A price and quality combination rocketed Cervinia into the list. Skiing in Italy is often cheaper than France and Switzerland simply because they are looked down upon by the residents of other European countries, the villages don’t provide the same 5star accommodation, however they are still in the same alps and if the queues are shorter that is OK by me.
3.)Val d'Isère/Tignes, FranceHome of one of Europe’s best known ski runs the OK Course it’s demanding and has established itself as one of the classic expert runs in the Alps. Val d’lsere also boasts the Face de Bellevarde, considered one of the best mogul runs in the Alps. Over the past decade this area has established itself as a destinations for expert’s skiers and snowboarders.
Val d'Isère boarders neighboring Tignes and now are known as L'Espace Killy, and incorporate everything French skiing is famous for. There's an old village core, popularly known as Val Village, now turned into a glamorous downtown and surrounded by enough new accommodations to justify nearly a hundred lifts.
There is a huge nightlife, fine dining and cafes pepper the village providing entertainment for everyone. The reason this appeals is because it is nothing too formal or fancy. The village is almost purpose-built resort ensuring ski-in, ski-out access. There is nothing quite like riding to your door at the end of the day. The fields are all situated above 2300m and the top peaks at over 3600m. The off piste is what ensures that Val d'Isère/Tignes is in the top 5. It has incredible off-piste terrain, and a vertical drop of more than 2,500 meters. Watch out for cornices, drops and cliffs. This area can have huge snow falls so Avalanches may also be a risk. Incredibly there’s even summer skiing on the Glacier de Pissaillas.
2.) Zermatt, Switzerland
Its been said that even if it didn't have great terrain, Zermatt would be worth visiting for the unsurpassed scenery, its lucky that it has both and that decision doesn’t have to be made.
It is an isolated town at the end of a long valley that backs onto the world famous Matterhorn. There is no better backdrop than this and my infatuation with the Matterhorn ensures that it is one of the reasons Zermatt made the top 5.
Incredibly Zermatt was the first car-free resort, everyone arrives by train. Guests and luggage are transferred to their lodgings by traditional horse drawn sleigh or more modern electric cart, pretty impressive!!!
Now onto important features there is 313 kilometres of some of the highest north and west facing slopes in Europe. Expert skiers should be sure to check out the heli-ski trips. Alternately the highest lift unloads on a rocky point, offering an extraordinary 360-degree panorama, of which the Matterhorn is just one feature. In addition to the scenery, you will find excellent on- and off-piste terrain for intermediate and advanced skiers and riders. The same lift also accesses the Plateau Rosa, from which you can ski 2350 vertical meters down into Cervinia, Italy, and as mentioned before what is more impressive than saying you skied across an international boarder. Alternately take a ride on the historic Gornergrat railway, from which you can accesses huge empty bowls and snowfields.
Note: This is perceived to be a very exclusive resort so the fantastic skiing will come at a price, be warned eating out here may require a second morgage on your house!
1.) Chamonix, FranceArguably the most famous ski field in Europe, how could the number one spot go to any other ski field in Europe. Chamonix makes the list just because of the bragging rights associated with having skied there. The popularity of Chamonix is probably due the shear quantity of Warren Millar ski films made here and the long history of mountaineering by locals. Unfortunately with increased recognition also comes substantial growth of tourists, nowadays Chamonix is very crowded.
Chamonix offers great backcountry skiing but it requires a reasonable level of mountaineering skills, however if capable you have the opportunity to get lost in some of the softest, deepest powder in Europe. If this sounds too challenging, never fear Chamonix is not just for backcountry skiers, it offers great skiing piste skiing with some easily accessible off piste runs. Incredibly, Chamonix actually boasts the greatest lift served vertical of any resort on the planet
The Grands Montets is renowned as one of the world's most challenging ski areas. Its highest cable car rises to 5000m (that’s almost high enough to demand oxygen tanks). The Aiguille Verte and Dru Needles are also awesomely steep, if not bordering on insane. Better still you can buy a pass that will provide you access to 200 lifts over 13 different fields!
But what really sets Chamonix apart from all other resorts is the abundance of off-piste terrain acres and acres of untouched and un-skiied chutes, drops, snowfields, glaciers, and high bowls.
Need icing on the cake, that’s not enough, you haven’t booked your ticket yet? Don’t forget there is also Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Western Europe. Individually these are all very good reasons to see Chamonix at least once in a lifetime, as a combined it’s a MUST DO!!!!
Of course this is just an opinion and I would love to hear from anyone who believes I have missed a resort. Maybe you know of that tiny field that deserves a mention. Well leave a message and argue your point!
