The best ski resorts in Eastern and Western Europe: hotels, prices, skiing. The best ski resorts in Europe. Cheap ski resorts in Europe

Ski resorts around the world are generally similar, uniting one common idea. But each of the European ski slopes has its own specifics. In the European part, the French ski empire is the owner of three valleys, Austria is the ancestor of modern alpine skiing, the picturesque alpine territories of Switzerland and the resorts of Italy are considered stellar and prestigious, which means they require money.

The ski Alps can be conquered in neighboring Europe, where active recreation can be described by the formula: European traditions and standards at low prices.

Bohemian Harrachov is located at the foot of the Devil's Mountain. This is a good place for winter holidays and international competitions. The ski area in Harrachov has a height limit of up to 1020 m. There are 8 slopes (5 blue, 2 red, 1 black), with a length of 9 km, where 3 km of them are on artificial snow. The western slope of the mountain is quite steep and suitable for excellent skiers.

Strbske Pleso in Slovakia is the best high-altitude resort located on the shore of a mountain lake. The place is famous for its opportunities for snowboarders, ski jumping, and free riding. There are 6 slopes (2 blue, 4 red) served by chairlifts and rope tows. There are all conditions for cross-country skiing, biathlon and mountaineering. The air saturated with coniferous phytoncides allows you to use the resort for healing.

Jahorina in Bosnia and Herzegovina is traditionally considered a high-quality ski center of the former Yugoslavia. There are 7 red slopes and a couple of black ones, a difficult Olympic slope 2 km long, indicating that the resort is recognized by professionals. A night ski trail, the highest mountain Ogorelica, excursions to Sarajevo and modern equipment add to the charm of the resort. Russian guests will also be pleased with the fact that a visa to this country is not required.

Croatian Platak has 7 ski slopes for adults and 1 for children. From the highest point - 1363 m - there is a magnificent view of the Adriatic and the islands. The resort is located fifty kilometers from the international airport.

Popular cheap ski resorts in Europe:

Interesting too

Avoriaz can safely be called the most unusual resort of the French Alps. Built specifically for alpine skiing, it's impressive magnificent views, excellent ecology and thoughtful infrastructure. The sports complex positions itself as family vacation spot: Indeed, both adults and children will find something to their liking here.

Ski resorts are extremely popular all over the world, especially among the rich and famous. This type of recreation has long become one of the main symbols of wealth and a beautiful life. At the best European ski resorts you can not only ride on a variety of ski slopes, but also have a great time “after skiing”. Fashionable hotels and gourmet restaurants, luxurious bars and nightclubs, exclusive designer clothing stores and boutiques of world famous brands are just a small part of what the best ski resorts in Europe offer. For all fans of skiing and the good life, Euromapa offers a list of the best ski resorts in Europe.

Zermatt, Switzerland

Zermatt is a year-round ski resort in Switzerland. The main symbol of Zermatt is the legendary Matterhorn mountain, which is the most beautiful in Europe.

Many world celebrities have visited the snow-covered slopes of the Matterhorn, including Robbie Williams, Madonna, Nicole Kidman, Phill Collins and Mike Hucknall.

Courchevel 1850, France

Courchevel 1850 is a legendary French resort that literally radiates glamor and luxury. Part of the "Three Valleys" and connected by ski lifts to the neighboring resorts of Meribel and Val Thorens, Courchevel offers an endless variety of slopes and slopes.

The resort comfortably houses fashionable hotels, expensive shops, luxury restaurants, bars and nightclubs. The resort is considered a cult holiday destination among all fans of skiing and glamorous life. Celebrities who have visited here include David Beckham, Cher and George Clooney. The resort is also popular among wealthy Russians.

Cortina, Italy

Cortina is the most beautiful ski resort in Italy. Cortina was the winter capital of the 1956 Olympic Games. The main pride of the resort is its varied ski slopes and rich bohemian life. The resort is famous for its magnificent hotels, expensive shops, gourmet restaurants and luxurious nightclubs.

The most fashionable restaurant is Osteria Wine Bar. For an aperitif, you can go to the Hotel De La Poste, and for fun night parties, it is better to go to the Blu Room or Hyppo Discos nightclub.

Zurs, Austria

Zurs is one of the most aristocratic resorts in Austria. This is a favorite resort of world celebrities and royalty. The most famous guests of the resort are Princess Caroline of Monaco and Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. The resort provides truly limitless opportunities for all fans of skiing. The Arlberg ski pass opens the door to a snow-covered paradise consisting of all the ski slopes in the region.

Klosters, Switzerland

Klosters is the most respectable resort in Switzerland, designed for the most discerning tourists. This is the favorite vacation spot of the entire British royal family. Other celebrity guests at the resort included George Clooney, Tara Palmer-Tomkinson, Kate Middleton and Katie Price.

In addition, the pride of the resort is its vibrant nightlife. Casa Antica is considered the most fashionable nightclub. No less popular is the luxurious Chesa Bar, located in the Chesa Grischuna hotel.

St. Moritz, Switzerland

St. Moritz is a world famous ski resort in Switzerland. There are a large number of five-star hotels located here. The resort is also famous for its unique climate: consistently sunny weather, abundant snow cover and stunning mountain air, similar to “dry champagne”.

It is no coincidence that the resort is called the “top of the world.” This is the favorite vacation spot of the richest and most famous people on the planet. Celebrities here include Liz Hurley and Ivanka Trump.

Ski resorts in Austria, located in the Eastern Alps, are chosen both for professional training and for active recreation with company or family.

Exciting descents in good snow cover, modern infrastructure, a huge selection of entertainment - this is not a complete list of the features of Austrian ski resorts, for which athletes and outdoor enthusiasts love them.

Which ski regions in Austria do active tourists and professional skiers choose for recreation and sports?

Resort rating

Sölden

This ski resort is world class is the only ski area in Austria located at an altitude of about 3000 meters.

Dense snow cover on the slopes provides comfortable skiing for professionals and good conditions for learning for beginners.

The slopes in the ski area cover 144 km. They are distinguished by good markings, so it is impossible to get lost here. You can get to the beginning of the slopes using lifts. In total, the resort has 34 ski lifts.

In addition to skiing down the mountains, guests of the resort can do guided walks along mountain trails, visit swimming pools, saunas, gyms and even cinemas.

In the vicinity of the resort there are hotels of different categories, you can also stay in apartments or boarding houses. Most ski lifts take athletes down from the mountains directly to the streets where hotels and cafes are located.

How to get there? By plane to Innsbruck, Salzburg or Munich. From the airports to the resort you can take a regular bus, taxi or car.

The resort is located in a picturesque valley surrounded by mountains, so its sports tracks are distinguished by a variety of routes.

The resort's security service constantly carries out avalanche control measures and prepares slopes to ensure comfortable skiing for skiers.

The trails here have a large elevation difference (about 1700 meters), and their length is 159 km. The ski areas located on the slopes of Mount Penken are considered extreme and most suitable for virtuoso skiers.

And the trails on the slopes of Mount Ahornspitze will be appreciated by beginners and intermediate level athletes.

The main street of Mayrhofen is concentrated many entertainment options for resort guests: shops, water park, discos, cafes, restaurants, bowling club.

For lovers of mountain tourism, there are more than 60 hiking trails in the surrounding area. Curious tourists will be able to visit the local cheese factory, look at ancient estates and churches.

Resort guests have the opportunity to book a room in hotels, guest houses, pensions located both in Mayrhofen and in neighboring villages.

How to get there? By plane to Innsbruck, Salzburg, Munich or Vienna. From the airports you can get to Mayrhofen by train or car.

Bad Gastein

A distinctive feature of the resort is a unique opportunity during your holiday combine skiing and wellness in thermal springs.

Besides, There is a waterfall in the ski area, which attracts tourists and serves as a source of inspiration for artists.

The length of the slopes in the ski area is about 200 km, most of which are suitable for experienced skiers.

There are occasionally rocks on the trails, and the snow is covered with a crust of ice, so even easy routes may seem quite difficult for beginners.

On the territory of the resort there is medical and health complex with swimming pools filled with water from hot springs.

Guests of Bad Gastein can also relax in the amusement park, which includes rides, a casino and a bowling alley.

This resort is chosen by wealthy people, so most of the hotels here are of a high level with excellent service and expensive rooms.

How to get there? By plane from Salzburg and Munich. From the airports you can get to the resort by train, car or regular bus.

Ski resort St.Anton in Austria

Holidays in Ischgl are the best popular among youth groups. Like all ski regions in Austria, it is distinguished by high service and well-thought-out piste routes.

An interesting feature of the resort are underground escalators leading from hotels to ski lifts.

The total length of trails at the resort exceeds 200 km, most of which are “red” (of medium difficulty). The snow cover here is quite dense, but in some places it is additionally supported by snow cannons.

For visitors Ice skating doors are open, there is also the opportunity to go sledding. In the vicinity of Ischgl, tourists visit village churches and museums telling about the peasant life of former times.

Most hotels in this region are classified as four-star. You can also rent a room in apartments and guest houses.

How to get there? By plane from Innsbruck, Munich or Zurich. From the airports you can get to the resort by taxi, car or regular buses with a transfer in Landeck.

Kaprun

This picturesque resort has a compact size. It is located near the top of the glacier in a quiet village with colorful village houses.

The length of the slopes at the resort is only 40 km. However, athletes ski on the slopes of the glacier all year round. The routes are best suited for beginners for learning skating and for athletes to practice their technique.

The resort offers a huge selection of entertainment for active recreation: Guided hiking, sledding and skating, swimming in pools and bowling.

You can take a special train to the top of the glacier, whose height is about 3000 m. Fans of medieval architecture visit the ancient castle and village churches.

Resort guests are warmly welcomed in three and four star hotels, spa centers, private villas and chalets.

How to get there? By plane to Salzburg, Innsbruck or Munich. The easiest way to get from airports is by train or car.

Schladming is famous for its world-class sports records and achievements, since the resort’s tracks often become the venue for competitions and championships. But all conditions for relaxation with family are also created here.

The ski area has trails of all difficulty levels, and the best ones are the downhill ones. The mountains here are not high, and sometimes wet snow falls in the form of precipitation, making skiing difficult.

The attention of tourists is attracted by the area with ancient buildings and parish churches. In the evening, resort guests relax by dancing in disco bars or dining in cafes.

The district is located many small hotels, guest houses and pensions, characterized by a high level of service.

How to get there? By plane from or Salzburg. At airports you need to transfer to a special shuttle that provides transfer to the resort.

Lech

This modern resort, which has preserved the traditions of alpine villages, Wealthy Europeans choose for their holidays. These places are characterized by ideally equipped trails and a high level of service.

The length of the slopes of different difficulty levels is more than 100 km. But a notable feature of the resort is the opportunity to ski in open space off-piste.

Perhaps the main attractions of these places are the restaurants of regional cuisine, awarded with Michelin stars. It serves gourmet dishes prepared using alpine herbs.

It's difficult to save money on housing in Lech, since luxury hotels of high categories (4 and 5 stars) are located here.

How to get there? By plane to Innsbruck or Zurich. From airports you need to take regular buses or taxis.

Snow-capped peaks and exciting descents - you will find all this in the heart of Austria, in its Eastern Alps.

Modern equipment of the slopes, as well as world-class service provide comfortable and safe winter sports for millions of tourists who come here every year for new experiences and sports records.

Since about the 30s of the 20th century, alpine skiing has become very popular among tourists. This is due, first of all, to the invention of lifts - cable cars. Since then, ski resorts began to emerge one after another, provoking the emergence of a new direction in mass tourism.

Today, ski resorts occupy the second place in popularity among various tourist destinations.

It is generally accepted that vacationing on foreign mountain slopes is in many ways an expensive pleasure and can only be afforded by wealthy people. We decided to check whether this was really the case and contacted a number of travel companies in Yekaterinburg, where we were offered the most common tour packages to the most popular ski resorts in Europe.

So, we were interested in the prices of four countries: Germany, Austria, France and Italy. We asked to calculate a tour for 7 nights for two: from December 15, from December 29 (i.e. for the New Year holidays) and from January 15. Here's what we got (as of November 1, 2012):

Austria

Ski resorts in Austria are waiting for Yekaterinburg residents from December 29, prices from 130,000 rubles for 7 nights for two adults. At the same time, you will be offered accommodation in a 3* hotel, just 10 minutes to the ski lift. If you decide to ride in Austria after the New Year holidays, then such a tour will be much cheaper. So, we were offered a flight on January 19 for 95 thousand rubles (same conditions).

Andorra

Andorra turned out to be one of the most popular destinations. The earliest departure that we could be offered was a tour from January 5th for 7 nights to a 3* hotel (breakfast included) for 80,000 rubles. This amount includes travel insurance + visas. Ski insurance is paid separately.

Germany

As a rule, ski resorts in Germany accept tourists from the beginning of January to the end of March, as we were told by the travel agency. And they offered a flight on December 29 to the Treff Hotel Alpina Garmisch 4 * (half board), which is located in the winter sports resort of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The cost for two (with visa and fuel surcharge) was 151,800 rubles for two for 7 nights.
The same hotel, but from January 12 will become noticeably cheaper: the cost for two (with visa and fuel surcharge) will be 92,400 rubles.

Italy

Several travel agencies assured us that Italy opens its ski season at the end of December, this is primarily due to weather conditions. Despite the fact that there is already snow in the Alps, truly “correct” snow cover will only be established by the first days of January. So, departure on December 29, 3* hotel (breakfast included) for 7 nights for two will cost 106,000 rubles + visa + travel insurance. New Year's Eve dinner is not included in the tour price and will be paid separately. There are no flights on January 15, flights are carried out only on Saturdays. Therefore, we were offered a tour from January 19 (same conditions) for 72,000 rubles.

France

We couldn’t find a direct flight from Yekaterinburg and were offered to fly with a transfer in Istanbul to Switzerland; from Geneva we could order an individual transfer to Chamonix (it was here that we found an “inexpensive” hotel that met our requirements). Delivery of tourists there and back will cost 1000 euros. Another option is also possible - renting a car for 7 days (309 euros). From December 15, for 7 nights in a 3* hotel (breakfast included), a voucher will cost 96,000 rubles + visa + travel insurance + transport fee.

There are no flights on December 29, so we were offered a tour from the 28th for 7 nights. Flight through Helsinki to Geneva, from where you will be offered a private transfer or rent a car, as in the first option. The cost of the trip is 131,000 rubles and 160,000 rubles with visas, travel insurance and a fully equipped car rental (that’s what was said and meant - the presence of a navigator, ski racks and car insurance).

One of the companies offered us mountain slopes Eastern Turkey. Ekaterinburg travel agencies have been working in this area relatively recently - only two years. At the moment, the operator offers direct flights only for the New Year holidays, the earliest check-in is December 28 (Uludag resort). Such discrimination applies exclusively to Yekaterinburg tourists. Muscovites have access to trips to the slopes of eastern Turkey 4 months a year from December to April. So, let's try to guide you on the cost of the tour. Departure on December 28 for 7 nights in a 4* hotel (all inclusive) for two will cost 79,800 rubles, you will need to pay separately for the gala dinner (with the New Year's table the price will increase to 86,800 rubles).

As they explained to us, Turkish ski resorts are still little promoted, which is why the operator offers flights from Yekaterinburg only for the New Year holidays.

Summarize:

On New Year's holidays It will be the most expensive to ride in Germany (150 thousand), France is in second place (140 thousand), Austria is in third place (130 thousand), Turkey - 125 thousand (but all inclusive), Italy 106 thousand, and Andorra is in the lead - only 80 thousand rubles

From January 15 The cheapest package we were offered was to Italy (72 thousand), Germany was in second place (92,400 rubles), France was in third place (96 thousand), Austria (95 thousand rubles). As you can see, Germany, France, Austria are approximately in the same price range.

In addition to all expenses (food, lifts, equipment), travel agencies recommend taking out ski insurance. After calling a number of insurance companies, we found out that ski insurance is ordinary medical insurance, albeit with a higher coefficient. Another name for it is medical insurance for those traveling abroad with a sports risk. Its cost will be approximately 60 euros for 7 days per person (sum insured 30 thousand euros).

The material uses photographs from the site

Today I was puzzled by the question: where to go skiing at the beginning of 2018.
Assuming that we will return home in mid-January, I allocated the last week of January for skiing.

From previous trips to the mountains, I noticed that in the middle and end of January there is a shift change at the ski resorts:
- the peak of New Year's prices has passed, and the next one - the February peak has not yet arrived.
People had a blast during the New Year holidays, spent a lot of money, and will already miss skiing in February.

Choosing a ski resort in Europe

Lately we've been riding in and.
This year we have a lot of Italy in, so for January I looked at the ski resorts of Austria - Tyrol.

I didn’t want to discover America, so I looked at the places we had already been.
This is , , and .

How did you watch it? — I opened a booking for resorts and looked at decent housing - apartments - about plus/minus a few days in the required period of time.
Looked in Sölden Apartment Oskar near the ski lift Giggijoch- fully booked.
Looked at housing in Lehe And Ischgle.
And then I looked at my luck and bingo! — there was a free apartment next to the TV booth — Gurglhof Apartmenthaus: 40m2 with south-facing balcony.

In January we are going skiing in !
And then everything is simple.

Purchasing air tickets

I'm looking at air tickets on the website.
The best option to get closest to Obergurgl is to fly to the Austrian Innsbruck.
But here’s the thing: for my dates there are no direct flights from Moscow to Innsbruck.
There are two more airports in the area - Munich and Salzburg.

There are direct S7 flights to both Munich and Salzburg from Moscow.
Airfare prices are the same.
The distance from Munich and Salzburg to Obergurgl is the same.

Rent a Car

I look at car prices on the website at Munich and Salzburg airports.
The cost of renting a car in Salzburg is twice as expensive as in Munich.
And this despite the fact that the car rental period in Munich is longer by a day due to the evening flight to Moscow.

That's why I pre-select Munich.

Ski rental at ski resorts

I've been traveling to the mountains light for a long time.
I rent everything on site: skis, boots, poles, helmet.
I wrote earlier about this method of not loading yourself with weights: .

Another advantage of renting equipment on site: if you stay at one resort and rent accommodation near the TV cabin, you can rent a small car with room for one suitcase.

Ski insurance