Best ski resorts for non skiers

One of the greats. France has the Mont Blanc and Chamonix, Switzerland has the Matterhorn and Zermatt - linked by the classic Haute Route. Legendary apres-ski is topped only by the awesome intermediate and expert skiing. Klein Matterhorn lift is highest cable car in world. Beginners are well looked after

Beginner Trails  0 runs 0km 0%

Intermediate Trails  12 runs 29km 16%

Advanced Trails  41 runs 109km 55%

Expert Trails  21 runs 21km 28%

snoman says Regarded by most as Switzerland's top ski resort and by many as the world's best. Picturesque, car free with spectacular views of the Matterhorn. Large glacier for Summer skiing, lift links to Breuil Cervinia ... more

Beginner Intermediate Expert Snowboarders Apres Ski Families Snowsure Ambience Value Lift Pass CHF371 Resort Open Dec 2013 Resort Close Nov 2014 (snow conditions often influence resort opening & closing)

To many, Chamonix is the undisputed mountain-sport capital of the world! This Off-piste ski & snowboard mecca is home to the world's longest run, the Vallee Blanche (not really a piste at all, but a 23km ski down Europe's second largest glacier the Mer de Glace - "Sea of Ice"). The Grands Montets is one of greatest sk... [more Chamonix]

Beginner Trails  12 runs 5km 15%

Intermediate Trails  49 runs 46km 61%

Advanced Trails  190 runs 70km 237%

Expert Trails  21 runs 21km 26%

snoman says An historic ski and climbing town on the picturesque side of Mont Blanc, by the entrance to the Mont Blanc tunnel. Chamonix offers the world's greatest lift-served vertical drop. Away from the slopes it is ver... more

Beginner Intermediate Expert Snowboarders Apres Ski Families Snowsure Ambience Value Lift Pass €218 Resort Open Dec 2013 Resort Close May 2014 (snow conditions often influence resort opening & closing)

Lively resort and large varied ski area. Pretty town has lots of affordable accom as well as upscale

Beginner Trails  0 runs 0km 0%

Intermediate Trails  21 runs 67km 35%

Advanced Trails  26 runs 78km 43%

Expert Trails  13 runs 13km 21%

snoman says Austria's most famous resort, a lively town with chic overtones which most skiers agree has Austria's best intermediate/expert skiing in the mountains above it.

Beginner Intermediate Expert Snowboarders Apres Ski Families Snowsure Ambience Value Lift Pass €169 Resort Open Dec 2013 Resort Close Apr 2014 (snow conditions often influence resort opening & closing)

Hang out with the beautiful (and rich) people - skiing is easy and cruisy so you can pose and ogle without risk. Amazing scenery and apres

Beginner Trails  0 runs 0km 0%

Intermediate Trails  42 runs 55km 60%

Advanced Trails  19 runs 45km 27%

Expert Trails  8 runs 8km 11%

snoman says Italy's most stylish resort, often ranked along side St Moritz (you can play polo in both) and certainly one of the world's best known ski centres. Cortina was host to the 1956 Winter Olympics. Located in wide... more

Beginner Intermediate Expert Snowboarders Apres Ski Families Snowsure Ambience Value Lift Pass €187 Resort Open Nov 2013 Resort Close Apr 2014 (snow conditions often influence resort opening & closing)

As the original and most famous luxury ski resort, St Moritz is probably still the most exclusive ski resort in the world. The skiing here is superb with over 350km of some of the most famous descents, including the Diavolezza glacier ski area, but the exclusive ski resort of St Moritz is probably most famous for off-... [more St Moritz]

Beginner Trails  0 runs 0km 0%

Intermediate Trails  18 runs 70km 20%

Advanced Trails  61 runs 245km 69%

Expert Trails  9 runs 9km 10%

snoman says The world's most famous ski resort and the pioneer of Alpine winter holidays in 1864. Home of the Winter Olympics of 1928 and 1948 and of the famous Cresta Run. Long association with the global jet set who are... more

Beginner Intermediate Expert Snowboarders Apres Ski Families Snowsure Ambience Value Lift Pass CHF365 Resort Open Oct 2013 Resort Close Jun 2014 (snow conditions often influence resort opening & closing)

Largest connected skiing in area with modern lifts and cable cars. We recommend the Judau lift in the skiing centre in the Angertal Valley for beginners. Especially popular: the Hohe Scharte Nord (north) (marked on the piste plan as downhill run number H 1) – and with a length of 8 km and a difference in altitude of 1... [more Bad Hofgastein]

Beginner Trails  0 runs 0km 0%

Intermediate Trails  18 runs 57.8km 24%

Advanced Trails  42 runs 123.9km 56%

Expert Trails  12 runs 12km 16%

snoman says An old spa village in the centre of one of Austria's largest ski areas, the Gastein Valley. The area is famous for its thermal healing weater, accessed by several spas as well as the huge and varied ski area li... more

Beginner Intermediate Expert Snowboarders Apres Ski Families Snowsure Ambience Value Lift Pass €210.5 Resort Open Dec 2013 Resort Close Apr 2014 (snow conditions often influence resort opening & closing)

The fastest growing ski area in Finland, complete with two gondola lifts, with all hotels and slopes linked by a free bus service. The resort has a sports centre and a spa with jacuzzi, pool saunas and steam room. 28km of the cross-country trails are illuminated. Lifts operate from 10am to 8pm and include the only... [more Levi]

Beginner Trails  1 runs 5.8km 2%

Intermediate Trails  18 runs 16.5km 40%

Advanced Trails  22 runs 18.5km 50%

Expert Trails  3 runs 3km 6%

snoman says The fastest growing ski area in Finland, complete with two gondola lifts, with all hotels and slopes linked by a free bus service. The resort has a sports centre and a spa with jacuzzi, pool saunas and steam ro... more

Beginner Intermediate Expert Snowboarders Apres Ski Families Snowsure Ambience Value Lift Pass €141.5 Resort Open Nov 2013 Resort Close May 2014 (snow conditions often influence resort opening & closing)

Huge, world-famous resort with unrivalled skiing & nightlife: ski hard, play hard. Two mountains connected by pedestrian village. Exciting & expensive, with enough to keep you busy for weeks

Beginner Trails  0 runs ?km 0%

Intermediate Trails  34 runs ?km 17%

Advanced Trails  110 runs ?km 55%

Expert Trails  56 runs 56km 28%

snoman says Whilst many of the great European ski resorts tend to rest on their laurels, Whistler has shot up through the ranks to become one of the strongest contenders for the much disputed title of 'World's Greatest Ski... more

Beginner Intermediate Expert Snowboarders Apres Ski Families Snowsure Ambience Value Lift Pass C$397 Resort Open Nov 2013 Resort Close Jun 2014 (snow conditions often influence resort opening & closing)

Huge ski area great for cruising. Attracts old money and mile eaters. Quiet resort is full of old French charm rather than night life

Beginner Trails  19 runs ?km 22%

Intermediate Trails  28 runs ?km 33%

Advanced Trails  25 runs ?km 30%

Expert Trails  11 runs 11km 13%

snoman says One of the largest towns in France (third biggest bed base after Chamonix and La Plagne), with the most to do, besides ski, of any French resort. Options include a casino, choice of four beauty farms, bridge cl... more

Beginner Intermediate Expert Snowboarders Apres Ski Families Snowsure Ambience Value Lift Pass €148 Resort Open Dec 2013 Resort Close Apr 2014 (snow conditions often influence resort opening & closing)

Pretty village with enough piste for a casual intermediate at the foot of Monte Bianco. Drive through the Mont Blanc tunnel or take the Hellbronner cable car past Western Europe's highest peak to enjoy the famous Vallee Blanche and the delights of Chamonix (take a guide and passport)

Beginner Trails  3 runs ?km 12%

Intermediate Trails  6 runs ?km 25%

Advanced Trails  14 runs ?km 58%

Expert Trails  4 runs 4km 16%

snoman says Legendary ski and climbing resort, rich in tradition and natural ambience. Close to lifts over the border to Chamonix, which is included for one day on the lift pass, as is the fellow Aosta Valley resort of Pil... more

Beginner Intermediate Expert Snowboarders Apres Ski Families Snowsure Ambience Value Lift Pass €220 Resort Open Dec 2013 Resort Close Apr 2014 (snow conditions often influence resort opening & closing)