Expert ski resorts

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 €200 Resort Open Dec 2012 Resort Close May 2013 (snow conditions often influence resort opening & closing)

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 CHF359 Resort Open Dec 2012 Resort Close Nov 2013 (snow conditions often influence resort opening & closing)

For experts this resort is a must - great snow, wonderful powder, remote & scenic - some of best advanced skiing in world - rendezvous Mountain will challewnge the best with limitless off-piste and steeps - Laramie, Cheyenne and Hensleep bowls are v adventurous, as is backcountry so def get a guide. 'Après-Vous Mountai... [more Jackson Hole]

Beginner Trails  49 runs ?km 42%

Intermediate Trails  8 runs ?km 6%

Advanced Trails  30 runs ?km 25%

Expert Trails  59 runs 59km 50%

snoman says One of the world's best known resorts, thanks to its adventurous skiing, 'real West' atmosphere and the greatest continuous vertical in the USA. Close to the 350 mile Continental Divide snowmobile trail and off... more

Beginner Intermediate Expert Snowboarders Apres Ski Families Snowsure Ambience Value Lift Pass $330 Resort Open Nov 2012 Resort Close Apr 2013 (snow conditions often influence resort opening & closing)

Arguably France's most exclusive resort, well located in the world's largest truly inter-connected ski area (Trois Vallées) and with some of Europe's best infrastructure, Courchevel would rate in the top 10 selection of resorts around the world for most dedicated skiers. Courchevel has it's own special Charter which en... [more Courchevel]

Beginner Trails  15 runs ?km 16%

Intermediate Trails  34 runs ?km 36%

Advanced Trails  35 runs ?km 37%

Expert Trails  9 runs 9km 9%

snoman says Arguably France's most exclusive resort, well located in the world's largest truly inter-connected ski area (Trois Vallées) and with some of Europe's best infrastructure, Courchevel would rate in the top 10 sele... more

Beginner Intermediate Expert Snowboarders Apres Ski Families Snowsure Ambience Value Lift Pass €114 Resort Open Dec 2012 Resort Close Apr 2013 (snow conditions often influence resort opening & closing)

Very high and snowsure. big miles get bigger with new link to Zermatt. Can be cold so great for late season snow when the sun arrives. Great for cruisy novice and intermediates

Beginner Trails  0 runs 0km 0%

Intermediate Trails  18 runs 41km 31%

Advanced Trails  35 runs 98km 60%

Expert Trails  5 runs 5km 8%

snoman says One of Europe's original purpose-built resorts, its name was changed from Breuil to Cervinia because the former "Sounded too French". Now the two are hyphenated. Lift link to Zermatt for a world-beating vertic... more

Beginner Intermediate Expert Snowboarders Apres Ski Families Snowsure Ambience Value Lift Pass €190 Resort Open Oct 2012 Resort Close May 2013 (snow conditions often influence resort opening & closing)

Huge high alt. ski area above a buzzy and pretty village. Nightlife is world famous and rightly so. Nearly as good skiing and apres as Chamonix, nearly as expensive as St Moritz. Great for going big, on the hill and in the bar

Beginner Trails  0 runs 0km 0%

Intermediate Trails  19 runs 65.2km 32%

Advanced Trails  20 runs 31km 34%

Expert Trails  5 runs 5km 8%

snoman says A world class resort, ranked by many in their global top ten. Capital of the 4 Valleys ski circus. Wide ranging facilities for skiers and non-skiers of all kinds.

Beginner Intermediate Expert Snowboarders Apres Ski Families Snowsure Ambience Value Lift Pass CHF317 Resort Open Nov 2012 Resort Close Apr 2013 (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 2012 Resort Close Jun 2013 (snow conditions often influence resort opening & closing)

High snowsure town has some of best intermediate and advanced skiing in the Alpes. Not a pretty town but decent apres and huge Espace Killy ski area shared with Val d'Isere

Beginner Trails  22 runs 121km 14%

Intermediate Trails  61 runs 100km 39%

Advanced Trails  46 runs 58km 29%

Expert Trails  25 runs 25km 16%

snoman says Tignes shares the huge and wonderful Espace Killy with Val D'Isere, but the underground funicular accessed Grand Motte glacier officially belongs to Tignes. The glacier no longer offers skiing 365 days a year (... more

Beginner Intermediate Expert Snowboarders Apres Ski Families Snowsure Ambience Value Lift Pass €154 Resort Open Nov 2012 Resort Close May 2013 (snow conditions often influence resort opening & closing)

Home of 2006 Winter Olympics, has great snow and good value to balance functional looks and long walks. Linked to the huge Milky Way ski area so great for mile hungry intermediates on a budget

Beginner Trails  7 runs 0km 3%

Intermediate Trails  54 runs 97km 24%

Advanced Trails  118 runs 223km 53%

Expert Trails  42 runs 42km 19%

snoman says Built by the owners of the Fiat car company in 1934 and owned by them for 70 years, Sestriere is one of the earliest and still one of the highest purpose- built ski stations. Sitting on a sunny plateau, snow co... more

Beginner Intermediate Expert Snowboarders Apres Ski Families Snowsure Ambience Value Lift Pass €? Resort Open Dec 2012 Resort Close Apr 2013 (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 €170 Resort Open Dec 2012 Resort Close Apr 2013 (snow conditions often influence resort opening & closing)