Europe’s Best High-Altitude Resorts
Catherine, August 2025
To ensure the best snow conditions for an early or late season holiday, opt for a high-altitude snow-sure resort. Read on for our top pick of destinations in Europe where you can enjoy fantastic skiing - all season long.
Main image: Les Arcs © Juliette Rebour
Val Thorens
© C Cattin/OT Val Thorens
Ski resorts don’t come much higher than Val Thorens!
At 2300m it’s the highest altitude ski resort in Europe and boasts access to the enormous Three Valleys ski area including neighbouring Courchevel and Méribel. With over 600km of pistes to explore, it’s a dream for skiers of all abilities. Throw in great après-ski, a vibrant dining scene and a choice of excellent ski-in/ski-out accommodation and it’s pretty much perfect.
Where To Stay?
- For an unbeatable location on the slopes and in the heart of it all, check out the 4-star Hotel Le Val Thorens which has a lively atmosphere and sleek, retro-style design.
- The 5-star Hotel Altapura offers laid-back luxury with an impressive indoor-outdoor pool on the slopes.
- Or for self-catering convenience the Residence Le Hameau du Kashmir offers spacious apartments with fully-equipped kitchens.
Saas Fee
If you’re dreaming of a picture-perfect Alpine village with quaint chalets, cobbled streets and a warm and friendly welcome, look no further than Saas Fee. Affectionately known as the ‘Pearl of the Alps’ this classic Swiss village combines traditional charm with high-altitude glacier skiing at heights of up to 3600m making it a snow-sure choice all season long.
Where To Stay?
- The 4-star Hotel Allalin is a delightful family-run hotel with excellent dining and bags of charm.
- For 5-star understated luxury the Capra Hotel never disappoints with superb service.
- For the best location in the centre of the village, the 5-star Walliserhof Grand Hotel & Spa offers amazing facilities right in the heart of the resort.
Obergurgl-Hochgurgl
Gourmet & Wine Hotel Austria
The Austrian resort of Gurgl is a superb choice when it comes to high-altitude skiing. With 112km of groomed slopes between 1800 and 3030m and a state-of-the-art lift system, the ski area is a dream to explore all season long and is just a 90 minute transfer from Innsbruck airport. Combine this with fantastic high-end accommodation, amazing dining and world-famous Austrian hospitality and it’s easy to see why it’s earned the name of the Diamond of the Alps.
Where To Stay?
- For the full 5-star experience opt for the TOP Hotel Hochgurgl which has an amazing location on the slopes and a beautiful outdoor infinity pool with panoramic views.
- Food lovers will be right at home at the 4-star Gourmet & Wine Hotel Austria which specialises in fine dining and has an impressive wine cellar.
Val d’Isère
©andyparant.com
This resort needs no introduction. With some of the finest high-altitude skiing anywhere in the Alps, a vibrant resort centre with an amazing choice of restaurants and bars, and an unbeatable range of accommodation, a holiday in Val d’Isère always makes sense. Combined with neighbouring Tignes, the ski area boasts 300km of varied skiing and includes two glaciers.
Where To Stay?
- The location of the 5-star Hotel Le Yule is hard to beat with ski-in/ski-out access and a beautiful sun terrace directly on the slopes. The Scandinavian inspired décor is modern and soothing and invites you to unwind and take in the amazing views.
- The 4-star Experimental Chalet has a fun and understated feel and is the perfect place to indulge in one of their famous, signature cocktails.
- For high-end apartments, the Residence Vail Lodge offers ski-in/ski-out luxury accommodation with plenty of space to socialise with family and friends.
Zermatt
For a real pinch-me moment, make your way to the charming Alpine town of Zermatt. The train journey to this picturesque car-free resort will afford you the first glimpses of the mighty Matterhorn which has to be seen to be believed. The ski area, linked to neighbouring Cervinia in Italy, offers 360km of superb skiing between 1600 and 3899m and offers some of the best high-altitude terrain in Switzerland. Wander the cobbled streets, admire the typical Swiss chalets and indulge in some seriously good food and drink and life doesn’t get much better.
Where To Stay?
- The 4-star Hotel Mirabeau is a firm Ski Independence favourite, with spacious rooms, top-notch service and delicious dining. Opt for a room with Matterhorn view and you won’t be disappointed.
- For something grander, the 5-star Hotel Mont Cervin Palace offers traditional Swiss hospitality right in the heart of the resort centre.
Les Arcs
©andyparant.com
For total convenience, Les Arcs is an amazing destination for high-altitude skiing. Linked to neighbouring La Plagne, the Paradiski area offers upwards of 400km of slopes with a season stretching from December right through to April. Purpose-built, the villages of Les Arcs have been designed with convenience in mind and offer an excellent range of ski-in/ski-out accommodation with everything you need on your doorstep.
Where To Stay?
- Arc 1950 Le Village never disappoints when it comes to easy access to the slopes and plenty of facilities to keep everyone entertained.
- For something more luxurious, the 5-star Hotel Taj-I Mah offers superb service and fantastic amenities combined with a ski-to-door location.
St Moritz
St Moritz is an iconic ski destination and deservedly so. The Engadin ski area offers 350km of varied slopes between 1800 and 3303m and is one of the best snow-sure ski resorts in Switzerland. With breathtaking scenery, so much glitz and glamour and some staggeringly beautiful accommodation, it’s a destination that should be right up there on your bucket list.
Where To Stay?
- The 5-star Hotel Grace La Margna is the new kid in town on the luxury accommodation scene and delivers an outstanding experience with three amazing restaurants to choose from.
- For traditional Swiss luxury the 5-star Badrutt’s Palace is grand and certainly has the wow factor.
- If you fancy something more understated, the 4-star Hotel Nira Alpina sits in a neighbouring village and offers quality accommodation with easy access to the slopes and a great place to stay if you're considering the Corvastch Snow Safari.
Tignes
Hotel VoulezVous
Sharing a ski area with neighbouring Val d’Isere, Tignes offers superb snow-sure conditions all through the winter with high altitude glacier skiing and masses of slopes to explore. The quality of accommodation and dining in Tignes has grown exponentially in the last few winters and you’ll now find an excellent range of 5-star accommodation and plenty of great restaurants to explore.
Where To Stay?
- Hotel VoulezVous is a beautiful 5-star option with modern and bright rooms, a wonderful spa and superb views from its restaurant with floor to ceiling windows.
- For Michelin-starred dining, check out the Hotel Les Suites – Maison Bouvier in Val Claret with gorgeous suites and a beautiful bar.
- If you prefer a self-catering option, Residence Le Nevada is well located and offers comfortable apartments with a great spa.
La Plagne
Panoramic view of La Plagne by Olivier Allamand
Part of the Paradiski area, La Plagne offers high-altitude skiing with links to neighbouring Les Arcs. The ski area rises to 3250m and offers excellent snow-sure conditions all through the winter. Made up of a number of smaller resorts, each has purpose-built accommodation (which is often ski-in/ski-out) and everything you need on your doorstep for a brilliant ski trip.
Where To Stay?
- Residence Manaka is a wonderful addition to La Plagne Centre with beautiful, modern apartments and excellent facilities.
- For larger groups, Chalet Hugo is a wonderful choice with a spacious living room and six bedrooms.
For more information, please contact our Ski Specialists today on 0131 243 8097 or Enquire Online now.