November 2019

When it comes to unforgettable ski holidays, snow is, of course, a hugely important factor. While we can’t guarantee the snow for your holiday, choosing a high-altitude resort will certainly up the chance of good snow conditions, especially if planning an early or late season trip.

Tignes - Image: Stephane Cande

Tignes - Image: Stephane Cande

Discover our pick of Europe’s most snow-sure destinations:

Val Thorens

Val Thorens. Image Credit: Pierre Morel

Val Thorens. Image Credit: Pierre Morel

As the highest resort in Europe, Val Thorens sits at an impressive 2,300m, enjoying a great snow record and a long ski season that runs from late November to early May. With 99% of its pistes above 2,000m, Val Thorens and the Three Valleys even offer a ‘Snow Guarantee’, whereby your lift pass will be refunded on any day another resort in Europe has a higher number of open, linked pistes (conditions apply).

Tignes and Val d’Isère

The mighty Tignes-Val d’Isère ski area is famous for having some of the most reliable snow in Europe, thanks to its high altitude and multi-directional snowfall from both the French and Italian Alps. This epic ski area boasts fantastic glacier skiing, an average snow depth of over two metres on its highest slopes and excellent snow making facilities.

Zermatt

Zermatt Village - Image: Leander Wenger

Zermatt Village - Image: Leander Wenger

Sitting in the shadow of the magnificent Matterhorn, the skiing in Zermatt is just as breathtaking as the scenery. It’s one of the best places to go for early season ski holidays, with frequently reliable snow cover by early December. How does Christmas in a picture-perfect Swiss ski resort sound?

Verbier

Skiing in Verbier

Skiing in Verbier. Image credit: verbier.ch / Melody Sky

The most popular resort in Switzerland’s largest ski area, the Four Valleys, lively Verbier offers some of the most snow sure – and picturesque – slopes around. The resort’s highest slopes on Mont Fort average a snow depth well over two metres, and extensive snowmaking facilities mean you can book an early or late season holiday with peace of mind.

Alpe d’Huez

Alpe D'Huez - Image: Lauent Salino

Alpe D'Huez - Image: Lauent Salino

Reaching a heady height of 3,330m, the extensive slopes and towering glacier of sunny Alpe d’Huez are some of the safest bets in France, with lifts generally opening in early December. Where better to attempt the longest black run in the Alps, the daring 16km Sarenne run?

Les Arcs

Les Arcs - Image: Pete Webb

Les Arcs - Image: Pete Webb

The pistes of Les Arcs rise to an impressive 3,200m with Arc 2000 (the highest of the four resort bases) in particular offering outstanding doorstep skiing. Linking with La Plagne to form the vast and diverse Paradiski area, a whopping 70% of runs are above 2,000m. This combined with a great snow record makes Les Arcs a great snow sure destination.

Feeling inspired? For more information enquire online or contact our Ski Specialists on 0131 243 8097.