
1) Val d'Isere, France
Val D’Isere in the wintertime looks like a wintery fairytale. The snow-covered boutique shops on High Street and surrounding Chalets are postcard-perfect with the mountains towering in the background. Those mountains boast 96 speedy lifts with more than 300 kilometers of pisted runs. With brand new, state of the art learning areas, 2 snow parks and plenty of off piste terrain for the thrill seekers, "Val D" has skiing for all styles. For the experts, the infamous ‘Le Face’ black run beckons skiers to its steep grade; from the top of the Olympic lift, the run traverses three kilometers into town. Val d'Isère sits at a high altitude of 1,850 meters (6,070 feet), and its ski slopes reach up to 3,456 meters (11,339 feet). This elevation ensures excellent snow conditions throughout the winter season, with a long season typically running from November to May. The resort's high-altitude location offers breathtaking alpine scenery. This ski resort is equally renowned for its festive atmosphere and après ski culture as it is its skiing. Find revelers dancing on the tables at the famous Follie Douce. Don’t miss their Cabaret show. Or try the festivities at Cocorico at the bottom of the Solaise which hosts equally lively parties with live bands. After dinner you can party until the early hours with the DJ’s at Dicks Tea Bar or Doudoune.
There's no debating it -- the Alps are legendary. The iconic peaks of the Alps -- the Matterhorn, Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa and Weisshorn to name a few -- are some of the most photographed and memorable mountains in the entire world. It is here the sport of alpine skiing was first born. Ever since the late 19th century, when skiing first evolved from a means of transportation to a recreational activity, the Alps have attracted alpine skiers. St. Anton in Austria is even nicknamed the “cradle of alpine skiing” for its historical role in advancing the sport. Today, the Alps boast a multitude of world-class ski resorts, each with their own unique character and attractions. From the glitz and glamour of resorts like Courchevel and St. Moritz, to the challenging pistes of of St. Anton and Les Trois Vallees of France, these resorts draw visitors from around the globe to explore the Alps' majestic peaks. Choosing where exactly to go in this vast mountain range, which spans multiple countries, is not an easy feat. In this guide, we uncover the 15 best ski resorts the Alps have to offer. We will delve into each resort's unique atmospheres and most captivating features. Whether you're a seasoned pro seeking extreme adventures, a novice looking to carve your first turns on the snow, or a non-skier interested in activities like boutique shopping and alpine spas, there's a resort in the Alps that will fulfill your winter fantasy.