Most popular winter sports areas in Europe

Still haven't found a location for winter sports during the spring break? Maybe you want to try something new after so many years going to the same place, or you're new to the winter sports world and don't know where to start. There's an enormous range of options in Europe, so we've put together a list of the most popular locations. ## Austria Austria remains the safe choice for many winter sports enthusiasts. The ski areas are large, well-organized and easily accessible. ### Saalbach-Hinterglemm An extensive ski area with lots of variety and fast lifts. You can best get here by traveling by car or train to Zell am See and completing the journey from there by bus. English is spoken well here and the price level is in the middle class. ### Sölden High altitude and therefore very snow-sure. Especially suitable if you want to ski long descents and don't want to be dependent on the weather. Well accessible via the Ötztal train. English is sufficient here and it's priced somewhat higher than the average ski trip. ### Ischgl Ischgl is known for its luxurious appearance and large connected ski area. It's a reasonably large area with high snow reliability. English is spoken as standard in this area, but it is on the pricey side, especially in the village itself. ## France France is known for its high, large ski areas - ski areas in France are on average much higher than in Austria. Many ski areas are also well equipped for winter sports, with ski-in, ski-out accommodations. ### Val Thorens Val Thorens is the highest ski resort in Europe, which ensures that snow reliability here is almost a given. Val Thorens is also known for its many après-ski venues and the associated parties. The village is  accessible by train, followed by a transfer, furthermore English is primarily spoken here.  Val Thorens falls in the high middle class price range.  

Les Deux Alpes 

The ski area at Les Deux Alpes is a relatively sporty area with a glacier. The area is described as sporty because there is a very large snow park called; 2 Alpes Freestyle Land. The advantage of this village is that many accommodations are located directly on the slopes. The area is easily accessible via the city of Grenoble and you can get by perfectly with English. Les Deux Alpes falls in the middle class price range.   

Chamonix-Mont Blanc 

This ski area is located on part of one of Europe's highest mountains, namely the Mont Blanc. This provides incredibly beautiful views in many places. The area is recommended for advanced skiers, as there are many beautiful off-piste possibilities here. The area is best reached by car. Chamonix-Mont Blanc falls in the higher price class.   

Italy 

Italy is known for its good slopes, good food and very beautiful views. This way Italy combines winter sports with tranquility. The only disadvantage of winter sports in Italy is the distance from the Netherlands.  

Livigno 

Livigno is a fairly small ski area, but is located relatively high, due to this altitude and the many snow machines the area often has guaranteed snow. Furthermore Livigno is tax-free, which means you can buy many products for a much lower price than in the Netherlands. English is spoken perfectly here and the total price package works out favorably, due to the low local prices.  

Cortina d'Ampezzo 

This is an area that is excellent for advanced skiers and snowboarders, as more than half of the slopes are red and black. In 2026 the Winter Olympics will take place here, so pay close attention to your planning, you might even be able to watch a competition. In Cortina d'Ampezzo English is common and the area falls in the higher price class.  

Val Gardena 

This area is located centrally in the Dolomites and is known for its sporty slopes and beautiful views. Val Gardena is part of the Dolomiti Superski, giving you access to an incredible number of slopes. The area is accessible via Innsbruck or Verona, followed by a local transfer. English is no problem here, furthermore Val Gardena falls in the high middle class price range.  

Emerging hotspots 

The above list probably already looks familiar to you, but there are naturally also emerging hotspots that shouldn't be missed. 

Bansko | Bulgaria 

Bansko has grown in a short time into a serious alternative to the Alps. The ski area is located at the foot of the Pirin mountain range and combines modern lifts with wide slopes that are mainly suitable for beginners and intermediate skiers. You reach Bansko by flying via Sofia, followed by a transfer of about two hours. English is spoken well here. The big advantage here lies in the price; accommodations, ski passes and food are much cheaper than in Western Europe.  

Jasná | Slovakia 

Jasná is located in the Low Tatras and is the largest ski area in Slovakia. The area offers surprisingly much variety, with slopes on both sides of the mountain. The local infrastructure has been significantly improved in recent years, with the arrival of modern lifts and well-prepared slopes.  Jasná is especially interesting if you travel by car; from the Netherlands it's quite doable, if you enjoy a long car ride. In the tourism sector you get by fine with English, although that is less self-evident here than in the Alps.  Jasná falls in the lower price range. 

Åre | Sweden 

Åre is the most famous winter sports region of Scandinavia and feels different from the Alps. No deep descents, but lots of space and tranquility. The slopes are clear and ideal for those who like to make long, relaxed days.  You travel to Åre via a flight to Östersund, followed by a short train or car ride. English is the standard language everywhere, which makes traveling simple. The price level is around the European average, with slightly higher costs for food and drinks. Åre is especially suitable if you want to combine winter sports with nature, silence and a less busy atmosphere. 

Winter sports '26 or rather '27? 

Choosing the right location starts with realistic expectations. How far do you want to travel, how many days are you going and what do you want to get out of your winter sports? Don't just look at fame, but also at accessibility and costs. Sometimes a less obvious destination provides exactly more pleasure and tranquility. Think of lower prices and less crowds.   It's important to compare options and read reviews before you book your trip. If you notice that you're too short on time to plan this for 2026, you can always consider going in the fall or even postponing the trip to 2027. Where will we see you on the slopes soon?