Deciding where to ski in Europe can be a dizzying experience — the act of descending down mountains on two planks is both a beloved pastime and a lifestyle in most of the continent. However, while ski areas can be found all over Europe, the countries of France, Switzerland, Austria, and Italy are particularly renowned for their ski-friendly climate, terrain, and infrastructure. Here, villages have decades (and in many cases, centuries) of experience welcoming powder-hungry travelers and understand that the sport is about more than simply heading down a mountain on skis or a snowboard. So, in addition to powdery pistes, you'll find lively après-ski scenes, fine-dining restaurants set in wildly scenic locales, and lodging that is both luxurious and unpretentious.
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Courchevel, France
PHOTO:PASCAL GERTSCHEN/COURTESY OF ZERMATT TOURISMUS
Courchevel is a dream European ski destination. Through Courchevel, you have access to Les Trois Vallées (The Three Valleys), the largest linked ski area in the world. And when it comes to post-skiing fun, the resort's six interconnected villages offer up a little something for everyone. In Courchevel, you'll find Michelin-starred restaurants, a dedicated children's ski area, hundreds of upscale boutiques, and perhaps most importantly, guaranteed snow, thanks to the resort's natural high elevation and expansive snowmaking system.
Access to Courchevel is easiest via Chambéry Airport (a one-and-a-half-hour drive) or Geneva Airport (a two-and-a-half-hour drive).