The winter season is coming to an end, which means that AISB students have enjoyed skiing and snowboarding in a variety of different places! There are many resorts and slopes all over Europe that guarantee a pleasant and challenging experience for families and individuals. France, Austria, and Italy are the top 3 places AISB students and faculty go yearly to enjoy the slopes, off-piste and apres ski.
France – Courchevel
Courchevel belongs to “The Three Valleys” found in France. The north-facing bowls of the area feature blue, red and black slopes and a few highly recommended off-pistes. Courchevel itself is 150km but combined with Meribel and Val Thorens (The Three Valleys) they total about 600km of pistes. The altitude of the pistes is between 1300-2800 meters, where about 85% of the ski area is above 1800m.
The best time to visit is between early December and late April, when the snow is fresh and off-pistes are best for both skiers and snowboarders.
Cost:
Courchevel is significantly more expensive than most ski resorts in France and around the world. The average price for an individual for a 7-day trip is around €1,600 and for a family of 4, €5,000. Hotels range from €81 to €754 per night. For a ski pass, the price ranges from €325 to €360 for ages 13-64 for 6 days.
Highlighted Slopes:
Creux – a wide blue slope between 1650-1850 meters high.
Le Praz – Non-stop skiing which descends from 2738 meters and is a 1438-meter slope.
France – Val D’Isere
Another great and popular piste in France is Val D’Isere. It’s made up of three villages: Val D’Isere (the main village), La Daille and Le Fornet with a bus that travels between all three. These pistes are great for skiers and snowboarders during the summer because the Pissillas Glacier and Grande Motte Glacier provide cold and snowy conditions year round.
Overall, the slopes are linked by a lift system that covers about 24,000 acres. The area is above 2000m with various slopes and snow parks.
Cost:
Val D’Isere is less expensive than Courchevel, however, prices vary depending on the time of the year. A 1 day ski pass ranges between €50-60. For a week, between €320-390.
The average price for a hotel stay for a week is around €2000.
Highlighted Slopes:
La Face de Bellevarde is a challenging black slope that is best to ski during the morning.
In addition, while Val D’Isere has very challenging pistes, it is also kid friendly. Val Park under the Mont Blanc Lift is the best snow park that features ramps, jumps and a relaxed atmosphere.
Austria – Kitzbühel
A highlighted resort and great town in Austria is Kitzbühel. Kitzbühel is a town that has everything you need within walking distance. The slopes are suitable for beginners and advanced skiers with great options for off-pistes. The altitude of the slopes is between 800-2000 meters with pistes totalling 215km. There are 60 pistes in the area – mostly red and blue with some black.
The best time to visit, when the snow is fresh, the weather is great and the area is the best for skiing off-pistes, is between December and May.
Cost:
Kitzbühel is comparatively more affordable than most ski resorts in France or Italy. For a 7-day ski pass, the average cost would be between €150-350 depending on the age.
Regarding accommodations and hotels, most are within walking distance and “ski in, ski out” type of hotels. The prices would be around €700-1400 for a week.
Highlighted Slope:
The town of Kitzbühel takes great pride in, and is known for, the Streif. With a maximum slope of 85% (40.4 degrees) and a vertical drop of 860 m, it is 3312 m long, very tricky and outrageously steep.
Austria – Sölden
One of the most well-known ski areas in the Alps is Sölden and for good reason; it’s also among the greatest. With two glacier ski mountains, a high alpine altitude between 1350 and 3340 meters above sea level and state-of-the-art snowmaking equipment, there is consistent snow from October through May. The pistes are around 150km which provides great glacier skiing and connected areas that are non-glacial terrain.
Cost:
The prices of Sölden also change depending on the time of year. For a 7-day ski pass for a family, the price can rise to €1300. Average cost for an adult is €420 and €230 for a child. Even though this is significantly more expensive than other ski areas, James Bond movies were filmed in Sölden so these tickets also provide access to the James Bond museum along with some other fun attractions.
Highlighted Slope:
Piste No. 31 is the steepest downhill section in the entire Sölden ski resort, with a maximum gradient of 65 percent. This slope is used during the Ski World Cup competition at Rettenbach Glacier.
Italy – Cervinia
Cervinia is a beautiful sight in Italy that has many native Italian dishes, villages and also skiing routes that can bring you to Switzerland. Cervinia is situated near the Swiss border in the Aosta area of the northern Italian Alps. It’s ski area is connected to Zermatt’s, which is just across the border. The northern alps of Cervinia offer a long-lasting winter with the season-opening in October and ending in May. With 150km of piste, the runs are between 2000-3500m with stunning views of the landscape and great quality snow.
Cost:
During the peak season prices range between €200-310/person for a week. However, in the low season (between March-May), the prices range between €180-280/person for a week for ski passes and slopes.
Highlighted slopes:
Ventina: Breuil Cervinia – The Ventina is not only one of the most stunning and well-known slopes in Italy, but it is also one of the longest, stretching 11 kilometers from the Plateau Rosà at 3480 m to Cervinia at 2006 m.
Italy – Val Gardena (Dolomites)
Selva Val Gardena includes the ski areas Cortina, Val Gardena, Alta Badia and 12 ski resorts. The area is connected to the Dolomiti Superski region and the nearby Alpe di Siusi region. All skill levels can use the slopes and other attractions here. Selva Val Gardena has an established history because of its winter sports champions and remains the destination for the greatest competitors every year. With 78 lifts and an altitude of over 2500m, its pistes make up over 170km with a season between December – April. The slopes vary depending on the level of difficulty, featuring 90 pistes – 30% blue, 60% red and 10% black.
Cost:
Prices for the Dolomites area depend on the resort and also on where you prefer to ski. To ski in all 12 ski resorts and pistes, for a week, the prices would vary between €200-350. However if only skiing in Val Gardena, for a week, the prices would be between €160-320. Accommodation in hotels averages a price of €400 per night.
Highlighted Slopes:
Saslong: The Mythical – Since 1969, Val Gardena has hosted World Cup ski competitions almost annually. The Saslong hill, a magnificent and unpredictable race that has frequently produced unexpected champions throughout the years, has hosted the vast majority of them. Both Selva (Ciampinoi #29) and Santa Cristina (Saslong #17 + Sochers-Ciampinoi #18) have access to the lift and slope. The start house can be found close to the summit of Ciampinoi Mountain Station. It is a black slope that is about 3750m long; fun fact – the fastest skiers in the world complete the 3.7 km in under two minutes.
Overall, there are many ski resorts and pistes all around the world; these are merely a few favourites amongst AISB families. France, Austria, and Italy offer great accommodations and quality pistes with friendly people and villages.
Where is your favorite place to ski?
really cool!