Are you thinking about an active winter getaway and an adventurous skiing holiday in the mountains? In that case, you will need to find the best destination that suits you and plan everything to ensure a smooth trip.
In addition to the Alps, Europe offers many other excellent ski slopes. Here you will find a selection of ski destinations that promise thrilling experiences for skiers of all levels, both children and grown-ups.
While the Alps boast a wealth of incredible slopes, there are plenty of other locations to discover for those looking for something unique or more budget-friendly. These alternative destinations have captured the hearts of ski enthusiasts. This guide may help you make a decision and find the perfect ski resort for your winter holiday.
Since the risk of injuries and accidents is higher during skiing holidays, travel insurance is essential. This is why we will also share recommendations on what to consider when choosing the right travel insurance.
The most important thing is your safety (and that of your family). When choosing a ski destination, make sure the resort offers slopes and trails that match your skill level. It is equally important to follow the safety rules of the ski centres – the aim of those is to protect visitors.
Skiing involves a higher risk of injury, making travel insurance a must. Its medical coverage ensures access to specialist care in case of an accident. This is particularly important in many resorts where public healthcare may not be available.
We also recommend purchasing liability coverage as part of your travel insurance. This can help if you accidentally cause injury to someone else or damage their property (when falling, for instance). Did you know that as of 2023, liability insurance is mandatory in ski resorts in the Italian Alps, and not having it can result in a €150 fine?
Ski trips are hugely popular in Europe but can only be enjoyed during a limited season – usually from early December to April. Scandinavia is an exception, where skiing is possible from October to May.
January, February and March are the most popular months for ski enthusiasts. If you plan your trip during this peak season, expect crowded slopes and potential challenges finding accommodations.
Choosing your destination is exciting, is it not? Each ski resort is unique and attracts skiers for different reasons, and they all are equally committed to providing the best experience for visitors. Whether you are an experienced skier, a beginner, or travelling with your family and young children, ski centres offer trails to match your skills and needs. You can also take skiing lessons from pros.
If you are skiing with kids, most resorts prioritize their safety while ensuring they have a good time. They are making a serious effort to ensure that the little ones have a great time in the midst of adrenaline-filled adventures, honing their skiing skills and ensuring their comfort and enjoyment.
Altitude: 787 to 1987 m
Total length of tracks: 30 km
Known as Poland’s winter capital, Zakopane lies nestled in the Tatra Mountains near the Poland-Slovakia border, boasting over 50 trails. This resort has more to offer than one might initially think. Zakopane offers a rare chance to ski from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., thanks to its extended daylight hours.
Zakopane Harenda Ski Centre features slopes with shorter tracks for beginners as well as longer and more exciting ones for more experienced thrill-seekers.
Szymoszkowa, known for fluffy snow, features a 400m track for beginners and a challenging 1500m descent for seasoned skiers.
The Nosal ski centre offers three 145m tracks for beginners and three 240m tracks with varying slopes. In addition, it is possible to take skiing lessons and rent equipment and clothing.
In addition to skiing, you can explore Zakopane’s unique architecture, indulge in local cuisine, or unwind in one of its ten thermal spas. This small town is a genuine holiday paradise.
For a non-skiing adventure, consider hiking to Morskie Oko, the largest lake in the Tatra Mountains. An 18-kilometre round-trip on a paved path offers stunning views. However, if walking is not for you, opt for a horse-drawn carriage for a truly unique experience.
Altitude: 800 to 2200 m
Total length of tracks: 173 km
A premier Austrian ski resort, Kitzbühel is famous for hosting the world slalom championships on the iconic Streif slope. The summit, often dubbed the paradise for snowboarders, offers an exhilarating experience. Night skiing enthusiasts will appreciate the resort’s dedicated track for extended adrenaline-fuelled descent.
The expansive skiing area of Kitzbühel is one of the largest in Europe. You are sure to experience thrilling adventures there, though queues – especially during peak season – are, of course, unavoidable.
The resort impresses with its wide slopes, a network of lifts, and top-notch snow making facilities. Notably, in late January each year, Kitzbühel hosts the prestigious FIS alpine skiing world cup, featuring the iconic Hahnenkamm race. This event, held since 1931, attracts adrenaline enthusiasts from all over the world, making accommodation rather difficult to find. If you are determined to visit this magnificent location, make sure to book your accommodation well in advance or plan your trip during a quieter time. You should also consider that the town itself is relatively large, so you may need transportation to get around more easily.
In Kitzbühel’s charming old town, numerous well-preserved historical buildings reflect the city’s rich past. The central square captivates with mediaeval architecture and buildings adorned in vivid colours. Cafes, terraces, and luxury shops abound, creating a delightful atmosphere. The city frequently hosts cultural events, offering opportunities for spontaneous exploration.
Altitude: 531 to 1410 m
Total length of tracks: 38.5 km
Levi resort in Finland provides a unique alternative to the Alps with the longest ski season, running from October to May. Nestled on the northern side of the Arctic, the small town ensures top-to-bottom excellent snow quality. However, daylight is scarce there – spotlights can only be turned off at 10 a.m., and by 2 p.m., they must be turned back on.
The resort of Levi is praised for its excellent infrastructure, modern equipment and, of course, the arctic climate. This is one of the most popular ski resorts in the Scandinavian countries, which is mostly chosen by the younger and more adrenaline-seeking crowd. By the way, there are also other ski centres near the Levi resort where you can enjoy entertainment and various slopes.
Finland is an attractive destination for many other winter activities as well. For example, dog sledding is very popular among tourists, although for locals, it is just an ordinary means of transportation. A dog sled ride, however, opens up the crisp beauty of the Nordic landscape from an entirely new perspective.
If you crave more adrenaline, you can try a snowmobile safari – whether for a shorter joyride or a multi-hour excursion. Understandably, snowmobiling is incredibly popular in Finland.
And after refreshing experiences on icy terrain, you can warm up in a Finnish sauna. Sauna culture is an inseparable part of Finland’s identity. An interesting fact: the village of Levi has about 900 permanent residents, but there are over 2,050 saunas there.
Altitude: 941 to 1799 m
Total length of tracks: 24 km
Poiana Brasov hailed as Romania’s top ski resort, stands out for its small size, affordability, and family-friendly appeal. Nestled in the picturesque Carpathian Mountains, you will find beautiful nature, clean air, and sunshine. In contrast to larger European ski destinations, Poiana Brasov is a budget-friendly gem, particularly suitable for beginners or families with small children. The ski centre offers a total of seven main slopes (plus their additional branches) with a combined length of 24 kilometres, making it perfect for beginner skiers while also offering something for advanced skiers.
When planning your ski holiday, you might consider feedback from ski enthusiasts online, which suggests that three days are enough to experience everything the ski centre has to offer. If your vacation lasts longer, you can spend the remaining days exploring the nearby city of Brasov, visiting sights, and enjoying rich Romanian entertainment.
A 20-minute drive from the ski resort lies the impressive medieval city of Brasov. Thanks to its well-preserved medieval atmosphere, many historical films have been shot there. By the way, Brasov is relatively large, so to see all its beautiful spots, you should plan for more than just one day.
Near Poiana Brasov, you will also find another true tourist magnet – Dracula’s Castle. The castle is named after the protagonist of Bram Stoker’s horror novel Dracula, but it is not particularly scary. The castle houses a museum showcasing a collection of furniture and works of art collected by Queen Maria of Romania.
Altitude: 990 to 2530 m
Total length of tracks: 75 km
Bulgaria is another destination where you can go skiing at a more affordable price. About a three-hour drive from Sofia, on the edge of Pirin National Park, lies the Bansko ski resort, considered one of the best in Eastern Europe. This is confirmed by the annual slalom World Cup event held there, and the entertainment offered rivals that of popular resorts elsewhere in the world.
In Bansko, there are about 75 kilometres of slopes for skiers and snowboarders. There are blue, red, and black runs, while several slopes offer long, safe descents into the valley. Additionally, there are convenient practice areas for complete beginners, and ski lessons are available for both children and adults. The slopes are accessible via a modern lift system.
Bansko boasts many small family-owned hotels and restaurants, providing a great opportunity to interact with locals and enjoy traditional Bulgarian cuisine. The resort also has an active night life, with numerous bars, restaurants, and clubs to ensure guests have a good time.
Altitude: 1300 to 2030 m
Total length of tracks: 120 km
Set amidst the breathtaking Dolomite Mountains, Cortina d’Ampezzo is known as one of the world’s most famous and beautiful ski resorts. The 1956 Winter Olympics were held in Cortina, and in 2026, the city is ready to host the Olympics once again. Life in Cortina is vibrant year-round, with a wide range of entertainment options, so you can enjoy your time even off the ski slopes.
Cortina’s winter sports centre is open to all, and beginners can also take introductory courses. The ski area, comprising multiple sectors, boasts a total of 86 tracks, offering a selection of open and wooded slopes. On the high slopes of Ra Valles, snow conditions are often optimal. Faloria, the sole ski area accessible from the city centre, necessitates a cable car descent or a bus return from Cristallo, as no tracks are leading back to the resort in these sectors.
If you enjoy cross-country skiing, you should definitely try the 30-kilometre trail from the old Dolomite railway in Dobbiaco, considered one of the most beautiful cross-country tracks in the Dolomites.
The sunny and mild weather, stunning scenery, and excellent slopes attract adrenaline seekers and fashion enthusiasts alike every year. Why fashion enthusiasts? Cortina is also known for its stylish shops and parties that last until dawn. Half-jokingly, it is said that tourists who come to ski often do not make it to the slopes because there is simply too much to do in the bustling town, both day and night. For novice skiing enthusiasts, this could be beneficial – it gives them more opportunities to practice.
Altitude: 1035 to 3840 m
Total length of tracks: 150 km
Situated at the foot of Mont Blanc, Western Europe’s highest peak, Chamonix is a resort with a long tradition of skiing and mountaineering. The first skiers discovered Chamonix’s slopes in 1893 and were so enchanted that the decision was made to hold the first Winter Olympics there in 1924. And so it happened.
The skiing area of Chamonix is divided into sectors. You can reach the Le Brévent sector by walking from the city centre. A couple of kilometres away you can reach La Flégère by cable car. In both areas, you will have the opportunity to admire the wonderful views of Mont Blanc. Skiing professionals gather 7 km away at the 3,300-meter-high Grand Montets mountain, which towers above the village of Argentière. Its slopes offer the most unique and challenging descents and the finest quality snow.
For thrills and adrenaline-filled adventures, Aiguille du Midi – the highest peak in the Chamonix region – is the place to go. Fittingly, it has earned the nickname ‘Midday Peak’, as the sun reaches directly above the summit of Chamonix by noon. The cable car to this mountain was once considered the highest in the world. At the top, in addition to breathtakingly beautiful views, you can also marvel at the majestic beauty of Mont Blanc itself. And if that is not enough, you can extend your experience with a walk through the ice tunnels that connect Aiguille du Midi and Mont Blanc.
Once your travel destination is chosen, transportation and accommodation are arranged, you have already taken care of the main things, and you can start counting down the days until your trip! In the meantime, it is worth considering whether you have a plan B in case an unexpected obstacle arises. For instance, if you need to cancel your trip, your luggage is delayed, damaged, or lost during the flight, or if an accident occurs during your vacation.
A proper travel insurance plan can help you deal with such unexpected events. If travel insurance is available 24/7 and assists in handling unforeseen situations and the costs arising from them. Our experience shows that insurance is very important on skiing trips. Still, we frequently encounter cases where travellers involved in accidents suffer significant losses due to insufficient insurance coverage. So, what are the key elements travel insurance should include to be helpful in emergencies?
When it comes to skiing trips, the risk of falling must always be considered, even if you are an experienced skier. Sometimes, all it takes for an accident is a misstep, and on the slopes, a less experienced skier can also cause quite a mess. Falls while skiing downhill, colliding with others, or hitting obstacles can lead to various injuries such as fractures, meniscus tears, joint injuries, and ligament ruptures. Often, surgical treatment is necessary, and the cost varies greatly between countries. Here are some examples of claims from our customers:
In crowded mountainous terrain, where movement is restricted, unexpected events can occur. If you fall while skiing and injure others or damage their equipment, it will likely lead to a claim for damages. Accidents can also occur when carrying ski equipment, such as accidentally scratching a car or breaking a window. In such events, liability insurance can cover the damages caused to other people.
For example, one unfortunate case involved a person wearing ski boots and carrying skis who tripped while exiting a bus and accidentally broke the bus window with the skis. The insurance promptly covered the cost of replacing the broken window (€2,000), allowing the customer to continue their holiday without significant financial loss.
Also – did you know that liability insurance has been mandatory for skiing trips in the Italian Alps since 2023? Failure to have it can result in a €150 fine.
If your luggage is delayed, stolen, or lost during transit, luggage insurance can help. Your luggage includes all items you carry on your trip – clothing, footwear, toiletries, cameras, mobile phones, laptops, etc.
Travel interruption insurance is useful in cases where you, your sole travel companion, or a family member falls ill before the trip, forcing you to cancel. In such cases, the insurance reimburses the costs of the cancelled trip that the travel provider does not refund (e.g., partially or fully prepaid accommodation, transport, organized activities). The cancellation coverage is valid already before your trip (insurance period), starting three days after the policy is issued, so it is best to arrange it immediately after booking your trip.
If skiing holidays help you beat the winter blues and give you a boost of energy for the season, we hope you found valuable suggestions here on where to go and how to make your trip smooth and memorable.
An ideal skiing trip includes mountains, snow, and ski gear, but it is also crucial to ensure you have proper insurance coverage. You should carefully review the necessary coverage for your policy and understand what is considered an insured event and what exclusions apply. If something happens, you can conveniently report your claim via If self-service or the If Mobile Baltics app.