Good news! Winter has returned to the Alps for the 2023 ski season. After unseasonably warm temperatures, ski resorts across Europe are now enjoying a fresh coating of snow. Which is a great relief to skiers and snowboarders living in these Alpine destinations. The main pistes have a good base layer, and there’s some lovely powder to be ridden at higher altitudes.
Therefore, we have put together a list of the top-rated ski resorts to visit in the 2023 ski season for the best ski and snowboarding trips. We have chosen these resorts based on access to great snow, quality places to stay, amenities and nightlife.
Morzine-Avoriaz, France
Morzine is located in the Portes du Soleil, which is the world’s largest ski area, which straddles the French-Swiss border. There are some excellent accommodation options in Morzine, which are located near the ski lifts and provide easy access to the village’s amenities.
Morzine’s ski slopes are suitable for all levels; many are tree-lined and picturesque. It is the ideal place for beginners, as there is an excellent nursery slope and plenty of blue runs for progression. Experienced skiers and snowboarders can take advantage of the freeride area and multiple off-piste options.
Even though Morzine is at a relatively low altitude, you can quickly get to the higher slopes of Avoriaz, which are long and wide, offering a different experience. You can even ski into Switzerland before returning to Morzine’s lively bars and restaurants.
Another great advantage of Morzine is that it is incredibly easy to get to. It is just an hour and a half drive from Geneva’s excellent rail links and International Airport. This all makes for an excellent area to live for those who are looking for the full alpine experience, while remaining extremely well connected to the rest of the globe.
Val d’Isere, France
Val d’Isere is one of the most famous ski resorts in France and possibly the world, and for a good reason. Located in the Tarentaise Valley, its fantastic slopes are suitable for every level of skier or snowboarder, and the village blends traditional and contemporary architecture. This, combined with luxury accommodations, high-end bars, and restaurants, creates a wonderful winter and summer experience.
The ski area has over 300 km of marked pistes and links with the neighbouring ski resort of Tignes. This, combined with reliable snow cover, means there’s lots of potential for snowy fun. There is also lots to do for non-skiers, such as paragliding, dog sledding, ice, driving, and a number of spas and swimming pools for relaxation.
One of the stand-out attractions to Val d’Isere is its variety of après and nightlife. You can start your festivities in the afternoon and continue to the early hours of the morning. Alternatively, you can choose to take it easy and have a more low-key experience.
Courchevel, France
Courchevel is one of the chicest ski resorts in the world. It’s a popular haunt for the rich and famous, who go there for its outstanding skiing, high-end dining experiences and boutique shops. It is located in the three valleys, the world’s largest interconnected ski area. You can expect perfectly manicured slopes, a modern ski lift infrastructure, and plenty of mountain restaurants and bars to fuel you for a day of exploring the mountains.
The resort comprises several villages, all offering their own character and amenities. Much of the accommodation in Courchevel is ski-in-ski-out, which means you have easy access to some of the world’s finest slopes.
Chamonix, France
Many ski resorts claim to be iconic Alpine destinations. While this is often true, there is nowhere more iconic than Chamonix, and it won’t take long for you to understand why. The town is surrounded by imposing peaks that have attracted alpinists for centuries, including Mont Blanc, Europe’s highest mountain.
Chamonix valley is made up of five different ski resorts. Each one has its own personality and terrain. Most of the skiable terrain around Chamonix is off-piste; therefore, it is one of the best places for advanced skiers and snowboarders. You can tick off several legendary off-piste routes during a visit to Chamonix, including the Vallee Blanche, which follows the ice flows of the Mur de Glace.
Chamonix is also on the French-Italian border. Therefore you can easily ski into Italy for pizza before coming back to France for fondue.
Champéry, Switzerland
Champéry is one of the 12 ski resorts that make up the Portes du Soleil. It offers a very different experience than the others. It is a more traditional style village overlooked by the stunning Swiss Alps, including the impressive Les Dents du Midi.
Skiing and snowboarding in Champéry is a joy as many slopes are tree-lined and often in the sun. The slopes are also much quieter than in the other Portes du Soleil ski resorts; you can easily have a slope to yourself, even during peak weeks. But you also have the option to stay over the border into France for a different experience when you feel like it.
Verbier, Switzerland
Verbier in Switzerland is a high-end ski resort that attracts people from all over the world with its fantastic ski area, lively, apres-ski, nightlife and incredible scenery. It sits in the Four Valleys, which provides 410 km of marked slopes. But it also has some of the world’s best freeride terrain and is one of the major stop-offs of the World Freeride Tour extreme competition.
However, you don’t need to be an extremist to enjoy a trip to Verbier. The vast ski area caters to all abilities of skiers and snowboarders. It also has an excellent ski lift system that takes you up to over 3200 m in altitude, giving you some of the best alpine views in Switzerland.
Zermatt, Switzerland
Zermatt is one of the few ski resorts that can rival Chamonix in legendary status. This picturesque Village is made up of gorgeous chalets and low-rise apartments, and hotels. It is also overlooked by the impressive Matterhorn creating the classic Swiss “chocolate box experience.”
The ski area is large and has some excellent slopes. It is popular with intermediate skiers and snowboarders who love to cruise. This is because some of the runs are incredibly long. Still, there are plenty of mountain restaurants to rest your legs while tucking into excellent food.
Crans-Montana, Switzerland
Crans Montana is a Swiss ski resort located high up in the Rhône Valley. It is one of the best places in Switzerland for powder skiing. Many of its slopes are in the sun, and it gets good snow cover every winter; therefore, many people return to Crans-Montana every winter.
The resort is made up of three main villages, each with its own gondola lift to get you onto the slopes quickly and easily. With over 1400 m of vertical drop and 140 km of slopes, Crans Montana has something for everyone. You can expect to ski from the glacier at about 3000 m all the way down to the villages through stunning tree-lined runs. It’s also one of those rare ski resorts that will allow you to ski away from the crowds. If you like long runs, Crans-Montana is one of the best places to go, as some measure over 12 km long.
Final Thoughts
These are undoubtedly the best ski resorts to visit in 2023. You can expect fantastic nightlife, incredible accommodations and great slopes. These ski resorts also put on many different events and activities to keep guests entertained both on and off the mountain.
If you are interested in luxury property in any of these fantastic alpine destinations, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our property experts to help you reach your objectives.
