It may still be summer; however, it may be time to think about choosing which ski resort you will visit at Christmas. It’s the picture-perfect Christmas that we all wish we could have. Sounds idyllic to me; it’s ideal for families; kids will enjoy it, and happy kids mean happy parents; it’s utterly romantic for couples, and it’s a lot of fun for groups of friends. You can also take a look at the best ski resorts to visit.
Suitable for families
Switzerland’s Wengen
Wengen is a lovely village with well-decorated streets that promote the Christmas season and a buzzing vibe. On Christmas Eve, enjoy steaming hot cocoa and baked doughnuts. The town is car-free, with beautiful play spaces and mild slopes, making it ideal for families. There are fantastic toboggan tracks for the whole family to enjoy, as well as plenty of other activities like outdoor skating and curling. The resort is located at 1,275m in the Jungfrau region, with slopes ranging from 945m to 2,970m and 45 lifts serving 213 km of pistes.
Norway’s Beitostolen
It is a fantastic resort for families, beginners, and teenagers, with various extra activities to keep the kids entertained. It’s completely unspoiled, with stunning views of Jotunheimen National Park and the Bitihorn Mountain as a backdrop. With mild slopes and a ski school, it’s ideal for novices. There are 21 pistes, two of which are floodlit for night skiing. Snowmobiling, gliding down the slopes in an inflatable boat, husky sledging, and an outstanding network of 300km of cross-country paths to explore will all appeal to young teenagers. The resort is 900m high, with slopes ranging from 700m to 1,107m and 20 km of pistes served by nine lifts.
Ideal for small groups of friends
Austria, Ischgl
This is the resort for those who enjoy skiing but much more so the nightlife; it’s ideal for intermediate skiers, with high-quality snow and legendary parties in this historic farming hamlet. Christmas in this community is magical, with songs playing throughout the season. A gondola that connects to a network of lifts that stretches to the Swiss border and the settlement of Samnaun debuted in 2014 and is well worth a visit. Intermediate skiers will have a terrific time at Ischgl, which has 238km of terrain and 45 lifts serving slopes ranging from 1,400m to 2,870m.
Best for luxury
France, Megève
In the cobblestoned street town square, which is flanked by fabulous boutiques, bars, restaurants, and hotels, a Swarovski Christmas tree will enchant you. Everything here screams glamour and luxury, with dazzling lights visible for miles. The refinement of this superb ski resort is enhanced with Michelin star restaurants, Mountain spas, and beautiful views of Mont Blanc. Nearby are Chamonix and Verbier, and don’t be shocked if you run across some famous faces. The resort is 1,100m high, with 325 km of pistes and 88 lifts serving slopes ranging from 850m to 2,335m. This resort is ideal for everyone, but especially couples and groups looking for a touch of elegance.
Ideal for a perfect Christmas
Switzerland’s Zermatt
The beautiful Matterhorn dominates the skyline, with quaint tiny alleys and historic chalets as its backdrop. With horse-drawn sleighs, roasted chestnuts, and market stalls galore, the village is picture-perfect at Christmas, and the shop windows glow with a stream of festive lights to pull you in; it’s the ideal romantic Christmas scenario. The resort has a sprinkling of local restaurants to suit your budget, suitable for intermediates with decent lengthy scenic routes and accessible off-piste, as well as vast off-piste and challenging terrain for the pros.
The town is spread out, but the bus service is fast, making travelling about a breeze. The resort is 1,620m above sea level, with slopes ranging from 1,620m to 3,820m and over 200km of pistes served by 35 lifts, making it a superb destination for everyone.
