Ski Safari Your Way Through Europe
If you are after a cultural ski experience, nothing beats the European Alps. The only decision is which country, landscape and language to immerse yourself in, and which ski resort to head to. With so many quality options to choose from, we recommend considering a ski safari, where you can trek between different resorts and destinations to discover the extent of ski fields on offer.
Check out a few of my favourite ski safari options below.
Italy - Dolomites
A stellar 12-night itinerary in the Dolomites incorporates the Eastern part of the Dolomites in the Alta Badia region, skiing to a rifugio, and then skiing onto the Western Dolomiti of Val Gardena.
For those unfamiliar with rifugios, imagine a pension perched atop a mountain, amongst incredible rock formations, accessible only by skis or snow cat. Nothing prepares you for the solitude of the mountains at the end of the day, while staying at one of these local huts. The serenity is just sublime, and the food is typically a highlight.
If you’d like to weave a little character and culture of a delightful town centre into your experience, you could start the safari in the pearl of the Dolomites, Cortina D’Ampezzo, before heading to a rifugio and ending in the western side of the Dolomites. The food available in the Dolomites is amongst the most delicious of all ski destinations – but it’s not just about the food and quaint villages. It is an area steeped in World War I history where the locals even have their own language (Ladino) and are so proud to be Ladin!
What I love about the Dolomites, and why I am heading back for a fifth time in 2023, is the hospitality and generosity of the locals, the magnificence of this UNESCO Listed World Heritage Site and enjoying the many local dishes on offer. My tip is remembering to ensure that you balance your ski efforts with your taste buds!
France
France is home to the world’s largest ski resort, les Trois Vallées, which boasts an impressive 600kms+ of slopes and plenty of off-piste experiences. It links some of the well-known resorts of Courchevel, Méribel, Val Thorens and Les Menuires.
Courchevel 1850 is a highlight for those after a more relaxed ski experience, offering a multitude of gourmet on-mountain dining options. Imagine a terrace filled with well-dressed patrons, tantalising dishes, top-rated wines and smiling faces admiring the stunning vistas. Here, the ski day often ends early with a very long lunch!
Val d’Isère is part of Espace Killy, named after French Olympic hero Jean-Claude Killy, who grew up in Val d’Isère. Sharing ski terrain with neighbouring Les Trois Vallées, this ski area is another favourite for us Aussies due to its reliable snow cover and varied terrain. It offers easy cruising and fabulous off-piste opportunities for the avid skier. From Val d’Isère, the tracks wind their way down to the famous Tignes dam at the base of the Tignes resort, where you can enjoy lunch in the postcard-perfect town of Tignes Les Brevières.
For those adrenaline junkies, just head to the Bellevarde downhill area, which was designed for the 1992 Olympic games. If you survive the 915-metre drop challenge, you can choose to celebrate at one of the many fun La Folie Douce high altitude clubs. No doubt you will be dancing on the tables in no time!
Switzerland
If skiing from hotel to hotel doesn’t do it for you, you can always connect your resorts via one of the greatest rail journeys in the world. Head to Switzerland and combine 2-3 mountains by hopping on board the scenic Glacier Express between ski resorts.
For those after glitz and glam, start your Swiss Ski Safari in the St Tropez of the Swiss Alps – St Moritz – and take the Glacier Express to the end of its line, to the charming, renowned village of Zermatt. The full journey takes eight hours – weaving through some of the most picturesque scenery you can imagine. You’ll pass gorges and canyons, alongside rivers, over dramatic bridges, whirling through tunnels and passing many picture-perfect Swiss villages in the process. A rail journey of magnificence!
For those who don’t want to be seen and prefer to combine lesser-known resorts with one of the two Swiss faves – there are a number to choose from. Start in Flims to warm up your legs in the expansive Flims/Laax/Falera terrain, then hop on board the Glacier Express to the tiny village of Andermatt.
If you enjoy a little off-piste skiing, you have come to the right place. Andermatt-Sedrun region is a haven for “free-riders”. Ski from Andermatt to Sedrun and then onto Disentis and for a little fun, make sure you hop on the Apres-ski train back to town at the end of your ski day. There’s nothing like singing along to some classics with a glass of schnapps (or two) in your hand, with your new-found friends on board the Après train! 😊
If you’re a super keen skier and looking for another multi village experience, continue south from Andermatt, once again, on board the Glacier Express and head to Zermatt to finish your Swiss ski safari. Zermatt offers brilliant high altitude skiing and connects via a network of runs into Breuil-Cervinia in Valle d’Aosta, Northwest Italy. The village of Zermatt oozes charm and mystery with the backdrop of the majestic Matterhorn forever on display.
Austria
I have left this one to last because as much as I love all the above destinations, the Austrian Alps hold a special place in my heart. Austria promises a more relaxed cultural ski experience… and it’s a country that knows how to Après-ski! 😉
What I love about the majority of the accommodation in the Arlberg region is that they are small family-owned and run hotels that love to share their Austrian heritage with their guests - offering a true sense of place for all those skiing in the Austrian Alps.
St Anton is known for its vast choice of aprés bars - there is an option to suit everyone’s taste. The Heustadl with its live bands, Sennhütte, Taps and Krazy Kanguruh; all appealing to the young ski bum, or the infamous Mooserwirt that draws in hundreds listening to the Austrian hoopla and current hits while downing beers and Jägerbombs!
Fortunately, there is also Griabli for the slightly more mature ski bum, where rock music is played from 3:30pm until dinner time. And on the other side of the valley there is Rendl Beach, perched up high on Rendl mountain, offering stunning views into the valley from the deck chairs which are planted firmly in the snow - perfect for the sophisticated skiier who is often found sipping an Aperol Spritz while watching the sun set over the snowy alps.
The Arlberg Region has some of the most exciting on-piste and exhilarating off-piste skiing to be found. The extensive network of ski terrain via interlinked quaint villages, high altitude and this being one of the snowiest places in Austria, makes this area a skiing delight.
Combine the Arlberg region with one of many nearby Austrian ski resorts - whether it be Kitzbuhel (known for its famous Hahnenkamm Downhill slope and super colourful village); the Tirol SkiWelt extensive ski resort; Soelden where James Bond Spectre ski scenes were filmed; or the ski resort of Ischgl in the neighbouring valley. All are within an easy 1-to-2.5-hour drive of the Arlberg.
If you simply cannot decide which country to ski through, why not combine a couple, and savour the best each destination has to offer?
