Alps Ski Vacations
About The Alps
In Europe, skiing isn't just a pastime, it's a lifestyle, complemented by spectacular scenery—like the world-famous Matterhorn peak and Mont Blanc—cultural adventures and culinary delights. To truly experience the best of Alpine ski resorts, enlist our Europe Vacation Specialists who can plan every detail of your Alps ski vacation, from flights to fromage tastings.
Scroll down to learn more about some of our favorite destinations in the Alps.
Torino Ski Resorts
Ski six Italian resorts and stay in Sestriere from $127 per night.
Along the Italian/French Alps border just outside of the mountain city of Torino, Italy, sits the Piemontese region and host of the 2006 Winter Olympics. Known for its unique blend of the Italian “dolce vita” (sweet life) and the laid-back French laissez-faire sentiment, this beautiful Alpine region draws cuisine and culture from the best of both Italy and France. However, one of the area’s most popular attractions are the Torino ski resorts, known as the Vialattea or Milky Way ski domain, which features six interconnected ski resorts and villages, including Sestriere and Sauze d’Oulx, across the Italian and French border. The ski domain offers 400 kilometers (250 miles) of skiing on 214 connected via 89 lifts ranging in altitude from 1,350 meters (4,430 feet) in Cesana to the top of the Vialettea, Mount Motta, at 2,800 meters (9,185 feet). Not to be missed, Mount Motta’s summit provides skiers with incredible views of this massive, gorgeous ski region. Snowmaking on 75-plus miles of trails, guarantees optimum conditions for the whole season.
Chamonix Ski Resort
Ski Chamonix and stay from $130 per night.
Tucked beneath the shadow of the 15,781-foot (4,810-meter) Mont Blanc, Chamonix is renowned for having some of the world’s best expert skiing and off-piste excursions. However, Chamonix is much more than a proving ground for avid skiers and snowboarders. The Chamonix ski resort feature five areas which offer terrain for every level from beginner to extreme-seeker, accessed via 50 lifts. In fact, three of the ski areas, Les Houches, La Flegere/Brevent and Les Planards are considered to be ideal for beginners and intermediates. Les Grands Montets is popular with advanced intermediates and experts, and those looking to experience a true Chamonix adventure will challenge themselves in the 2,134-meter (7,000-foot) off-piste descent accessed via the Aiguille du Midi, a two-stage cable car atop Mont Blanc. Chamonix ski resort is one of the oldest ski destinations in France, and is popular as both an international destination and weekend trip for local European skiers. The various lodging options reflect this and provide travelers with an assortment of choices to fit just about every budget and preference. Chamonix’s village is brimming with a variety of shopping, dining and nightlife to please just about everyone.
Zermatt Ski Resort
Stay at the five-star Grand Hotel Zermatterhof from $358 per night.
Mile-high Zermatt ski resort—an idyllic mountain village at the foot of the iconic Matterhorn peak—is one of the world's most famous Alpine destinations. Favored by southern exposure, sheltered by the wind and generously endowed with snow, Zermatt offers some of the most spectacular skiing and vistas in the Alps. One of the most unique things about Zermatt is its lack of noise. Since 1891, Zermatt has been a car-free village. Visitors get around town and to the slopes by train, horse-drawn sleigh or electro-taxis and –ski busses, making for a truly classic ski vacation experience. There’s really no need for a car anyway, Zermatt is a destination resort and the village is convenient and charming to walk around in. With a network of lifts with a capacity of 92,000 people per hour that serve 360 kilometers (224 miles) of marked ski trails, the scope and variety of Zermatt’s terrain is tremendous. Another matchless aspect of a Zermatt ski vacation is that it’s possible to ski to Italy. Zermatt is connected via the Theodulpass to Breuil-Cervinia ski resort. Skiing to Italy for an on-mountain lunch at Plateau Rosa is quite the experience, and provides the opportunity to enjoy the Italian view of the Matterhorn, known as Monte Cervin in Italy. Make sure to ski with your passport in your jacket!