Trying to decide where to go to the mountains in winter? The answer depends on what you want from the trip. Some people want hundreds of kilometres of linked pistes; others want a quiet village with a wood fire and a good fondue. Europe has both, and most of the best options are in the Alps.
In this guide, we’ll start by comparing the main mountain areas. Next, we’ll look at what you can do besides skiing, and then we’ll cover the practical side of planning your trip. Finally, we’ll finish with a shortlist of the best resorts in the French and Swiss Alps.
Why a winter holiday in the mountains is worth it
A week in the snow is great for fresh air, real exercise and a complete change of pace. Most Alpine resorts open in early December and run until mid-April.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Reliable snow at altitude from December to April | School holiday weeks are expensive and busy |
| Something for every level, from first-timers to experts | Lift passes add up for families |
| Plenty to do off the slopes | Mountain weather can close lifts and roads |
| Easy to reach from Geneva, Lyon and Grenoble airports | Winter driving needs the right equipment |
Where to go to the mountains in winter: the Alps and the Pyrenees
The Alps are the obvious first choice. They’re higher, and home to the world’s largest linked ski areas. Les 3 Vallées in Savoie has around 600 km of pistes, and the Portes du Soleil, which straddles the French-Swiss border, has around 600 km. In Switzerland, the 4 Vallées around Verbier and Nendaz add about 412 km, with Mont Fort topping out at 3,330 m.
Meanwhile, the Pyrenees are a solid alternative, especially if you’re travelling from Spain or south-west France. For instance, Grandvalira in Andorra is the biggest ski area in the range, with about 210 km of pistes and 65 lifts.
Similarly, Baqueira Beret in Catalonia is popular thanks to its reliable snow record and smart village feel. That said, the Pyrenees are generally lower, and their snow is less consistent. For that reason, the Alps remain the safer bet for a week-long ski trip.
| Area | Country | Pistes | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Les 3 Vallées | France | About 600 km | Big mileage and high-altitude snow |
| Portes du Soleil | France and Switzerland | About 600 km | Cross-border skiing and traditional villages |
| 4 Vallées | Switzerland | About 412 km | Swiss scenery and long descents |
| Grandvalira | Andorra | About 210 km | Value and easy access from Spain |
If you’re torn between the two countries, the choice usually comes down to style and budget. On the one hand, a ski holiday in the French Alps generally means bigger linked ski areas and a wider choice of accommodation. On the other hand, the Valais Alps on the Swiss side are known for higher peaks and older villages. As a result, prices there tend to be slightly higher.
Things to do on a winter mountain holiday, beyond skiing
Not everyone in a group wants to ski all day, and that’s fine. A good resort has plenty going on beyond the lifts.
- Snowshoeing: marked trails through the forest, no experience needed
- Cross-country skiing: cheaper than downhill and a great workout
- Ski touring: climbing on skins for quiet, untracked descents, ideally with a guide
- Sledging and ice skating: easy wins with children
- Thermal baths: the Valais has several, ideal after a long day
- Local food: raclette from the Valais, fondue, tartiflette and Abondance cheese in Haute-Savoie
Must-do checklist:
- Try at least one activity that isn’t skiing
- Have raclette or fondue in a mountain restaurant
- Ride the highest lift in your area on a clear morning
- Book ski school early if you’re travelling in the February holidays
Practical tips for planning a winter mountain trip
If you’re going to the mountains on holidays this winter, timing makes the biggest difference to price and crowds.
| Period | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Early December | Resorts opening, quieter slopes, snow can be patchy lower down |
| Christmas and New Year | Festive atmosphere, full resorts, top prices |
| January | Cold, quiet and usually the best value of the season |
| February | School holidays across Europe, busiest weeks of the year |
| March to mid-April | Longer, sunnier days, softer snow in the afternoon |
- Driving in France: in mountain areas, winter tyres or chains must be carried from 1 November to 31 March.
- Driving in Switzerland: you need a motorway vignette, and Switzerland uses Swiss francs, not euros.
- Insurance: make sure your cover includes winter sports and mountain rescue.
- Lift passes: buying online in advance is usually cheaper than at the ticket office.
- Accommodation: choose ski-in, ski-out or near a lift if you have small children.
Plans can also come together quickly. If you’ve left it late, there are still last-minute ski holidays available in many resorts outside the peak weeks.
Top Alpine resorts for a winter holiday: our selection
Still deciding where to go to the mountains in winter? These resorts cover a range of budgets, styles and skiing levels.
| Resort | Country | Ski area | Why go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nendaz | Switzerland | 4 Vallées | Access to Mont Fort and over 400 km of pistes |
| Veysonnaz | Switzerland | 4 Vallées | Quieter village with a direct link into the big area |
| Zinal | Switzerland | Grimentz-Zinal | Traditional valley, high slopes and few crowds |
| Châtel | France | Portes du Soleil | Cross-border skiing into Switzerland |
| Orelle | France | Les 3 Vallées | A back door to Val Thorens at lower prices |
| Chamrousse | France | Chamrousse | About 90 km of pistes close to Grenoble, host of the 1968 Olympic alpine events |
| Val Cenis | France | Haute Maurienne | Long, gentle runs next to the Vanoise National Park |
With children in tow, ski school, beginner areas and nursery slopes matter far more than total kilometres, and some of the best Alpine ski resorts for families are the smaller, quieter ones.
Not sure which suits you? A quick way to narrow it down:
- Keen skiers: Nendaz or Orelle, for access to the 4 Vallées or Les 3 Vallées
- Families: Châtel, Veysonnaz or Val Cenis, with gentler slopes and calmer villages
- Short breaks: Chamrousse, which is quick to reach from Grenoble
- Peace: Zinal, at the end of the Val d’Anniviers
Plan your winter in the Alps with Alpvision Residences
If you’re going to the mountains on holidays this winter, the Alps give you the widest choice, from huge linked ski areas to small, traditional villages. Pick your dates around the school holidays, sort your insurance and transport early, and leave room for a day off the slopes.
Alpvision Residences has chalets and apartments across the Swiss and French Alps, from accommodation in the Swiss Alps around Nendaz, Veysonnaz and Zinal to holiday rentals in the French Alps in Châtel, Orelle and Val Cenis.
Book your trip today!
