Top 5 ski resorts for guaranteed snow!

It’s not too late to get booking your ski break for 2017 – the season is in full swing. Here’s my top five locations and resorts which won’t disappoint.

1. Val d’Isère-Tignes, France

With slopes up to 3,456m and the largest artificial snow-making plant in Europe these two contrasting yet linked resorts boast a giant ski area with 300km of pistes. Val d’Isère is dominated by chalets and 4-5* hotels whereas Tignes is primarily full of apartments and a few hotels with a series of purpose-built ski stations at varying altitudes. Glaciers aside, the incredible altitudes of slopes generally ensures this as a snow-sure destination – and in any case, Val has the largest artificial snowmaking plant in Europe which could fill an Olympic size swimming pool in 30 minutes!

2. Verbier, Switzerland

Offering a top lift at 3,300m, you can imagine the powder buffs that this resort attracts. Snow cover is pretty much guaranteed at altitude and this helps Verbier keep its title of ‘Freeride Capital of the Alps’. Lower slopes can suffer if snow fall is low, but with 400km of linked pistes to explore, I would highly recommend buying the 4 Valleys lift pass.

3. Lech, Austria

An upmarket village in the Voralberg region with slopes up to 2,450m. The region shares a lift pass and a link with neighbouring St Anton – however Lech boasts superior snow cover and has the highest average annual snowfall of any resort in Europe! The North-facing slopes and snow guns help keep the 185km of runs in good condition throughout the season.

4. Whistler, British Columbia

3,300 skiable hectares to explore, slope altitude up to 2,285m and rain commonly falling as powder snow around the top lifts – it’s no wonder this is the most popular ski resort in North America for British visitors. The maritime climate can provide harsh and changeable weather, but with the two central areas of Whistler Village and Blackcomb offering gondola access to the mountains, you will be able to warm up and head back out as you wish.

5. Val Thorens, France

The highest village ski resort in Europe sits at 2,300m with the highest lift travelling to 3,230m; the top point of the whole 600km Trois Vallées ski area. Being so high up ensures decent snow conditions from late November until early May.

Don’t miss out on this year’s ski season – contact me to discuss hitting the slopes for your next holiday.