The 10 best ski resorts for guaranteed snow
Whether you’re looking for an end-of-season blast and want to avoid the slushy remains of the season or are keen to get your first turns in on fresh snow early in the winter, booking a high-altitude resort is your safest option. Good conditions are pretty much assured, no matter how the forecast has fared.
Resort height isn’t the only thing to look for – high-altitude lifts, glacier skiing, north-facing slopes, extensive snow-making facilities and historically reliable cover are all key to perfect pistes and a decent depth of powder.
The beauty of high resorts is that you’re unlikely to be disappointed whether you’re booking early or late season – here are 10 of the best.
Unless stated otherwise prices are per person for seven nights in the cheapest available week. Prices include flights, transfers and chalet board accommodation and are based on two people sharing a double or twin room.
For a specific resort, check our full snow reports and weather alerts.
Slopes up to 3,456m
Val d’Isère and Tignes, France
These two contrastingly different but linked resorts share a giant ski area with 300km of pistes reaching from 1,550m to 3,456m. Val d'Isère has a dominance of chalets and four- and five-star hotels mainly clustered around a 17th-century church and a central shopping street. Tignes is a series of purpose-built stations de ski with apartments and a few hotels at different altitudes. Aside from the Pissaillas glacier above Val and the Grande Motte glacier on the Tignes side, the stellar altitude of the slopes in general ensures that this is a snow-sure destination. Val has the largest artificial snowmaking plant in Europe and a total of 900 snow cannons across the ski area. Le Snow Factory could fill an Olympic-size swimming pool in 30 minutes or cover Wembley Stadium to a depth of half a metre in just one hour.
Where to stay
Chalet Grande Casse in Val d'Isère sleeps 10 in five bedrooms and has large balconies and access to chalet specialist Le Ski’s pair of large outdoor hot tubs. From ￡799 from Le Ski.
Chalet Neve in Tignes Le Lac is almost ski to door and offers 10 en suite rooms for up to 24 people. From ￡584 from Alpine Elements.
Slopes up to 3,456m
Val Thorens, France
At 2,300m, this is the highest village ski resort in Europe. The highest lift goes to 3,230m, the top point of the whole 600km Trois Vallées ski area, and the resort's lofty altitude ensures that decent snow conditions prevail from late November until early May. Val Thorens opened over 40 years ago as an ambitious experiment in concrete, purpose-built resorts. But down the years it has developed into a much more aesthetically pleasing place, with a justified reputation for quality slopes and fine living.
Where to stay
Koh-i-Nor is the highest five-star in the Alps, with 35 lavish apartments as well as hotel rooms and a spa. From ￡2,224 with Erna Low, excluding travel.
Slopes up to 3,330m
Verbier, Switzerland
The freeride capital of the Alps is essentially a ski town that attracts powderhounds from all over the world. With a top lift at a heady 3,330m, snow cover in Verbier is pretty much guaranteed at altitude, although the lower half of the resort can suffer in an early season snow drought. From the resort at 1,500m the ski area extends into three neighbouring valleys, with 400km of linked pistes to explore covered by the 4 Valleys lift pass.
Where to stay
Inghams’ very central and historic Hotel de Verbier. It has 31 rooms, bar and lounge, and offers an affordable and convenient base. From ￡649, Inghams.
Slopes up to 2,870m
Ischgl, Austria
Ischgl is an attractive Tirolean farming community that embraces international tourism with unbridled enthusiasm. With the village at 1,400m and a top height of under 3,000m, it is not your typical snow-sure candidate. However, as you move further east across the Alps, resorts don't need to have the same super high altitudes as those in France to get good snow cover. Also, so sophisticated is Ischgl's snowmaking system, it can almost dispense with nature altogether. Ischgl is famous for its lively après activities and opens and closes every season with a huge mid-mountain concert with a world-class headline act, watched by a crowd of up to 25,000.
Where to stay
Chalet Hotel Abendrot is around 400m from the two main ski lifts, and has a red piste ending 50m from the chalet. From ￡828, Ski Total
Essential guide | How to find the perfect ski resort
Slopes up to 3,570m
Les Deux Alpes, France
This high glacial resort, with slopes from 3,570m down to 1,650m, opens for winter in early December – although the glacier is open much earlier for autumn skiing. The big innovation in recent years was a new blue run providing an easier, safer return to the resort. Les Deux Alpes has 200km of groomed slopes and over 200 snow guns protect a large chunk of the area.
Where to stay
Club Med’s Les Deux Alpes residence has rooms for up to 200 people and has great views of the village below from its outdoor terrace. The all-inclusive package includes food, drink, childcare, lessons, lift passes, flights and transfers. From ￡1,090, SkiLine.
Slopes up to 2,450m
Lech, Austria
This upmarket village in the Voralberg region shares a lift pass and a link with neighbouring St Anton, but historically has superior snow cover. Lech is also linked to Zürs,Warth-Schr?cken and now Stuben-Rauz – together they all make up the Arlberg ski area. The top lift in the area is at 2,450m with runs dropping down to Lech at 1,450m. North-facing slopes and snow guns help to keep the 185km of runs in good condition throughout the season.
Where to stay
Four-star Chalethotel Elisabeth is conveniently situated in a quiet position that is still close to the centre of the village. It’s got a pool and a wellness area with hot tub, sauna, and steam room. From ￡879, Ski Total.
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Slopes up to 3,820m
Cervinia, Italy and Zermatt, Switzerland
Italian resorts often miss out on the early storms. However Cervinia, both because of its altitude and its proximity to Switzerland – the ski area is linked across the Matterhorn to Zermatt – remains one of the most reliable resorts for European snow cover. The winter season usually opens in early November, but Cervinia's glacier means the resort stays open for summer skiing too. Cervinia is at 2,050m and with lifts going up to 3,820m. The joint ski area with Zermatt is the highest in Europe. This ensures snow cover is guaranteed between November and early May.
Where to stay
For authentic mountain hospitality, the four-star Hotel Bucaneve is a standout choice. Staff wearing traditional local dress offer a warm welcome, and the individually-styled bedrooms feature antique furniture. The Bucaneve is centrally located, just a three-minute walk to the nearest lift, and serves good cuisine. From ￡1,329, Crystal Ski.
Slopes up to 3,185m
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
In 2015 Jackson Hole opened for its 50th year in November with some of the best conditions in North America. Its rivals for snow depths are Telluride in Colorado and Whistler in Canada. For a snow-sure resort it operates a relatively short season – it closes in early April. The highest lift in the 2,500-acre ski area is at 3,185m, ensuring reliable snow cover for its steep couloirs and sweeping powder bowls.
Where to stay
The four-star Snake River Lodge is a few minutes’ walk from the Aerial Tram lift and the shops and restaurants of Teton Village. It has an outdoor heated pool and spa. From ￡1,655 per person for seven nights' b&b, including flights and transfers, Ski Safari.
Slopes up to 2,285m
Whistler, British Columbia
The most popular ski resort in North America with British visitors has 3,300 skiable hectares to explore. Whistler’s maritime climate can be harsh and changeable. Precipitation rolls in from the nearby Pacific, often falling as rain at the 675m resort base and as powder snow around the top lifts at 2,285m.
This attractive purpose-built resort is divided into two central areas, Whistler Village and Blackcomb. Unless you stay in one of the satellite areas linked only by ski bus, location is unimportant. The two mountains have gondola access at their bases and are linked by a further gondola at mid-mountain. Whistler Blackcomb is now part of Vail Resort’s EPIC pass, which covers 15 different resorts in the USA, Canada and Australia as well as a handful of European resorts.
Where to stay
The Glacier Lodge is set behind the Fairmont Chateau Whistler at the foot of Blackcomb and has a selection of shops and restaurants underneath. There is an outdoor heated pool and two outdoor hot tubs. From ￡1,219 per person, room only, Ski Independence.
Slopes up to 3,250m
S?lden, Austria
This strung-out resort in the Otz Valley was a venue in the 2015 James Bond film Spectre. Its two glaciers and glass-walled Ice Q mountain restaurant both featured. With visitor numbers already substantially up thanks to the Bond association, the resort is bent on changing its international image from snow-sure bargain basement to hedonistic penthouse. S?lden officially opens in late November, but the 10 lifts on its two 3,250m glaciers that guarantee snow cover run through the autumn.
Where to stay
Five-star Hotel Das Central is located, not surprisingly, in the centre of town. Bedrooms are decorated in modern alpine minimalist style and have open-plan glass-walled bathrooms, and there is a sumptuous spa and pool. From ￡1,435, half board, Crystal Ski.