So, where’s the best skiing in Europe? Well, we’ll take a look at the options in this guide, to give you some food for thought. But, honestly, it’s going to totally depend on your group.
Take a look at the options here and then make sure you get in touch before you make a decision. Our expert Ski Specialists will help you make the right choice for your group.
The Classics
When you think about skiing in Europe, we’ll bet you’re mostly thinking of France, Austria, Switzerland, Andorra and Italy, right?
Well, there’s a reason these are the classics. And they’re definitely a great choice for a school ski trip. Let’s drill down a little bit into each one to see what they offer for school ski groups.
We’ll start with France. Now, France has one massive advantage over almost any other destination – it offers the shortest journey times from the UK. And that’s not nothing when you’re talking about sitting on a coach for hours.
France is also home to some of Europe’s best high-altitude resorts, which is important for snow surety. That’s particularly important if you’re a school that needs to travel during the Easter holidays, because the conditions should be better in these resorts later in the season.
The other massive plus point for France is the reputation of the ski schools here, so you know that your students are going to receive excellent instruction and make as much progress as possible.
And finally, France also offers some great group-friendly accommodation. The UCPA accommodation we’re able to offer in some resorts is purpose-built for youth groups, with in-house après-ski activities and, sometimes, doorstep skiing. This accommodation is usually better value for money too, as the one downside to skiing in France is that it can be quite expensive (which is to be expected, really, when it has so much to offer).
So, France is a fantastic option for school ski trips, but if your budget is tight, there may be other options that might suit you better.
Austria and Switzerland are timeless classics too when it comes to ski trips (although, again, their popularity and the high cost of living, particularly in Switzerland, means they’re not the most economical options).
Austria offers world-class skiing, unbelievably spectacular scenery (we’re talking serious OMG moments) and the most modern lifts and infrastructure on the continent.
While Switzerland in many ways offers a very different experience. The scenery is similarly breathtaking. But most of the resorts here have grown organically and so have kept their traditional Swiss character (we’re talking proper chocolate box villages). The vibe here is a bit more chill than elsewhere in the Alps, which is great when taking kids skiing.
And you don’t lose out on the skiing – in fact, Switzerland’s home to Europe’s largest glaciers and has the greatest number of peaks over 4,000m. So, again, if you’re skiing pre-Christmas or over Easter, Switzerland’s a great choice.
Now, of the ‘classics’, if budget is a primary concern, you’ll probably want to take a look at Andorra and Italy.
Andorra’s a tiny country in the Pyrenees, but despite its small size it’s got some cracking skiing. In fact, it’s home to Southern Europe’s largest ski area. It has got a little bit more expensive in recent years but it’s still generally more affordable than France, Austria and Switzerland. Plus, it has the added benefit of low-tax shopping, so if you’re planning on including a bit of retail therapy on your ski trip, Andorra’s a great option.
And finally, we come to Italy. Ah, Italia – our numero uno when it comes to school ski trips to Europe. Great value for money, unbelievable skiing on sunny slopes, warm welcomes and fantastic accommodation options. Plus, you won’t be dealing with a bunch of a hangry teenagers on your trip, as even the pickiest of eaters will find plenty to satisfy them in Italy.
The majority of our school groups opt for resorts in the Via Lattea (Milky Way). This ski area boasts access to 400km of slopes, resorts that are ideal for beginners and intermediates (the makeup of most school ski trips) and loads of great après-ski options to keep everyone entertained off the slopes too.
Have you considered…
So, those were the old faithfuls of school ski destinations in Europe. But those aren’t the only options. There are some great alternatives in Europe that are rising in popularity (but still very much what we’d class as hidden gems).
Let’s start with a country that’s relatively new to us too. We’ve been offering school ski trips to Norway for a couple of years now and, although to start with we literally sent a couple of groups there each year, we’re getting more and more interested in exploring what the country has to offer.
And boy does it have a lot to offer. The whole vibe here is totally different to any of the ski resorts in mainland Europe. The culture’s different, for one thing. And skiing is completely ingrained in Norwegian and Scandinavian culture, which is really special to experience on a school trip.
It’s also probably one of the best options if you’re skiing towards the beginning or end of the season (during the Easter hols, for example). Because Norway’s further north than the Alps, it’s that little bit colder, which is great news for snow reliability and means the season lasts from November to May, typically.
Norwegian resorts are famously child-friendly and the slopes are still gloriously uncrowded, which is ideal for progression. Plus, the stunning fjords and epic frozen lakes are unlike anything you’ll see in the Alps.
For something completely different, why not head to Spain for your next school ski trip? The country has two ski regions – the Pyrenees and the Sierra Nevada.
The Pyrenees is characterised by high-altitude, snow-sure resorts. Yea, you heard us correctly – you thought snow reliability might be an issue in Spain, right? Well, while it’s definitely sunnier than the Alps, the climatic conditions in the Spanish Pyrenees are otherwise pretty similar, so you can look forward to similar snow conditions to your favourite Alpine resorts (but with a bit more sunshine and a bit less of the biting wind). The ski season typically runs from December to April. And you might actually find the Pyrenees are a bit better for your beginners and intermediates, thanks to the sunnier conditions, gentler gradients and better progression.
And the Sierra Nevada offers the unique (and, quite frankly, unbelievable) opportunity to ski in the mountains in the morning and sunbathe on the beach in the afternoons. A short drive from Malaga and Granada airports, it’s Europe’s most southerly resort and (unsurprisingly) the sunniest. Again though, you don’t need to worry about the snow conditions (despite the sunshine). That’s because it’s a high-altitude resort with great snowmaking capabilities.
Finally, if budget is your top priority, why not try Bulgaria? Located in the Balkans (just to the north of Greece), Bulgaria’s becoming more and more popular among British tourists for both ski and beach holidays, because it offers really exceptional value for money. You’ll find ski hire, lift passes and tuition are all incredibly reasonable here.
It may be cheaper than many other European ski destinations, but Bulgaria still offers an incredible ski experience. The scenery here is pure winter wonderland, with enchanting pine forests and charming, traditional mountain villages.
The ski season is long in Bulgaria, running from December to April (and even into May in Bansko).
And the whole set-up is actually ideal for school groups. The slopes are best suited to beginners and intermediates (which tend to be most school groups) and the ski schools here are some of the best in Europe, with English-speaking instructors (several of whom are former pros).
Plus, this is a part of the world very few of your students (and probably very few staff members) will have ever visited, making this a cultural adventure, as well as a skiing one.
What’s the best time of year to ski in Europe?
So, we know most of you have to take your ski trips during February half term or the Easter holidays. And certainly, February half-term is usually a great time to ski if you’re looking for good conditions.
The conditions at Easter are obviously a bit dependent on whether it’s an early or late one. If it’s a late one, you’ll just want to look for a resort that offers good snow reliability (so you may want to head higher or further north).
The downside to travelling during February half-term or Easter is that everyone else is travelling at the same time. And we’re not just talking about other school groups, as families will be hitting the slopes at this time too. Not only does this mean that the slopes and resorts get very busy, it also means airports and ports (especially Dover) feel the strain.
So, if you’re able to convince SLT to let you ski outside of these times (and we’re basically talking term-time here), then you’re going to have a much more pleasant experience and it’s probably going to work out cheaper too (which could mean more kids have the opportunity to go).
We’ve previously written a guide to help you argue the case for skiing during term time. But, essentially, you’re going to need to make the case that your trip does offer lots of educational value, which it really does, as we illustrated in our ‘Benefits Of School Ski Trips’ guide.
Where’s the best place to ski in Europe as a beginner?
If you have a lot of beginners, you’ll want to look closely at the resort to check out the beginner’s facilities, the quality of the ski schools and how easy the progression is.
We’d also advise looking for a less busy resort, so they’re not overwhelmed on busy slopes and they don’t spend the whole week queuing for lifts.
And you’re best to avoid large ski resorts, as you’ll spend a fortune on lift passes that won’t get used.
You’ll find resorts like this all over Europe but Spain, Andorra and Italy in particular are great options for beginners, because there are lots of smaller resorts with great progression and good ski schools.
What’s the cheapest country to ski in Europe?
Bulgaria probably works out to be the cheapest country to ski in Europe. With ski hire, lift passes and instruction all very reasonable, plus the lower cost of living in Bulgaria, it’s certainly a great option if budget’s a priority for your group.
A little closer to home, Italy and Spain also offer some great budget-friendly options too.
What’s the best school ski trip to Europe?
Without wishing to sound cheesy, your trip will be the best school ski trip to Europe. Why? Because we’ll work with you to make sure you choose the right destination and resort for your particular group.
We’ve been planning school ski trips every day for nearly 40 years, so believe us when we say that what works for one group won’t necessarily work for another. We’ll take the time to chat through all your requirements and then we’ll use our expertise to make sure your ski trip is completely unforgettable (for all the right reasons).
Ready to get started?
Get in touch today and let's start planning your next school ski adventure.
