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There's no better way to spend a winter holiday than cutting through some powder, surrounded by spectacular alpine scenery. However, with the climate becoming increasingly unpredictable, many looking to book a winter ski holiday may need to reconcile themselves with the risk of a lukewarm disappointment. Thankfully, we at Villanovo are here to bring you a list of the most snow-sure ski resorts in Europe, so that you can book your ski chalet ahead of time with peace of mind.
Possessing a snow record that's the envy of many, the beautiful Val d'Isère sits proudly at the top of our list of the most reliable ski resorts around. With the resort itself stationed at a snow-sure 1800m and blessed with pistes ranging from 1550m and 3650m and a glacier, you may need to brace yourself for the cold, but not for disappointment.
The resort itself is fantastic, forming part of the Espace Killy with Tignes. Meanwhile, the charming lines of chalets and shops that make up the village centre, the peaceful trails, majestic peaks and glistening glacial lakes are endlessly appealing. Meanwhile its gastronomical offering is also particularly strong with the Michelin-starred La Table de l'Ours a local favourite, alongside other fine eateries, such as Altiplano 2.0 and the Bistrot Gourmand, where a stunning view only adds to the sense of occasion.
The glitzy resort of Courchevel 1850 has long drawn the rich and beautiful to its world-class restaurants, boutique shops and high-quality après ski scene. The guarantee of snow, supported by the high altitude, predominance of north-facing slopes and state-of-the-art snow-machines, only adds to the allure of this achingly beautiful resort.
Located on the eastern edge of the Trois Vallées ski area (which includes Méribel and Val Thorens), Courchevel enjoys access to the largest interconnected ski region in the world, with over 600km of pistes to enjoy. If you're looking for powder, you'll find it here.
Another of the many treasures of the French Alps, this charming, snow-sure resort, which together with Val d'Isère makes up the much-loved Espace Killy, brings together excellent après ski, Michelin-starred restaurants, eclectic family-friendly activities and, of course, exquisite natural beauty, to showcase the very finest of the French Alps.
Beyond a reputation as a fine luxury resort, the ski station of Tignes continues to enjoy a big reputation for snow, with a huge number of its slopes sitting at above 2500m, all the while enjoying the benefit of both the Grande Motte glacier and the possibility of snow arriving from the Italian Alps in the southeast. While some of the slopes are a little exposed to the sun, that is unlikely to become a problem before the springtime on days when there is a huge amount of traffic. And then there is the matter of its excellent snow-making facilities to further guarantee snow cover... All in all, it's one of the safest bets in all of Europe.
While some of the resorts in the Pyrenees, Germany and Italy were closing early for the season, last winter saw the luxury Swiss resort of Zermatt carrying on contently as if nothing had happened. That was in no small part down to Zermatt being blessed with an abundance of north facing slopes spread across three mountains, with much of the skiing taking place at over 3000m. Boasting the highest cable car in Europe, the lively resort of Zermatt can take skiers up to the high-altitude Matterhorn Glacier paradise where the snow conditions are second to none. With excellent artificial snow coverage and plenty of additional non-glacial terrain, Zermatt promises both a long season and - with its eco-friendly approach (the centre of the town is free from combustion engines) - a commitment to ensuring the snowline doesn't climb any higher.
It's worth noting that the Swiss ski resorts of Verbier and Crans-Montana also remained relatively unscathed by the warm winter weather, with both resorts enjoying strong snow conditions.
Located in the heart of the Three Valleys (or Les Trois Vallées), the largest ski area in the world, the popular Val Thorens offers some of the best skiing and snowboarding experiences imaginable. Sat at the highest altitude of any resort in Europe and offering stunning mountain vistas alongside glorious snow conditions and runs to match any level, Val Thorens proves an ideal destination for a winter escape with all the family.
When your day on the slopes draws to a close, Val Thorens has plenty of things to offer in terms of après-ski activities, such as live music, sensational restaurants boasting Michelin stars and elegant bars. You can also relax and unwind in one of the many spas and wellness centres, or simply curl up with a warm cup of cocoa around the fireplace in your chalet in the heart of Val Thorens.
Just over the Italian border from Zermatt (and connected by a cable car), the high altitude resort of Cervinia is another safe bet for high snow coverage and quality, sitting as it does at a healthy 2050m, and with the pistes reaching altitudes of almost 4000m. Although the majority of the slopes are south facing, the high altitude ensures reliable snow conditions from December to April.
Offering an abundance of broad sweeping pistes showered with glorious sunshine, alongside snowboarding, sledging and glacier access, this classy resort in north-west Italy remains a favourite with wintersports enthusiasts. Take a look at Villanovo's selection of ski chalets in Italy for further inspiration.
Although many of the Austrian resorts around Salzburg have suffered with a lack of snow during the recent unusually warm winters, those within the southern region of Tyrol have to the greatest extent, escaped any such concerns, remaining reliably snow sure.
The popular resort of St Anton am Arlberg offers skiing up to 2800m, with plenty of options for snowboarders, and a lively après ski scene to boot. Meanwhile, the exclusive luxury resort of Lech is a favourite with those looking for a quieter, more refined experience in the Austrian Alps, while still providing access to the first-class skiing on offer in the St Anton Arlberg area. Lech can call on 60% snow cannon coverage to augment an already famously snow-sure reputation, even by Austrian standards.
For those looking to rent a chalet in Tyrol, it's also worth noting: the Hintertux glacier near Zillertal remains a sure bet for some of the best snow in Austria, while Obertauern also offers reliable snow coverage.
The high-end resort of La Plagne enjoys a status as one of the most popular ski resorts in the world, bringing together the natural riches of the Alps with high-end facilities and access to up to 425km of slopes, with plenty of pistes to match every level of ability.
Although not the highest of resorts, much of the ski around La Plagne is north facing and therefore reliable for snow. And with the nearby Paradiski area offering pistes up to 3250m, there's little need to be nervously checking the weather forecast in the departure lounge.
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