From Zermatt to Les Arcs: Europe’s top 10 ski resorts for 2026

Whether you’re a complete novice to skiing and looking for easier flat paths or a more experienced alpine enthusiast chasing challenging descents, Europe offers spectacular terrains for every level – and with a backdrop of unmissable views.

From the glacier-crowned peaks in Switzerland to the vast slopes of the French Alps, Trip.com has compiled its annual ranking of the continent’s top 50 ski resorts.

The list is based on a combination of customer reviews, year-round sales data, consistent quality and unique themes.

Zermatt Ski Resort, Switzerland

Topping Trip.com’s ranking, Zermatt Ski Resort is nestled in Switzerland’s German-speaking section of the Canton of Valais.

With 360 kilometres of trails extending across the Italian border, the resort is described as a “skier’s paradise”, offering terrain for the skillful skier, as well as being family friendly.

Here, at the backdrop of sweeping views, ski lifts can reach the 3,883m-high high Klein Matterhorn peak and skiing is possible year-round – even during the summer.

Val Thorens, France

Perched at an altitude of more than 2,000 metres, France’s Val Thorens offers skiers a complete view of the Alps’ scenery.

Home to the longest toboggan run in France, the Cosmojet Luge is five kilometres long with a 700 metre vertical drop starting at the Glacier de Péclet that takes riders on a 45-minute journey along the marked track through the snowy landscapes.

There are lots of activities to do beyond skiing, including discovering the snowy landscape on a snowmobile or mountain kart designed for driving on snow. Visitors can also experience the Alps from above by taking flight on a paramotor or paraglider.

Adventurers can also tackle the picturesque ice waterfalls of Val Thorens by ice climbing, where instructions teach visitors how to use ice axes and crampons to scale the ice wall and get a panoramic view of the resort.

Courchevel, France

Nestled in the French Alps, the premier high-altitude destination is known for its panoramic mountain views, direct ski access, and an array of sports, exclusive boutique shopping and Michelin-starred gastronomic experiences.

Courchevel’s ski area consists of 150 kilometres of marked slopes suited for all levels and also has direct access to the 3 Vallées ski area, the biggest in the world, with a further 600 kilometres for skiing.

For an added touch of luxury, the lift cars were designed by none other than the famed fashion house, Chanel.

For those who don’t feel like skiing, Savoie from Courchevel ski resort provides personalised tours of the alpine landscape. From the villages, towns and ski resorts surrounding Courchevel, to its mountain passes, lakes and alpine glaciers, tour guides will share insights about the region’s local heritage.

Ski Resort St Moritz, Corviglia, Switzeraland

This Swiss resort’s pistes stretch across vast areas, including Marguns, Corviglia, Salastrains, Signal, Munt da San Murezzan, reaching up to Piz Nair, the highest point at 3,057 metres.

Here, there are 88 pistes, 56 lifts and an array of ski routes to choose from, alongside a nine kilometre ski run starting from the east of the Alps at an altitude of 3,303 metres. While for those not in search of adrenaline, there are also three kilometre intermediate pistes.

Away from the slopes, an array of restaurants are the ideal location to dine alongside sweeping mountain views.

Les Menuires, France

Located at the heart of the 3 Vallées ski area, visitors can expect nothing less than optimal snow cover and a memorable skiing experience.

This very high resort features 85% of the ski area being at elevations exceeding 1,800 metres, with 52% being equipped with snow cannons. With no lack of choice of where to hit the slopes, Les Menuires shares with its neighbouring resort, Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, 81 ski slopes equipped with 30 lifts.

Here, thrill seekers can relish in the array of black slopes with steep inclines and narrow paths, requiring the most precise skiing technique, as well as off-piste routes.

Europe’s top 10 ski resorts for 2026

Here’s a closer look at the top resorts that made the cut this year:

1. Zermatt Ski Resort, Zermatt, Switzerland
2. Val Thorens, Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, France
3. Courchevel, France
4. Ski Resort St Moritz, Corviglia, Saint Moritz, Switzerland
5. Les Menuires, France
6. KitzSki, Kitzbuhel, Austria
7. Verbier, Switzerland
8. Les Deux Alpes, Mont de Lans, France
9. Méribel, Les Allues, France
10. Les Arcs, Bourg-Saint-Maurice, France