I am seeking the help from the group to make a hard decision. Im looking for the best international winter ski destination. Ive already been to Japan and most of Canada's best mountains. Looking for the best snow and also great food and atmosphere.
Thanks in advance!
France
8%
Italy
3%
Switzerland
53%
Austria
28%
Added by Mi Be
Bulgaria
2%
See all (7)

Obertauern in Austria is amazing!

Japan!

Dave They've already been to Japan. Think they are looking for somewhere new.

Austria over Switzerland…same mountain range, 1/3 of the price.

Rapee I totally agree. Awesome skiing and reasonable rates.

Rapee plus better night life. But be prepared for heavy cigarette smokers everywhere, including indoor spaces, like restaurants and hotel lobbies.

Ian Melamud Indoor smoking in Austria was banned November 1, 2019

Lee wow, great news. Thanks for the info. I haven't been to Austria for 4 years.

Jackson Hole!

Ischgl in Austria!!

Absolutely Jackson Hole! Stay in town and either take a hotel shuttle or start bus to the hill. The town has the best restaurants and great vibe.

Austria for sure. Tirol.

Peru

I'm gonna say Austria over Switzerland because Switzerland is SO expensive, it's actually cheaper for the Swiss to vacation in Austria to go skiing than it is for them to do so in their own country.

Daefni I second that!!

Saying this as someone who has yet to actually ski in Europe, but with similar experience of hills in North America and Japan, when I looked into Europe I was leaning heavily toward Austria as the winner.
These are the ones I ended up adding to my map in Europe: https://tinyurl.com/n92b4phj
GOOGLE.COM
50 Best Ski Resorts - Google My Maps

Les Arcs in France. So much terrain.

Im overwhelmed by the response from everyone so far. Thank you all for your insight. Keep it coming because im not yet decided.

If you like steep groomers - Vail, Colorado - consistent sunny skies, good snow, lots of terrain, no ice, good food. Val d’Isere in France has some good terrain and excellent apres ski. My next goal is probably Austria - good value for $ from what I hear!

Elaine i prefer gladed backcountry over steep bowls and high alpine for riding if that gives more information.

I don’t think French alps is your place. Hardly any trees, when it snows, can’t tell up from down. Maybe Crested Butte or Telluride in Colorado - I’ve never been but that’s what I’ve heard. Good luck in your search! Let’s us know what you decide.

The Lauberhorn is incredible!

I’d suggest finding a specific town/resort that matches your expectations, rather than picking a country. In Switzerland, Austria, or France, (and other European countries which I haven’t skied in) you could find a huge variation from one ski resort/town to another.
Do you want big international crowds/resort feel?
Low-hype, local-crowd feel?
Family friendly? Singles/party scene?
There’s such a huge range.
Two I’ve loved (for different reasons) both with crazy-good skiing:
Ischgl (Austria)
Great night life, great food, excellent small hotels rather than big chains, very modern ski infrastructure, great amenities.
Adelboden (Switzerland)
Super-local crowd. Almost all Swiss folks. (My high school student exchange family introduced me to it). Good food/amenities, but pretty calm. 8 different ski ‘sites’ available from the town, most accessible by gondola from the Main Street.

Queenstown New Zealand

When it’s summer in North America the FIS pros head to South America.

Glen Eden

F

we love jackson, steamboat too...i would pick france over switz for cost, but if you don't care, then switzerland