Best Resorts for a Ski Weekend

If you’re considering a short weekend ski break, choosing the right destination is key, in order to maximise your time on the slopes. A quick three or four day jaunt to the mountains is exhilarating and rejuvenating, and gives far better Monday morning gossip than a trip to your local DIY store.

How close is the nearest airport, and is that airport well served by early morning and late evening international flights? If you're going for just a few days, you want to be skiing on the arrival and departure days. It's these factors that have determined our pick for the five of best resorts in Europe for weekend skiing and short breaks - plus they all offer varied terrain that is certain to leave you buzzing come Monday morning. For more tips on how to book your ski weekend see our planning Do's and Don'ts!

CHAMONIX, France

Chamonix is the place to go for alpine thrill seekers wanting to push themselves to the extreme. Explore the challenging runs, off-piste powder and dramatic scenery. The resort is a large, yet attractive town offering both traditional charm and a lively nightlife. Famous for the astonishing views of the Mont Blanc, Chamonix is the perfect getaway for a weekend ski break.

Nearest Airport: Geneva Airport (1hr)
More ski resorts near Geneva

Pros:
• Lots of affordable hotels
• Great skiing for intermediate to expert skiers – fantastic long runs
• A lot of very tough terrain, especially off-piste

Cons:
• When the weather is bad, it can be difficult to ski

View all our hotels in Chamonix

ST. ANTON, Austria

The cosy town of St Anton am Arlberg is an ideal weekend ski break for those who never want to ski the same run twice, not to mention home to the best après-ski in the Alps. St Anton is a charismatic village full of Alpine Charm, and offers some of the best off-piste terrain and conditions anywhere in the world. Surrounded by many great restaurants and bars, this resort has something to offer to everyone.

Nearest Airport: Innsbruck (1hr)

Pros:
• Fantastic off-piste terrain and huge network of ungroomed ski routes
• One of the world's top ski resorts for après ski
• Excellent restaurants

Cons:
• Snow quality can suffer from sun on the lower slopes

View all our hotels in St. Anton

MORZINE, France

Morzine is a thriving Alpine village, set deep in the Chablais mountain range between Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc, by the France-Switzerland border. Just over an hour’s drive from Geneva Airport, the winter playground is surrounded by vast areas of untouched wilderness. New bars, and luxury high quality restaurants have also begun to emerge, allowing Morzine to compete favourably with many of the big-name resorts in the Alps.

Nearest Airport: Geneva (1hr)

Pros:
• Excellent resort for beginner skiers
• For those who enjoy off-slope activities in addition to skiing
• Family friendly

Cons:
• Few challenges for expert skiers

View all our hotels in Morzine

Méribel, France

Nestled in the beautiful Alpine valley of Les Allues, Méribel is a renowned ski resort where you can experience that quintessential ski holiday. Méribel, one of the most popular destinations for British skiers, has retained all the charm of a traditional mountain village with its wood and stone buildings and forest setting.

Fast, modern ski lifts offer easy access to the Méribel valley ski area (150km of pistes from 1450m up to 1700m) and the 3 Valleys (linked by ski lift to Courchevel and Val Thorens, giving you access to 600km of pistes).

Nearest Airport: Geneva (1hr 30)

Pros:
• Excellent local pistes and right at the heart of the Three Valleys
• Impressive lift system with two new lifts this winter
• Very lively après-ski scene

Cons:
• Some pistes can get crowded at weekends

View all our hotels in Méribel

Courmayeur, Italy

Courmayeur is a traditional Italian resort full of character, and surrounded by spectacular scenery. The centre of the village is car-free with plenty of shops, restaurants and bars, and a fabulous après-ski scene. Courmayeur caters for all levels of skier, offering the most variety and scope to intermediates. However, beginners also have plenty of opportunities here, and experts will particularly love the off-piste terrain and heliskiing opportunities. The main skiing area is at Plan Checrouit and, with over 80% of the skiable terrain covered by snow cannons, snow here is virtually guaranteed.

Airport: Geneva (1hr)

Pros:
• Stunning views of Mont Blanc
• Some good off-piste and heli-skiing
• The sunny side of Mont Blanc

Cons:
• Small area of pistes

View all our hotels in Courmayeur