There's snow-thing quite like a trip to the slopes. You could say it's the pinnacle so far as winter breaks go...
As it's ski season we're talking the opportunity to talk about some of the best resorts you can visit direct from Edinburgh, catering for beginners, seasoned ski veterans and everyone in between.
So whether you're booking a last minute getaway, or planning ahead to next winter, here's some inspiration for your next trip.
Tucked between the Bauges and Chartreuse mountain ranges, there's a real buzz around this place come ski season. Its location in the heart of the French Alps, and access to some of the best resorts, make it a favourite among those who love winter sports. The nightlife isn't bad either!
👉 Visit our Chambery destination page.
Thought of by many as skiing heaven - and with good reason! Its mountainous backdrop, set against the French and Italian Alps, means there's quick access to outstanding snow sport resorts.
The popular Aosta Valley, found in the Piedmont region, is the favourite of many a skier.
👉 Visit our Turin destination page.
As the birthplace of Mozart and setting for The Sound of Music, you've probably heard all about this city's credentials a fantastic place to visit. And its pitch as a top ski break destination.
Salzburg is nestled in the heart of the Austrian mountains and has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1997. Make time to explore the city but if it's ski you're after then you've got Zell am See, Saalbach, and Obertauern as some of the best resorts in the area. Grab a Salzburg Super Ski card for access to most of the top resorts.
👉 Visit our Salzburg destination page.
Enfolded by the Alps, this Swiss city short trip from some of the world's most famous ski destinations.
Charmonix Mont Blanc Valley attracts snow sport enthusiasts from all over the world, and the area of Megeve, 90 minutes drive from Geneva, is made up of multiple different resorts (boasting more than 200 slopes!) and a great place for beginners starting out on their skiing adventures.
👉 Visit our Geneva destination page.
A great place to combine some skiing with a break in a gorgeous city.
Many regard the Austrian Tyrol as the ultimate place to hit the slopes, and with the resorts on offer they may have a point. Innsbruck's own ski area - Nordpark - can be accessed from a lift in the city centre. Here you can enjoy amazing views from the Nordkette ridge. You can take advantage of a special ski pass allowing access to pistes and resorts throughout the region.
👉 Visit our Innsbruck destination page.
It might be the gateway to Finnish Lapland, and a favourite over the festive months, however Rovaniemi is also a ski favourite.
The Ounasvaara Ski Resort, a family resort with downhill slopes and cross-country skiing tracks, is a top pick among visitors. The longest of its tracks is 600 metres in length however there are a mix of different options depending on skill and experience. Rendi's Snow World is an ideal training place for younger ones and those starting out on the slopes.
👉 Visit our Rovaniemi destination page.
A fascinating city to explore, but also a great place if you're into snow sports.
On the northern side of the Rila mountain range is Borovets - a ski resort with slopes nestled in a pine forest and good selection of restaurants and bars to enjoy afterwards. The nearby Vitosha Mountain, located just outside Sofia, also has more than 20km of slopes to enjoy and is the go-to spot for many.
👉 Visit our Sofia destination page
Barcelona can be your gateway to the Pyrenees in Andorra, the site of some of Europe's best ski resorts.
The slopes here cater to a range of different skill levels, however it's known to be a great place for beginners to find their feet. It's also famous for it's great accommodation and nightlife. Fun times are guaranteed.
👉 Visit our Barcelona destination page.
Skiing never really goes out of style in Milan. A great city to base yourself in given the close proximity to some top resorts - home to cozy chalets, picture-perfect panoramas, and sublime slopes.
The resort of Piani di Bobbio is just over an hour away while the likes of Pila and Madesimo are not too far either. 👉 Visit our Milan destination page.
Ever heard of the Holmenkollen Ski Jump? If not you need to check it out. This jump is perched on a hilltop overlooking the city of Oslo (and the views are spectacular). It draws some of the best skiers from around the world during the annual ski festival. There's also a ski museum and tower to enjoy while you're up there.
While the Holmenkollen jump is only suitable for the most experienced skiers, the famous Oslo Winter Park, or Tryvann, is located around 30-minutes from the city and here you'll find 11 lifts and 18 different slopes for skiers of all abilities.
👉 Visit our Oslo destination page.
Another place with easy access to the Swiss Alps, Zurich is a wise choice for a ski break. Explore the beautiful city and then venture onwards to your ski trip. In little over one hour you can be in some world-famous resorts, with slopes suitable for all levels and abilities.
Flumserberg, Titlis, and Chaserrugg are three of the most visited resorts near the city but there are many others to try out with varying degrees of difficulty.
👉 Visit our Zurich destination page.
With more than a dozen different resorts within an hour of the city, you can't fault Basel when it comes to skiing.
The beautiful village of Andermatt, one of the oldest in the whole of Switzerland, is a favourite among families while Grindelwald in the Jungfrau Top Ski area is also highly acclaimed.
👉 Visit our Basel destination page.
The capital of the Alps, few places are positioned quite so conveniently. Grenoble is smack in the middle of four mountain chains - the Vercors, Chartreuse, Belledonne, and Oisans. Some of the best slopes are found just 20-minutes from the city, and you've no shortage to choose from.
Grenoble is a great place for a ski getaway whether you're a beginner, wannabe or expert.
👉 Visit our Grenoble destination page.
We'd strongly suggest the Bavarian Alps make it to your book-it list. Make sure you sample the delights of Munich and then head to the alps for some skiing.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen is arguably the most famous ski destination in these parts with an array of world-renowned slopes all linked by mountain railway.
👉 Visit our Munich destination page.
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