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Ski Holidays in Big Ski Areas
- Choose from over 300+ resorts in the world's largest ski areas.
- Save money by opting for a small resort in a large ski area.
- From the '3 Valleys' to 'Portes du Soleil', explore the best.
For experienced skiers wanting to get the miles in, or to have a vast array of terrain to challenge them, then a big ski area is just the ticket. For a full guide, try our blog on the Biggest ski areas in Europe, where we give a run down on the ski resorts linked to the biggest ski areas.If you're ready to start searching for your holiday, we recommend using the 'Big Ski Area' filter, and we'll only show you ski resorts where you can pack the miles in.
Top Tip: If you think realistically you won't get to ski all of a big area, don't worry. Many offer the option to only buy lift passes for one or two resorts.
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The biggest ski areas in Europe for a ski holiday
1. Portes du Soleil - 600km
2. The Three Valleys - 600km
3. The Zillertal Valley - 544km
4. Sella Ronda - 426km
5. Paradiski - 425km
6. The Four Valleys - 412km
7. Via Lattea/Milky Way - 400km
8. Matterhorn - 322km
9. The Arlberg - 303km
10. Espace Killy - 300km
11. SkiWelt - 288km
12. Saalbach/Hinterglemm ‘Skicircus’ - 270km
13. Le Grand Massif - 265km
FAQs about European ski areas
Your questions answered by our ski area expert
What is a ski area?
A ski area is a collection of slopes, lifts, and runs that can span multiple mountains, valleys, and even countries, all coming under one domain. It usually includes beginner, intermediate, and advanced runs, along with facilities such as ski schools, restaurants, and après-ski spots, making them great places for mixed-ability groups and families looking for everything under one roof.
What’s the difference between a linked and an unlinked ski area?
A linked ski area allows you to move between resorts entirely by ski, snowboard, or lift, without further transport.
An unlinked ski area covers several resorts under one pass but requires the use of a bus or car to travel between them.
Is choosing a resort in a ski area important?
Yes. If you’re a keen skier or snowboarder, or part of a large mixed-ability group, staying in a large ski area gives you access to a greater variety of runs, better facilities, and the option to explore multiple mountains and resorts without the need for extra transport.
That being said, if you’re a beginner or just getting started, it’s unlikely that you’ll make use of many of these facilities. Therefore, choosing a beginner-friendly resort outside of a ski area with plenty of mellow greens and blues could be a less intimidating option.
What’s the world’s biggest ski area?
Les 3 Vallées, or ‘Three Valleys’ in France, is the world’s largest linked ski area at 600km. Full of famous resorts like Courchevel, Méribel, and Val Thorens, its enormous size and variety of pistes mean you could ski new runs every day of the week without repeating!
What’s the best ski area for beginners?
For beginners, we recommend sticking to smaller ski areas, such as Bulgaria’s Bansko and Borovets, or heading to Norway’s Hafjell ski area to enjoy easy, cruisy pistes and a fantastic nursery area for first-timers.
That being said, as a beginner, don’t get bogged down in all the details of picking a large ski area. With ski lessons and plenty of snow-plough practice to master, you’re better off choosing a beginner-friendly resort and not giving yourself too much pressure. We recommend checking out Val Thorens, La Plagne, and Avoriaz in France.
What’s the best ski area for families?
Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis and Ötztal in Austria are among the best family ski areas in Europe, offering dedicated kids’ zones, gentle terrain, and a relaxed atmosphere that’s perfect for enjoying with kiddos in tow.
What’s the best ski area in the world?
Les 3 Vallées in France consistently ranks among the world’s most popular ski areas thanks to its gargantuan size, reliable snow record, and sheer variety of pistes.
What are the best ski areas in France?
What are the best ski areas in Austria?
What are the best ski areas in Italy?
The Dolomiti Superski is Italy’s standout ski area, containing over 1,200km of pistes, stunning scenery, and (obviously) fantastic Italian eats. Other top ski areas include the Via Lattea or “Milky Way” and Cervinia-Zermatt.
To see more of the best ski areas in Austria, check out our page here.
What are the best ski areas in Bulgaria?
What are the best ski areas in Switzerland?
The 4 Vallées and Zermatt-Cervinia ski areas are some of Switzerland’s best, offering world-class slopes, spectacular scenery, and traditional Swiss charm in spades.
See our ski holiday reviews
Why book a big ski area ski holiday with Heidi?
Blogs about the biggest ski areas
