This week, travel writer Peter Hardy, who has skied at more than 500 resorts in 20 countries, answered the ultimate question British skiers and snowboarders face every winter: which country has the best skiing?
Focusing on Europe, where most Brits spend their time on the slopes, there was fierce competition between the continent’s Big Four: France, Switzerland, Austria and Italy.
Each country was ranked and assessed based on a list of criteria. Austria ended up at the top of the podium – but was it the right decision?
Readers shared their thoughts in the comments section and revealed their favorite place to go skiing each season.
Read on to enjoy the best of the discussion.
Austria is a worthy winner
Emma Dixon: “Happy to see Austria as the rightful winner here! Beautiful landscapes, extremely high quality of hotels and food, hardly any queues and fun, unpretentious aprés-ski, all at a reasonable price. What’s not to love?”
William Humes: “I will remember March 1989 until my dying day. I booked a ski holiday on my own, ended up in Soll, Austria, found ten instant drinking companions every night at the ski school and Whiskey Muhle nightclub, all the while experiencing the most mind-blowing experiences. and beautiful landscapes in the world. And learned to ski. My knees and cojones no longer hurt, but I’m going back to Mayrhofen in March with my family, with whom I’ve been skiing since I was five. Nothing touches it.”
Roger Armstrong:Austria has it all, including wines that challenge France and Italy. For older farts like me I also need post-ski spas instead of nightlife, so Oberlech is a repeat choice.”
John Cooper: “I love St Anton, some really challenging runs but with one big problem. The home race through the ‘happy valley’ at the end of the day is downright dangerous, as no one makes any attempt to control young Austrians who think they are professional racers. I saw clashes most days and lots of people being carried away.”
Harold Evans: “If money were no object, everyone would of course go to Switzerland. Most people just travel where they can afford it, and for many that means smaller resorts in Italy or Austria (Andorra used to be a good option, but now it’s impossible to know if there will be snow). The food at Italian resorts is of course a highlight and slightly more reasonable.
“But I agree with number one here: Austria has a wonderful charm, without the commercial feel of France and Switzerland, and – at lower altitudes – feels less bitterly cold than those two.”
North America deserves further praise
David King: “After a number of years in Europe, we moved to Colorado. Better snow. Better accommodation. Perfect discipline in the lift queues – no Italians skiing over the backs of your skis.”
Jim Struts: “As a young bachelor, I flew most years for a long two-week trip. Canada, Japan and the United States were the main draws. It was never more expensive than if we went to Europe for two weeks. You don’t do it the same way as in Europe. Road trip around and stay in cheap motels along the hill driving in in the morning. We often visited five different ski areas. Those were the days. Now that I have a family, it would be a lot more hassle and more expensive.”
D Hargrave: “Canada. It undoubtedly surpasses all others, especially inland areas such as Silverstar or Revelstoke, or a ski safari along Sun Peaks, Silverstar, Big White, Revelstoke, Kicking Horse, Lake Louise.”
Michael D. Galvin: “I was a 19-year-old American on winter vacation from college in 1973 when we took advantage of cheap Icelandic Airlines flights and went to Austria. We were warned that Switzerland was too expensive. Youth rates were great, skiing was great and we didn’t mind youth hostels.
“As far as prices in general, we preferred Vail at home in Colorado because our friend Betsy’s family had a cabin that we could use when they weren’t there, and we cleaned up. The downside was Vail’s outrageously high Austin Powersy lift price of $6 per day – and you only got $1 off with your student ID!
The runners-up
LP: “Over the past three seasons, as a married couple we have spent a month in Austria, a month in Switzerland, two weeks in France and two weeks in Italy.
“I can say categorically that the best resorts in Switzerland are exactly the same price as the best resorts in Austria and France. In our opinion, Italy’s best resorts are significantly cheaper than the rest.
“When it comes to evaluating the quality of service, I have to say that Austria and Switzerland easily top the rankings.
“Overall, Switzerland is our winner, with Austria a close second – but we do like skiing in a snow-sure resort with lots of après and restaurants.”
Julia Platt: “Italy wins for me without a doubt. Epic skiing without the costs or lines and great food and drinks.”
Sophia Oppenheimer: “You can’t beat the Three Valleys in France: Meribel, wedged in the middle, such a vast area and so well connected, skiing for everyone’s level. Try an owner-run chalet run by the chef-owner: great food, great service and not too expensive. We thought it was fantastic.”
The secrets of lesser-known Europe
Joey Deacon: “I’ve been to a few budget places over the years. For beginners, Andorra is brilliant. Most of the ski instructors were from English-speaking countries, so there were no comments about the knee bends. It’s also tax free, so good for buying a kit.
“I’ve visited La Plagne in France a few times, which has a huge ski area, good nightlife and you can go to the Olympic bobsled track which is great fun. I also did a week in Sauze d’Oulx in Italy. Also a big ski area, wild nightlife and lots of Italian girls from Turin just down the street. What’s not to like about it?
“I did a weekend on the Nevis Range in Scotland to navigate the rocks, but by far the best ever were the two days I did at Heavenly in Lake Tahoe when I toured California 20 years ago. The best snow I have ever skied on, perfect powder and because I was in the school season for a midweek I had the slopes to myself. You could stop and the absolute silence was deafening. So if you can afford it, go to the United States.”
Rollo Thompson: “La Tzoumaz is a hidden gem – a bit quiet. Verbier benefits [are] one lift away – great pistes, superbly groomed, constant investment in infrastructure, great off-piste and rarely any queues, so although lift tickets are more expensive you get to ski more.”
Richard Packer: “Norway, for cross-country skiing. No crowds, no queues, breathtaking landscapes.”
Nostalgic stories
Catherine Colquhoun: “Nice to see Hannes Schneider mentioned. My father learned from Schneider (in America) when my father was a teenager, while teaching in the local schools. When the author said, “In the 1950s and early 1960s, an instructor named Stephan Kruckenhauser had us all skiing in Austria with our legs together, our shoulders parallel to the mountain instead of the fall line” – I was taken back to my childhood and my father criticized my technique. Even then I wouldn’t have skied the ‘Arlberg’ technique properly! But the dads on the mountain I used to ski had nice shape!
S McDowell: “Liked the article; I have been skiing for 40 years, mainly in France. This year I’m going to Deux Alpes with one of my sons, who will be watching me to make sure I’m doing well, rather than the other way around. Old knees don’t like skiing as much as the head and heart!”