Choosing the right ski area can be tricky because there are so many factors to think about. The best choice really depends on your family and everyones skiing skills and experience. And lets be honestsometimes you have to make compromises to keep everyone happy.
If a perfect ski area existed, everyone would flock there, and it wouldnt stay perfect for long.
This post is the first in a series where well break down what to consider when picking a ski area. To start, well focus on two key factors:
- How Big is the Ski Area?
- What Condition are the Ski Lifts in?
How Big is the Ski Area? What’s the Ideal Size?
When choosing a ski area, the size is often measured by the total length of all the ski trails combined. Some areas are just a few kilometers, while others can stretch to hundreds of kilometers.
Is Bigger Always Better?
Not necessarily! While bigger ski areas can be exciting, they might not be the best choice for every trip. If youre only going for a few days or if your whole family is just starting out, a smaller ski area could be a better fit. Smaller resorts are often less crowded and more beginner-friendly.
Types of Slopes
The variety of slopes in a ski area is another key factor to consider. In Europe, slopes are usually graded by color:
| Color | Difficulty | Gradient | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green | Beginner | 0-20% | First-timers and learners |
| Blue | Easy | 20-30% | Beginners |
| Red | Moderate | 30-45% | Intermediate skiers |
| Black | Difficult | 45%+ | Advanced and professional skiers |
For families with mixed skill levels, look for a resort with plenty of green and blue runs for beginners, while also offering red and black slopes for more experienced skiers.
Longest Downhill Trail
For advanced skiers who enjoy long, uninterrupted runs, the length of the longest downhill trail can make a big difference. Unfortunately, many ski areas dont advertise this detail, so you might need to do a little research using tools like Google Maps or Google Earth to figure it out.
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Lets dive deeper and explore what ski areas might work best for families, depending on everyones skill level!
What’s the Ideal Ski Area – For Beginners
Size
For beginners, smaller or medium-sized ski areas are just right and offer everything you need. The ideal size depends on how many days youll be there, but as a complete beginner, you likely wont notice any extra benefits from a ski area larger than 20-30 km of trails.
Slope Types
Focus on ski areas with plenty of blue slopes. Theyre easy and perfect for building confidence as you learn.
Longest Downhill
As a beginner, the length of the downhill trails wont matter much. However, skiing continuously for 2-3 km can still feel amazing and give you a real sense of achievement!
What’s the Ideal Ski Area – For Intermediate Skiers
Size
For a week-long family ski trip, medium-sized ski areas with 30-80 km of slopes are just right. Youll have time to find a favorite slope (and probably one you dislike too). Everyone in the group will quickly figure out where key spots like the bottom of Piste #2 are, so theres less confusion and more skiing.
Slope Types
Choose a ski area with plenty of blue and red slopes. While you might feel adventurous enough to try a black diamond, chances are you wont spend much time there. Red slopes are a sweet spot for most, giving everyone something to enjoy and debate over which one is trickier. Beginners will appreciate shorter blue slopes, and intermediate skiers might venture onto a black trail or two.
Longest Downhill
Look for a ski area with a downhill trail about 10 km long. Intermediate skiers will love the thrill of skiing continuously for such a stretchits a highlight worth seeking out!
What’s the Ideal Ski Area – For Advanced Skiers
Size
Go for large ski areas or ones with multiple connected zones. Many resorts offer combined ski passes, letting you explore several areas with just one ticket. Aim for at least 100 km of slopes so you have plenty of ground to cover.
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Slope Types
Pick a destination with lots of red and black slopes. These will keep experienced skiers challenged and entertained.
Longest Downhill
Make sure the longest downhill trail is over 10 km. Anything shorter, and it might feel like youre spending more time waiting for lifts than actually skiing!
What’s the Ideal Ski Area – For Skiers with Mixed Skillset
Size
Choose a large ski area, ideally 100 km or more. Many resorts offer combined ski passes, so you can explore multiple areas with a single ticketperfect for keeping things exciting.
Slope Types
Opt for destinations with plenty of red and black slopes for intermediate and advanced skiers, but also make sure there are enough blue trails for beginners. In big ski areas, youll typically find a good mix, so everyone in your group will have something to enjoy.
Longest Downhill
Look for downhill trails longer than 10 km. Anything shorter might leave you feeling like youre spending more time on lifts than skiing. It’s even better if there are long blue slopes too, so you can meet up with the beginners in your group along the way.
In What Condition are the Ski Lifts?
Ski Lifts and Your Ski Vacation Experience
Many ski vacation horror stories involve ski lifts, especially surface ones like T-bars or Pomas. They play a huge role in your overall experience because, lets face it, to ski down, you first need to get up. And unless you plan to hike every time, you’ll spend a lot of time on ski liftssometimes even more than on the slopes! Thats why its worth considering the lifts at your chosen ski resort before booking. Heres a breakdown based on skill level:
For Beginner Skiers
If you’re new to skiing, learning how to use surface lifts, like T-bars or Pomas, is a must. Many beginner slopes, especially green or blue ones, are only accessible via these lifts. However, getting on and off can be a challenge for first-timers.
To ease into it:
- Start with slow and less crowded surface lifts. Look for ones with a speed below 2 m/sperfect for practicing.
- If the resort has aerial lifts (like gondolas or chairlifts) to reach beginner slopes, even better! These make your first experience much smoother and more enjoyable.
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For Intermediate Skiers
Families and skiers tackling blue and red slopes will mostly use aerial lifts, such as chairlifts or gondolas. While gondolas offer a smooth ride to the top, they require you to remove your skis each time, which can slow things down and lead to crowds at busy slopes.
Chairlifts, especially newer ones, are a great choice. Theyre faster, more comfortable (look for padded seats and weather bubbles), and dont require removing skis. However, beware of older, slower ones with limited capacity (2 people) or no protection against bad weatherthey can be frustrating.
Pro Tip: Look for ski areas with modern, high-speed lifts to avoid long waits and enjoy more skiing.
Also Read: What Ski Destinations are Best for a Weekend Getaway?
For Advanced Skiers
If youre an experienced skier, speed and lift capacity are key. Advanced skiers cover slopes quickly, so sitting on a slow lift for 30-40 minutes to enjoy a 10-minute downhill run can feel like a waste of time.
What to look for:
- High-speed, high-capacity lifts to minimize waiting times.
- Lift routes that allow you to spend more time skiing and less time riding.
For Groups with Mixed Skill Levels
When skiing with people of varying abilities, consider this balance:
- Beginner-Friendly Lifts: Include at least one slow surface lift (<2 m/s) for beginners to practice.
- Easy Access Blue Trails: Ensure there are blue slopes accessible by aerial lifts for beginners who want to avoid surface lifts.
- Modern Aerial Lifts: Look for fast, high-capacity gondolas and chairlifts to keep things efficient and enjoyable for everyone.
- Long Downhill Options: Make sure the longest trails are served by modern and fast lifts, so everyone can enjoy skiing together without long delays.