Europe’s snowy alpine region stretches across multiple countries. With hundreds of ski slopes, you’re spoiled for choice. But some resorts are better for a group ski trip than others! Whether traveling with friends or extended family, here are the best ski resorts for groups for your next adventure.
Planning a ski vacation is such a great idea for larger groups. It doesn’t require much planning since you know what you will do daily! Spend mornings shredding powder on skis or snowboards. In the afternoons, catch up and dance together in a lively après-ski bar. Warm up your muscles in a hot tub at night, and then get ready to go again the next day.
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Table of Contents
11 Best Ski Resorts for a Group Ski Trip in Europe
1. St. Anton am Arlberg in Austria
Ski season: Late December – early April
Nearest airport: Innsbruck Airport (60 miles/95.6 km, 75-minute drive)
How to get there: Private transfer, rental car, or an Innsbruck Flughafen shuttle bus to Innsbruck Airport with direct one-hour services to St. Anton am Arlberg
Ski Arlberg is Austria’s largest, most extensive ski area. St. Anton sits at the heart of the region and is known for its variety of terrain. Beginners love the 190 miles of well-maintained pistes, but advanced skiers can’t get enough of St. Anton’s 120-mile routes off-piste.
While St. Anton is smaller than many of its Swiss and French counterparts, this is often to its advantage. Enjoy a lively après-ski culture without the swells of crowds!
Where To Stay: Anthony’s Life & Style Hotel is a great choice for groups visiting St. Anton am Arlberg. They offer large suites and interconnecting rooms. Plus, this four-star hotel boasts a rooftop spa with a hot tub and saunas. Perfect for unwinding after ski days.
2. Val Thorens in France
Ski season: Late November – early May
Nearest airport: Geneva Airport (124miles/200 km, 2 hours and 25-minute drive)
How to get there: Plenty of daily shared transfer coaches (Ben’s Bus, Alpybus, and Dartbus plus Altibus has group discounts) between the airport and Val Thorens
One of the best ski resorts for groups in Europe is Val Thorens, part of the Three Valleys ski region. It’s the largest ski resort in the world, no less! All seven ski areas offer 375 miles of ski trails and over 180 ski lifts. Its high elevation ensures a long ski season so you have plenty of time to book your group trip.
Aside from the great skiing, Val Thornes offers plenty of activities when you’re not on the slopes. Try ice-driving, night hikes, ice skating, and more.
Where To Stay: Large groups of young adults should book a stay at the four-star Fahrenheit Seven Hotel. It’s a favorite resort for return guests. They love the ski-in and ski-out convenience! Plus, it has one of the best après-ski terraces in Val Thorens with live music almost every day.
3. El Pas de la Casa in Andorra
Ski season: Late November – mid April
Nearest major airport: Barcelona Airport (120 miles/194 km, 2 hours and 40-minute drive)
How to get there: Plenty of daily shared transfer coaches operated by Andbus between the airport and El Pas de la Casa
Groups love skiing in El Pas de la Casa for many unique reasons. First, it’s in Andorra! This is one of the Europe’s six micro-states. How many people can say they’ve visited Andorra?! Second, your money will stretch further here in the Pyrenees than in the Alps. Its affordable shopping opportunities are also a plus for group members tagging along.
But let’s get back to the skiing! El Pas de la Casa offers trails suiting mostly lower levels. There are 24 easy, 55 intermediate, 41 difficult, and 19 expert runs over 130 miles of pistes. It’s the perfect resort for beginner groups trying skiing for the first time on a budget.
Where To Stay: Hotel Grand Pas is one of Andorra’s top affordable luxury ski resorts. With buffet dining options, spacious rooms, and just 50 meters from the ski slopes, you can’t go wrong!
4. Val-d’Isère in France
Ski season: Early December – early May
Nearest airport: Geneva Airport (138 miles/223 km, 2 hours and 45-minute drive)
How to get there: Plenty of daily shared transfer coaches (Ben’s Bus, Alpybus, Dartbus, Altibus, etc.) between the airport and Val-d’Isère
Val-d’Isère is considered one of the best ski resorts in the world. It’s part of the Espace Killy ski area with Tignes and is famous for the original Folie Douce club which opened in 1974. It translates to “sweet madness” and is a lively après-ski bar, hotel, and club brand. It practically invented après-ski! You can expect lots of table-stomping and partying at the first La Folce Douce Val-d’Isère-Tignes club.
Aside from après-ski, Val-d’Isère is known for its unpretentious vibe and world-class slopes. It has a wide variety of terrain across its 185 miles of slopes, the longest stretching over six miles. Non-skiers in your group won’t find it difficult to make the most of your trip. Val-d’Isère offers plenty of winter activities like ice skating, snowshoeing, and husky sleigh rides.
Where To Stay: One of the best places to stay in Val-d’Isère is the Avenue Lodge Hotel. It offers quintessential alpine accommodation with a full-service spa on the town’s main street. You can even rent your ski gear from the hotel, which is a huge benefit.
5. Verbier in Switzerland
Ski season: Late November – late April
Nearest airport: Geneva Airport (100 miles/161 km, 2-hour drive)
How to get there: Rental car, train to Martigny, or private transfer via a company like Alpybus or Alpine Fleet
Verbier is a popular ski resort in the Four Valleys region, the largest in the Swiss Alps. This entire area packs 255 miles of pistes, almost 100 lifts, and 12 lively après ski bars and clubs. Young groups will love the buzz of Verbier as it has a party town reputation.
It is better suited for experienced skiers. Most visitors love the off-piste trails and heavy snowfall due to the high altitude and glaciers. These aren’t the most ideal conditions for beginners!
Advanced skiers may want to visit for Verbier’s world-class sports events like Polaris Festival and Xtreme Verbier. Be warned that almost everything at Verbier comes with an eye-watering pricetag. On the plus side, it’s a great place for celebrity spotting.
Where To Stay: Hôtel Cordée des Alpes is a great place for groups to stay in Verbier. It blends a traditional lodge facade with a chic interior design. It’s a short walk into town and your ski group can hop on the free shuttle to the slopes for easy access every morning.
6. La Plagne in France
Ski season: Mid-December – mid-April
Nearest airport: Geneva Airport (122 miles/197 km, 2 hours and 20-minute drive)
How to get there: Plenty of daily shared transfer coaches (Ben’s Bus, Alpybus, Dartbus, Altibus, etc.) between the airport and La Plagne
Enjoy sweeping views of the famous Mont Blanc at La Plagne, one of the best ski resorts for groups. It truly is ideal for skiers and snowboarders of all experience levels complete with ski touring trails and cross-country runs. Over 70% of La Plagne sits at over 6,500 ft elevation ensuring its 135 runs receive plenty of snowfall.
Aside from skiing, you can rent snowshoes, try ice skating, or explore the beautiful La Plagne town. Not many ski towns in France include important historical buildings like the 11th-century Basilica of St. Martin.
Where To Stay: While a little out of La Plagne town, CGH Résidences & Spas is one of the best family ski resorts. Stay in a self-contained lodge apartment with a shared swimming pool to enjoy good times with extended relatives. Take advantage of the free shuttles to town so you can hit the slopes or hit up some après-ski spots.
7. Cortina d’Ampezzo in Italy
Ski season: Late November – late April
Nearest airport: Venice Marco Polo Airport (93 miles/149 km, 2-hour drive)
How to get there: Around four direct shared transfer coaches (operated by FlixBus, GetByBus, and ATVO) between the airport and Cortina d’Ampezzo
Nicknamed the “Queen of the Dolomites”, Cortina d’Ampezzo is famous for hosting the Winter Olympics in 1956. It’s also the location for the upcoming 2026 event!
With miles of hiking trails and mountaineering opportunities, there’s a good reason to visit this Italian alpine region year-round. In winter, expect over 140 slopes and 50 miles of cross-country runs suitable for skiers of all levels. Snowshoeing, ice skating, and sledding are also popular here.
Groups looking for a cosmopolitan ski vacation will love Cortina d’Ampezzo. Expect Michelin-starred fine dining restaurants like Al Camin and high-fashion stores. You might recognize this Italian resort town from movies like the Bond film For Your Eyes Only and Cliffhanger starring Sylvester Stallone.
Where To Stay: Go all out and stay in Cristallo Resort & Spa, a five-star hotel and one of the top ski resorts in Cortina d’Ampezzo. Eat breakfast with the most incredible views of the mountainous natural beauty from one of the hotel’s fine dining restaurants. Walk into town to enjoy Cortina’s thriving nightlife. Relax at the end of the day in their ginormous indoor pool and indulge in one of Christallo’s many spa treatments.
8. Les Arcs in France
Ski season: Early December – late April
Nearest airport: Geneva Airport (119 miles/192 km, 2 hours and 10-minute drive)
How to get there: Plenty of daily shared transfer coaches (Ben’s Bus, Alpybus, Dartbus, Altibus, etc.) between the airport and Les Arcs
Located in Vanoise National Park, Les Arcs stretches across altitudes. You’ll notice the small villages in this ski resort are labeled from 1600 to 2000, indicating their elevation in meters. Les Arcs is known for its unique and functional architecture, making it look more like a Nordic town than a French ski resort.
Les Arcs is part of the Paradiski ski area which includes La Plagne and Peisey-Vallandry. This resort offers skiers and snowboarders more than 250 km of trails. Its high altitude position means you can expect sensational views across the snowy peaks. It’s one of the best ski resorts for all skill levels but mostly intermediates. Beginners should head to Arc 1600 for gentle slopes, while advanced skiers and snowboarders can tackle the runs at Arc 1950 or 2000.
Where To Stay: All-inclusive resorts are a popular choice for summer group trips. Why not book one for your next group ski trip? Club Med Les Arcs Panorama is a four-star holiday village with meals, on-site après-ski entertainment, a full-service spa, and ski-in ski-out access in Arc 1600.
9. Zermatt in Switzerland
Ski season: Early November – early May
Nearest airport: Geneva Airport (143 miles/230 km, 2 hours 40-minute drive)
How to get there: Private transfers (operated by AlpinBus, AlpyBus, Shuttle Direct, etc.) between the airport and Zermatt
It’s difficult to choose a more quintessential alpine ski town than Zermatt. Here, you’ll find the Matterhorn, the most iconic mountain in the world (spot it on Toblerone bars!). Switzerland isn’t known for sunshine, but 62% of days in Zermatt are bright and sunny.
Many European ski resorts have restrictions on cars within the town, but Zermatt is 100% car-free. It’s an idyllic place to book the ultimate group ski trip whether you’re visiting with family or friends.
Zermatt has 225 miles of pistes from beginner terrain parks and black runs. Group members who aren’t keen skiers should brave the fantastic toboggan run! However, Zermatt has several English-speaking ski schools that are surprisingly affordable.
Where To Stay: Hotel Firefly looks like a typical Swiss chalet on the outside but boasts clean, modern amenities inside. Groups can book one of their multi-room suites with kitchens ensuring there’s enough space for the whole family. Located in the heart of Zermatt, you’re close to popular bars like Vernissage and Harry’s Bar.
10. Saalbach-Hinterglemm in Austria
Ski season: Early December – mid-April
Nearest airport: Salzburg Airport (54 miles/86 km, 80-minute drive)
How to get there: Private transfers or shared transfer coaches operated by Saalbach Airport Shuttle
While not as well-known as ski resorts in France, Saalbach-Hinterglemm is a great choice for après-ski. It’s common for the party to begin at 3 PM in Saalbach and continue through the wee hours of the next day! Families prefer the quieter Hinterglemm part of town, with a kid-friendly pedestrianized center. Wherever your group decides to stay, expect charming and authentic Austrian architecture.
Saalbach-Hinterglemm is one of the larger resorts in Austria with 270 km of ski trails. Ski all day and all night with floodlit slopes. Different areas of the ski resort offer toboggan runs and snow parks where you can practice tricks.
Where To Stay: Book Alpinresort ValSaa Sport & Spa for your group ski trip in Austria. This four-star hotel offers all-inclusive packages and interconnecting rooms. They even offer their own snowboard and ski school and it’s in such a great location close to the ski lifts.
11. Tignes in France
Ski season: Late November – early May
Nearest airport: Geneva Airport (137 miles/221 km, 2 hours and 45-minute drive)
How to get there: Plenty of daily shared transfer coaches (Ben’s Bus, Alpybus, Dartbus, Altibus, etc.) between the airport and Tignes
Tignes is an honorable mention as this ski area is combined with Val-d’Isère in Savoie’s Tarentaise Valley. In recent years when snowfall has been an issue, booking ski resorts at high altitudes like Tignes is a no-brainer! This great ski resort has over 180 miles of trails from gentle woodland slopes to extreme peaks. Note that your group is more likely to have a great time at Tignes if everyone is at least intermediate level in their chosen sport.
Active groups will love hanging from the bouldering walls in Tignespace or swimming at Le Lagon. Try different villages for après-ski like Le Lac and Val Claret to experience all the best of Tignes’ nightlife spots.
Where To Stay: Tignes also has a CGH Résidences & Spas which is great for families that prefer to stay in apartments. There’s also a Club Med Tignes all-inclusive with on-site entertainment! Both are in great locations close to the ski lifts. You’re guaranteed the best time in a hotel that suits your group’s needs and travel style.
Plan a Group Ski Trip Everyone Will Enjoy
Some people in your group will be spraying fresh powder down black runs. Others will need to start in ski school on beginner terrain. A few will be happy to wander around charming ski towns, shopping and enjoying mountain views. Luckily, the best ski resorts for groups in Europe offer diverse terrain and lively bars perfect for your next group ski holiday.