10 Reasons to Ski in Europe
Why Your Next Luxury Ski Trip Should Be to the Alps
Here’s the thing about skiing in the U.S.: it’s fun, it’s nostalgic, it’s fine. But the first time you ski the Alps, you realize you’ve been missing an entire category of joy. Think: longer runs, better food, and a cultural philosophy that basically says sure, ski—but only after you’ve had your three-course lunch and glass of wine.
Here’s why your next ski trip should cross the Atlantic:
1. Après-Ski Is an Art Form and a Lifestyle
In the U.S., après-ski often means soggy fries and a crowded bar that smells like wet gloves. In the Alps, it’s vin chaud in a candlelit chalet or an afternoon in the spa with Matterhorn views. You’re not a bad skier if you prefer fondue to moguls—you’re just European at heart.
2. Runs That Actually Last (Hello, 10-Mile Descents)
You know those trails in the Northeast that end just when you’ve finally found your rhythm? Europe laughs at those. Zermatt has 10-mile descents where you ski into Italy for pasta at lunch. Then you take the lift back up and do it again, like the world’s chicest commute.
3. Lunch Is a Three-Course Situation (Truffle Pasta on the Mountain)
Forget burgers on a tray. In the Alps, you might find yourself eating truffle pasta on the mountain, followed by a molten chocolate cake. With tablecloths. Sometimes Michelin stars. Try that at Okemo.
4. Glamorous and Efficient Ski Travel via Train
In the U.S., ski travel means rental cars, traffic, and kids in the back asking “are we there yet?” In Switzerland, you glide onto a train with your skis and watch glaciers roll by as someone else drives. It’s public transport, but glamorous.
5. European Ski Villages with Actual History and Charm
Aspen is adorable, but the Alps give you cobblestones, 500-year-old chalets, and families who’ve been running their inns since Napoleon passed through. You feel less like a tourist and more like you’ve stumbled into a snow globe.
6. Reliable Snow and Longer Ski Seasons
Yes, après-ski deserves two spots. Why? Because where else can you sit by the fire with raclette bubbling away, while outside the Matterhorn glows pink at sunset? In America, après is a Coors Light. In Europe, it’s basically a lifestyle.
7. Reliable Snow and Longer Ski Seasons
Between altitude and glaciers, European resorts stretch their season into late spring. If you’ve ever booked a U.S. ski trip only to find rain in February, you’ll understand why this matters.
8. More Terrain and Less Crowded Lift Lines
Even the busiest resorts in the Alps feel more spacious. There’s more terrain, bigger lifts, and fewer people fighting for space. Translation: more skiing, less elbowing.
9.Luxury Ski Schools for Kids (Not Just Babysitting)
In Europe, ski school isn’t babysitting—it’s practically boarding school on skis. Smaller groups, all-day lessons, and yes, they take your kids to lunch. You might not see them until après, when they come back speaking French and carving parallel turns.
10. Luxury That Comes with Incredible Value and Range
You can absolutely spend a fortune in St. Moritz. But you can also find charming family-run hotels that are more affordable than you’d expect—especially with the right travel advisor (hi, that’s me). Either way, the experience feels elevated compared to what you’d get in the States.
If you liked this…
Or get inspired for summer with my Alps guide.
And if you’re practical, bookmark my ultimate family packing list.