Trip.com has ranked its top 50 ski resorts in Europe for 2026, with destinations in Switzerland, France and Austria dominating the list. The ranking combines customer reviews, sales data, consistent quality, and unique features. France has the strongest presence in the top 10, with six resorts making the list. Switzerland follows with three resorts, while Austria has one.
The resorts offer very different experiences. Some are known for their large ski areas and high-altitude slopes, while others combine winter sports with luxury, restaurants and activities away from the pistes. The ranking therefore includes options for different types of travellers. Here are the 10 resorts that made the cut.
1. Zermatt, Switzerland
Zermatt takes first place in the ranking. The Swiss resort has 360 kilometres of ski trails extending across the border into Italy. The Klein Matterhorn reaches 3,883 metres and skiing is possible throughout the year. Its combination of extensive slopes, high-altitude skiing and mountain views makes it Trip.com’s top European ski resort for 2026.
2. Val Thorens, France
Val Thorens is located more than 2,000 metres above sea level and comes second. The resort is part of Les 3 Vallées and offers several activities away from the slopes. The five-kilometre Cosmojet Luge is France’s longest toboggan run. Visitors can also try snowmobiling, mountain karting, paragliding and ice climbing.
3. Courchevel, France
Courchevel takes third place and combines skiing with a luxury holiday experience. The resort has 150 kilometres of marked slopes and provides access to the wider Les 3 Vallées area, with another 600 kilometres of slopes. Away from skiing, visitors can find luxury shops and Michelin-starred restaurants. Even the ski lift cars have a luxury touch, as they were designed by Chanel.
4. St Moritz, Switzerland
St Moritz ranks fourth with its Corviglia ski area. The resort has 88 pistes and 56 lifts, with slopes reaching Piz Nair at 3,057 metres. One of the ski routes stretches for nine kilometres. Visitors can also choose easier intermediate pistes and stop at restaurants overlooking the surrounding mountains.
5. Les Menuires, France
Les Menuires is located in the heart of Les 3 Vallées and takes fifth place. Around 85% of its ski area is above 1,800 metres, while 81 slopes are shared with neighbouring Saint-Martin-de-Belleville. The resort offers terrain for different levels. Experienced skiers can take on steep black runs, narrow sections and off-piste routes.
6. KitzSki, Austria
KitzSki is the only Austrian resort in the top 10. Located around Kitzbühel, the resort combines a large ski area with the traditional Alpine setting of the region. Visitors can spend time on the slopes before heading to mountain restaurants or exploring the surrounding villages. The destination has also appeared in Trip.com’s annual rankings for three consecutive years.
7. Verbier, Switzerland
Verbier is the third Swiss resort in the top 10. The destination is known for its extensive ski terrain and its location in the Swiss Alps. It also hosts Freestyle Ski World Cup events. Trip.com has included Verbier in its annual rankings for three consecutive years, highlighting its continued popularity among winter sports enthusiasts.
8. Les Deux Alpes, France
Les Deux Alpes takes eighth place and is another French resort known for its high-altitude skiing. Its glacier allows skiing outside the traditional winter period. The resort also has slopes for different levels of experience. Les Deux Alpes has previously appeared in rankings of more affordable French ski destinations, although price is not a factor in Trip.com’s ranking.
9. Méribel, France
Méribel is ninth and is another resort located in Les 3 Vallées. The destination combines access to the large ski area with traditional Alpine architecture and wooden chalets. It also offers ski lessons for children, making it suitable for families. Visitors can use Méribel as a base while exploring the wider network of slopes.
10. Les Arcs, France
Les Arcs completes the top 10. Located in Bourg-Saint-Maurice in the French Alps, the resort offers a range of skiing opportunities and mountain views. Its position means that France accounts for six of the 10 resorts on the list. Les Arcs is also part of a wider trend in which Alpine destinations are looking for ways to attract visitors beyond skiing.
Ski resorts are looking beyond winter
Skiing remains the main reason many travellers visit the resorts on Trip.com’s list, but Alpine destinations are increasingly offering other activities. The Balanc’Air giant swing at Villars in Switzerland is one example. Opened at 2,110 metres above sea level, the attraction gives visitors a new way to experience the mountains outside traditional winter sports.
This shift is becoming more important as resorts look to attract visitors throughout the year. Hiking, mountain biking and adventure attractions can provide alternatives when there is no snow. At the same time, travellers looking for cheaper ski holidays can consider destinations outside the traditional Alpine hotspots. Trip.com’s ranking focuses on the overall resort experience, rather than simply finding the cheapest place to ski.
