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The best resorts in Europe for Intermediate Skiers

11 Apr, 2023

6mins, 26s read

Sarah Cramer

Ready to hit the slopes and experience some of the best skiing resorts for intermediates? Read on! Whether you want a relaxing ski holiday with stunning mountain views, a lively apres-ski scene, or an energetic mile-munching skiing experience, there is something for everyone in Heidi's top ten list of skiing destinations for intermediate skiers.

THE BIG RESORTS

La Plagne, France

La Plagne is a long-time favourite amongst the British ski set, with a huge variety of high-altitude intermediate-friendly runs. With access to 425km of runs across the stunning Paradiski area, you'll have endless slopes to explore. Warm up on easy-going blues, cruise down tree-lined red runs, and drop into wide-open powder bowls. Send it! Getting around is easy with an efficient and modern lift system. And you can even catch a double-decker cable car across the valley to Les Arcs for a change of scenery - just don't miss the last car back as it's a long drive home!

La Plagne ski resort at night with town lit up

Morzine, France

If you're looking for wide-open runs, well-groomed pistes, and stunning mountain scenery, Morzine has it all. The vast snowy playground of Portes du Soleil spans France and Switzerland and is jam-packed with epic intermediate blue and red runs. The village centre oozes old-world Savoyarde charm, and the chalets are luxurious and cosy, but when the sun sets, Morzine comes alive, and the apres ski is upbeat. From floodlit ice skating to pumping live music, there's something for everyone. Santé! Plus, with just an hour's transfer from Geneva airport, this large, interconnected resort is simple to get to. Book your flight now!

Gondolas taking skiiers to top of snowy mountain in Morzine French Alps

Selva di Val Gardena, Italy

The 40km Sellaronda circuit is on the bucket list of many intermediate skiers, and Italy's Selva Val Gardena (aka Wolkenstein) is one of the best places to access this legendary Dolomiti Superski circuit. Blast your way down perfectly groomed pistes through the breathtakingly beautiful UNESCO-listed Dolomites. Thrillseekers will love the 'James Bond' run. While speed demons can race mates down the World Cup Saslong piste. Need a break? Snack on cured Italian meats washed down with a chilled Austrian Stiegl at one of the many mountain huts. This is the life!

Tignes, France

It's easy to overlook Tignes in favour of its larger neighbour, Val D'Isere. But this purpose-built resort is excellent for intermediate skiers and boarders. Explore over 300km of runs across the Tignes-Val d'Isère valleys and benefit from high-altitude snowsure pistes. If you want to give off-piste skiing a go, book an introductory course and make the most of the peachy piste-side powder between the trees. Simply magic! If you've still got some energy, the apres scene is superb. Whether you want to dance in your ski boots to live music or share mountain stories with friends over a chilled pint, Tignes suits every mood.

Meribel, France

Méribel is well-loved for its unrivalled location. Set right bang in the middle of Les Trois Vallées, you'll have access to over 600km of incredible high-altitude pistes connected by high-speed lifts. Most of which are intermediate level. It's a pretty sweet neck of the woods. In fact, with so much choice, the only downside is deciding which runs to explore. Grin from ear to ear as you cruise down wide-sweeping reds and blues and take in dazzling views over the mountains. Then head to the La Folie Douce to celebrate an epic day on some of the world's best slopes. Toffee vodkas all round!

Val d'Isere, France

Ski hard. Party hard. That's how things roll in the popular ski resort of Val d'Isere! The quality of intermediate slopes is top-notch, with many sitting above 2300 metres and access to over 300km of pistes across the Espace Killy area. Many of the runs sit at the more challenging end of the intermediate scale, but there are plenty of relaxed blues for less confident skiers. As for the apres-ski? Well, it's nothing short of legendary! Enjoy sundowners and dance on the tables at La Folie Douce before heading to Dick's Tea Bar for a live DJ set.

Val D'Isere ski resort at dusk with lights on

Ischgl, Austria

With altitudes of over 2000 metres, Ischgl is one of Austria's most snowsure ski resorts, making it a popular playground for intermediate skiers. Long red runs cascade down the mountain in every direction, clocking up over 145km of fun flowy pistes. There's even the chance to ski in two countries with runs dropping into Switzerland. Schön! Advanced skiers can also enjoy some ace blacks and off-piste slopes. Ready to party? The apres-ski is no less impressive, with banging beats and a lively atmosphere in the mountain-side bars.

Flaine, France

Reliable snow? Tick. Ski-in-ski-out digs? Tick. Heaps of pristine intermediate pistes? Tick. Welcome to Flaine. On the foothills of France's vast Grand Massif ski area, this is the place to be for easy-to-access slopes. Views of Mount Blanc dominate the horizon as you twist and turn down wide tree-lined runs and drop in on big, snowsure bowls - the upper bowl is the most snowsure, by the way. And don't miss the chance to ski one of the longest runs in the Alps, the Cascades. Enjoy 14km of free-flowing descent winding through stunning scenery into Sixt Fer-à-Cheval - you can't beat it!

THE WILD CARDS

Valmeinier, France

Dial in your flow on mellow blues before putting your skills to the test on technical tree-lined reds and a few black runs for more adventurous in Valmeinier ski resort. This traditional French village offers plenty of ski-in, ski-out chalets for easy access to the slopes, and with good connections to nearby Valloire, there's loads of variety for intermediate skiers to discover. Worked up an appetite? Laidback bars and restaurants serving delicious French fondue and Italian pizza await your return from the mountains in the evening. Bon appetite!

Ortisei, Italy

For somewhere a bit different and off the beaten track, Ortisei is a hidden paradise for intermediate skiers. Set within the UNESCO-protected Italian Dolomites, this is the largest village in the Val Gardena ski area and just a snowball's throw away from the Sella Ronda, a 26km circuit of mighty fine intermediate pistes with striking mountain views. Plus, with fast-flowing forested runs in the local Alpe di Siusi bowl, it doesn't get much better. The local vibe is relaxed with a cluster of family-run hotels, friendly restaurants and some lively apres-ski bars.

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