Forgo the repetitive debates over who’ll be playing host for Christmas this year! No more confusion over sleeping arrangements or disagreements over the Christmas dinner. On a luxury ski holiday at Christmas, it’s impossible to feel anything other than grateful, jubilant, and relaxed. You need only look out your window at the winter wonderland to confirm that taking a trip to one of the best ski resorts at Christmas in Europe was a terrific idea.
But what are those all-important ski resorts with the most wonderful festive atmosphere? Where can you find the ultimate holiday markets and a snow-sure record for December? In this blog, we lay out some of the best ski resorts to visit at Christmas in 2025…
Firstly, we present a resort as refined as it is broad and undoubtedly among the best ski resorts in France at Christmas: Megève, Mont Blanc. As you walk through the streets, words like ‘quaint’ and ‘charming’ may spring to mind. However, the sheer size of the ski area dwarfs those words entirely. The 400km of slopes across multiple massifs, 89 restaurants with limitless choices, and 110 ski lifts… you may have to extend your Christmas excursion into a New Year ski holiday just to sample it all!
Megève was one of the first resorts dedicated to snowsports to open in the initial boom in the 1920s. As a result, the Alpine culture is well-preserved in honour of its history. Gorgeous buildings and horse-drawn carriages aren’t hard to find, and neither is Père Noël during the festive season! Christmas in Megève is a vibrant affair, beginning the first weekend of December. Watch the annual tree lighting festival as the scents of Christmas fill the air from the markets; apple and cinnamon, smoky fire pits, and fluffy pines create the perfect olfactory environment for the festive season.
A real highlight is the boutique shopping. Treat your loved ones to the very best Christmas gifts while you enjoy the experience of buying them as well! The traditional buildings housing boutique shops give off a decadent atmosphere to be a part of. Meanwhile, the kids will love visiting Santa’s grotto in the village square, followed by a trip to see real-life reindeer! We especially recommend taking advantage of a luxury catered ski chalet to save yourself from cleaning up after a warming Savoyard Christmas dinner! For the enchanting scenery and family-friendly atmosphere, we say with confidence that Megève is among the best ski resorts at Christmas for 2025.
The next on our list of the best ski resorts at Christmas is the extraordinary Courchevel. Known worldwide as a hub of luxury, Courchevel is formed of 5 villages, each more glorious than the last. But the most iconic of them all is the incredible Courchevel 1850. The high altitude is in the name, and that’s just the village itself. The highest skiable point in Courchevel is La Saulire, at an impressive 2,738m, and is in the pathway over to neighbouring Méribel. Of course, the height means that Courchevel is a strong contender for the best place to ski at Christmas and throughout the early season. Additionally, the amount of quality ski-in, ski-out chalets and pistes in Courchevel is remarkable, with the highest concentration in 1850. What could be better than waking up in one of the resort’s luxury ski chalets at Christmas, with the slopes outside your window?
The social events around Christmas in Courchevel 1850 are a real highlight of the calendar. In particular, Christmas Eve is the ultimate celebration, proving Courchevel is one of the best family ski resorts at Christmas. Children are well entertained, starting with a sweet and cosy tea party in the afternoon. In addition, everyone can enjoy free hot drinks to warm up before watching the famous torch-lit descent. Then comes the man of the hour: Santa Claus! If you’re a little old for Santa, however, don’t be alarmed. Mulled wine is flowing, and after the family-friendly events come the celebrations late into the night. The town party continues until 8pm, before patrons descend on some of the best nightclubs in the Alps. There is enough joy in Courchevel during the holidays for everyone to find something that piques their interest!
From the world-famous cuisine to the heartwarming hospitality, who wouldn’t want to be skiing in Italy at Christmas? Among the best places to visit for the festive season in the country is Cortina d’Ampezzo, the queen of the Dolomites. A Christmas ski holiday with non-skiers is incredibly well-suited to this gem of a resort, given its wealth of activities both on- and off-piste. Exploring the pretty markets and shops on the immaculately maintained cobblestones, and visiting the Advent Calendar display on the former Town Hall, with a window opening each day accompanied by music, are bucket list items for a visit to Cortina.
Cortina offers a full calendar of seasonal events: open-air concerts in Piazza Angelo Dibona, torchlit ski parades, Christmas Eve Mass, and even guided snowshoe hikes through fairy-lit forests. For families on a chalet holiday, there are horse-drawn sleigh rides and festive storytelling sessions. Meanwhile, gourmands can enjoy special Christmas tasting menus in Michelin-starred mountain huts.
On the slopes, Cortina boasts over 120 km of runs, with something for everyone, thanks to its position within the Dolomiti Superski area. This ski area has access to over 1,200 km of pistes with one ski pass. Whether you’re carving down empty groomers at dawn or savouring a bombardino at a sunny rifugio, Christmas skiing in Cortina is pure magic.
Skiing at Christmas in Austria is a delight, as anyone who has done so can attest. In Austria’s Lech Am Arlberg, that festive magic is dialled up to eleven. Snow-dusted roofs, twinkling lights, and mountain silence broken only by the crunch of snow underfoot; the scene is well and truly set for festivities. The village comes alive in December, with horse-drawn sleigh rides, torch-lit processions, and the Lech Zürs Christmas Market offering mulled wine and handmade gifts. On Christmas Eve, a candlelit service at the iconic St. Nicholas Church sets a serene, timeless mood. What’s more, Lech’s luxury chalets are the perfect chocolate-box treat to wrap up your Christmas wonderland!
You can find some of the best skiing at Christmas in Europe right here in the Arlberg region. Lech is part of Austria’s largest interconnected ski area, with over 300km of pistes and 200km of off-piste terrain. The snow is famously reliable. Even in December, conditions are excellent. For families, the gentle slopes near Oberlech are ideal, while advanced skiers can challenge themselves on the legendary White Ring circuit. And don’t miss the Christmas Day ski-in concert on the slopes, with music, glühwein, and mountain views. Lech blends world-class skiing with a festive atmosphere that’s near-impossible to beat.
Gstaad ski resort has certainly been getting its flowers in recent years as people discover what an incredible place it is. However, it has always been one of the best ski resorts for Christmas; will 2025 be the year you visit? It shouldn’t take much to convince you, as the resort is undoubtedly one of the most stunning places to spend a wintry holiday with loved ones. As one of the traffic-free villages in the Swiss Alps, it maintains a reverence for its roots and prioritises the community feel and pedestrian access. It also means that at Christmas, the roads become a festive playground for all to enjoy. This simple move towards eco-friendly tourism has resulted in a great sense of tranquillity in the town.
As the Swiss Christmas markets begin, people flock to the resort. Streets are lined with sparkling lights, and the iconic landmark of Gstaad Palace Hotel shines warmly in the mountains above the surrounding Saanenland. When it comes to photo opportunities, Gstaad is difficult to beat. In terms of skiing, Gstaad isn’t short of slopes or variety. The ski slopes by the town centre are a beginners’ paradise, with enough to entertain and improve intermediates as well. Those seeking a little more of a challenge can buy a Gstaad Mountain Rides lift pass, allowing access to over 200km of pistes. This includes the Glacier 3000, supplying more than enough terrain to keep everyone happy!
The iconic Matterhorn is a sight seen around the world, a signifier of the area. On the Italian side, you’ll find Breuil-Cervinia brimming with charm. On the other lies one of the best resorts for skiing at Christmas: Zermatt ski resort. Much like Gstaad, Zermatt is a car-free village, meaning Christmas is a community-driven affair. Experiencing a Zermatt Christmas is like stepping through time without abandoning modern convenience. The main street, Bahnhofstrasse, serves as a year-round version of a Christmas market, rather than the typical once-a-year affair. Of course, it is extra special at Christmastime, dressed up to the nines with glühwein and quaint shops available.
To really get into the spirit of Christmas, you can celebrate by stepping into Santa’s shoes; take a ride on a sleigh through the town to put the cherry on top of your family ski chalet holiday. Of course, skiing is the real highlight. Zermatt is one of the best high-altitude ski resorts in Europe. As a result, the panoramas are a vivid postcard of mountain life, with 38 peaks over 4,000m tall surrounding the town. The Matterhorn Ski Paradise is extensive, crossing from the Rothorn Paradise and Gornergrat to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, where you’ll find the Klein Matterhorn at a staggering 3,883m. With such impressive numbers comes a range of pistes within the 360km of skiable terrain, crossing two countries for the ultimate Christmas ski holiday.
And so concludes our list of the best ski resorts at Christmas for 2025! If we’ve inspired your next trip to the Alps, then get in touch. Our team of expert Ski Specialists are ready to help you start the next step: finding a luxury Christmas ski chalet to call home. Give us a call on +44 (0)1202 203653, or send us an email.
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Blue Skies Lifestyle Ltd, established in 2005, is an online luxury ski holiday agent that specialises in finding clients the perfect luxury ski chalet in France, Switzerland, Austria and Italy. We feature an extensive portfolio of luxury chalet accommodation and luxury ski hotels that are ideal for group and family luxury ski holidays.
