Whether you are on a budget or lacking time off work, you can still get your ski fix in – just in a shorter time frame. A weekend ski trip is a thrilling escape but it is important to choose a resort that makes the trip as worthwhile as possible.
Factors to Consider When Booking a Weekend Ski Break
When deciding where to go on a short ski break there are a few things to keep in mind, including the distance from an international airport and proximity to the pistes. On a weekend ski trip you have no time to waste, so picking a ski resort with a short transfer time is essential. When thinking about accommodation you want to select somewhere with easy access to the pistes, ideally ski-in-ski-out accommodation, to maximise your time on the slopes.
When booking your weekend ski break, make sure to choose an airport with regular flights and transfers so that your journey is as quick and seamless as possible. Dubbed the ‘gateway to the Alps’, Geneva tends to be the most convenient airport for many popular European ski resorts. Flights from London to Geneva are just 1h40m. Other convenient airports, all within a 2-hour flight from London, include; Innsbruck (2h), Zurich (1h40m) and Turin (1h55m). With all transfers, expect longer journeys in peak periods and bad weather.
To help you with your holiday planning, we have rounded up the top 10 best ski resorts for a weekend ski trip, with easy airport access, so that you can embark on a short but sweet trip to the mountains to remember!
Top 10 Ski Resorts for Weekend Ski Breaks in Europe:
1. La Clusaz, France
🚙 Travel time from Airport – 1 hour (Geneva)
Best for: Tree skiing
Located in the Haute-Savoie region of the French Alps, La Clusaz is one of the closest ski resorts to Geneva Airport and makes for an excellent location for a short ski trip. The charming traditional mountain village sits at 1,100m and is surrounded by pines. It boasts some beautiful ski treeing as well as high-altitude pistes reaching up to 2,477m. La Clusaz offers 125km of slopes to explore and is a great destination for skiers of all abilities. Just an hour’s transfer from Geneva Airport and with plenty of slope-side accommodation, this easily accessible resort is the perfect location for a short and relaxing ski escape.
Book ski lessons in La Clusaz!
2. Chamonix, France
🚙 Travel time from airport – 1 hour 10 minutes (Geneva)
Best for: Advanced skiers
Sat beneath the towering Mont Blanc in the Haute-Savoie region of the French Alps, Chamonix is steeped in history. As France’s oldest ski resort and the host of the first-ever Winter Olympics in 1924, this iconic destination pulls in crowds throughout the winter season and beyond. Sat at 1,035m, Chamonix boasts a range of terrain fit for skiers of all abilities but is particularly suited to advanced skiers. Famed for its steep runs, excellent off-piste and dramatic scenery, Chamonix offers some truly world-class skiing. Just over an hour’s transfer from Geneva Airport, Chamonix is a popular resort for weekend ski trips. You can’t access all 155km of pistes directly from the centre of Chamonix, however, there are plenty of hair-raising runs directly accessible from the resort to keep you occupied on your weekend ski trip, including Aiguille du Midi and Vallée Blanche.
3. Morzine, France
🚙 Travel time from airport – 1 hour 15 minutes (Geneva)
Best for: Traditional alpine charm
Sitting at 1,000m, Morzine is nestled in the heart of the Haute-Savoie region of the French Alps. It is the central resort in the Portes du Soleil ski area, which offers 650km of diverse skiable terrain – more than enough for a short ski trip! Suited for skiers of all abilities, the charming, picture-perfect Savoyard village is surrounded by tree-lined runs and the river Drance cuts through its centre. It has a traditional alpine feel and accommodation mainly consists of wooden mountain chalets. Thanks to its friendly atmosphere, excellent skiing and short transfer from Geneva Airport, Morzine is a great choice for a weekend ski trip to the mountains. Find out more in our Ultimate Guide to Morzine.
4. Megève, France
🚙 Travel time from airport – 1 hour 15 minutes (Geneva)
Best for: A luxury trip
Set at 1,235m, Megève is an attractive resort lying in the shadow of Mont Blanc. In this all-round winter destination, there is plenty to do both on and off the slopes. Megève boasts a large ski area with 450km of perfectly groomed pistes reaching up to 2,350m. The chic resort is also home to high-end accommodation and several world-class restaurants. Just over an hour from Geneva Airport, this easily accessible resort makes for a stylish, short stay. For an up-market long ski weekend in the mountains, there is nowhere better than Megève! The bustling, beautiful town has more than enough to keep you occupied for a short ski trip.
5. Flaine, France
🚙 Travel time from airport – 1 hour 15 minutes (Geneva)
Best for: Ski-in-ski-out accommodation
Flaine is a popular ski resort set in the heart of the Haute-Savoie region in France. Sitting at 1,600m, the high-altitude resort is almost entirely ski-in-ski-out and offers some incredible skiing for all abilities. Thanks to its position in a north-facing bowl, Flaine has a unique microclimate that ensures good snow cover all season. The resort is a gateway to The Grand Massif ski area, one of the largest ski areas in the French Alps (265km), and is just over one hour from Geneva Airport. So, if you are looking for accessible, snow-sure slopes, Flaine should be on your list for your next weekend ski trip! Find out more in our Ultimate Guide to Flaine.
6. Engelberg, Switzerland
🚙 Travel time from airport – 1 hour 15 minutes (Zurich)
Best for: Off-piste enthusiasts
Sitting below the Titlis glacier in Central Switzerland, Engelberg is a hidden gem that is full of surprises. Featuring a 12th-century Monastery and some excellent skiing, Engelberg makes for a thrilling winter escape. Advanced skiers will delight in The Laub, for off-piste skiing, and the north-facing Titlis glacier, renowned for its exceptional powder and 2,000m vertical drop. Engelberg doesn’t have the largest ski area, but the 82km of pisted terrain reaches over 3000m and offers exciting, varied skiing. We recommend booking accommodation at the edge of the resort for easy access to the slopes. Just over an hour from Zurich Airport, Engelberg makes for a great weekend ski trip. If you are looking for quality time on the slopes with limited crowds, then this is the resort for you.
Book ski lessons in Engelberg!
7. Mayrhofen, Austria
🚙 Travel time from airport – 1 hour (Innsbruck)
Best for: Snowparks
Located at the end of the Zillertal Valley in the Tyrol region of Austria, Mayrhofen is a snowy playground for adventurous skiers of all abilities. Sitting at 630m, Mayhrofen has a modern, extensive lift system and 139km of local slopes to explore with the majority being above 1,600m. Though this is more than enough terrain for a short trip, if you fancy going further afield, you can opt for the full Zillertal Valley pass which offers 530km of pistes across four large ski areas (Hochzillertal-Hochfügen-Spieljoch, Zillertal Arena, Mayrhofner Bergbahnen, Ski & Glacier World Zillertal 3000). Mayrhofen is home to Austria’s steepest piste, Harakiri, and is famous for its large snowpark, PenkenPark. Just an hour from Innsbruck Airport, it is the perfect resort for a fun-filled weekend away in the mountains. We recommend staying as close to Penkenbahn as possible for the easiest access to the slopes.
Book ski lessons in Mayrhofen!
8. Pila, Italy
🚙 Travel time from airport – 1 hour 15 minutes (Turin)
Best for: A budget-friendly trip
Pila is a quaint, car-free resort located in the heart of the Aosta Valley in the Italian Alps. The ski area is fairly small with 70km of pisted terrain, but for a short trip, this is more than enough to keep you entertained. The varied terrain mostly sits above 2,000m and is suited to skiers of all abilities. Additionally, Pila is just a 2-minute gondola from the Roman town of Aosta. Brimming with historic charm, Pila has a friendly atmosphere and is a great ski resort for families. The snow-sure slopes reach up to 2,700m and offer breathtaking views of Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa and the Matterhorn. Just over an hour from Turin Airport, the cheap and cheerful resort of Pila is a great option for a budget-friendly weekend ski trip.
9. Sölden, Austria
🚙 Travel time from airport – 1 hour 15 minutes (Innsbruck)
Best for: Spectacular scenery
Located in the Ötztal Valley and sitting at 1,377m, Sölden is one of the highest resorts in Austria, meaning that the snow cover is incredibly reliable. Sölden has two incredible glacier ski areas, Rettenbach and Tiefenbach, and is the only resort in Austria that has three skiable peaks above 3,000m. The excellent lift system in the resort allows you to explore the 144km of pisted terrain with ease. Coupled with the incredible skiing in Sölden is its breathtaking scenery, the resort was even a filming location for James Bond’s Spectre! Just over an hour from Innsbruck Airport, Sölden is a great option for a weekend ski trip if you are looking for high-altitude skiing and unbeatable views.
10. St. Anton, Austria
🚙 Travel time from airport – 1 hour 15 minutes (Innsbruck)
Best for: Après ski
Located in the Tyrolean Alps in Austria, St. Anton is a world-famous resort both for its spectacular skiing and its lively après ski scene. Sitting at 1,305m, St. Anton is part of Austria’s largest linked ski area and is said to be the place where the après ski ritual of dancing on tables first began! With 305km of pisted terrain and legendary après ski spots including MooserWirt and Krazy Kanguruh, there is much to keep you entertained on and off the slopes in St. Anton! The resort has a vibrant atmosphere from day through to night. Conveniently located just over an hour from Innsbruck Airport, if you are looking for a party-fueled long weekend in the mountains, St. Anton should be at the top of your list!
Book ski lessons in St. Anton!
Maximise Your Time on the Slopes on Your Short Ski Break!
With easy access to international airports and fantastic skiing, all of these European ski resorts make excellent destinations for short ski trips and ski weekends. Whether you prefer the French Alps or the Austrian Tyrol, there is an accessible ski resort in this top 10 to suit everyone’s needs. But they’ll be sure to leave you wanting more! Let’s face it – you can never spend enough time in the mountains!
Another way to maximise your time on the slopes is by booking an instructor on Maison Sport. A private instructor will help you to get back on your ski legs quickly and will enable you to discover as much of the resort as possible in the time that you have. Our instructors know their resorts like the back of their hands and can show you the best runs and give you insider recommendations of the top places to eat and drink so that your holiday is as exhilarating and action-packed as possible. You may be short on time, but you certainly won’t be short on experience!
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