10 top weekend ski resorts with perfect airport connection

You do not have time for a full week winter holiday and you would like to go for weekend of skiing or short break, but you simply do not know where? No problem!

We know that your time is precious, especially if you are looking for a skiing trip over the weekend. Therefore, we want to provide you with a great selection of 10 weekend ski resorts, all of which are less than 100km away from the nearest airport and therefore a very good fit for a short stay.

All of the presented resorts are accessible via rental car or by airport shuttle or private taxi, which can be easily booked with STC.

 

Weekend Ski Resort #1: Chamonix (France)

Airport: Geneva Airport; 88km/60mins

Road to Chamonix: Chamonix is directly accessible via the Autoroute Blanche (A40) motorway, which connects to the European motorway network. Chamonix is a one-hour drive with hire car or private shuttle bus. N.B. To use the Swiss autoroute system, a Swiss Vignette is required.

Chamonix is one of the most famous ski resorts in the Alps, and is particularly known as a center for freeriding and ski mountaineering. The historic site at the foot of Montblanc was the venue for the first Olympic Winter Games. The highest point of the local ski area is at 3,842 metres.

95 slopes for ski professionals and beginners

Chamonix has several well-known ski areas: La Flégère / Le Brévent, Les Houches-Prarion, the Le Tour Domaine de Balme and Grands Montets, which also reaches up to over 3,000 meters.

Due to the fact that the ski areas are spread over various mountains and hillside slopes, even with difficult weather or snow conditions, skiing possibilities can always be found.

Not only skiing professionals, but also beginners and especially families will exactly find what they are looking for, as 95 slopes, equipped with 59 lifts, offer skiing possibilities for all.

Skiing in Chamonix: A paradise for freeriders

In addition, Chamonix’ skiing area of Grands Montets offers unique freeride facilities, which is one of the reasons for the fame and the outstanding reputation of the ski resort.

 

Weekend Ski Resort #2: Morzine (France)

Airport: Geneva Airport; 75km/90mins.

Road to Morzine: Autoroute Blanche motorway (A40), take the Bonneville or Cluses/Scionzier exit (number 18, 30km from Morzine)

Morzine is a picturesque village with stone houses situated in one of the largest ski resorts in the world, the “Portes du Soleil” (“The Doors of the Sun”). This ski resort between the villages of Avoriaz, Morzine and Les Gets is part of an international ski association between France and Switzerland and is located on the southern side of Lake Geneva.

Skiing in Morzine: 650 kilometers of slopes with a beautiful view

Morzine itself is located on 1000m and is therefore easily accessible by car. In the village there are many shops, restaurants, hotels and bars. An impressive 650 kilometres of slopes combine Swiss and French ski resorts, which allows you to ski in an exceptional area in the immediate vicinity of Mont Blanc.

Weekend Ski Resort #3: Megève (France)

Airport: Geneva; 87km/60mins

Road to Megève: Accessible directly via the Autoroute Blanche (A40) (It is important that you book your car-hire on the Swiss side of the airport, as getting to the French side is very time-consuming)

The elegant ski resort of Megève is located in the extensive ski area of Evasion Mont-Blanc, which extends to over 400 kilometres of slopes. In the vicinity of the ski resorts of Saint-Gervais and Combloux, at the foot of Mont-Blanc, the ski area is suitable for all levels of skiers, especially for families with children. Nearly 120 lifts provide good connections and link the different resorts.

The ski runs of Megève also have great charm for snowboarders and freeriders

The ski terrain in the Evasion Mont-Blanc is dominated by relaxed runs on wide, well-groomed slopes. but also freeriders and snowboarders await a special treat in the heart of the ski area: the Mont Joux Snowpark. For professional skiers especially climbing Mount Joux (1,958 m) is very attractive. From there, the highest point of the ski area with access to red and black slopes can be reached.

Weekend Ski Resort #4: Mayrhofen (Austria)

Airport:Innsbruck Airport 65km/60mins

Road to Mayrhofen: Accessible directly via motorway (A12), take exit Zillertal (30 km from Mayrhofen), then via Zillertal local road (B169) to Mayrhofen

According to the local Tourist Office, Mayrhofen is “one of the most active regions of the Alps”.

And indeed, this is not an empty promise! With 136 kilometers of pistes, served by 57 lifts, in Mayrhofen action lovers, as well as gourmets or families, fully get their money’s worth.

Skiing in Mayrhofen: 100% winter from relaxed to spectacular

In the popular ski area of Mayrhofen there is not only Austria’s steepest piste experience (Vans Penken Park) with up to 78% slope, but also family-friendly carving pistes and the Funslope Ahorn for young and old alike.

Mayrhofen also has a lot to offer for a gentler winter holiday and culinary fans. In addition to a winter hiking tour on the Panoramundweg, you can also discover great restaurants with regional delicacies.

Weekend Ski Resort #5: St. Anton (Austria)

Airport: Innsbruck Airport 100km/70mins

Road to St. Anton:  Accessible from Innsbruck, head towards Landeck – to St. Anton am Arlberg

On the Tyrolean side of the large Arlberg ski area you will find the two fashionable ski resorts St. Christoph and St. Anton am Arlberg. Where the skiing sport was invented more than 100 years ago, ski and snowboarding experts still meet here today, to pursue the challenging slopes of their favourite activity. With 305 km of pistes and 87 lifts, one thing is certain: No run needs to be skied twice. The most popular and at the same time most notorious slopes are: Galzig, Gampen, Schindler Kar and Kapell.

St Anton is the ultimate après ski hot spot

St. Anton would not be St. Anton, without its famous après ski bars. The most famous one is probably the legendary Mooserwirt. It is also difficult to miss this bar, as so many sop off here on the last run of the day. But also the Krazy Känguruh or Taps, which is located slightly above the Mooserwirt, guarantees a great atmosphere.

Weekend Ski Resort #6: Courmayeur (Italy)

Airport:Geneva Airport 100km/90mins

Road to Courmayeur: Courmayeur can be easily reached through the Mont Blanc tunnel or by the Grand St. Bernard way above Martigny in Switzerland

Courmayeur is at the end of the Italian Valle d’Aosta near the Mont Blanc tunnel to Chamonix. This place is known for its very friendly and relaxed atmosphere and provides a total of 39 kilometres of slopes, which can be used by winter sports enthusiasts. Best of all skiing and snowboarding possibilities extend to slopes over 2,500 metres during the whole season.

Skiing in Courmayeur: Perfect challenges even for professional skiers

Courmayeur offers an extremely versatile and varied area, which is suitable for beginners as well as professionals. The latter will have their fun especially on the Competizione and will be looking for challenges around Lake Checruit. Beginners, on the other hand, are better off in the vicinity of the village of Zerotta. Underneath the Mont Chetif peak, technique and tricks can be practiced.

 Dream routes to Chamonix

Courmayeur has a lot to offer. From the Punta Helbronner at 3,462 meters you can choose either a 20 kilometre long, ski route down to Chamonix or go back to the valley of Courmayeur. These tours are best done with a professional mountain guide. Another dream route starts at Cresta Youla at 2,624 metres altitude. Directly at Mont Blanc you can go to Zerotta. For families there is a ski kindergarten in the village.

Weekend Ski Resort #7: Kitzbühel (Austria)

Airport:Salzburg Airport 80 km/70mins

Road to Kitzbühel: Accessible via motorway (A8 and A1),then take federal road (B20 and B178), heading  towards Lofer and later towards St. Johann in Tirol, finally take locall road (B161) to Kitzbühel

Kitzbühel is considered to be the lifestyle metropolis of Tyrol and is the venue of the world-famous Hahnenkamm race. The ski area of Kitzbühel stretches over 170 km of slopes and connects seven municipalities. 53 ski runs bring the winter sportsmen to 60 slopes. The various ski runs have been perfectly connected since 2005 by the state-of-the-art 3S-Bahn lift.

Learning to ski in Kitzbühel: Practice lifts can be used free of charge

Kitzbühel is known for the Hahnenkamm race. On the legendary “Streif-Abfahrt” (No. 21), the world’s best skiers compete every year. For the rest of the season the run can also be accessed by (very good!) amateurs. But even if you’re not a big racer yet, there is a great choice of slopes in Kitzbühel to suit beginners as well as intermediate skiers. Especially for those, who need some more exercise, the valley offers a great opportunity as here the practice lifts can even be used free of charge. In addition to the wide range of slopes, Kitzbühel is also very interesting for freeriders, as there are altogether 32 kilometres of ski routes.

Weekend Ski Resort #8: Bad Gastein and Bad Hofgastein (Austria)

Airport: Salzburg Airport 90 km/70mins

Road to Bad – and Badhofgastein: Coming from Salzburg, take the Tauernautobahn to Bischofshofen, exit Gasteinertal.

The ski region Gasteinertal with its famous ski resorts Bad Hofgastein and Bad Gastein stands for pure piste pleasure and slopes with more than 1,000m of difference in altitude. Here you will also find the “Hohe Scharte Nord”, which is – with a length of 8 km – one of the longest ski-runs in the Eastern Alps.

Experience how 60, 70 or even more km / h feels on skis

Perfectly connected with modern lifts and cableways, the ski area is ideal for beginners as well as for advanced skiers. Beginners can practice at Gasti Schneepark, which is located in the ski Angertal ski area near Bad Hofgastein, while pros can experience how 60, 70 or even more km / h feel on skis on the speed check piste at the Burgstalllift / Angertal.

Après ski in Bad Gastein and Bad Hofgastein: These venues should be on your list!

There is an extraordinary après-ski landscape in Bad Hofgastein as well. Several huts invite hungry skiers and snowboarders to celebrate the end of an exciting skiing day. Especially the ski centre Angertal, the Feldinghütte or the Waldgasthof Angertal are great places that should be discovered.

Weekend Ski Resort #9: Zell am See (Austria)

Airport: Salzburg Airport; 80 km/60mins

Road to Zell am See: Accessible via the local road B21 and B311.

Only 60 minutes from Salzburg, the medieval lakeside town of Zell am See is a popular destination for guests from

all over Europe. The 77 kilometres of pistes of the ski resort are exactly divided in one third of blue, red and black marked slopes. So everyone will find a suitable slope!

Ski fun for the whole family

Especially for families and children the ski area of Zell am See is the optimal place. The ski terrain offers a wide range for beginners and advanced and is ideal for children from their first attempts in the snow to a safe descent on skis.

Snowboarders and freeskiers can indulge in winter fun at the Funpark Schmitten. With rails, fun-boxes, kickers and spins, it offers everything the freestyler’s heart desires. Absolute highlight is the 1300 metre long Funslope of the world at the Hochmaisbahn. For real professionals, there is also the famous downhill run, Trassabfahrt, which ensures the absolute thrill.

Weekend Ski Resort #10: Verbier (Switzerland)

Airport: Sion Airport 54 km/50 mins

Road to Verbier: Accessible via motorway (A9)

Verbier is situated on a sunny plateau and is part of the winter sports paradise “Les 4 Vallées” (The four valleys). This ski resort of superlatives provides more than 410 km of piste, accessible by more than 90 ski lifts. Besides Verbier the ski resorts of Nendaz, Veysonnaz, Thyon and La Tzoumaz belong to the skiing area of “Les 4 Vallées”.

With slopes, ranging from blue to black runs, Verbier stands for well-prepared slopes and perfect snow.

In terms of height, the ski area reaches from the beginner slopes in Verbier village to the highest point, Mont Fort, at an altitude of 3000m.

Various possibilities apart from classical skiing
Verbier is especially known among lovers of freeride skiing. Aside from the prepared slopes, there is a great variety of ways for skiing in deep snow. With snowshoe and winter hiking trails or sledge runs of 10km length Verbier offers wonderful alternatives to enjoy the winter landscape without skis.

 

Conclusion:

As seen above, there are a number of great ski resorts that are less than 100km away from the nearest airport and therefore are very suitable for a ski weekend trip.

All of the 10 presented resorts are accessible via car (through motorways in most cases) or partly even by public transport. However, it is probably most convenient to use an airport shuttle or a private airport taxi transfer. You can book the transfer of your choice with STC. This allows you to quickly and conveniently reach your destination, avoid rental charges or the stress of car hire or public transport.