What could be better than stepping out of a ski chalet or hotel and sliding off down the mountain, returning right to the door at the end of the day? No need to walk a long way wearing heavy ski boots while carrying skis or a snowboard, or squeeze onto a crowded bus.
While many ski resorts have some slope-side places to stay, it’s usually those that are purpose-built high in the mountains that can truly be considered ski-in/ski-out. And while other countries may boast a few such places, France is their spiritual home.
Many French resorts were constructed in the ‘60s, with austere buildings intended to reflect their rocky surroundings. Since then, new and equally convenient villages of chalet-style apartments have grown up in resorts such as Tignes and Les Menuires, and some of the old apartment blocks have had makeovers.
Promising streets (and slopes) that are reliably clad in white, ski-in/ski-out resorts have a clear appeal for everyone, whatever your age or skiing ability. Here’s our pick of the best this winter.
1. Val Thorens, France
Best for reliable snow
Val Thorens is not only the highest resort in the giant Trois Vallées ski area, but the highest in Europe. Its altitude guarantees doorstep skiing and snowboarding with reliable snow cover from November to May.
The terrain suits most abilities but the vast majority of visitors are intermediate skiers, for whom the long, cruising runs into the territories of Les Menuires and Saint-Martin-de-Belleville are highlights.
The nightlife is surprisingly vibrant, partly because Val Thorens attracts university trips heaving with British students. It was also the second French resort after Val d’Isère to open an on-mountain Folie Douce après venue, set just above the village.
Where to stay
A four-star hotel and apartment complex just metres from the mid station ski lifts, Résidence Le Hameau du Kashmir is built in traditional Savoyard style, with a pool, spa and two restaurants.
2. Avoriaz, France
Best for terrain parks
This purpose-built resort in the massive French/Swiss Portes du Soleil ski area was largely the brainchild of French racer Jean Vuarnet, better known for his sunglasses than for his gold medal at the Squaw Valley Olympics in 1960.
Its terrain parks make it popular with freestylers; the biggest is Arare (expert and pro-level), while others are aimed at beginner and intermediate freestylers and kids. Lil’Stash is a fun zone designed for children with little moguls and bumps, plus a picnic area, wobbly bridges and a slide.
The Portes du Soleil’s slopes suit everyone from beginners to veteran powderhounds, and accommodation is mainly ski-in/ski-out apartments, many recently renovated.
Where to stay
Hôtel des Dromonts is an exception to the apartment rule in Avoriaz. The original ski-in/ski-out address in Avoriaz is built in 1960s retro-style, with fabric wall coverings, plush carpets and lots of red cedar wood.
3. Big White, Canada
Best for getting to grips with powder
North American resorts aren’t usually known for ski-from-the-door convenience, but some have been purpose-built for easy access to the slopes. Among the best is Big White, where almost all the accommodation is ski-in/ski-out.
The terrain suits intermediates best, and abundant snowfall combined with lots of trees for shelter means it’s a great place to learn powder. The main lifts start below village level, with pistes leading down to them from accommodation, and even the main street through the centre of the resort is a designated piste.
An area called Happy Valley offers activities such as ice skating, snowmobiling, tubing, ice climbing and snowshoeing. While the village has limited après bars and shopping, there are some decent restaurants.
Where to stay
Stonebridge Lodge is right in the middle of the resort, with a range of spacious, stylishly decorated apartments, most with private outdoor hot tubs.
4. La Plagne, France
Best for easy intermediate runs
Four of La Plagne’s 11 villages are traditional farming towns; the rest are purpose-built, largely ski-in/ski‑out resorts at different altitudes. Beginners and intermediates will get the most out of the local ski area, which offers a 225km playground of unintimidating runs above the tree line.
A double‑decker cable car links La Plagne to neighbouring Les Arcs, forming the giant, intermediate-friendly Paradiski area. The 425km area offers plenty to explore, but note that it lacks the linked cohesion of rival ski areas such as Trois Vallées and Tignes-Val d’Isère, since the cable car is ridden both ways.
Belle Plagne is the liveliest of the villages, but the fragmented nature of the resort largely limits nightlife opportunities.
Where to stay
Hotel Carlina Residence is an apartment block on the edge of the piste in Belle Plagne. Décor is classic alpine meets contemporary, each flat has its own sauna and all bedrooms are en suite.
5. Snowmass, USA
Best for mixed groups
Even the French would be impressed by the way this resort has developed, with lodgings and Snowmass Village Mall’s cluster of restaurants and shops lining the home runs. Much of the lodging is ski-in/ski-out, and even those that aren’t rarely require a long walk to the snow.
Easily the biggest of the Aspen area’s four mountains, Snowmass has superb terrain for all standards, but particularly suits intermediates. For even more variety, there are bus services to the other mountains: Aspen Mountain has long cruising blue runs and short, steep blacks; Aspen Highlands has both easy intermediate slopes and the super steeps of Highlands Bowl; and Buttermilk is the smallest and least challenging. All are covered by the lift pass.
Where to stay
Viewline Resort Snowmass has a prime spot on the home slope, close to Snowmass Village Mall.
6. Lech, Austria
Best for unabashed luxury
Few resorts have a more exclusive image than Lech, where past patrons have included Princess Diana, the Jordanian royal family and Princess Caroline of Monaco.
The car-free, ski-in/ski-out satellite of Oberlech above the village, once the summer domain of shepherds and cowherds, has grown almost into a resort in its own right. The huts have since been replaced by expensive hotels like five-star Burg Vital, which houses the two Michelin-starred Griggeler Stuba.
The pistes are best suited to intermediates, and the sunny side of the mountain above and below Oberlech is largely given over to a network of flattering blue runs. Lech shares its ski area with the smaller village of Zürs and nearby Warth-Schröcken, and four lifts link the resort to neighbouring St Anton.
Where to stay
Oberlech’s Hotel Goldener Berg has four restaurants and two sun terraces with panoramic views, as well as a swimming pool, spa, gym and outdoor hot tub.
7. Les Menuires, France
Best for bargain hunters
Les Menuires is a key – and often more affordable – base in the huge Trois Vallées ski area. Local slopes are great for all standards, and lift links to the rest of the 600km area are fast and efficient, including to nearby Val Thorens.
It also has the 2,804m summit of Pointe de La Masse, accessed via high-speed gondola and offering superb possibilities both on and off piste, with runs that remain uncrowded even during peak season weeks.
Largely ski-in/ski-out, particularly the family-friendly satellites of Reberty and Les Bruyères, expect the majority of accommodation to be self-catered apartments and catered chalets.
Where to stay
Natural and traditional materials meet modern design in Chalet Hotel Kaya in Reberty. Rooms have balconies overlooking the slopes, the spa has a heated swimming pool, and there’s a children’s area with toys and a range of books to borrow.
8. Obertauern, Austria
Best for the quiet life
Obertauern is Austria’s only attempt at a purpose-built destination, and from most hotels here it’s possible to step out each morning onto the piste and slide all the way back home in the afternoon.
The downside is that it hasn’t developed a true village centre, featuring only a growing number of hotels with adjacent shops and a few restaurants.
Boasting a long season, its ski area encompasses seven peaks on both sides of the road leading up to the pass, with lifts going from 1,630m up to a top altitude of 2,526m. Snow cover is virtually guaranteed from the end of November until early May.
Where to stay
The four-star Valamar Obertauern Hotel has a spa, wellness area, gym, heated outdoor-indoor pool and a family programme for children aged from three to 12 years.
9. Trysil, Norway
Best for families
With 75km of slopes above two bases, Høyfjellssenter and Turistsenter, Trysil is the largest ski resort in Norway. The majority of the hotels are ski‑in/ski‑out, and slopes are often less crowded than in the main Alpine resorts, which is great news for beginners and families.
Trysil is so convinced of its snow reliability that it offers a guarantee of snow in the village during high season. On the slopes, the volcano‑shaped Trysilfjellet (Trysil Mountain) boasts the best part of 360 degrees of runs, and there is some challenging terrain in the Høgegga area.
Although the resort is fairly laid-back, there are several good spots for late-afternoon live music sessions on the mountain, and a decent selection of bars and restaurants at the two village bases.
Where to stay
Skistar Lodge Trysil in Høyfjellssenter sits below a network of green runs and has two on-site restaurants, a bakery and a well-equipped spa.
10. Les Arcs, France
Best for experts
Les Arcs is well known for its purpose-built villages. The original Arcs 1600, 1800 and 2000, built in the sixties and seventies, are largely big, wood-clad apartment blocks, while Arc 1950 makes an especially attractive ski‑in/ski-out base.
As well as extensive intermediate cruising, Les Arcs has plenty to amuse experts. Most of its black runs are never groomed and become huge mogul fields. A challenging day involves taking the cable car to La Plagne, travelling to the far end of its ski area, then skiing all the way back.
Off-piste options include the steep pitches on the front of the Aiguille Rouge and secluded runs off the back. A 15- to 30-minute climb from the top of the Grand Col chair opens up some easier runs.
Where to stay
The Taj-I Mah is the first five-star hotel in Les Arcs. As well as doorstep access to the slopes, its location in Arc 2000 offers far-reaching views over the resort.
This article was first published in September 2020 and has been revised and updated.