Luxury Ski Resorts

This week I thought I would focus on Europe's favourite luxury ski resorts from a family ski perspective. Firstly, lets start with listing alphabetically what we would consider to be the best luxury ski resorts, and then assess them from a family perspective:

• Chamonix
• Espace Killy (Tignes and Val d'Isere)
• Three Valleys (Courchevel, Meribel, La Tania, Les Menuires, and Val Thorens)
• St Anton
• Verbier
• Zermatt

Whilst their luxury ski resort status can not be questioned, the question here really is whether they are family ski resorts, so here is our analysis of the pros and cons for a family ski perspective:

Chamonix

Pros: Some of the best skiing in the world, high altitude but also some resorts the childrens areas are lower so great for younger skiers

Cons: Not a linked ski resort, runs can border on the extreme

Stick to the family ski resort of Les Houches and avoid Chamonix and Argentiere. La Tour is another alternative but not as pretty as Les Houches.

Espace Killy (Tignes and Val d'Isere)

Pros: High altitude skiing, extensive network ideal for intermediates and advanced.

Cons: Tignes isn't the prettiest resort and Val d'Isere which is, isn't the cheapest for a family ski holiday. High altitude resorts so not always ideal for young children in terms of altitude and cold.

Three Valleys (Courchevel, Meribel, La Tania, Les Menuires, and Val Thorens)

Pros: High altitude skiing, extensive network ideal for all abilities.

Cons: Val Thorens isn't the prettiest resort although Meribel's villages are. Courchevel isn't the cheapest for a family ski holiday. High altitude resorts so not always ideal for young children in terms of altitude and cold.

La Tania and Les Menuires are great well priced Three Valleys family ski resorts and offer great value for money.

St Anton

Pros: Some of the best skiing and nightlife in the world!

Cons: Unless your family ski holiday involves children in their late teens, this isn't a family ski resort. This luxury ski resort is one of the best in the world, but it is such a party town it is best left to singles and young couples.

Verbier

Pros: Sunny resort, extensive skiing, great family ski areas as well as advanced skiing. Lively chic town that is great for family skiing groups as well as singles and couples.

Cons: Some of the skiing leans more to the good intermediate and advanced skier

Zermatt

Pros: Traffic free centre, great well pisted ski runs, resort height great ffor children, good snow record

Cons: The price