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These are the great all-rounders of the skiing world, and a lot goes into making them the best resorts for groups. Huge, varied ski areas for starters, plus all manner of things to see, do, eat and drink both on and off the mountain - for a wonderful week had by all.
You’ll also find every kind of accommodation: Self-catered crash pads, cosy catered chalets, uber-lux hotels – letting you find a holiday that suits everyone. Read on for our favourite group resorts of all time, and drop us a line for help with planning!
Top 10 Ski Resorts for Groups
Meri’s long been a favourite for British group ski holidays. First off, you’re slap bang in the middle of the world’s biggest ski area (that’s 600km of corduroy), and we’re yet to find a type of skier that the 3 Valleys doesn’t provide for: beginner, expert, cross-country, park rat, you name it. The après scene’s also massive - the Ronnie’s always a sterling meeting point, and the wonderfully weird Folie Douce comes close second, both hosting rocking parties on the snow. The restaurants aren’t bad either: gather for a posh nosh of Savoyard delights at La Fruitiere, or dine on a budget at lively L’Igloo, where the huge pizzas cost around 11 euros. Any non-skiing hours can be spent swimming or bowling in the Olympic Park, or renting out skidoos and whizzing around James Bond style. Lastly there’s the small matter of Meribel being chalet central, and whether yours is small, huge, cheap or super-lux, nothing beats returning to your own mountain pad at the end of a smashing day.
This is one of the greats – a classic Alpine resort with nigh on unbeatable powder and absolutely rocking après ski. Beginners learn on the gentle Nasserein area, but the area really comes into its own for more confident skiers who can explore the pistes and powder of the wider Arlberg ski area. The likes of Mooserwirt, Krazy Kanguruh and Taps tempt you in before you’ve even made it back to town, and you’ll struggle to find wilder, more wonderful mountain bars anywhere else in the world. Head to Bar Cuba, Kandahar or BoBos to party into the early hours (there’s always Burger Stop when it calls for midnight feasts…). Or for something a little more sophisticated try Anthony’s, one of the only places you’ll find yourself sipping a cocktail instead of a jug of beer. Museums, shops and the Arlberg-well leisure centre are on hand for non-skiing days, with one of our favourite group activities being a hurtle down the longest toboggan run in the Arlberg region - starting from the top of Gampen, it rushes through 4km of woodland to drop you off in Nasserein.
Old-school alpine charm, oodles of terrain and a wild après scene – this one’s an awesome all-rounder. Learners have a whole area dedicated to snow-ploughing, with greens trickling across the Ski Tranquille zone and through the trees to La Daille. Valley runs connect you to the rest of the Espace Killy, so intermediates really get to explore. For experts, this place is spectacular, with an army of seriously steep black pistes and deep powder descents. You’ll find tonnes of non-ski activities, too. Team up on the ice driving circuit or head for Beach World at the Aqua Leisure Centre for a taste of warmer climes. It wouldn’t be Val without a nod to the Folie Douce, where the mountain mayhem kicks off every afternoon; meet for a post-ski pitcher and you’ll soon find yourself dancing on tables under raining champers... Dick’s Tea Bar is an equally cracking watering hole, with live music and a DJ set to see the night through.
Mayrhofen is festival central, with Altitude and Snowbombing bringing the biggest names in comedy and music to the slopes each year. This is no one trick pony though – it also has 133km of the finest Austrian slopes, split pretty fairly between every colour. The Ahorn is the resident leisure mountain for those who like to take things easy on quiet, cruisey slopes - though even the most adventurous skier should visit for the uber cool ice lounge and its views of the Zillertal. The Penken Mountain’s all about high-octane action – from the fearsome Harakiri piste (Austria’s steepest) to the pro standard Vans Snowpark. If everyone’s happy with a few short road trips, there’s miles more to ski in the region. Head 30 minutes out to the Hintertux glacier for the highest, most snow sure slopes of them all, where non-skiers can explore the amazing ice cave. Festival-worthy après isn’t just saved for springtime, with hangouts like British themed Scotland Yard and the rustic Gasthof Wiesenhof for its famous Jägertee.
Two major things make Sauze special: The fabulous price of things (from lessons to pizzas), and the simply massive ski area. If you’re a posse of partyers, the après here is some of Italy’s best, whether you’re more for cocktails at Moncrons, fire-side chats at the Derby or themed nights over at Paddy McGinty’s. Foodies are just as catered for - Pasticceria Valsesia is the ultimate diet-stopper, where their signature chocolate postcards rarely make it out of the café (let alone to friends back home). L’Ortiche is a cracking spot for a group meal – slap bang in the centre, it works well as a meeting point, and they have good options for carnivores and veggies alike. And with pistes like these, après and eating tend to be high on the evening agenda… The Milky Way area has a mighty range of pistes totalling 400km, from tree runs to high altitude cruisers, stretching all the way over the border into France.
From its posh parties to that perfect powder, Verbier takes group skiing to another level. You’re in Switzerland’s biggest ski area - all 400km of it - with insane views of the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc from 3330m at the top. Three zones have been specifically designed for newbies, but the bulk of the area’s graded for intermediates and up. Freestylers can session the Swatch Snowpark but the real draw here’s the off piste: Verbier has some world-beating terrain in this department, and if you split the price of a guide between you, you’re in for a fantastic time on the snow. For afters, the Farinet is THE place to be – live music, big beer jugs and a roof that retracts for open-air shenanigans. We love a good rosé at Le Rouge on a sunny day, and if hunger strikes, take a trip to La Monde des Crepes where fillings include cheese, cider, salted caramel and Grand Marnier…
Morzine’s the king of the international Portes du Soleil ski area, and groups have a royally good time here year after year. Whether bumbling along in the learner zone, cruising the tree-lined blues, diving down the hair-raising Swiss Wall – or not skiing at all - no one’s stuck for options. There’s as much choice when it comes to après, from Inferno and Le Tremplin’s big slopeside bashes to the hot choc and cakes at Beanies. Or for a different kind of post-ski activity, snowmobiling, paragliding, segwaying, and yoonering are just the start of a LONG list of outdoor pursuits. For something different, check out the schedule at Palais des Sports, where the local ice-hockey team play their league games – Allez les Pingouins!
Everything you could find in a big city seems to fit nicely into Ischgl – posh shops, big bars, gourmet restaurants, even the giant Silvretta Centre with its adventure pool and bowling alley… Suffice it to say groups aren’t short of things to do here, before even considering the slopes and après: The ski area’s a whopper, which crosses the Swiss border into Samnaun, worth a visit for duty-free shopping and restaurants in all their Michelin-starred glory. But the Austrian side alone is enough to keep mixed ability groups occupied, from the Idalp beginner area to the steep powder trails from Piz Val Gronda – not forgetting the legendary Snow Park, which is divided into king-size, public and beginner lines. Most resorts can’t hold a candle to Ischgl’s après scene – there are SO many bars and clubs to choose between, and if you only visit one it has to be Trofana Alm for beers, crowds and europop a go-go.
Hogging top spot in the biggest ski area in the Pyrenees, Pas is compact, lively and much cheaper than other resorts. Grandvalira’s 180km of slopes will keep intermediates happily occupied, while beginners conquer the basics on the local Tubs run (ski school tends to cost a LOT less here than in the Alps). Non-skiers could probably spend the whole week shopping if they wanted to – this is the land of duty free, and you can grab gadgets and gladrags for a trifle of what you’d pay at home. Paragliding, dog-sledding and even paintballing make up the other activities, while Andorra’s capital, La Vella’s only 40 minutes away for sightseeing, more shopping and the huge Caldea Spa. For such a diddy town, it has a whole lot of restaurants for group gatherings. We love KSB’s wood fired grill where you can watch your grub being cooked over an open fire (and carry on the night ‘til 3am…). The drinks are some of the cheapest you’ll find, and with the resort nicknamed ‘Ibiza in the mountains’, groups looking to party will have a ball - make a beeline for pirate themed La Perla Negra for big screens, pool tables and a nightly DJ.
Not just the highest resort in Europe, this place often takes top spot for groups too. It helps that the best snow in the world’s biggest ski area is effectively VT’s back garden… Whether you’re based in a chalet, hotel or apartment, chances are you’ll be seconds from the slopes. All levels will appreciate the easy access each morning: there’s a fabulous learner zone between Roc and Cascades, while pistes and powder trails connect the entire 3 Valleys for serious exploring. Of course it could have something to do with the après ski - Folie Douce is nothing short of bonkers and 360’s just as worth a visit (plus beers tend to be a tad cheaper). The Frog and Roast Beef is a local legend, with themed events and awesome English breakfasts. You’ve also got a shedload of weird and wonderful activities. We love the 6km toboggan run (45 minutes of whooping and whooshing), and it’s also possible to snow mountain bike, ice dive and even FLY over to Orelle on an enormous zip line.
This page shows you our top 10 resorts for group skiing and snowboarding worldwide, so if your group want to experience the cream of the crop, look no further! If you need to narrow your search to somewhere more specific, check out our top 10 lists for each country, where you’ll find our favourite group resorts in France, Switzerland, Austria and Italy.
When it comes to arranging the rest of your group trip, here are some of our other group pages which may come in handy:
Group Ski Holidays | Group Ski Chalets | Group Ski Hotels | Group Ski Apartments | Organising a Group Ski Trip
Best group ski resorts
| Resort | Best features |
|---|---|
| Meribel | Lively après, world’s biggest ski area, chalets of all sizes |
| St Anton | Incredible expert terrain, legendary après ski, lots of activities |
| Val d'Isere | Big ski area, après @ Folie Douce, great group chalets |
| Mayrhofen | Snow festivals, varied ski area, nice pubs & bars |
| Sauze d'Oulx | Cheap ski holidays, bars with happy hours, huge ski area |
| Verbier | World famous après ski, incredible backcountry, luxury group chalets |
| Morzine | Enormous ski area, lively après ski, group chalets galore |
| Ischgl | Mountain music concerts, super ski area, non-ski activities, big après scene |
| Pas de la Casa | Cheap ski holidays, great après, non-ski activities aplenty |
| Val Thorens | World’s largest ski area, awesome mountain bars, lots of group chalets |
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