European ski instructor and content creator Marius Quast has revealed his updated list of the 10 best ski resorts in the Alps, with several notable changes from his previous rankings. Quast explained that his personal experiences over the past few seasons have reshaped his preferences. Roughly half of the resorts on his previous list have been replaced, while some longtime favorites have shifted positions.
His latest rankings consider everything from slope quality and modern lift infrastructure to freeride opportunities, mountain scenery, and après-ski. Here’s a look at his top 10.
Marius Quast’s Top 10 Alpine Ski Resorts
10. Verbier 4Vallées, Switzerland: The newcomer to Quast’s list earns its place through challenging terrain, dramatic mountain scenery, and marked but ungroomed ski trails. He specifically noted that enjoys the skiing around Mont Fort when fresh powder arrives.
9. Garmisch-Classic, Germany: While smaller than many of the other destinations, Garmisch-Classic offers challenging skiing when conditions cooperate. Its famous Kandahar run and proximity to Munich make it an appealing option.
8. Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, Austria: Known as a family-friendly destination, the resort also delivers plenty for advanced skiers. Wide carving runs, the Frommesabfahrt, and challenging terrain around Masnerkopf helped secure its spot.
7. Tignes-Val d’Isère, France: With approximately 300 kilometers of slopes, this high-alpine destination offers long descents, glacier skiing, and challenging terrain, including runs used in World Cup competition.
6. Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn, Austria: Quast highlighted the variety, from freeriding in Fieberbrunn to challenging pistes and après-ski in Saalbach. He specifically recommends The Challenge, a 65-kilometer circuit with more than 12,000 meters of vertical descent.
5. Les 3 Vallées, France: The world’s largest interconnected ski area delivers more than 600 kilometers of slopes across Courchevel, Méribel, Val Thorens, and Les Menuires. Its sheer scale and variety make it a standout.
4. Zermatt, Switzerland: Few destinations can compete with Zermatt’s scenery and views of the Matterhorn. Skiers can also cross into Cervinia, Italy, when the connection is operating. However, Quast noted that recent grooming and slope conditions haven’t impressed him as much.
3. Val Gardena, Italy: Beautiful scenery, mountain huts, excellent food, and access to the Sellaronda make this a favorite. Quast admits its challenging black runs aren’t quite as impressive as those elsewhere on his list.
2. Ischgl, Austria: Ischgl remains a benchmark for modern lifts, slope preparation, and terrain variety. Its après-ski scene is another major attraction, although it isn’t everyone’s preference.
1. Ski Arlberg, Austria: Taking the top spot is the Arlberg, largely because of its extensive freeriding opportunities. From challenging terrain in Warth-Schröcken to relaxed skiing in Lech and freeride terrain around St. Anton, Quast believes the region offers the best overall variety.