Condé Naste Reveals Readers’ Choice Top 20 European Ski Resorts

Readers of Condé Nast Traveler Magazine rated their 20 favorite ski resorts for 2026. Critics might say the list does not change much, but there has been plenty of movement over the last few years and even from last year.

Yes, Verbier, Switzerland, holds onto the No. 1 spot with an impressive score of 97.02. It has been in the top spot longer than we can remember, but, shockingly, Zermatt, the eternal No.2 has been de-throned. St. Moritz, likewise, has dropped from the podium. The triple-Swiss crown of Verbier-Zermatt-St.Moritz for the top 3 spots has been replaced by new entrants.

Did we make you curious? Here are the top 20 European ski resorts according to Condé Nast Traveler reader without further ado — as always, in reverse order.

20. Gudauri, Georgia (score: 71.67)

Gudauri is the only resort from outside the traditional European ski powerhouses of France, Switzerland, Austria and Italy to make the 2026 ranking. Located in Georgia’s Greater Caucasus Mountains, the resort is known for its high elevation, long season and extensive off-piste terrain.

19. Breuil-Cervinia, Italy (score: 72.03)

Breuil-Cervinia sits beneath the Matterhorn on the Italian side of the mountain and connects directly with Switzerland’s Zermatt ski area. The combined Matterhorn Ski Paradise offers some of Europe’s highest lift-served skiing, although the Condé Nast ranking treats Cervinia separately from Zermatt. Yes, we could debate that decision, but we won’t open that can of worms.

18. Courmayeur Mont Blanc, Italy (score: 73.29)

Courmayeur sits on the Italian side of Mont Blanc and is famous for its dramatic views, steep terrain and access to the high mountains around Punta Helbronner. The resort also provides access to the Vallée Blanche, one of the Alps’ most famous high-mountain ski descents.

17. Andermatt, Switzerland (score: 74.34)

Andermatt has transformed dramatically over the past decade, developing into one of central Switzerland’s major ski destinations. The resort is linked with Sedrun and Disentis through the broader SkiArena Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis area and is particularly well known for its freeride terrain and reliable snowfall. It was purchased in 2022 by Vail Resorts.

• Related: Vail Resorts Closes Acquisition of Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis, Switzerland

16. Abetone, Italy (score: 74.94)

Abetone is located in the northern Apennines of Tuscany and offers a very different skiing experience from the giant Alpine destinations dominating the top of the list. The resort is one of Italy’s best-known ski areas outside the Alps and remains a popular destination for skiers from central Italy.

15. Livigno, Italy (score: 76.53)

Livigno’s high-altitude position near the Swiss border helps provide a long winter season and reliable snow. The resort is also famous for its extensive terrain park and freeride opportunities, and was host to the 2026 Olympics freestyle events. As an added perk, the resort holds a duty-free status due to its isolated location.

14. Zermatt, Switzerland (score: 86.58)

The Matterhorn helped make Zermatt one of the world’s most recognizable ski destinations, but the resort has fallen sharply in the Condé Nast rankings. Zermatt was No. 2 in last year’s ranking, making this year’s No. 14 position one of the biggest moves on the list. The resort remains home to some of Europe’s highest lift-served skiing and connects with Breuil-Cervinia across the Italian border to form the Matterhorn Ski Paradise.

13. Alpe d’Huez, France (score: 87.40)

Alpe d’Huez is famous for its sunny slopes, high-altitude terrain and exceptionally long runs. The resort’s Sarenne descent stretches for roughly 10 miles (16 kilometers), making it one of the longest marked ski runs in the Alps.

12. Kitzbühel, Austria (score: 88.93)

Kitzbühel combines a historic Tyrolean town with a sprawling ski area and one of the most famous racecourses in the world. The Streif downhill has made Kitzbühel synonymous with alpine ski racing, while the surrounding ski area offers extensive intermediate terrain.

11. Megève, France (score: 89.08)

Megève sits in the Mont Blanc massif and is known for combining traditional French Alpine architecture with extensive skiing. The resort’s tree-lined terrain and village atmosphere have helped make it one of France’s most prestigious winter destinations.

10. Val Thorens, France (score: 89.36)

At an altitude of 7,546 feet (2,300 meters), Val Thorens is the highest resort in Les Trois Vallées and one of the highest ski resorts in Europe. It provides direct access to the enormous Three Valleys ski area, which also includes Courchevel, Méribel and Les Menuires.

9. St. Moritz, Switzerland (score: 89.43)

St. Moritz has long been synonymous with luxury skiing and international winter sports. The Engadin destination has hosted two Winter Olympics and numerous World Cup and World Championship events. Interestingly, St. Moritz has dropped from third place in the previous ranking to ninth this year.

8. Lech, Austria (score: 90.07)

Lech is part of the enormous Ski Arlberg area, which also includes Zürs, St. Anton, St. Christoph and several other villages. The destination is known for extensive terrain, deep winter snowfall and a particularly upscale Alpine atmosphere.

7. Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France (score: 91.69)

Few ski destinations have a more recognizable mountain backdrop than Chamonix. Sitting beneath Mont Blanc, the valley offers several separate ski areas as well as access to legendary high-mountain terrain, including the Vallée Blanche. Chamonix’s seventh-place finish is one of the biggest jumps in this year’s ranking up 11 spots from its 18th place last year.

6. Corvara – Alta Badia, Italy (score: 91.89)

Corvara is one of the main villages of Alta Badia in the Dolomites and sits at the heart of the Dolomiti Superski network. The region combines spectacular limestone peaks with extensive groomed skiing and access to the famous Sellaronda circuit. Dolomiti Superski is on the Ikon pass.

5. Flims Laax Falera, Switzerland (score: 92.34)

Flims Laax Falera has built a reputation as one of Europe’s premier destinations for freestyle skiing and snowboarding. Its terrain parks and halfpipe have hosted major international competitions, while the wider ski area offers more than 200 kilometers of pistes.

4. Gstaad, Switzerland (score: 92.68)

Gstaad is better known for its luxurious Alpine village and celebrity visitors than for enormous vertical terrain, but the surrounding ski areas offer plenty of skiing across several mountains. Its traditional chalet architecture and upscale atmosphere have made it one of Switzerland’s best-known winter destinations.

3. Crans-Montana, Switzerland (score: 94.79)

Crans-Montana makes a huge jump into the top three in 2026. The resort sits high above the Rhône Valley and combines extensive sunny slopes with views toward some of the highest peaks in the Alps. The destination also hosted alpine events during the 2025 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships, further raising its international profile. It was bought by Vail Resorts in 2023-24.

• Related: Vail Resorts to Acquire Crans Montana, Switzerland, as 2nd European Resort

2. Courchevel, France (score: 95.48)

Courchevel moves up from fourth place in last year’s ranking to second this year. The resort forms part of Les Trois Vallées, the world’s largest interconnected ski area, alongside Méribel, Les Menuires and Val Thorens. Courchevel is particularly known for its high-end hotels and restaurants, but its skiing is just as impressive, with terrain ranging from beginner slopes around the villages to steep alpine terrain at higher elevations.

1. Verbier, Switzerland (score: 97.02)

No surprises here, Verbier takes the top spot — again. Located in southwestern Switzerland, Verbier forms part of the Four Valleys ski area alongside Nendaz, Veysonnaz, La Tzoumaz and Thyon. The resort is particularly famous for its enormous amount of lift-accessed off-piste terrain, including the legendary Bec des Rosses above the resort, which hosts the Freeride World Tour’s final.

Yes, Verbier is again at the top, but with a score of 97.02, Verbier was also quite comfortably ahead of second-place Courchevel’s 95.48. The 2026 Condé Nast ranking shows that while the familiar Alpine names still dominate, the order is anything but static. Switzerland occupies four of the top five positions, Chamonix has surged into the top four, and Zermatt has fallen from second to 14th. Interestingly, resorts like Levi or Innsbruck have entirely dropped out, which proves those wrong who claim the list does not change.