Must-visit European ski resorts for your next group holiday

So you're in agreement - your next big holiday together is going to be skiing trip! But where should your group go? Here's a selection of must-visit resorts ideal for large parties.
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Group ski holidays are the most fun you can have on the slopes, and there are so many advantages to travelling as a big group: from discounts to shared instructors, and not to mention the opportunities to get social with all the après-ski activities. Whether you're travelling with family or friends, a total newbie or a seasoned pro, here's a selection of the best resorts for groups.

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Les Arcs Panorama, Grand Massif Samoëns Morillon and Peisey-Vallandry

Les Arcs Panorama

Part of the larger Paradiski area (which sells itself as “a playground with no boundaries”), Arc 1600 is a favoured station for families, and the first built in this modern ski destination. There’s free parking throughout, which is handy if you’re travelling as a group by car. Set in the trees, Les Arcs Panorama has a modern, cosy charm and the views of Mont Blanc are spectacular. The slopes on offer are varied, both on and off piste, and accessible directly from the resort which is great for mixed-skills groups. While the downhill skiing is terrific, there’s also plenty to do for any members of your party not wanting to spend all day shredding down the mountainside, including indoor and outdoor heated pools, a fully-equipped spa area in the biggest wellness hub of the Alps, children’s clubs and family-friendly eateries.

Discover more about this Club Med resort: Les Arcs Panorama … a modern masterpiece surrounded by forest

Grand Massif Samoëns Morillon

Located on the Plateau des Saix, and affording incredible panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, this is ideal for those in search of the best family ski resorts . As well as the slopes, of course there’s a pool and spa, but it’s the intuitive user-friendliness of this ‘ski in, ski out’ resort that makes it a mecca for families. There are restaurants to cater for everyone – a more intimate gourmet lounge for a sophisticated meal stop, and a fun, child-centric option aimed at very young ones and their parents. There’s also a more relaxed cosy eatery suitable for all, discreetly divided into dining areas that vary from family-friendly to quieter and more tranquil. And for the little ones there is a kids’ club on site, conveniently located so that you can drop them off as you head out for a day of ripping up the terrain.

Discover more about this Club Med resort: Grand Massif Samoëns Morillon … for exceptional family skiing

Peisey-Vallandry

In terms of the best ski resorts for groups, one of the main things you need to consider is accommodating all levels of skiers. Well-groomed pistes make the most of the available snow, even if you’re not visiting in the height of the season, so you’ll find tracks to suit every taste. Located centrally in the Paradiski area, experts can easily venture further afield in search of more challenging runs, while a number of different kids’ clubs cater for younger ones with different levels of ability. There’s even the option to explore the area with a snow-shoe walk – perfect if any member of your group doesn’t fancy strapping their ski boots on. Traditional chalet-style lodgings offer comfort that’s backed up by a restaurant serving hearty mountain favourites like fondue, providing succour to weary skiers. The restaurant even has a baby corner so that you can prepare suitable meals for the very youngest in your family. Go for a suite if yours is a larger group, and get a view across the Tarentaise Valley if you can.

Discover more about this Club Med resort: Peisey-Vallandry … a cosy hamlet of chalets

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Val Thorens and Val d'Isère

Val Thorens

Not only the highest resort in the Three Valleys ski area but indeed the highest in Europe, Val Thorens’ altitude grants it superb conditions for a long season, making it ideal for a group of travellers whose joint availability might not coincide with the peaks’ peak-time. There’s also terrain for every skill levels. For those in your group more interested in fine-dining than skiing, there’s a gourmet lounge with a menu overseen by two-Michelin star chef Edouard Loubet; or if you’re in a hurry to get out and get shredding, there are takeaway options on hand. Every end of the culinary spectrum is covered. Should any members of your group ever want respite from the bindings, the nearby Parc National de la Vanoise boasts animals galore for you to admire.

Discover more about this Club Med resort: Val Thorens Sensations … hit the pristine slopes

Val d'Isère

If your group is seeking a spot of luxury or a little more privacy – and if the après-ski is as important as the time spent on the slopes – this stylish resort could be the one for you. Go all-out with an Exclusive Collection suite to bag your own private terrace and hot tub; the kids also get a separate bedroom and bathroom. Often playing home to professionals, the skiing here is world-class and truly ski-in, ski-out. However, it won’t be suitable if your group includes children under 12. The resort features an ideally situated terrace for sunset drinks, and if you’re ever feeling ski-fatigued, the village of Val d’Isère itself houses a traditional baroque church that’s well worth a visit.

Discover more about this Club Med resort: Val d'Isère … great ski holiday in beautifully elegant surroundings