Fancy seeing Europe from atop snowy mountain ranges? If you're heading off on a European rail trip this winter, you'll be spoiled by all the great choices on ski resorts to visit. Read more about Europe's top winter sport destinations...
Winterberg, Germany
- Season: mid-December - end-March
- Highest summit: Kahler Asten, 842m
- Difficulty: beginner-intermediate
- Lift pass: 1 day: €29 / 2 days: €49 / 3 days €64
- Train pass: Eurail Global Pass / Eurail Select Pass / Eurail Regional Pass
Situated in the heart of the Sauerland, Winterberg is a good stop off if you fancy a couple of days skiing or snowboarding in the German mountains. This resort is particularly suited for beginners and intermediates. The 21 ski lifts operated by Skiliftkarussell provide access to around 15km of slopes. There's a wealth of hotels and hostels in the town of Winterberg.
Skiliftkarussell is just a 20-minute walk from Winterberg's main train station.
Bansko, Bulgaria
- Season: mid-December - mid-May
- Highest summit: Vihren, 2914m
- Difficulty: intermediate-advanced
- Lift pass: 1 day: €28 / 2 days: €55 / 3 days €83 (2012 prices)
- Train pass: Bulgaria Pass / Global Pass / Select Pass / Regional Pass
Bansko offers fantastic value for money and decent runs. Although this Bulgarian resort cannot be compared to the Alps, in terms of landscape and quantity and quality of slopes, it is however a budget-friendly alternative that's growing in popularity. The Bansko lift pass offers access to 75km of slopes with a range of difficulties. It's possible to hire all your equipment there, so it's not necessary to carry it with you. The delightful town of Bansko has a good selection of accommodation, plus plenty of restaurants with a traditional Bulgarian menu.
The train brings you into the centre of the town of Bankso and from there you can access the gondolas.
Tryvann Winter Park, Oslo, Norway
- Season: December - April
- Highest summit: 523m
- Difficulty: all
- Lift pass: 1 day: €55 / 2 days: €88 / 3 days: €123
- Train pass: Norway Pass / Global Pass / Select Pass / Regional Pass
Located 20 minutes outside Oslo, this winter park is perfect if you want to fit a spot of ski or snowboard adventure into a tight travel schedule. Tryvann Winter Park offers 18 slopes and 11 lifts, as well as a snowboard park with rails, jumps and a halfpipe for adventurous snowboarders. The park is floodlit so you can stay on the slopes until 10 p.m. All equipment and clothing can be hired from the park.
To reach Tryvann Winter Park take subway no. 1 towards Frognerseteren and get off at Voksenkollen station and from there pick up a shuttlebus to the park.
Sierra Nevada, Granada, Spain
- Season: December - April
- Highest summit: Mulhacén, 3481m
- Difficulty: all
- Lift pass: 1 day: €44 / 2 days: €87 / 3 days: €124
- Train pass: Spain Pass / Global Pass / Select Pass / Regional Pass
Sierra Nevada is Europe’s southernmost ski resort, perched between the Spanish provinces of Granada and Almería. The chances are you'll be skiing beneath clear blue skies, as Andalusia boasts a significant number of sunny days during the winter months! The lift pass provides access to 20 lifts and 100km of slopes to enjoy. The magical city of Granada is only 70km away and is the ideal place to find budget accommodation. All equipment can be hired from the resort at the upper station of Borreguiles.
The nearest train station to the Sierra Nevada is Granada. There is a regular bus service running from Granada's main bus station to the resort.
Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Austria
- Season: December - April
- Highest summit: Schattberg West, 2096m
- Difficulty: all
- Lift pass: 1 day: €45 / 2 days: €87 / 3 days: €124.50
- Train pass: Austria Pass / Global Pass / Select Pass / Regional Pass
Within the Saalbach Valley in the Piznau region, sits one of Austria's premier winter sport destinations: Saalbach-Hinterglemm. The lift pass allows access to the three pistes in the area: Saalbach, Hinterglemm and Leogang. For adrenaline-seekers there are two snowparks (in Hinterglemm and Leogang) with a number of rails, kickers and jibs. The lively aprés-ski will ensure you're entertained even as the sun goes down!
To reach Hinterglemm it is necessary to take the train to Salzburg or Munich (Germany) and from there it is possible to arrange a transfer.
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France
- Season: December - April
- Highest summit: Aiguille du Midi, 3842m
- Difficulty: intermediate-advanced
- Lift pass: 1 day: €43.50 / 2 days: €83 / 3 days: €121 (Chamonix-Pass)
- Train pass: Global Pass / Select Pass / Regional Pass
Chamonix, situated at the foot of Mont Blanc, is Europe's winter mecca with some of the most demanding pistes among truly spectacular mountain scenery. There are two ski passes available depending on the level of access you want to the 108km of slopes. The town has everything you could possibly need from equipment rental and clothing stores to an impressive choice of bars and restaurants. There's also a large selection of accommodation to fit every budget, plus the chance to go for a touch of luxury!
Take the TER from Lyon and get off at Chamonix-Mont-Blanc train station which brings you right into the town of Chamonix.
Eurail.Com cannot guarantee the accuracy of the prices shown as prices may change. Please contact lift operators for up-to-date prices.
