4 Great Ski Resorts for Couples

Skiing, and snowboarding, are two of the most sociable of all winter sports. Almost as much emphasis should go on choosing the right resort for Après Ski as for having the best pistes.

Well, almost!

Couples always have a great time on a ski holiday because it is so easy to meet new friends but also have as much time together as you wish.

Val d'Isere

The chic cache is one which Val d’Isère jealously guards and, despite the resorts popularity, it can still deliver. There are plenty of smaller restaurants, able to offer romantic tables, and by no means have all bars succumbed to conversation curtailing Eurobeat sounds systems.

The boutique shopping is exactly as you would expect of Val d’Isère: from the high street to the high life, and from not-too-expensive to not-having-a-price-on-it-at-all (If you have to ask, you can’t afford it!).

However, for those Après loving couples, it’s good to know that the original Folie Douce is back on top form, and the centre of early après in the Espace Killy.

Prime time at Val d’Isère’s Folie is a suitably post-lunchtime ski friendly 3.30pm until the diehards fade away at 6.30pm. The Morris Bar or The Underground are the place to head to next, get changed, grab a bite to eat and it’s off to Dicks Tea Bar or Doudoune for that essential ski resort niteclub experience.

Linked with Tignes, Val d’ has access to some of the best skiing that the French Alps can offer, and with two glaciers there is a very good snow guarantee. The lift system is also amongst the best, with the operators (STGM) renovating, replacing and adding lifts at a good pace. A popular run is all the way down below the dam to Tignes Les Brévières.

The original Tignes village has a quaint feel to it, and offers an enjoyable lunch-time stop, with the wide valley floor proving quite a sun trap.

St Anton

Probably the best Après in Austria, St Anton maintains its position with the double header: The Krazy Kangaruh and The Mooserwirt. Table dancing is a must, especially for happy couples, as is bier drinking from huge steins!

There are a plethora of restaurants dotted all over St Anton. The Museum is one of our favourites. Found within the town museum, the building is, unsurprisingly, very much in the traditional Austrian style with an impressive menu and a good choice of wine at a variety of prices.

For a couple celebrating a special occasion The Hazienda tops our list of St Anton’s restaurants. Stunning food, with their steak and tuna dishes rating highly. Despite the high prices The Hazienda serves up a superb experience, and is always busy, so booking ahead is generally a must.

St Anton offers an amazing variety of skiing for intermediates and above, although beginners are well catered for in the Gampen and Kapall areas, and Galzig for those happy with their snowploughing.

The Arlberg is a magnet for Freeriders, and St Anton’s Valluga bowls in particular.  If you are concerned about snow coverage; St Anton has one of the Alps best snow records, backed up by an extensive man-made snow system.

Meribel

Beloved by Brits (and founded by one!), for many, Méribel is THE Trois Vallèes resort. The early decision to eschew high rise blocks for the traditional chalet style has reaped dividends, maintaining the Town’s ‘chocolate box’ image whilst some other resorts have succumbed to concrete blandness. For couples, Méribel can provide the perfect holiday, mixing the old style with modern facilities.

The lift system is especially good, and so well linked that Méribel guests can easily get too all extremes of the Trois Vallèes and back with no difficulty at all. Although those choosing to dally at the Folie Douce may need to allow a little longer on there

Chez Kiki, located just above Méribel centre, is renowned for its steaks, and rightly so. On two floors, there are plenty of places for couples to find their own space. It is worth booking in advance during high season as this is a particularly popular restaurant. Le Cepe is a good option for either lunch or evening meals; not cheap but still good value (especially the €35 set menu).

The French cuisine is to a very high standard; one not to miss is the Cepe (mushroom) Capucino starter.

Morzine

As part of the vast Portes du Soleil, Morzine has access to some of the best skiing that France and Switzerland can offer.

Switzerland? Yes, the ski area straddles the Franco-Swiss border, allowing skiers to roam far and wide, helped by the extensive linked lift system.

Morzine is as popular in the summer as it is in the winter, which means that it can offer facilities and an atmosphere that other resorts often dream of. The Olympic size ice rink is perfect for couples looking for some off snow activity, or maybe want an exciting evening out watching the premier league HCMAG Penguins ice hockey team!

Being in the tree line, and with a distinct traditional feel, Morzine is a pretty resort and one well worth exploring in the evening.

Bars tend to be small and intimate, such as The Cavern, or The Bush. The popular Buddha Bar has re-opened as the Tibetan Bar, offering good music (often live bands Monday and Thursday) and a friendly atmosphere, it’s clientele tend to be mountain bikers in the summer and snowboarders in the winter – but all are welcomed! For tapas, the Haka in central Morzine ticks the boxes, as well as having a good sized terrace.

For couples looking for a filling lunchtime stop, we have always enjoyed the restaurant at the top of the Pointe de Nyon lift. The lift’s bottom station is moments from Alpine Elements’ Nyon 1 and Nyon 2 premium chalets. Stunning views, plenty of seating and generous portions mark out this mountain restaurant as a regular destination.

Le Clin d’Oeil, in Morzine town, is a highly recommended family run restaurant, offering a range of French cuisine including a good variety of vegetarian dishes. This restaurant always serves up a friendly atmosphere, with staff especially welcoming. As with most popular restaurants, we recommend that you book in advance to be sure of a good table.

The majority of alpine bedrooms are either twin or double rooms, which means that couples have a huge range to choose from, with no occupancy penalties.