Planning an Alpine Skiing Trip? Here’s What to Expect from Skiing in Europe vs. the US
As a tour company based right here in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, our team at All Things Garmisch runs a wide variety of ski tours, both locally in Garmisch and to popular sites like Kitzbühel and St. Anton via our shuttle service. The Alps are a favored destination for skiers throughout Europe—but our powdery slopes attract plenty of American travelers as well, and many are surprised to find just how different skiing in Europe is vs. skiing in the US.
To help prepare traveling ski enthusiasts for the Alpine skiing experience, we’ve put together a quick rundown of differences between skiing in Europe and the US. So get your skis and grab a beer for the après!
Be Ready for Après-Ski
One of the biggest differences when comparing skiing in the US vs. skiing in Europe is the après-ski experience. While Americans have no doubt ended a long day of skiing with a nightcap of beers, in Europe the line is much blurrier between where the skiing ends and the partying begins.
For many alpine skiers, the skiing experience is as much about the drinking as it is about the snow. We’ve found American tourists aren’t always totally prepared for scenes like, well, this:
Whether you feel your day of skiing would be improved by pyrotechnics or not, just know that après-ski is very much part of the skiing experience here in the Alps.
Yes, sometimes that includes people skiing, drinking, and then skiing some more while very drunk. We don’t recommend this, but it’s a good reminder to watch your surroundings while skiing so you don’t collide with someone who would spectacularly fail a sobriety test.
Terrain and Snow
When it comes to the skiing itself, the actual experience in Europe often differs greatly vs. slopes in the US. This can be felt in a number of ways, including:
- Lower altitude – The Alps don’t reach the same soaring heights as, say, the Rockies. This means there’s less of an altitude adjustment, which enables traveling skiers to more easily make it through the whole day.
- Snow consistency – In the Alps, our powder days are limited. Ski runs throughout Europe are relying more and more on manmade snow, creating a more groomed experience.
- Absolute freedom – However, when powder is available, our free skiing is VERY free. Sometimes this may be to a skier’s detriment. In most locations, you can go pretty much anywhere—as long as you’re willing to pay to get out if (possibly when) you get hurt.
- Varied terrain – Long runs, short runs, steep slopes, tree-lined slopes, and everything in between. Here in the Alps, you can find a much wider range of terrain—and sometimes it can get quite rough if you aren’t prepared.
Easier on Your Wallet
One of the best perks of skiing in Europe vs. the US? Prices, generally, are far lower.
Lift tickets here in the Alps average around 75 euros a day or less. Food on the mountain is tasty and typically very reasonable; booze, of course, is the same (to keep the après-ski party rolling). If booked early enough, accommodation with ski-in / ski-out can be around 300 euros a night or less.
Plus, it’s all set against the backdrop of regions like Bavaria and Tyrol, where we have amazing restaurants on and off the mountains—with gourmet food, reasonable prices, excellent service, and plenty more. 
Oh, and there are dozens of incredible sites like Neuschwanstein Castle if you want to take a day (or several) off from skiing.
The Atmosphere Is Like No Other
If all these differences and advantages haven’t sold you on European skiing, there’s one more point to be made: the atmosphere is truly unique and impossible to convey in a post like this one.
Here in the Alps, the atmosphere is just indescribably different. A huge amount of local culture revolves around winter sports, including night sledding, night skiing, parties, food, wine, and all of the above at once.
Sure, that does mean that sometimes the snow and skiing is secondary to everything else. Some Europeans will choose to go out to a slope in their best outfit, do one run, and start the après-ski for the rest of the day. But the fashion, food, parties, music, and beer—and the way everything seamlessly winds together against the stunning backdrop of the Alps—is truly like nothing else.
For those who love skiing, we heartily recommend trying the European-style experience at least once. Who knows? You might find yourself wishing the American skiing scene had a dash more party to it.
If you’re interested in the unique experience of European skiing, reach out to our team to book one of our tour packages or build your own!
