For those who love to ski, and for new skiers as well, the subject often arises as to the comparison of skiing in the North American Rockies to versus the European Alps. Both locations offer stunning vistas and world-class ski runs to travelers, but what are the biggest differences between the two regions?
History
One of the largest differences between skiing in these two areas of the world undoubtedly lies in their history. The sport of downhill skiing has deep roots in the Alps, and the sport still has an intrinsic connection to the culture there. In Alpine towns throughout Switzerland, Italy, France, Austria, and other European countries, skiing is a de facto way of life. Indeed, most American visitors to the region will quickly discover that skiing in the Alps is as much a history lesson as it is a vacation.
Culture
Whether your ski destination is the Alps in Europe or someplace in the Rockies, you are in for some of the best skiing that the world has to offer. If travelers are interested in taking in a bit of culture on their trip, however, the locations are very different in their resources. In Sun Valley, travelers can stay in the same lodge that cultural luminaries like Ernest Hemingway once called a home-away-from-home, but most visitors will be there to focus on their skiing.
In the Alps, on the other hand, proximity to major European cities, stunning cultural heritage sites, and famous mountains like Mt. Blanc and the Matterhorn can make a trip to the region feel awe-inspiring. To wit, there is very much an “old world vs. new world” rivalry that exists between the two mountain ranges; depending on what travelers would like to do during their downtime, the experience of visiting Europe or the Western United States can be very different indeed!
Food
In terms of haute cuisine, it is no secret that Alpine resorts have hundreds of years of cooking tradition over resorts in the Rockies. When traveling to the Alps, visitors should expect hearty, traditional meals and locally-brewed beers that are as delicious as they are compelling. In the Rockies, travelers will also have their pick of delicious meals and beers from independent brewhouses, but visitors should expect to pay a bit extra for these truly special dishes. In Europe, even basic meals and inexpensive local beers can feel like a revelation.
The Mountains
For most, the mountains appear to be more impressive in Europe. The actual ski towns tend to be at lower elevations which allow for greater vertical drops available to the skiers. This means longer time spent skiing and less time spent on the lifts. It’s not uncommon to find a run at a European ski slope that is over 10 miles long At the same time, the climate in Europe results in a tree line that is a few thousand feet lower than the Rockies. This translates into the Rockies having better visibility and more glade runs in the trees.
Conditions
Even Europeans will fall in love with the Grooming characteristics of their U.S. counterparts. Don’t expect to see armies of grooming machines working all night in Europe to provide top-to-bottom acres of corduroy-like conditions. In addition, the Rockies tend to have greater snow depths and longer seasons. And the light, dry fluffy snowfalls of Utah are unmatched in Europe.
Service
North American ski resorts have figured out that you can never have enough chairlifts. In some cases, like at Deer Valley, lifts will be added directly next to existing lifts just to ensure the time standing in lines is limited (or nonexistent). That being the case, lift lines tend to be shorter in the Rockies. And, Americans are getting used to the idea of ski valets and concierge service where they can walk off the slope and hand their skis to someone to store, wax, or to just get them to their room. If you like the civilized nature of the U.S. lift lines and the peaceful alternating that exists as you work your way to the chairlift, you won’t find that in Europe. Be prepared for the every-skier-for-themselves mentality. In Europe, you will be pushed and elbowed, and your personal space will definitely be violated on the way to the chairlift. Many view this as part of the charm or raw experience of skiing in Europe. In the same context, you can ski out-of-bounds, off-piste, or off the named trails as much as you want in Europe as you will most likely not be breaking the law or the rules of the particular ski resort.
In summary, the decision to schedule a trip to either the Alps or the Rockies will often be based on a number of different personal preferences. Still very much the “new kids on the block,” resorts in the Rockies are known for their modern offerings, stunning efficiency, and updated technology. In the Alps, on the other hand, life passes by at a slower rate. Whichever path you choose, enjoy the journey!