Winter in Europe means skiing. With perhaps the best centers in the world, the continent offers travelers and sports enthusiasts top-notch resorts for family and friends. Thanks to private aviation passengers can get as close as possible to the slopes thanks to a diverse selection of aircraft, from a small private jet to a helicopter, which unlock the possibility to land even in the most remote locations and avoid packed commercial airports.

Which are the top ski resorts in Europe? We’ve created a list of the most demanded skiing destinations for this winter in the continent.

1. Courchevel, France  

No surprise here. The mix between the charm of its town and luxury boutiques, one of the largest linked ski areas in the world with almost 400 miles of slopes, and an airstrip (locally called altiport) just meters away from the action, makes Courchevel the top center to arrive by private jet. Due to a short and steep runway (just over 1,700 ft), operations are limited to small piston and turboprop aircraft, like the Pilatus PC-12, while night flights aren’t certified and are sometimes limited to certain time slots in the day due to meteorological conditions.

2. St. Moritz, Switzerland

The ski resort by definition in Europe for many savvy travelers is St. Moritz. Like Courchevel, it also has a special combination of town attractions and luxury boutiques in its city center, world-class pistes and a conveniently located private jet airport just 10 minutes away by car from the resort. With almost 6,000 feet of runway, any private jet can safely operate in the airstrip, thus allowing passengers to customize their aircraft to their travel needs.

3. Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy

Located in northern Italy, Cortina d'Ampezzo is part of the Dolomiti Superski area, formed by 15 ski resorts and more than 70 miles of slopes. Known for its beautiful Christmas market, its festive atmosphere goes beyond the end-of-year celebrations with shops from Italy’s leading brands in its city center and a wide selection of Ferraris and Lamborghinis for rent. Private jets usually land at Venice Marco Polo Airport and then connect with the resort by a 25-minute helicopter flight.

4. Crans-Montana, Switzerland

Again, Switzerland. Crans-Montana gets the nod ahead of other top-notch centers in the country like Zermatt or Verbier because it's closer to Sion Airport – just 35 minutes by car. The views are breathtaking in this French-speaking region of Switzerland, while travelers can also enjoy top luxury shops surrounding the city center’s little charming streets. Historic fact: The 1987 Alpine World Ski Championships were held in Crans-Montana, speaking volumes about the quality of the skiing center.

5. Kitzbuhel, Austria

No skiing ranking is complete without Kitzbuhel. Located in the Tyrol region in western Austria, its mountain scenery is one-of-a-kind. It’s known for diversified slopes spread out around the town, especially the Streif descent – considered the world's hardest downhill. Compared to the other mentioned locations, the main attraction in Kitzbuhel is the snow and slopes, although high-end restaurants and hotels are still part of the package. The nearest airport is Innsbruck, just over an hour by car, and has the capacity to receive any major private jet in the world.

This is just a snapshot of the hundreds of unique skiing centers in Europe. Private aviation is the perfect match to unlock even the most remote places thanks to its capacity to land in tight airstrips with steep descents. Welojets offers a certified pool of more than 7,000 private aircraft worldwide to visit places that are beyond popular destinations. Charter a private jet today and don’t miss a beat in the upcoming winter season in Europe.