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The mountains of Europe are undeniably some of the best in the world for skiing and snowboarding. Plus, Europe’s long on-the-powder history gives them an edge in resort flavour and development. Though there are hundreds of resorts to choose from sprinkled throughout the mountains of Europe. I think there are some key resorts and mountains worth seeing before you kick the bucket. The next time you’re writing out your own Bucket List (list of things you’ll do before “kicking the bucket”), be sure to include some of these mountain ranges and mountainous resorts in your pre-death itinerary.

Of  Course, The Alps

I don’t really intend on giving you a Wikipedia lesson here, but the Alps in case you were wondering is the name given to several ranges, sub-ranges and sections that start in Austria and carve their way through Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, Liechtenstein, France and Germany (not necessarily in that order). Even without Wiki, you’d probably still know that Mont Blanc is the highest summit of the Alps, over 4800 meters.

Ok, so back to the resorts. Mountains (though beautiful), only becomes accessible with the resorts. If you must see Mont Blanc, then book reservations at Chamonix, with plenty of off-piste and groomed slopes. Other must-stay resorts in the Alps include Cortina in Italy, St. Moritz, Grindewald and Zermatt in Switzerland, and Kitzbuhel and St. Anton in Austria. You can click here to find most of my descriptions by country of each resort I’m talking about.

Ah Oui, The Pyrenees

The Pyrenees are the mountain range that split France and Spain up—something had to. The Pyrenees are quite long and reach east to west across the whole of each country. Two years ago, I backpacked for several weeks along the GR10 trail on the “French side.” The resorts I really like that are in the Pyrenees (Spain and France) are Les Angles nearby to Mont Louis (very full of nature activities), Bareges, La Mongie and Font Romeu, Formigal and La Molina. The Pyrenees also house Panticosa and Baquerira Beret ski resorts, though some of these are not intended for beginner skiers. One of the great things about staying at hotels or resorts in the Pyrenees is their proximity to the stunning European cities, like Barcelona, Spain and Toulouse, France. If you get sore and tired and want a day’s escape (as I often do), it’s not hard to drive down and back up the mountains in one day or less.

Duh, The Dolomites

Though these might be considered by some as part of the Alps, they are situated in Italy, starting in Brenner Pass all the way to Monte Croce Pass. You may have also heard of Marmolada, the highest peak reaching almost 3350 meters. Even if you’re a beginner or intermediate skier, the Dolomites are great because you can always see the jagged scenery around you. Even while whimpering down a kiddy slope, you’ll still feel like you’re skiing some rugged terrain.

The Dolomiti Super Ski area is arguably one of the best skiing deals in Europe, with resort after resort offering some great high-season deals. Don’t miss out on such top-rated resorts as Cortina d’Ampezzo, Madonna di Campiglio, Val Gardena or San Martino di Castrozza. The Dolomites has something for everyone, of every ability. There are over 400 linked lifts and if those can’t get you where you want to go, there are inter-connective buses careening the mountain roads all day long. I love it here for all the choices.

There’s tons of other resorts and at least five or six more mountain systems, so do your research and get out there this year while the snow keeps falling and falling.