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If you are from or have ever skied in the US and in Europe, then you perhaps innately know some of the differences between the slopes of both places. I won’t gear this article to the Americans per se, but I do want to talk about some of the contrasts that those never skiing in Europe or even Europeans might run into. So, even if you’re used to the European way of life, here’s what to expect when you finally make that skiing holiday to the Alps, the Pyrenees, Massif Central or any one of the great ranges.

Eating on The Slopes

As you may already know, Europeans take their time when it comes to enjoying the midday meal. Many a time, outsiders find themselves heaved into a slower pace of eating, sitting, chatting, talking and light drinking. If you are the loner type, then one of the best times to hit the slopes of Zermatt, Les Arcs or Val di Sole for example is when everyone else is getting their lunch on. There will be no lines, no waiting and no crowded pistes. If you want to make some European friends, however, you should eat lunch with the “group” at least a few times per week.

Gotta Be First!

Another big difference one may find on the slopes of those jagged European mountains is the morning deadness or doldrums. In the US, for example, skiers and boarders line up in the early morn to get the best powder possible, often sacrificing a night out late for early-bird slope specials. In the EU, I don’t think anyone in their right mind would sacrifice a night out with friends to hit the slopes early the next day. If you arrive early to even the biggest resorts, say Jungfrau, Chamonix or the like, you’re most likely going to be out there alone with all the other “foreigners,” which isn’t a bad thing at all, just lonely—something not remotely understood in most European cultures.

Lift Ticket Prices

I was in Podunk, Connecticut (podunk here means little, or not much going on) this winter and wanted to hit the slopes after work. I picked up my fiancée and drove the one hour to the ski slope. For that one single night (in the middle of no where, though the slopes were fine) we each paid over $100 USD for no more than a few hours of skiing. In Europe, at least, the lift ticket prices are more reasonable, getting cheaper the longer you stay—not true in price-gouging America (I can say this because I’m American). In European skiing resorts, I often pay anywhere from $35 USD per day to no more than $60 USD or so. The savings over a week of skiing are phenomenal. Even during the high season (starting NOW by the way), you can get some great walk-up-to-the-window deals in places like Rogla, Cormayeur, Livigno, Saas Fee, Bad Gastein and Bormio to name but a few.

Bigger, Faster Slopes

It’s not that the Europeans are that much more adventurous than their American (or whatever) counterparts, it’s just that they have quite a bit more bigger mountains to choose from than we have in the US. Though some of the slopes are longer, the longevity makes the ride seem smoother and gives you (at least for me) more time to get used to it. In the US, we have on average descents around the 2000 foot mark. The longest in the US is around double this. In Europe, the average (that means the mean, norm or standard!) is this doubled, around 4000 feet. In places like Les Arcs in France and Cortina in Italy, you’re looking at verticals ranging from 6000 to 6600 feet, give or take. This doesn’t necessarily make Europe’s slopes better, but gives you a very rough idea of what you’re in for on your European ski vacation.

Some Cultural Extras

In Europe, going off-piste and on your own is more rare, so there’s plenty of time to commune with nature if that’s your cup of spiked Joe. Drinks are drunk after skiing and then people eat din-din before taking to the après ski venues. Après ski parties start late and end early morning.  It’s easy to make friends, especially if you’re the loner at the bar—plenty of people will invite you over to share a table. In the US, for some reason, we think everyone who sits alone is a weirdo or serial killer and leave them be. This is not the practice in most European skiing resorts, so if you come alone, you’ll leave borrowing a new friend’s shoulder while walking to your hotel. It’s all about friends and family in Europe, so come prepared to open up your social butterfly wings for some major flight time.