11 THINGS ABOUT SKIING IN EUROPE THAT SHOCK AMERICANS
Hint: It's not the endless vertical or the incredible views they can't stop talking about.
Originally from Outside Online
A trip to the Alps is a rite of passage for all skiers, not only for the awe-inspiring landscape and legendary terrain, but also for the dedicated ski culture and the way that skiing is simply a part of their lifestyle, not just a hobby. After all, the Alps is a place defined by mountains—ancient ranges that dominate your view and literally take your breath away. From the knife-tipped peaks of Italy to the Austrian glaciers, skiing represents a unified way of life, no matter which country you’re in.
Also Read: 5 Best Alps Ski Resorts for Families of All Ages
That said, what seems to surprise visiting Americans the most is rarely those expansive views or miles-long runs. It’s the endearing quirks of European ski culture. (“Europeans’ disdain for powder!?!”) We asked American skiers to share the things that shocked them the most about skiing in Europe, and boy, did you all have a lot of say.
(Responses have been edited for clarity.)
Almost a Dozen Wonderful and Wacky Things About Skiing in Europe
1. “The mosh pit lift lines” —B. Reynolds, Pemberton, B.C.
Organized lift queues in the Alps are truly nonexistent. For Americans used to orderly lift mazes with clearly marked singles lines and attendants helping to group people, the lack of order is mind-boggling. Be prepared to jostle and elbow your way onto the lift. It’s just how it’s done there.
2. “That you can eat surprisingly REAL good food, in a civilized environment, mountain view, without breaking the bank.” —@jfperrau via X
The dining, both on and off the slopes, blows American ski lunches to pieces. They don’t really do “quick” cafeteria-style lunches in the Alps, so expect to sit down, order off a menu, and indulge in homemade dishes that often represent the region you’re skiing in. That meal, by the way, will cost half of what you’re used to paying for your head-lamp-warmed nuggets, fries, and Coke.
3. “The fact that the safety bar is always used and helmets are worn by nearly everyone.” —Andy, Seattle, Wash.
In Europe, there’s no lively debate on when or if the safety bar comes down on the lift. No one is going to ask you, or pause to let you get settled, because it’s the law to use the safety bar. Be ready for it, or risk getting smacked in your (hopefully helmeted) head.
4. “Europe is all about on-piste skiing and skinny carving skis. Off-piste can be perfect blower powder and it’s hardly touched.” —@g3rrick via Threads
There’s plenty of off-piste opportunities in the Alps, but it’s true that if you’re skiing at a resort, you’re probably going to stick to the trails. Expect to ski a lot of looooong and winding groomers—some as lengthy as five-plus miles. Generally speaking, a guide is required for off-piste skiing, as it’s not patrolled or avy-blasted—even the untouched powder that’s right off the groomers.
5. “Public transportation is on-point.” —Travis, Logan, Utah
The amazing network of trains of buses that spider-web through the Alps is #goals, and it really makes ski travel in Europe so much easier than the United States. With public transportation so easy and inexpensive, renting a car—and the stress and cost that come with it—is taken out of the equation entirely. Routes like the Glacier Express between St. Moritz and Zermatt and the Eurostar ski train from London to the French Alps are bucket-list items, to boot.
6. “The extreme dedication of après culture.” —Max, Dallas, Texas
Après-ski is simply part of an Alps ski day. At some of the party-heartier destinations, like St. Anton or Chamonix, it starts with a late lunch on the mountain with great food and schnapps and parties well into the night down in town. Every ski village worth its salt has a few time-tested après bars where it might start off mellow, but you’ll be gyrating to house music and dancing on the bar in your ski boots before you know it.
7. “The hot chocolate!” —Travis, Logan, Utah
Packets of the powered stuff are considered blasphemous in the Alps, and once you taste the rich, creamy chocolat chaud served in the French Alps or the cioccolata calda in Italy, you’ll ban Swiss Miss from your life altogether. Same goes for the coffee. It makes coming back to your morning cuppa in the States that much harder.
8. “The variety of people movers.” —Pat, Portland, Ore.
T-bars, carpets, J-bars, rope-tows, chairs, gondolas, trams, and even cog railways haul skiers up the slopes throughout the Alps. Lifts are often independently owned by the people who own the portion of land on which it’s built, so there’s far less uniformity when it comes to the types of skier transport you’ll find throughout the Alps. Hot take: Surface lifts are so much cooler than express chairs, anyway.
9. “The affordability compared to what it would cost a family of four to go on a ski trip in the U.S.” —Meg, Jackson, Wyo.
It’s become a fun debate recently whether it’s actually cheaper to fly across the pond for a ski vacation than to stay stateside, and that’s because everything at the resorts is much more reasonably priced than in the states. Simply put, the sport is part of their lifestyle and as opposed to being seen as a privilege here in the States. If you can score good airfare, your hotel, meals, rentals, ground transportations, and especially, lift tickets, will be much less expensive than at American destination resorts like Aspen, Vail, et al.
10. “Accountability. No attorneys suing resorts left and right. The resorts get you to the top. Getting down is up to you. You get hurt, you pay for evac.” —Todd, Columbus, Ohio
In litigation-happy America, we have several lawsuits playing out in the news of late, the implications of which might impact the costs of skiing. In Europe, personal responsibility has always been de rigueur, so it’s even more important to be honest about skill level and ski within your abilities. That said, accidents happen, so always know what your insurance will cover, and purchase additional protection if needed.
11. “Nobody cares how much vertical you did.” —@jackryderparis via X
Except other Americans, of course.
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