The peaks of Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn and their fellow snow-capped giants make Italy's Valle d'Aosta region a haven for serious skiers and hikers. The Courmayeur resort offers year-round icy adventures, thanks to its Giant Glacier. The country's oldest national park, Gran Paradiso, is also located in Valle d'Aosta, as are numerous castles. A cable-car ride from La Palud carries passengers over the mountains all the way into Chamonix, France, offering a bird's eye view of the breathtaking scenery.

One of the most heart-pumping stretches of the Tour de France is always the 21 hairpin curves at L'Alpe d'Huez. Doesn’t sound so hard? They bike up the mountain. Every summer, hundreds of amateur cyclists flock to this resort in the French Alps and make the same climb. It’s more famous as a warm-weather destination, but L'Alpe d'Huez is also one of Europe’s top ski destinations. The nearby slopes appeal to beginners, but they get more challenging a bit farther away. More experienced skiers and snowboarders can literally travel for miles on some of the most challenging runs. And there are plenty of off-piste areas, too.

When most people think of Zermatt, they think of one thing: The Matterhorn. This ultimate Swiss icon looms over Zermatt, first drawing visitors here in the 1860s. The village of Zermatt itself is lovely and car-free, with old-fashioned brown chalets and winding alleys. (Don’t worry, you don’t have to walk everywhere—there are electric vehicles and horse-drawn cabs.) Skiing in the region often lasts through early summer, but when the weather’s warmer, it’s a great time to hike.