All depends on what you want from your skiing.... decide that then decide where to go.

The Best days skiing in Europe has to be starting in the Stockhorn early making your all the way around to the Italian boarder then dropping over the boarder and down to Chalet Etoile for the Osso Buco ( slow cooked chasse with beutifull vegies ), washed down with a good glass of Barollo. Then head back and end up at the Henustall Apres ski bar just above the Village. Nothing like it.

That was very helpful. Thank you.

Niloufar
 
I have skied all three several times. All are great but very different.
 
Chamonix is a big town with very challenging skiing. The mountain scenery is impressively grand. There is a lot of nightlife. Transfers from Geneva are short. The downside is that the skiing is spread over several areas for which you need to use the (sometimes horribly crowded) buses, and many of the lifts are old and slow.
 
Zermatt is a very attractive, car free village (electric taxis and buses only). It has three ski areas, but the linkage between them is now acceptable. Your accommodation may be some way from the lifts. The skiing both on and off piste is superb. The terrain is beautiful and you have the best view of the world's most iconic mountain. The mountain restaurants are excellent.
 
Val D'Isere is not so attractive and the scenery is not as outstanding as Zermatt or Chamonix.
 
There seems to be a lot of nightlife.
 
Although the resort is big, the ski bus service is very good.
 
Val has a huge ski area, with an excellent lift system and an enormous variety of runs both on and off piste.
 
In summary - Chamonix for hard core skiers (or people with only a weekend).
 
Zermatt for beauty, great skiing and a unique mountain atmosphere.
 
Val for an enormous amount of varied skiing and a well planned lift system.
 
Enjoy!

I can't help with that I'm afraid - out of the 3 have only been to Zermatt. Enjoyed the nightlife there though - a couple of busy clubs and pubs. Had some big nights there - missing a days boarding! I really like The Papperla pub, great atmosphere and good music a big cavernous club downstairs. By the way, the guys stayed with are lovingzermatt.com,
 
The choice in Europe is vast, I also loved St Anton - nightlife there was fantastic - especially the apres ski at the Moosevirt. You have to not mind lots and lots of drunken Brits if you go there though.

I wish there was six of us, but there is one of me which makes everything superexpensive. Thanks for your help though. I got some response back from some apartment owners, and they all sound great.
One more question. If you had a choice between Zermatt and Chamonix, or Val d'isere, which one would you go for?
I've only skied in Whistler, and I've decided to try Europe this winter. But the more I read about different places the more confusing it becomes. I'm looking for a nice piste and fun night life.
Thanks again
 

Hi Niloufar,
 
I stayed in 9755 Penthouse Esplanade - cost 2300 pounds between 6 of us, so thats about 400 each, which for the size and standard I think is fantastic, much better than a hotel. It all depends on your budget I guess, but the best thing to do is just call them, or drop them an email. I am trying to persuade my mates to splash out on an Amber apartment next year with the chef but I guess credit crunch times mean we'll all be in a studio apartment in in Pas de la Casa instead!

Hi Dave.
I'm planning to go to zermatt in mid jan for the first time. I'm trying to find a place to stay. I'd rather stay at a local apartment than a hotel, but since I'm a first timer I have no Idea where to start from. There are some apartments available on zermatt website. Are they any good? what would you recommend?

I LOVE Zermatt, just got back, fantastic weather and great snow. Been many times, and I am an advanced boarder - for me its the perfect balance between fast exciting runs and long boozey gourmet lunches in beautiful restaurants. Stayed in a beautiful apartments with friends, Haus Esplanade in the attic - amazing views. Booked it through Loving Zermatt, only because I stayed with them in Amsterdam and found them to be really helpful.