Cold comfort: And the award for Europe's best ski resort goes to…

France dominates a new ranking of best ski resorts in Europe, with the award-winning Val Thorens taking the top spot. With more than 600 km of runs, 99% of which is situated above an altitude of 2,000 meters, Val Thorens in the French Alps is also located at the highest point of the 3 Vallees.

France dominates a new ranking of best ski resorts in Europe, with the award-winning Val Thorens taking the top spot.

On Besteuropeandestinations.com's list of best ski resorts in Europe, eight of the top spots go to French ski resorts, with Austria and Sweden rounding out the top 10.

Perennial favorite Val Thorens, which likewise topped the World Ski Awards last month, was named the best in Europe for boasting the highest ski resort and largest ski area in the world.

With more than 600 km of runs, 99% of which is situated above an altitude of 2,000 meters, Val Thorens in the French Alps is also located at the highest point of the 3 Vallees, offering sweeping views of more than 100 Alpine summits spanning France, Switzerland and Italy.

With more than 600 km of runs, 99% of Val Thorens is situated above an altitude of 2,000 meters (Photo: AFP)

For the 2014/2015 season, Val Thorens has undergone a €40 million upgrade to its ski lifts and slopes, including the construction of the highest zipwire in Europe. New this year is the opening of a Club Med-affiliated village, the Val Thorens Sensations.

Here are the top 10 ski resorts in Europe, according to Besteuropeandestinations.com:
1. Val Thorens, France
2. Alpe d'Huez, France
3. Megeve, France
4. St. Francois Longchamp, France
5. La Plagne, France
6. Avoriaz, France
7. Saalbach Hinterglemm, Austria
8. Tignes, France
9. Les Arcs, France
10. Are, Sweden