Away from the modern winter sports hubs of Val Thorens and Verbier, we’ve delved into the history books to discover the humble beginnings of some of Europe’s best ski resorts. Where to stay: Hotel Mont BlancLocated in the heart of Chamonix, Hotel Mont Blanc is a 40-key property that dates back to 1849, making it one of the area’s oldest and most iconic institutions. With more than 190 acres of white-powder pistes – and a plethora of five-star hotels, designer boutiques and Michelin-starred restaurants – it’s undeniably one of Europe’s glitziest ski resorts. The first organised ski race in 1883 and the opening of the Parsenn funicular in 1931 acted as a gateway to higher slopes and marked the beginning of Davos's modern ski tourism boom. La Clusaz, FranceLa Clusaz, nestled in the Rhône-Alpes in southeastern France, is deemed the country’s oldest ski resort.