7 x here skiing the most Dutch people

Skiing, I find few vacations as enjoyable as a ski holiday. Well, you won't hear me complain if I'm lying on the beach of Masseria Torre Maizza with a Paloma or a strawberry daiquiri, but being together in the snow, being active, warming up by a little fire with a hot chocolate in hand and an Aperol at the bar with Patrick, the bartender of our hotel, and going to bed early under one of those crackling fresh duvets that are always so amusingly folded vertically in ski areas, there's not much that can top that.

One downside: there is sometimes quite a high concentration of Dutch people. Those cheerful types with an orange hat on, who shout ’Honey, one more?“ as early as eleven in the morning. If you, like me, occasionally want to escape your own language, then these are the ski areas you should probably avoid. Or maybe not, if you love ordering bitterballen at three thousand meters high.

Based on research into popular winter sports destinations among Dutch people by Seeders – you can read the entire study here: https://seeders.com/nl/onderzoek/de-meest-populaire-wintersportbestemmingen-bij-nederlanders/ – this is the top seven where you are guaranteed to hear more Dutch than German or French.

No Dutch people around you during your winter sports? Sölden is not a good idea

Sölden is one of those places where everything is just right. Two glaciers, a village center that is just cozy enough, and slopes where you can carve endlessly without feeling like you've landed in an ant nest. It has also been the setting for the James Bond film Spectre, including that futuristic restaurant on top of the mountain where you feel like a Bond girl, albeit with thermal leggings under your ski suit.

Dutch people love Sölden because it is snow reliable. You can drive there in a day, the lifts are modern, and the après-ski is just as exuberant as we like it. Add to that the fact that there are accommodations in all price ranges, and you understand why you might run into three neighbors here during the spring break. If you don't want Dutch people around you during your ski holiday, then this is one to skip.

In Gerlos, you mainly hear Dutch

Gerlos sometimes feels like a branch of Amsterdam-Zuid, but with snow. The village is located in the Zillertal Arena and is manageable, friendly, and especially incredibly cozy. The après-ski here is a serious day job. Anyone who has ever been to the Cin Cin or Little London knows that the word gemütlich takes on a very own, orange-tinted meaning here.

Gerlos is popular because it is manageable. No endless transfers, no complicated lift structures. Just ski, lunch, another round, and keep going. Many Dutch travel organizations have fixed addresses here, and there are even winters when you hear staff speaking Dutch. If you don't want Dutch people around you during your ski holiday, you might want to drive a bit further.

Mayrhofen is a magnet for Dutch people

Mayrhofen is just a bit bigger, just a bit cooler, and therefore attractive to a broad audience. Here you find the infamous Harakiri slope, a descent with a gradient that makes your knees spontaneously shake. At the same time, you have the Ahorn for those who prefer to take it easy.

Mayrhofen has had a huge appeal to Dutch friend groups for years. It is lively, easily accessible by train, and there are remarkably many Dutch seasonal workers. Famous DJs and artists regularly pop up here during winter sports events, making it extra attractive for party lovers. If you don't want Dutch people around you during your ski holiday, the chances are high that you will still end up talking to someone from your student days.

Val Thorens is high and Dutch

Val Thorens is located at 2300 meters altitude and is one of the highest ski villages in Europe. It is part of Les Trois Vallées, the largest interconnected ski area in the world. Snow reliability here is almost a guarantee, and that is sacred for the Dutch winter sports enthusiast.

The village has a modern character, with many apartments and an international atmosphere. Yet you often hear Dutch here. Students, young professionals, and friend groups flock to Val Thorens for the combination of endless slopes and exuberant parties. Special Dutch winter sports events are even organized here. If you don't want Dutch people around you during your ski holiday, you should book here outside of school holidays or choose a completely different country.

Westendorf is a Dutch family favorite

Westendorf is charming and part of the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser – Brixental. It is manageable, reasonably priced, and loved by families. It is precisely that combination that makes it so popular among Dutch families who return year after year.

Westendorf has a quaintness, but in a good way. A village square where children sled, restaurants where you can walk in without hesitation in your ski boots, and ski schools where Dutch is often spoken. It is the place where you meet each other again after skiing at the same bakery. If you don't want Dutch people around you during your ski holiday, then this might not be your refuge.

Don't want Dutch people around you during your ski holiday? Kirchberg keeps attracting

Kirchberg in Tirol is located near Kitzbühel and combines traditional charm with access to a large and varied ski area. The village has a long winter sports history and attracts a mix of families and couples looking for a bit more atmosphere.

Kirchberg is known for its cozy bars and good restaurants. It is less exuberant than some neighboring villages, but still lively enough to never be boring. Many Dutch people have a regular spot here, sometimes even a second home. If you don't want Dutch people around you during your ski holiday, you might just end up talking to someone who has been “coming here for twenty years”.

Hinterglemm is a Dutch party

Hinterglemm is part of the Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn and is known for its long descents and vibrant après-ski. It is modern, large, and perfectly organized.

Here it’s all about making kilometers and then enjoying afterwards. The atmosphere is relaxed, the terraces are full, and in some weeks it seems like half of the Netherlands has gathered here. The ski area is attractive for those who love variety, and the infrastructure is excellent. If you don't want Dutch people around you during your ski holiday, you might want to consider heading to a smaller, lesser-known area.

Why do “we” all go to the same place?

It's not necessarily that all Dutch people want to go to the same place. It's more that the motivations for going to a certain place are important for many people. These areas are easily accessible by car, relatively affordable compared to Switzerland, and you can also count on snow. It’s cozy, there’s a vibrant après-ski, and occasionally a bit of Dutch music can be so wrong and so good at the same time.

Sometimes it’s just nice to complain about the snow in your own language, to laugh at a failed descent, and to order a round without explanation.

But if you don't want Dutch people around you during your ski holiday? Then you now know where you better not book. If you do end up among “us”, just order a tray of schnapps and enjoy the ride with Yves Berendsen.