Year-Round Glacier Skiing Paradise
A glacier above this French resort keeps limited terrain open through summer months. Its high altitude helps guarantee snow even in years with lighter overall snowfall. Visitors can ski connected slopes linking Tignes to nearby Val d'Isere. The resort's modern architecture contrasts with more traditional Alpine villages nearby.
Cradle of alpine skiing paradise
Instructor Hannes Schneider developed modern alpine ski technique in this Austrian village. His method, taught here in the early 1900s, spread to ski schools worldwide. Visitors can ski challenging terrain across the wider Arlberg region's linked slopes. A lively apres-ski scene fills bars at the base each afternoon.
Towering peaks and pristine wilderness
The Sella Ronda circuit here links four mountain passes into a single ski loop. Skiers can circle the Sella massif in either direction over the course of a day. Visitors can ski connected slopes spanning several distinct resort areas. Cable cars and lifts replace long valley transfers between each linked village.
Alpine luxury meets skiing heritage
These linked Austrian villages form part of one of the largest connected ski areas in the country. Deep, reliable snowfall here has built a reputation among serious skiers. Visitors can ski runs connecting multiple villages across the wider Arlberg region. Off-piste terrain above the treeline draws freeriders each winter.
Hokkaido powder snow and four linked resorts
This Japanese resort has built an international reputation on unusually light, dry powder snow. Australian tourism investment since the 2000s transformed it into a major destination. Visitors can ski deep snow across several interconnected ski areas. Night skiing here illuminates slopes long after sunset during peak season.
Alpine Glamour and Winter Magic
This Swiss resort hosted the Winter Olympics twice, in 1928 and 1948. Wealthy travellers have vacationed here since winter tourism began in the 1860s. Visitors can ski slopes overlooking a frozen lake used for polo and horse racing. Cresta Run, a natural ice track, still hosts skeleton sledding each winter.
Majestic alpine valley with crystal lakes
Solden, this Austrian valley's main resort, offers glacier skiing lasting nearly the entire year. Filmmakers used its dramatic high-altitude terrain as a location for a James Bond movie. Visitors can ski between two glaciers connected by a network of lifts. Ice caves carved into the glacier are open for visitors to explore.
Alpine ski valley beneath the Japan Alps
This Japanese valley hosted alpine events during the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics. Nine linked ski areas here share some of the country's heaviest snowfall. Visitors can ski deep, dry powder across a wide range of terrain. Onsen hot springs at the valley's base offer a soak after a day on the slopes.
Majestic cliffs frame serene river valleys
Corbet's Couloir, a narrow chute requiring a cliff jump to enter, tests this Wyoming resort's boldest skiers. Steep, exposed terrain here has built a reputation among experts. Visitors can ride an aerial tram climbing over 1,200 metres up the mountain. The Grand Teton range looms dramatically over the entire ski area.
Alpine Paradise with Epic Views
This Swiss resort anchors the Four Valleys, one of the country's largest ski areas. Steep, off-piste terrain here has built a reputation among extreme skiers. Visitors can ski the famous Bec des Rosses face during an annual freeride competition. Wealthy visitors have made the resort a fixture on the luxury ski circuit.
Where Olympic dreams meet culture
This Utah resort hosted alpine events during the 2002 Winter Olympics. A merger years later combined two mountains into one of the largest resorts in the country. Visitors can ski varied terrain connected by a single lift network. A historic mining town main street sits just below the slopes.
Year-Round Adventure in Québec
This Quebec resort ranks among the largest ski areas in eastern Canada. Its pedestrian village mimics old Quebec architecture with colourful, steep-roofed buildings. Visitors can ski both north- and south-facing slopes depending on conditions. Night skiing here extends the day on select runs during peak season.
Turquoise Gem of the Canadian Rockies
Skiers here descend runs overlooking a turquoise glacial lake framed by peaks. This Alberta resort regularly hosts World Cup downhill and super-G races each winter. Visitors can ride a gondola up for panoramic views before dropping into long runs. Wide-open bowls above the treeline draw skiers seeking untracked snow.
Alpine Adventures Await You
This Georgian resort has drawn growing numbers of skiers to the Caucasus Mountains in recent years. Wide, largely treeless slopes here suit both groomed skiing and backcountry touring. Visitors can ski terrain above 3,000 metres with views across the surrounding range. Heli-skiing operators offer access to more remote powder fields nearby.
Mountain paradise between France and Spain
This small Pyrenean country built Grandvalira into one of southern Europe's largest ski areas. Duty-free shopping in valley towns has long drawn visitors alongside the slopes. Visitors can ski terrain spanning multiple linked resorts across the country's mountains. Snowmaking across the area helps extend the season despite variable snowfall.
Dolomite Peaks, Alpine Glamour, Adventure
This Italian resort hosted the 1956 Winter Olympics among the dramatic Dolomite peaks. It will host the Winter Games again in 2026 alongside Milan. Visitors can ski runs framed by jagged limestone towers rising above the valley. The Sella Ronda circuit nearby links multiple resorts around a single mountain group.
Adventure Awaits in Montana
This Montana resort claims the largest skiable terrain of any single resort in the country. Lone Peak's tram carries skiers to steep, exposed runs near the summit. Visitors can explore thousands of acres without crossing the same trail twice. Crowds here stay noticeably thinner than at many comparable American resorts.
Alpine thrills beneath Mont Blanc
This French town hosted the inaugural Winter Olympics in 1924 at the base of Mont Blanc. Steep, glaciated terrain here has long drawn expert skiers and mountaineers. Visitors can ride a cable car up the Aiguille du Midi for extreme off-piste runs. The Vallee Blanche descent covers over 20 kilometres of glacier terrain.
Mountains, markets and modern spirit
Chimbulak ski resort sits just outside this Kazakh city at over 2,200 metres. Soviet-era engineers built the nearby Medeu skating rink as the world's highest ice rink. Visitors can ride a gondola from the city centre straight to the slopes. Speed skaters have set numerous world records on Medeu's high-altitude ice.
Legendary Alpine Skiing with Village Charm
This French resort forms Espace Killy alongside neighbouring Tignes, named for a champion skier. Downhill and other alpine events from the 1992 Albertville Olympics were held on its slopes. Visitors can ski high-altitude terrain often holding snow into late spring. A lively town centre offers dining and nightlife after the lifts close.
Lakes, Mountains and Alpine Charm
This Austrian resort combines lakeside charm with glacier skiing at nearby Kaprun. Skiers can access snow-sure terrain even during warmer weeks of the season. Visitors can ski slopes overlooking a lake framed by surrounding peaks. A historic town centre sits just a short distance from the lift base.
Europe's highest alpine ski paradise
Sitting at over 2,300 metres, this is the highest ski resort in Europe. Its elevation helps guarantee snow even during seasons when lower resorts struggle. Visitors can ski terrain connecting to the wider Three Valleys ski area. Glacier skiing nearby extends options even in warmer months.
Big Mountain Adventure, Small Town Soul
This Canadian resort claims the greatest lift-accessed vertical drop in North America. Heli-skiing operators here reach terrain unreachable by any chairlift. Visitors can ski over 1,700 metres of vertical descent on a single run. Deep, consistent snowfall makes it a favourite among dedicated powder skiers.
Alpine Adventure with Luxe Charm
This Colorado resort's Back Bowls span thousands of acres of open, ungroomed terrain. It ranks among the largest single ski mountains in the United States. Visitors can ski groomed front-side runs or hike into the wide-open bowls. A Bavarian-style pedestrian village sits at the base of the mountain.
Ski Resort in Switzerland
Snow‑kissed peaks and alpine charm
This linked ski area spans the French-Swiss border across a dozen connected resorts. Skiers can cross between countries multiple times without leaving the lift network. Visitors can ski hundreds of kilometres of marked trails across the region. The Swiss Wall, a notoriously steep run, challenges experienced skiers near Avoriaz.
Alpine charm meets year-round adventure
This French town serves as a gateway into the vast Portes du Soleil ski area. Its position at a lower altitude keeps the village charm feeling less purpose-built. Visitors can ski connected slopes stretching across the French-Swiss border. A traditional market town atmosphere remains despite the surrounding modern lift network.
Thirteen free public baths and a ski area
Thirteen public hot spring baths sit scattered through this traditional Japanese ski village. Skiers can soak away sore muscles in free baths after a day on the slopes. Visitors can ski steep, tree-lined runs above the historic wooden village centre. A fire festival held each January draws crowds alongside the winter skiing.
Temple pilgrimage town near snow monkeys
This Japanese prefecture hosted the Winter Olympics in 1998 across several mountain venues. Numerous ski resorts throughout the region trace their popularity to that international exposure. Visitors can ski areas ranging from family-friendly slopes to steep backcountry terrain. Snow monkeys bathing in nearby hot springs draw visitors between runs.
A high-altitude haven for adventurers
This Italian resort's duty-free status has long drawn shoppers here alongside skiers. Its high-altitude valley location helps produce reliably cold, dry snow conditions each winter. Visitors can ski terrain spread across two connected mountain areas. Snowboarders in particular favour its well-built terrain parks and pipes.
Year-Round Glacier Skiing and Adventure
A glacier above this French resort keeps a section of slopes open through summer months. Skiers can ride lifts up to the glacier even in warmer seasons. Visitors can ski varied terrain ranging from gentle beginner runs to steep off-piste. A lively nightlife scene fills the resort's main street after the lifts close.
Car-Free Alpine Bliss and Epic Views
This Swiss village hosts the Lauberhorn, the longest downhill race on the World Cup circuit. Racers reach speeds over 150 kilometres per hour on its steep, icy course. Visitors can ski the same slopes used by professional racers each January. The car-free village sits reachable only by a cog railway.
Alpine Adventure Awaits You
This Swiss village sits at a crossroads of three Alpine passes above 1,400 metres. Investment in recent decades linked its slopes to the neighbouring Sedrun ski area. Visitors can ride the Gemsstock cable car for steep, high-altitude terrain. Deep snowfall here draws freeriders seeking off-piste powder runs.
Alpine Adventure, Epic Views, Year-Round Fun
This Canadian resort co-hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics alongside nearby Vancouver. The Peak2Peak gondola here links two glacier-capped mountains across a wide valley. Visitors can ski terrain spanning both Whistler and Blackcomb mountains on one pass. A lively pedestrian village at the base stays busy well into the evening.
Arctic Lights, Culture and Wild Beauty
Skiers here can ride lifts and hike slopes lit by the midnight sun in summer. This Norwegian city's Arctic location allows skiing under conditions unlike almost anywhere else. Visitors can ski small local slopes or join backcountry tours into surrounding peaks. Winter brings polar darkness, with skiing instead lit by headlamps and northern lights.
Olympic legacy meets alpine serenity
This Norwegian town hosted the Winter Olympics in 1994, leaving behind lasting ski infrastructure. Ski jumps and bobsled tracks built for the Games still host competitions today. Visitors can ski cross-country trails winding through forest near the Olympic venues. Alpine slopes nearby offer more modest terrain than the region's larger resorts.
Northern lights and midnight sun
This Finnish region sits largely above the Arctic Circle, drawing skiers chasing snow and darkness. Cross-country trails here wind through forests lit by the aurora on clear nights. Visitors can ski beneath the polar night's dim blue light in midwinter. Reindeer sledding and Santa-themed attractions round out many visitors' trips.
Alpine Elegance Meets Outdoor Adventure
Racers here face the Hahnenkamm, widely considered the circuit's most demanding downhill course. Racers reach speeds exceeding 140 kilometres per hour down the Streif course. Visitors can ski the same legendary slope during quieter, non-race conditions. A medieval town centre sits just below the mountain's base.
Luxury alpine paradise year-round
This French resort forms part of the Three Valleys, one of the world's largest ski areas. Its unique mountainside airport allows small planes to land near the slopes. Visitors can ski between multiple villages spread across different altitudes. Luxury chalets and high-end restaurants have made it a favourite among wealthy travellers.
Ski Resort in United States
Alpine charm meets world‑class downhill thrills
This Idaho resort opened in 1936 as the country's earliest purpose-built destination ski resort. Its owners installed the world's first chairlift here, replacing slower rope tows. Visitors can ski Bald Mountain's long, groomed runs favoured by expert skiers. Hollywood stars vacationed here regularly during the resort's early decades.
Alpine Thrills and Après-Ski Legends
This Austrian resort links directly across the border to Switzerland's ski terrain. Its lively apres-ski scene draws crowds to slopeside bars each afternoon. Visitors can ski between two countries without ever removing their skis. Concerts by major touring artists mark the start and close of each season.
Historic Mining Town Meets Ski Paradise
The Imperial Express chairlift here climbs above 12,800 feet, among North America's highest. This Colorado resort spans five interconnected peaks above its historic mining town. Visitors can ski bowls accessible only by hiking beyond the top lift. Victorian buildings downtown recall the area's silver mining boom years.
Breathtaking box canyon mountain paradise
A free gondola connects this Colorado resort's historic town to its mountain village. Steep box canyon walls surround the former mining town on three sides. Visitors can ski varied terrain ranging from groomed runs to exposed chutes. Waterfalls freeze into ice climbing routes near the canyon's edge each winter.
Majestic Peaks and Turquoise Lakes
Three separate ski resorts operate within this Canadian park's mountainous terrain. Sunshine Village sits high enough to guarantee snow through much of the season. Visitors can ski Lake Louise's wide bowls or Mount Norquay's steeper pitches. A single lift ticket often grants access across all three connected areas.
Alpine Magic and the Matterhorn
This Swiss village offers skiing year-round on glacier terrain beneath the Matterhorn. Lifts here connect across the border into Cervinia on the Italian side. Visitors can ski between two countries without needing separate lift passes. Electric vehicles are among the few motorised transport allowed within the car-free village.
Adventure capital with alpine beauty
Two ski areas near this New Zealand town draw skiers during the Southern Hemisphere winter. Coronet Peak offers groomed runs, while the Remarkables provides more varied terrain. Visitors can ski both areas on a combined lift pass across the region. Lake Wakatipu's turquoise water is visible from several runs on clear days.
Sweden’s Alpine Playground, Year-Round
This Swedish resort ranks as Scandinavia's largest, spanning multiple connected mountain areas. Its position north of the Arctic Circle's latitude extends the ski season into spring. Visitors can ski slopes with views over a frozen lake below. World Cup ski races are held here most winters.
Snow‑kissed peaks and alpine serenity
This Chilean resort sits less than two hours from Santiago high in the Andes. Its position connects to neighbouring ski areas across a shared mountain ridge. Visitors can ski wide-open bowls above 3,000 metres with valley views. Heavy snowfall most winters makes it one of South America's most reliable resorts.
Rice, sake and the Sea of Japan
This Japanese prefecture's Gala Yuzawa resort connects directly to a bullet train station. Skiers can travel from central Tokyo to the slopes in about 80 minutes. Visitors can rent gear and ski the same day without an overnight stay. Heavy snowfall off the Sea of Japan blankets the region's mountains each winter.
National Park in New Zealand
New Zealand’s alpine wonderland
The Tasman Glacier here offers New Zealand's longest heli-skiing descent. Skiers can be dropped by helicopter onto untouched snow above the glacier. Visitors can also ski shorter runs accessible without technical glacier travel. Aoraki, the country's tallest peak, towers directly over the entire ski terrain.
Glaciers, Peaks and Alpine Serenity
Glaciers surrounding this Swiss village allow skiing through much of the year. Thirteen peaks above 4,000 metres ring the resort's high-altitude terrain. Visitors can ski on the glacier even during summer months when snow persists. A metro tunnel bored through the mountain carries skiers to the glacier's edge.
Alpine elegance meets Chilean winter wonderland
This Chilean resort ranks among South America's oldest, opening in the 1940s. Speed skiers have used its steep, open terrain to set several world records. Visitors can ski slopes overlooking a bright turquoise lake near the Andes crest. A single yellow hotel houses most guests staying at the small, remote resort.
World‑class slopes amid snow‑capped peaks
This Australian resort ranks as the largest ski area in the Southern Hemisphere. Snowmaking across its slopes helps offset the region's sometimes unpredictable natural snowfall. Visitors can ski terrain spread across four interconnected resort areas. Distinctive snow gum trees line many of the lower mountain trails.
Rocky Mountain Glam Meets Outdoor Thrills
Four separate mountains make up this Colorado resort's combined ski terrain. Silver mining wealth once funded the Victorian buildings still lining its downtown streets. Visitors can ski Aspen Mountain's steep runs or Snowmass's gentler slopes nearby. Celebrities have vacationed regularly in this town since the mid-1900s.
Alpine skiing paradise with views
This French resort forms part of Paradiski, linked by a massive double-decker cable car. A speed skier once set a world record exceeding 250 kilometres per hour on its slopes. Visitors can ski long descents dropping from high alpine terrain towards the valley. Purpose-built ski-in, ski-out apartments line much of the resort.
Legendary Cycling and Alpine Skiing Paradise
Cyclists know this French resort for its 21 hairpin bends climbed during the Tour de France. Skiers use the same mountain for wide, sun-drenched slopes each winter. Visitors can ride lifts up to over 3,300 metres for long, open runs. The resort's south-facing position gives it unusually reliable sunshine for the Alps.
Heart of Three Valleys ski paradise
This French resort sits at the centre of the Three Valleys ski area. Bobsled and luge events from the 1992 Albertville Olympics were held nearby. Visitors can ski between Meribel and neighbouring valleys without removing their skis. Chalet-style architecture here follows strict building codes to preserve the resort's look.
Ski Resort in United States
Luxury slopes and alpine elegance
This Utah resort limits access to skiers only, banning snowboarders from its groomed runs. Ski valets and limited daily lift tickets help keep its slopes less crowded. Visitors can ski impeccably groomed terrain across six interconnected mountains. Fine dining options here have earned the resort a reputation for luxury.
Alpine Paradise in Eastern Sierra
This California resort often holds snow later into spring than nearby competitors. Its high elevation and volcanic terrain create a long, reliable ski season. Visitors can ski terrain parks built for competitive freestyle skiing and snowboarding. Lifts here regularly stay open into June during heavy snow years.
Wine, Andes and Adventure Bliss
Las Lenas ski resort sits a few hours from this Argentine wine city. Steep, often ungroomed terrain here has drawn advanced skiers since the 1980s. Visitors can ski long descents through mostly treeless Andean terrain. Wineries in the valley below offer a contrast to the resort's rugged slopes.
A Majestic Swiss Mountain Village
The Eiger Express gondola here carries skiers up quickly, replacing a much slower train ride. This Swiss resort sits directly beneath the Eiger's famous north face. Visitors can ski First mountain's long, sweeping runs with valley views. First Flieger, a zip line, lets thrill seekers soar above the slopes.
Alpine Adventure, Lakeside Serenity
Two ski areas near this New Zealand town, Cardrona and Treble Cone, draw winter visitors. Treble Cone offers the region's steepest lift-served terrain and widest views. Visitors can ski slopes overlooking Lake Wanaka far below the mountain. Cardrona's terrain parks draw freestyle skiers training for competitions.
Alpine Peaks and Imperial Streets
This Austrian city hosted the Winter Olympics twice, in 1964 and again in 1976. Surrounding mountains put multiple ski areas within a short drive of downtown. Visitors can ride a funicular from the city centre straight into alpine terrain. A ski jump built for the Games still hosts competitions overlooking the city.
Argentina’s Alpine Wonderland
Cerro Catedral near this Argentine town ranks as South America's largest ski resort. Its long ridgeline offers runs facing multiple directions across the mountain. Visitors can ski terrain overlooking Nahuel Huapi Lake far below. Chocolate shops in town reflect the area's strong Swiss and German settler influence.
Epic views in Bond country
A revolving restaurant atop this Swiss peak once served as a filming location for a James Bond movie. Cable cars climb from Lauterbrunnen's valley floor to the summit above 2,900 metres. Visitors can ski long descents back down towards the villages far below. Views from the top stretch across dozens of named Alpine peaks.
Top of Europe Alpine Adventure
A cogwheel railway climbs to this Swiss station, the highest in Europe at 3,454 metres. Engineers carved much of the route through tunnels inside the mountain itself. Visitors can step onto an observation deck surrounded by glaciers and snowfields. The Aletsch Glacier, the Alps' longest, stretches out below the station.