Winter Sports & Ski Resorts Map

Zermatt

Alpine Magic and the Matterhorn

9.3

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.

Highlights:

❄️ Visit Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, Europe’s highest cable car
🏞️ Hike to Riffelsee Lake and see the Matterhorn’s reflection
🚞 Ride the Gornergrat Railway for stunning Matterhorn views

Whistler

Alpine Adventure, Epic Views, Year-Round Fun

8.8

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.

Highlights:

🥾 Hike to Garibaldi Lake’s turquoise waters
🚠 Ride the Peak 2 Peak Gondola for alpine views
🎿 Ski or snowboard the legendary Whistler Blackcomb slopes

Cortina d'Ampezzo

Dolomite Peaks, Alpine Glamour, Adventure

8.6

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.

Highlights:

🚡 Take a cable car to Rifugio Lagazuoi for panoramic views
🪨 Explore Cinque Torri rock formations and WWI open-air museum
🏞️ Hike to the stunning Lago di Sorapiss turquoise waters

Vail

Alpine Adventure with Luxe Charm

8.3

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.

Highlights:

🚡 Ride the scenic Vail Gondola for panoramic views
🌺 Stroll through the colorful Betty Ford Alpine Gardens
⛷️ Ski or snowboard on Vail’s renowned mountain slopes

St. Moritz

Alpine Glamour and Winter Magic

8.3

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.

Highlights:

♨️ Relax at the luxurious St. Moritz thermal spa
🏔️ Take in panoramic views from Piz Corvatsch peak
⛷️ Ski pristine slopes at Corviglia and Piz Nair

Hakuba

Alpine ski valley beneath the Japan Alps

7.9

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.

Highlights:

🏟️ Visit Hakuba Olympic Ski Jumping Stadium and museum
♨️ Relax in natural hot springs after outdoor adventures
🎿 Ski or snowboard on world-class Hakuba slopes

Saas-Fee

Glaciers, Peaks and Alpine Serenity

8.8

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.

Highlights:

❄️ Visit the fascinating Ice Pavilion inside Feegletscher glacier
🚡 Ride the Metro Alpin, highest underground funicular
🎿 Ski on the glacier at Saas-Fee Ski Resort

Niseko

Hokkaido powder snow and four linked resorts

8.2

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.

Highlights:

🚵‍♀️ Explore mountain biking trails in Twin Peaks Bike Park
🧗‍♂️ Take a thrilling zipline ride at Hanazono Resort
🎿 Ski or snowboard on world-class powder snow

Nagano

Temple pilgrimage town near snow monkeys

7.4

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.

Highlights:

🎿 Ski the world-class slopes of Hakuba Valley
🐒 See snow monkeys bathe in hot springs at Jigokudani
⛩️ Visit Zenko-ji Temple, Nagano’s spiritual heart

Aspen

Rocky Mountain Glam Meets Outdoor Thrills

8.8

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.

Highlights:

🗻 Explore the scenic Maroon Bells and capture the perfect photo
🚡 Ride the Silver Queen Gondola for breathtaking alpine views
🎿 Ski or snowboard the iconic Aspen Mountain slopes

Verbier

Alpine Paradise with Epic Views

8.2

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.

Highlights:

💆‍♀️ Relax at a luxury mountain spa after a day on the slopes
🚠 Ride the cable car to Mont Gelé for off-piste adventure
🎿 Ski the famed Mont Fort slopes with panoramic Alps views

Kitzbühel

Alpine Elegance Meets Outdoor Adventure

8.5

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.

Highlights:

🏘️ Explore Kitzbühel’s charming old town streets
🥾 Hike to the peak of Kitzbüheler Horn for views
🎿 Ski on the legendary Hahnenkamm downhill course

Åre

Sweden’s Alpine Playground, Year-Round

8.5

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.

Highlights:

🌲 Experience thrilling ziplining through boreal forests
🥾 Hike Åreskutan mountain and enjoy panoramic views
🎿 Ski or snowboard on Scandinavia's largest slopes

Ischgl

Alpine Thrills and Après-Ski Legends

8.2

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.

Highlights:

♨️ Relax at Silvretta Therme spa with pools and saunas
🎤 Experience the renowned Top of the Mountain concert events
⛷️ Ski the extensive slopes of the Ischgl-Samnaun Ski Area

Alpe d'Huez

Legendary Cycling and Alpine Skiing Paradise

7.4

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.

Highlights:

🏔️ Enjoy panoramic views from Pic Blanc summit
🚴‍♂️ Cycle the 21 famous hairpin bends from Bourg d’Oisans
🎿 Ski the legendary slopes of Alpe d’Huez in winter

Lech and Zürs am Arlberg

Alpine luxury meets skiing heritage

8.2

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.

Highlights:

🚠 Ride the Rüfikopf gondola for panoramic alpine views
🚶‍♂️ Hike or bike the scenic Green Ring art trail
🎿 Ski the famous White Ring circuit in winter

Méribel

Heart of Three Valleys ski paradise

7.5

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.

Highlights:

🍷 Enjoy après-ski dining and wine in cozy chalets
🚠 Ride the Saulire Express for sweeping Alpine panoramas
🎿 Ski the slopes of Méribel in the vast Trois Vallées

St. Anton am Arlberg

Cradle of alpine skiing paradise

8.1

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.

Highlights:

🚠 Ride the Galzigbahn cable car for scenic alpine views
🍻 Apres-ski and enjoy live music at mountain bars
🎿 Ski the legendary slopes of the Arlberg ski region

Tignes

Year-Round Glacier Skiing Paradise

7.8

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.

Highlights:

🤿 Try ice diving beneath the frozen lake of Tignes
🚠 Take the funicular to Glacier de la Grande Motte
🎿 Ski the extensive slopes of Tignes–Val d’Isère area

Val-d'Isère

Legendary Alpine Skiing with Village Charm

8.0

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.

Highlights:

🏘️ Visit the historic village with traditional stone buildings
🥾 Hike scenic trails in Vanoise National Park nearby
🎿 Ski world-class slopes in the Espace Killy ski area

Val Thorens

Europe's highest alpine ski paradise

7.8

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.

Highlights:

🧗‍♂️ Ice climb frozen waterfalls with professional guides
🪂 Experience the thrill of ziplining above picturesque valleys
🎿 Ski on Europe’s highest ski resort with vast slopes

Breckenridge (Colorado)

Historic Mining Town Meets Ski Paradise

8.3

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.

Highlights:

🚠 Ride the BreckConnect Gondola for stunning mountain views
🏘️ Stroll through historic Main Street and visit local boutiques
🎿 Ski the world-class slopes at Breckenridge Ski Resort

Courchevel

Luxury alpine paradise year-round

8.2

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.

Highlights:

💆‍♀️ Relax at luxury spas after a day on slopes
🍹 Enjoy après-ski fun at La Folie Douce
🎿 Ski the extensive 3 Vallées slopes, largest ski area

Les Deux Alpes

Year-Round Glacier Skiing and Adventure

7.5

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.

Highlights:

🥾 Hike scenic trails in Écrins National Park
❄️ Explore the ice grotto carved deep in the glacier
🎿 Ski year-round on Europe’s largest skiable glacier

Morzine

Alpine charm meets year-round adventure

7.9

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.

Highlights:

🏔️ Explore Morzine’s charming wooden chalets and mountain cafés
🚠 Ride the Pleney cable car for breathtaking Alpine views
🎿 Ski or snowboard the vast slopes of Portes du Soleil

Park City (Utah)

Where Olympic dreams meet culture

8.2

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.

Highlights:

🎢 Ride the thrilling Alpine Coaster at Park City Mountain
🏘️ Stroll Historic Main Street’s shops, galleries, and cafes
🎿 Ski or snowboard at Deer Valley Resort, world-class slopes

Ötztal

Majestic alpine valley with crystal lakes

8.6

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.

Highlights:

🏰 Explore Innsbruck Altstadt, visit Golden Roof and Hofburg
🥾 Hike to Watzmann summit for breathtaking alpine vistas
🏂 Ski down world‑famous slopes of St. Anton am Arlberg

Les Arcs

Alpine skiing paradise with views

7.9

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.

Highlights:

🧖‍♀️ Relax and unwind at Nama Springs spa
🛷 Experience thrill on the Rodéo Luge sled track
🎿 Ski the vast slopes of Les Arcs ski resort

Portes du Soleil

Snow‑kissed peaks and alpine charm

8.4

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.

Highlights:

🥾 Trek to Gornergrat for sunset over the Matterhorn
🏔️ Explore Zermatt's car‑free streets and mountain views
🚂 Ride the panoramic Glacier Express through alpine valleys

Valle Nevado

Snow‑kissed peaks and alpine serenity

9.1

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.

Highlights:

🚠 Take a cable car ride for panoramic Andes views
⛷️ Ski or snowboard on world‑class pistes during winter season
🏔️ Hike to the summit of Valle Nevado ski resort

Sun Valley

Alpine charm meets world‑class downhill thrills

8.8

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.

Highlights:

🌅 Enjoy sunset over the Sawtooth Mountains from Brundage Peak
🥾 Hike the scenic trails of White River Canyon
⛷️ Explore Sun Valley ski slopes during winter season

Banff National Park

Majestic Peaks and Turquoise Lakes

9.2

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.

Highlights:

🌊 Explore the scenic Johnston Canyon waterfalls trail
🏞️ Hike to Lake Louise and admire turquoise waters
🚡 Ride the Banff Gondola for spectacular mountain views

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc

Alpine thrills beneath Mont Blanc

8.9

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.

Highlights:

❄️ Explore the Mer de Glace glacier and its ice cave
🏔️ Hike or ski around the majestic Mont Blanc massif
🚠 Take the cable car to Aiguille du Midi for breathtaking alpine views

Lake Louise

Turquoise Gem of the Canadian Rockies

8.9

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.

Highlights:

🚡 Ride the Lake Louise Gondola for panoramic alpine scenery
🥾 Hike to the Lake Agnes Tea House for stunning mountain views
🛶 Canoe on the iconic turquoise waters of Lake Louise

Dolomites National Park

Towering peaks and pristine wilderness

8.4

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.

Highlights:

⛰️ Climb Seceda mountain for panoramic Dolomites views
🌊 Visit the stunning turquoise Lago di Braies lake
🥾 Hike the breathtaking Tre Cime di Lavaredo trail

Revelstoke

Big Mountain Adventure, Small Town Soul

8.0

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.

Highlights:

🥾 Hike the alpine trails in Mount Revelstoke National Park
🚠 Ride the gondola for sweeping Columbia Valley views
🎿 Ski deep powder slopes at Revelstoke Mountain Resort

Lillehammer

Olympic legacy meets alpine serenity

9.2

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.

Highlights:

🏛️ Discover artifacts at Maihaugen open-air museum
🚣‍♂️ Hike around serene Randsfjorden lake
🏔️ Explore the iconic Lillehammer Olympic Park

Big Sky

Adventure Awaits in Montana

7.8

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.

Highlights:

🌲 Experience zip-lining adventures over rugged terrain
🥾 Hike to scenic Ousel Falls in nearby trail
🎿 Ski the expansive slopes of Big Sky Resort

Wengen

Car-Free Alpine Bliss and Epic Views

8.8

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.

Highlights:

❄️ Visit the Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe station
🥾 Hike the scenic trails to Kleine Scheidegg
🚡 Take the cable car to Männlichen for stunning views

Mammoth Lakes

Alpine Paradise in Eastern Sierra

8.1

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.

Highlights:

♨️ Relax in the natural Hot Creek geothermal springs
🪨 Hike to Devils Postpile National Monument
🎿 Ski the famous slopes of Mammoth Mountain

Telluride

Breathtaking box canyon mountain paradise

8.2

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.

Highlights:

🎬 Attend the Telluride Film Festival in late summer
🚡 Ride the free gondola for sweeping mountain views
🎿 Ski world-class slopes at Telluride Ski Resort

Jackson Hole

Majestic cliffs frame serene river valleys

7.9

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.

Highlights:

🎨 Visit the Jackson County Museum of Art
🚶‍♂️ Stroll along the Illinois River Trail
🏪 Explore historic downtown Jackson’s antique shops

Deer Valley

Luxury slopes and alpine elegance

8.7

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.

Highlights:

🍺 Taste craft brews at a microbrewery
🎨 Explore local art galleries downtown
🏞️ Hike to Deer Valley Falls in summer

Grindelwald

A Majestic Swiss Mountain Village

8.6

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.

Highlights:

🪂 Ride the First Flyer zip line over the valley
🏞️ Hike to Bachalpsee Lake for stunning alpine reflections
🌄 Experience the thrill of the First Cliff Walk by Tissot

Mont-Tremblant

Year-Round Adventure in Québec

7.6

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.

Highlights:

🧗‍♂️ Experience ziplining over the Laurentian forest canopy
🥾 Hike scenic trails in Mont-Tremblant National Park
🚠 Ride the panoramic gondola for breathtaking mountain views

Zell am See

Lakes, Mountains and Alpine Charm

8.3

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.

Highlights:

🏘️ Explore historic Zell am See Old Town cobblestones
🚤 Take a boat tour on picturesque Lake Zell
🥾 Hike or ski on Schmittenhöhe mountain trails

Andermatt

Alpine Adventure Awaits You

7.9

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.

Highlights:

🚗 Explore the historic Gotthard Pass and tunnel
🥾 Hike through dramatic Schöllenen Gorge and Devil’s Bridge
🎿 Ski the challenging slopes of Gemsstock mountain

Nozawa Onsen

Thirteen free public baths and a ski area

8.3

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.

Highlights:

🔥 Experience the unique Ogama boiling hot spring kitchen
🥾 Hike trails around the scenic Nozawa Onsen village
♨️ Tour the 13 historic public hot spring bathhouses

Portillo

Alpine elegance meets Chilean winter wonderland

8.8

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.

Highlights:

🍖 Enjoy a traditional Chilean barbecue at a local lodge
🏘️ Stroll through the historic wooden town center
🎿 Ski down Portillo's world‑class pistes in winter

Innsbruck

Alpine Peaks and Imperial Streets

7.9

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.

Highlights:

🏰 Explore Hofburg Palace and its ornate state rooms
🏠 Visit Innsbruck’s historic Golden Roof landmark
🚡 Climb the Nordkette mountains via cable car

San Carlos de Bariloche

Argentina’s Alpine Wonderland

7.4

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.

Highlights:

🏘️ Explore the Bavarian-style Centro Cívico and museums
🥾 Hike the scenic trails of Nahuel Huapi National Park
🚡 Take a cable car to Cerro Otto for panoramic views

Queenstown

Adventure capital with alpine beauty

8.5

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.

Highlights:

🚤 Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the historic TSS Earnslaw
⚡ Zipline through the pine trees at Bob's Peak
🚡 Ride the Skyline Gondola for panoramic views

Almaty

Mountains, markets and modern spirit

7.0

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.

Highlights:

🍲 Shop and taste local cuisine at the buzzing Green Bazaar
⛪ Stroll around the colorful Zenkov Cathedral in Panfilov Park
🚡 Ride the cable car to Shymbulak Ski Resort for mountain views

Wanaka

Alpine Adventure, Lakeside Serenity

8.6

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.

Highlights:

🧗‍♂️ Climb the world's highest waterfall via ferrata at Wildwire
🌳 Snap photos of the iconic Wanaka Tree by the lake
🥾 Hike Roys Peak for breathtaking lake and mountain views

Gudauri

Alpine Adventures Await You

7.0

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.

Highlights:

🪂 Experience paragliding over the stunning Caucasus Mountains
🗽 Visit the Russia–Georgia Friendship Monument for panoramic views
🎿 Ski or snowboard on Gudauri’s famous alpine slopes

Livigno

A high-altitude haven for adventurers

7.7

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.

Highlights:

🥾 Hike to Crap da la Parè for stunning alpine views
🏛️ Visit MUS! Museum to discover Livigno’s rich heritage
🎿 Ski or snowboard on Carosello 3000’s vast slopes

Lapland

Northern lights and midnight sun

8.9

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.

Highlights:

🦌 Experience a traditional reindeer sleigh ride safari
🐕 Go on a husky sledding adventure through snowy forests
🌌 Chase the Northern Lights on clear Arctic nights

Andorra

Mountain paradise between France and Spain

7.6

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.

Highlights:

🥾 Hike mountain trails through the Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley
💧 Relax in thermal waters at Caldea Spa
🎿 Ski the Pyrenees slopes at Grandvalira resort

Perisher

World‑class slopes amid snow‑capped peaks

8.7

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.

Highlights:

🐟 Savor fresh trout at a mountain lodge
❄️ Explore alpine meadows on a guided snowshoe trek
⛷️ Ride the iconic Perisher Ski Lift to summit

Tromsø

Arctic Lights, Culture and Wild Beauty

7.7

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.

Highlights:

⛪ Visit the Arctic Cathedral and admire its striking design
🛳️ Take a fjord cruise and marvel at frozen landscapes
🌌 Chase the Northern Lights across the Arctic night sky

Mount Cook National Park

New Zealand’s alpine wonderland

8.8

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.

Highlights:

🛶 Kayak on Tasman Lake near the majestic Tasman Glacier
🚁 Take a scenic helicopter ride above Mount Cook
🥾 Hike the stunning Hooker Valley Track for glacier views

Niigata

Rice, sake and the Sea of Japan

6.9

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.

Highlights:

🍶 Sample premium sake in the Ponshukan Sake Museum
🌉 Cross the Bandai Bridge and view the Shinano River at sunset
🍣 Savour fresh Niigata sushi made with local rice and seafood

Mendoza

Wine, Andes and Adventure Bliss

7.2

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.

Highlights:

🍇 Join a tasting at a traditional Mendoza bodega
🏔️ Drive along the scenic Route of the Andes to Aconcagua
🍷 Tour vineyards and sample Malbec in the heart of wine country

Schilthorn

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.

Highlights:

🎬 Explore James Bond 007 Museum and film locations
🍽️ Dine at Piz Gloria revolving restaurant overlooking mountains
🚡 Ride the cable car to peak for panoramic Alps views

Jungfraujoch

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.

Highlights:

⛷️ Sled or ski at the Snow Fun Park in summer
❄️ Explore the Ice Palace with intricate ice sculptures
🔭 Visit the Sphinx Observatory for panoramic glacier views

Top winter sports destinations and ski resorts