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Top snow destinations and winter wonderlands

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Zermatt
Alpine Magic and the Matterhorn
9.3
Zermatt sits directly below the Matterhorn, one of the most photographed peaks in the world. The village bans petrol cars, relying on electric taxis instead. Skiers can ride lifts across the border into Cervinia, Italy, on the same pass. Glacier skiing here keeps runs open through most of the year.
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
Whistler and Blackcomb mountains connect via the Peak 2 Peak gondola. Its cable span ranks among the longest unsupported stretches in the world. Skiers can ride between the two peaks without descending to the valley floor. Runs here drop over 1600 vertical meters from summit to base.
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
Cortina d'Ampezzo will co-host the 2026 Winter Olympics alongside Milan. The town previously hosted the Games back in 1956, leaving behind a bobsled track that still stands nearby. Skiers can look up at jagged limestone towers like Tofana and Cristallo between runs. The pink-hued Dolomite peaks glow brightly at sunset above the slopes.
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
Hokkaido
Volcanoes, powder snow and fresh seafood
9.3
Hokkaido sits close enough to Siberia that cold air masses dump some of the lightest, driest snow anywhere. Local skiers call this powder pauda for its almost weightless texture. Riders can find fresh tracks for days after a single storm passes. Steaming volcanic vents warm several outdoor hot springs across the island.
Highlights:
  • 🚤 Explore historic Otaru Canal and its shops
  • 🏂 Ski or snowboard in world-famous Niseko resorts
  • 💧 Visit the spectacular Shirogane Blue Pond
St. Moritz
Alpine Glamour and Winter Magic
8.3
St. Moritz hosted the Winter Olympics twice, in 1928 and 1948. The resort helped invent winter tourism when English visitors first came to try ice sports in the 1860s. Skiers can ride the historic Cresta Run bobsled track's neighbouring slopes. Grand hotels from that era still line the lakefront in town.
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
Hakuba hosted the downhill and slalom events at the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics. The valley holds ten separate ski areas beneath the Northern Japan Alps. Skiers can link several of these resorts using a single shared lift pass. Snow monkeys soak in hot springs not far from the base villages.
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
Niseko
Hokkaido powder snow and four linked resorts
8.2
Niseko sits downwind of the Sea of Japan, catching some of the heaviest snowfall in the country. Storms can drop meters of powder in a single week. Skiers can duck into steaming outdoor hot springs right after a powder run. The nearby volcano, Mount Yotei, watches over the valley like a smaller Fuji.
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
Lech and Zürs am Arlberg
Alpine luxury meets skiing heritage
8.2
Lech and Zurs sit within the larger Arlberg ski area, one of the biggest interconnected regions in the Alps. The two villages once stayed cut off from each other in heavy winters. Skiers can now glide between them on linked lifts and groomed runs. Austrian royalty and European nobility have long favoured Lech's quieter slopes.
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
Meribel sits at the heart of France's Three Valleys, the world's largest linked ski area. The resort was founded in the 1930s with strict rules on chalet-style architecture. Skiers can reach Courchevel or Val Thorens without leaving the connected lift network. Its central position makes it a common base for exploring the wider valley.
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
St. Anton claims to be the birthplace of modern alpine skiing technique, developed here in the early 1900s. The resort's steep, ungroomed runs still draw skilled skiers today. Visitors can test themselves on the famous Valluga descent above town. 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
Tignes keeps its glacier open for skiing on most days of the year. The resort sits within the larger Espace Killy area, named for Olympic champion Jean-Claude Killy. Skiers can train on snow here even during peak summer months. A lake at the resort's centre freezes solid enough to host events in winter.
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
Val d'Isere co-hosted the 1992 Winter Olympics downhill events with nearby Meribel. The resort connects to Tignes through the shared Espace Killy lift network. Skiers can ski across the border into Italy on the Passage du Col route. A summer glacier here once hosted early-season World Cup training camps.
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
Val Thorens sits higher than any other resort in Europe, at over 2300 metres at its base. The elevation keeps snow reliable well into spring most seasons. Skiers can ride lifts up towards the Glacier de Peclet for even higher terrain. The purpose-built village was constructed in the early 1970s.
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
Courchevel
Luxury alpine paradise year-round
8.2
Courchevel's airport has one of the shortest and steepest runways used by commercial planes. The landing strip ends abruptly at a mountainside, a favourite of the world's wealthy skiers. Visitors can ski from Courchevel directly into the interconnected Three Valleys network. The upper village, Courchevel 1850, takes its name from its elevation.
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
Les Deux Alpes keeps a glacier open for skiing through most of the summer. The resort sits at the edge of the Ecrins National Park. Skiers can ride terrain parks built specifically for summer freestyle training. Its main street runs long and straight, lined with shops at the base of the slopes.
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
Park City (Utah)
Where Olympic dreams meet culture
8.2
Park City combined two neighbouring resorts into the largest connected ski area in the United States. Its Main Street still shows off buildings from an 1800s silver mining boom. Skiers can travel between more than 300 named runs on a single lift ticket. The town hosted Alpine skiing events for the 2002 Winter Olympics.
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
Oetztal contains Solden, where World Cup skiers traditionally open each racing season on its glacier. The valley stretches deep into the Austrian Alps towards the Italian border. Skiers can ride lifts up to glacier terrain that stays skiable through summer. A James Bond film set, built into the mountainside, still draws visitors.
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
Lapland
Northern lights and midnight sun
8.9
Finnish Lapland lies far enough north that the Northern Lights appear on many clear winter nights. Ski resorts here operate through weeks of near-permanent darkness in midwinter. Skiers can ride groomed slopes lit by floodlights beneath the aurora. Reindeer sled rides are a common way to fill the hours between runs.
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
Les Arcs
Alpine skiing paradise with views
7.9
Les Arcs pioneered speed skiing, once hosting racers who reached over 250 kilometres per hour. The resort links into the wider Paradiski area through a two-storey cable car. Skiers can cross to La Plagne without removing their skis. Apartment blocks built in the 1960s still house much of the resort's lodging.
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
Killington
Snowy slopes and cozy alpine charm
8.5
Killington calls itself the Beast of the East for its size across six connected peaks. The resort often opens earlier and closes later in the season than most Vermont neighbours. Skiers can find more than 150 trails spread across the mountain. Snowmaking crews here cover terrain fast enough to open trails by early November.
Highlights:
  • 🌄 Enjoy a sunset hike to the top of Mount Mansfield
  • 🏘️ Stroll through historic Killington Village shops
  • ⛷️ Explore scenic Mount Snow ski slopes
Sun Valley
Alpine charm meets world‑class downhill thrills
8.8
Sun Valley opened the world's first chairlift in 1936, adapted from a design used to load banana boats. The resort was built specifically to attract skiing tourists to rural Idaho. Skiers can still ride lifts along the same slopes that launched American ski resort culture. Hollywood stars helped popularise the area soon after it opened.
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
Rovaniemi
Santa's Arctic Wonderland
7.0
Rovaniemi sits almost exactly on the Arctic Circle in Finnish Lapland. The town markets itself as the official hometown of Santa Claus. Skiers can combine short daytime runs with visits to a year-round Christmas theme park nearby. The polar night here means winter days pass with only a few hours of dim light.
Highlights:
  • 🎄 Visit SantaPark’s magical underground Christmas world
  • 🏛️ Explore the interactive Arktikum Museum and Science Centre
  • 🎅 Meet Santa Claus and cross the Arctic Circle
Innsbruck
Alpine Peaks and Imperial Streets
7.9
Innsbruck has hosted the Winter Olympics twice, in 1964 and 1976. Its Bergisel ski jump tower was redesigned by architect Zaha Hadid. Skiers can reach several small resorts just a short tram ride from the old town. Baroque rooftops and church spires fill the view from the surrounding slopes.
Highlights:
  • 🏰 Explore Hofburg Palace and its ornate state rooms
  • 🏠 Visit Innsbruck’s historic Golden Roof landmark
  • 🚡 Climb the Nordkette mountains via cable car
Tromsø
Arctic Lights, Culture and Wild Beauty
7.7
Tromso sits above the Arctic Circle yet stays warmer than expected thanks to the Gulf Stream. The city offers backcountry ski touring straight into fjord-side mountains from town. Skiers can watch the Northern Lights dance overhead during the dark winter months. A cable car up Mount Storsteinen gives a quick view over the surrounding peaks.
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
Banff National Park
Majestic Peaks and Turquoise Lakes
9.2
Banff National Park spans the Canadian Rockies with three separate ski areas inside its boundaries. Glacier-carved peaks surround the town of Banff below. Skiers often spot elk and bighorn sheep grazing near the runs. Hot springs near town offer a soak after a day on the slopes.
Highlights:
  • 🌊 Explore the scenic Johnston Canyon waterfalls trail
  • 🏞️ Hike to Lake Louise and admire turquoise waters
  • 🚡 Ride the Banff Gondola for spectacular mountain views
Queenstown
Adventure capital with alpine beauty
8.5
Queenstown sits beside Lake Wakatipu with the jagged Remarkables range rising from the shore. Two ski areas, Coronet Peak and the Remarkables, operate a short drive from town. Skiers can catch views of the lake from open, treeless slopes above the valley. Bungee jumping and jet boating round out the town's reputation.
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
Sapporo
Snow festival city with ramen and beer
7.7
Sapporo hosted the 1972 Winter Olympics, the earliest Winter Games ever held in Asia. The city runs a massive snow festival each February with ice sculptures towering over its streets. Skiers can reach nearby ski areas within an hour of downtown. Its subway system stays warm enough that locals commute through winter without heavy coats.
Highlights:
  • ⏰ Visit the historic Sapporo Clock Tower landmark
  • 🌳 Stroll through Odori Park, Sapporo’s central green space
  • 🌄 Enjoy panoramic city views from Mount Moiwa Observatory
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
Alpine thrills beneath Mont Blanc
8.9
Chamonix sits at the base of Mont Blanc, western Europe's highest peak. The Aiguille du Midi cable car climbs nearly 2800 metres in under 20 minutes. From the top, skiers can start the legendary Vallee Blanche glacier descent. The town hosted the very earliest Winter Olympics, back in 1924.
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
Jasper National Park
Untamed Wilderness and Starry Skies
8.8
Jasper National Park protects one of the darkest night skies in North America. The Marmot Basin ski area sits inside its boundaries above the townsite. Skiers can spot mountain goats clinging to nearby cliffs on clear days. Icefields and glacier-fed lakes stretch along the highway just south of the resort.
Highlights:
  • 🧊 Walk on the Athabasca Glacier with a guided tour
  • 🐻 Spot elk, moose, and bears along Icefields Parkway
  • 🛶 Cruise Maligne Lake and marvel at Spirit Island
Lake Louise
Turquoise Gem of the Canadian Rockies
8.9
Lake Louise sits beside a frozen turquoise lake framed by the Victoria Glacier. The ski area rises directly across the valley from the historic Fairmont hotel. Skiers can look down on the lake's ice from open alpine bowls above treeline. Wildlife crossings built over the nearby highway help grizzly bears pass safely.
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
Vail
Alpine Adventure with Luxe Charm
8.3
Vail's Back Bowls stretch across roughly 3000 acres of open, treeless terrain. The resort was built from scratch in the 1960s on land once used for sheep grazing. Skiers can drop into these bowls after crossing over the ridge from the main village. A Bavarian-style town centre still reflects the resort's original design theme.
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
Low Tatras National Park
Slovakia’s Wild Ridges and Hidden Caves
7.9
Low Tatras National Park holds Slovakia's largest ski area, Jasna, spread across two connected mountainsides. Dense spruce forests cover much of the park below the tree line. Skiers can ride a gondola linking both sides of the mountain in a single loop. Brown bears den in the surrounding wilderness during the winter months.
Highlights:
  • 🎿 Ski or snowboard at Jasná, Slovakia’s top alpine resort
  • ❄️ Explore the Demänovská Cave of Liberty with its stunning ice formations
  • 🏔️ Hike to the summit of Ďumbier for panoramic mountain views
Krasnaya Polyana
Russia’s Alpine Playground Near Sochi
7.2
Krasnaya Polyana hosted the alpine skiing events at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. The resort sits in the Caucasus Mountains near Russia's Black Sea coast. Skiers can descend runs built for that Olympic competition on Rosa Khutor's slopes. Warm coastal air can leave beach weather just an hour's drive away.
Highlights:
  • 💧 Walk the easy ecological Health Trail to a beautiful waterfall
  • 🏰 Explore ruins of Achipse fortress with panoramic valley views
  • 🚠 Ride cable cars to mountain viewpoints and hiking trails
Gudauri
Alpine Adventures Await You
7.0
Gudauri sits in the Greater Caucasus at over 2000 metres, keeping its snow reliable through a long season. Off-piste terrain stretches across wide, treeless bowls above the resort. Skiers can hire snowcats to reach powder fields beyond the marked runs. Watchtowers from a centuries-old Georgian fortress overlook the valley below.
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
Livigno sits in a duty-free valley near the Italian-Swiss border, a status dating back centuries. Shoppers can find lower prices on goods here than almost anywhere else in the Alps. Skiers can spend a day on the slopes and browse tax-free stores by evening. The valley's high altitude keeps snow reliably deep through the season.
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
Saas-Fee
Glaciers, Peaks and Alpine Serenity
8.8
Saas-Fee keeps cars out of its village, relying on electric taxis and sleds instead. Glaciers surround the town on nearly every side, earning it the nickname pearl of the Alps. Skiers can ride lifts up to a glacier open year-round for snow sports. Ice sculptures fill an underground grotto carved into one of those glaciers.
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
Revelstoke
Big Mountain Adventure, Small Town Soul
8.0
Revelstoke averages some of the deepest snowfall totals of any resort in British Columbia. Its cable car climbs over 1700 vertical meters, the longest lift-served descent in North America. Skiers can ride that single run from summit to valley floor without stopping. Backcountry cat-skiing operations also work the surrounding Selkirk Mountains.
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
Lillehammer hosted the 1994 Winter Olympics, still remembered for its aurora-themed opening ceremony. The original Olympic ski jump tower still overlooks the town. Skiers can ride the same Alpine slopes used in those Games at nearby Hafjell and Kvitfjell. A bobsled and luge track from 1994 still operates for visitors to try.
Highlights:
  • 🏛️ Discover artifacts at Maihaugen open-air museum
  • 🚣‍♂️ Hike around serene Randsfjorden lake
  • 🏔️ Explore the iconic Lillehammer Olympic Park
Zell am See
Lakes, Mountains and Alpine Charm
8.3
Zell am See sits beside a lake that freezes solid enough for locals to drive cars across it. The ski area above town, the Schmittenhohe, offers views stretching towards Austria's high peaks. Skiers can ride a cable car straight up from the lakeside town centre. Kaprun's glacier nearby extends the season into early summer.
Highlights:
  • 🏘️ Explore historic Zell am See Old Town cobblestones
  • 🚤 Take a boat tour on picturesque Lake Zell
  • 🥾 Hike or ski on Schmittenhöhe mountain trails
Aspen
Rocky Mountain Glam Meets Outdoor Thrills
8.8
Aspen Mountain, known locally as Ajax, rises directly above the town's historic centre. Silver mining once funded the Victorian buildings that still line its streets. Skiers can ride straight from the slopes into downtown restaurants and galleries. Three more mountains, including Snowmass, spread out nearby for extra terrain.
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
Verbier anchors the Four Valleys ski area, one of Switzerland's largest connected regions. The resort hosts the Freeride World Tour finale on the steep Bec des Rosses face. Skiers can watch competitors drop through couloirs visible from the village below. A relaxed, international crowd has long given the town a lively apres-ski reputation.
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
Kitzbuhel hosts the Hahnenkamm, a downhill race widely feared for its difficulty on the World Cup circuit. The Streif course drops steeply enough that racers can exceed 140 kilometres per hour. Skiers can trace sections of that same run on a normal day. A medieval old town with painted facades sits just below the slopes.
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
Are hosted the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in 2019, drawing top racers to central Sweden. The resort sits beside a long frozen lake below Areskutan mountain. Skiers can race down floodlit slopes after the early winter sunset. The village still uses its 19th-century railway station, built for its first tourists.
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
Ischgl connects to the Swiss village of Samnaun through a cross-border lift and run network. Duty-free shopping waits on the Swiss side of that link. Skiers can cross an international border without ever removing their skis. The resort also stages large concerts on its slopes 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
Vermont
Green Mountains, Maple Syrup, Pure Charm
8.4
Mad River Glen in Vermont still runs skiers up a single chairlift built in 1948. The resort's slogan, ski it if you can, reflects its famously ungroomed terrain. Skiers can ride that same chair while nearby resorts have long since modernised their lifts. Sugarhouses producing maple syrup dot the hills surrounding the state's ski towns.
Highlights:
  • 🎿 Ski the snowy slopes of Stowe Mountain Resort
  • 🍦 Tour the Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory
  • 🍂 Admire fall foliage on Vermont’s scenic byways
Wengen
Car-Free Alpine Bliss and Epic Views
8.8
Wengen stays car-free, reachable only by a cog railway from the valley floor. The Lauberhorn downhill course above town is the longest on the World Cup circuit. Skiers can look across at the Eiger's north face from the village. Hotels here have hosted ski racers since the race began in the 1930s.
Highlights:
  • ❄️ Visit the Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe station
  • 🥾 Hike the scenic trails to Kleine Scheidegg
  • 🚡 Take the cable car to Männlichen for stunning views
Trysil
Norway’s Biggest Ski and Adventure Playground
7.3
Trysil is Norway's largest ski resort, spread across a single long mountain ridge. The area holds enough terrain for more than 70 marked runs. Skiers can choose gentle family slopes or steeper pitches near the summit. Wooden cabins scattered through the surrounding forest house much of the resort's lodging.
Highlights:
  • 🔥 Enjoy après-ski dining by the fireplace in mountain cabins
  • 🐺 Take a husky sled ride through snowy pine forests
  • 🎿 Ski the scenic slopes of Trysilfjellet, Norway’s largest resort
Alpe d'Huez
Legendary Cycling and Alpine Skiing Paradise
7.4
The Sarenne run at Alpe d'Huez stretches over 16 kilometres, one of Europe's longest ski descents. It drops from a glacier down towards the valley near Grenoble. Skiers pass through changing terrain from open glacier to forested lower slopes. The same mountain road is famous among cyclists for its 21 hairpin turns.
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
Riksgränsen
Arctic skiing under midnight sun
7.7
Riksgransen sits so far north that skiers can ride under the midnight sun in late spring. The resort straddles the border between Sweden and Norway. Skiers can cross between the two countries mid-run without stopping. Its season often stretches into June, among the latest closing dates in Europe.
Highlights:
  • ⛷️ Explore off-piste slopes like Uffe’s Wall and Rimfors
  • 🚁 Take a heli-skiing adventure on untouched powder
  • 🎿 Ski or snowboard under the midnight sun in spring
Nozawa Onsen
Thirteen free public baths and a ski area
8.3
Nozawa Onsen keeps thirteen free public hot spring baths scattered throughout its village streets. Locals still tend the baths under a centuries-old rotating duty system. Skiers can soak sore legs in these baths after a day on the mountain. A fire festival held each January draws crowds from across the region.
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
Breckenridge (Colorado)
Historic Mining Town Meets Ski Paradise
8.3
Breckenridge's Imperial Express lift climbs above 3900 metres, one of the highest in North America. The town below began as a gold rush settlement in the 1850s. Skiers can descend through high alpine bowls into streets lined with original miners' cabins. Its Peak 8 terrain park draws freestyle skiers from across the country.
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
Keystone (Colorado)
Rocky Mountain skiing paradise
7.1
Keystone runs one of Colorado's largest night skiing operations, lighting slopes after dark. The resort grooms and lights runs across more than 100 acres each evening. Skiers can extend their day well past sunset under floodlights. A frozen lake at the base doubles as an ice skating rink.
Highlights:
  • ⛸️ Ice skate under the stars at Dercum Square rink
  • 🚠 Ride the gondola for sunset views over the Rockies
  • ⛷️ Ski down the snowy slopes of Keystone Resort
Mammoth Lakes
Alpine Paradise in Eastern Sierra
8.1
Mammoth Mountain in California often keeps its lifts spinning into July from deep Sierra Nevada snowpack. The volcano beneath the resort last erupted around 700 years ago. Skiers can ride corn snow on sunny spring afternoons well after most resorts close. Hot springs scattered around the valley draw visitors after a day on the mountain.
Highlights:
  • ♨️ Relax in the natural Hot Creek geothermal springs
  • 🪨 Hike to Devils Postpile National Monument
  • 🎿 Ski the famous slopes of Mammoth Mountain
Morzine
Alpine charm meets year-round adventure
7.9
Morzine anchors one edge of the Portes du Soleil, a lift network spanning France and Switzerland. Skiers here can cross the border partway through a single run. The town itself sits lower than most Alpine resorts, ringed by forested slopes. Wooden farmhouses and a Saturday market still give the centre a rural feel.
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
Telluride
Breathtaking box canyon mountain paradise
8.2
Telluride sits inside a box canyon reached by a free gondola strung between town and its ski area. The old mining settlement is now a National Historic Landmark. Skiers can ride that gondola as public transport rather than a lift ticket. Waterfalls freeze into towering ice columns on the canyon walls 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
Zao Onsen
Sulphur onsen, snow monsters and ski slopes
7.9
Zao Onsen is famous for its juhyo, trees so heavily coated in frozen snow they look like giant frosted monsters. Sulphur-rich hot springs feed public baths scattered through the village. Skiers can glide past the frost-covered trees under coloured lights after dark. The resort has run continuously since the early 1900s.
Highlights:
  • 🎿 Ski or snowboard on Zao’s scenic slopes
  • 🌋 View the stunning Okama Crater’s colour-changing lake
  • ♨️ Soak in Zao’s famous acidic sulfur hot springs
Jackson Hole
Majestic cliffs frame serene river valleys
7.9
Jackson Hole's Corbet's Couloir forces skiers to drop through a narrow rock chute to reach the slope below. The resort's tram climbs over 1200 metres in about nine minutes. Skiers can access some of the steepest lift-served terrain in the country from its top. Elk herds gather in a nearby refuge visible from the mountain.
Highlights:
  • 🎨 Visit the Jackson County Museum of Art
  • 🚶‍♂️ Stroll along the Illinois River Trail
  • 🏪 Explore historic downtown Jackson’s antique shops
Big White
Powder paradise with ski-in/ski-out village
7.1
Big White in British Columbia is known for its snow ghosts, trees coated thick in rime ice. The frozen shapes form when fog freezes onto branches near the summit. Skiers glide past these ghostly white figures on quiet upper runs. The resort also claims one of Canada's largest slopeside villages.
Highlights:
  • 🌙 Go night skiing under the starlit mountain sky
  • 🚡 Ride the Bullet Express and enjoy sweeping alpine views
  • 🎿 Ski or snowboard the powdery slopes of Big White Resort
Copper Mountain
The Athlete's Mountain with natural terrain
7.0
Copper Mountain's terrain naturally separates by difficulty, with beginner runs on one side and steep bowls on the other. The split follows the mountain's own ridgelines. Skiers can match their ability to a zone without crossing paths with faster traffic. The resort's Center Village stays closed to cars.
Highlights:
  • ❄️ Try tubing on Copper Mountain's snowy banked hill
  • 🎢 Ride the Rocky Mountain Coaster for a thrilling descent
  • 🎿 Ski diverse terrain on Copper Mountain's well-designed slopes
New Hampshire
Mountains, lakes and coastal charm
8.3
Mount Washington in New Hampshire once recorded the fastest surface wind gust ever measured on Earth. Nearby ski areas sit in its shadow across the White Mountains. Skiers can feel that same exposed weather on the region's higher lift-served peaks. Small family-run resorts still outnumber large ones across the state.
Highlights:
  • ⛷️ Ski the snow-covered slopes of Bretton Woods
  • 🏔️ Climb Mount Washington and experience powerful summit winds
  • 🍁 Drive the scenic Kancamagus Highway through fall foliage
Svalbard
Arctic wilderness at Earth's edge
8.3
Svalbard sits so far north that polar bears outnumber people across the archipelago. Skiers here travel with armed guides as a precaution against wildlife encounters. Visitors can ski across glaciers under weeks of continuous winter darkness or endless summer light. Longyearbyen, the main town, ranks among the world's northernmost settlements.
Highlights:
  • 🥾 Hike across the dramatic tundra and rugged landscapes
  • 🛥️ Explore glaciers and fjords on guided boat tours
  • 🐻‍❄️ Observe Arctic wildlife including elusive polar bears safely
Dolomites
Majestic peaks echoing alpine serenity
9.2
The Dolomites host the Sella Ronda, a circuit letting skiers loop around four mountain passes on connected lifts and runs. Jagged pale limestone spires give the range its name and distinctive look. Skiers can complete the full loop, roughly 40 kilometres, in a single day. UNESCO named the range a World Heritage Site in 2009.
Highlights:
  • 🥾 Hike to Alpe di Siusi for panoramic vistas
  • ⛷️ Ski powdery slopes at Cortina d'Ampezzo in winter
  • 🏔️ Ascend Tre Cime di Lavaredo via scenic trail
Interlaken
Adventure, Lakes and Alpine Magic
9.1
Interlaken sits on a narrow strip of land between two turquoise lakes, Thun and Brienz. The Jungfrau massif rises directly behind the town. Skiers can ride a cog railway up to the Jungfraujoch, one of Europe's highest train stations. Paragliders often drift overhead on clear winter afternoons.
Highlights:
  • 🏞️ Hike around Lake Thun and enjoy the stunning mountain scenery
  • 🌸 Explore the botanical gardens and alpine trails at Schynige Platte
  • 🚡 Take a scenic cable car ride to Harder Kulm for panoramic views
Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Alpine town below Germany's highest peak
8.3
Garmisch-Partenkirchen sits below the Zugspitze, Germany's tallest mountain. The town hosted the 1936 Winter Olympics under a single combined name. Skiers can ride a cable car to the summit for sweeping views into Austria. The original Olympic ski jump from that era still stands above the town today.
Highlights:
  • ⛷️ Visit the iconic Olympic Ski Jump used in winter sports
  • 🌊 Hike through the stunning Partnachklamm Gorge
  • 🏔️ Ascend Zugspitze, Germany's highest peak, for breathtaking views
Alaska
Land of superlatives and adventure
8.9
The Chugach Mountains near Valdez hold some of the steepest heli-ski terrain on Earth. Helicopters drop skiers onto slopes with no marked trails or lift lines. Riders carve through waist-deep powder above frozen fjords. Nearby Thompson Pass often records some of North America's heaviest annual snowfall.
Highlights:
  • 🐻 See wild bears fishing for salmon in Katmai
  • 🛳️ Cruise through glacier-filled waters in Glacier Bay National Park
  • 🌌 Watch the northern lights dance above Fairbanks
Bansko
Bulgaria’s Ski Capital with Alpine Soul
7.0
Bansko sits in the Pirin Mountains and hosted the men's alpine skiing World Cup in 2009. Its longest run drops nearly 2600 vertical meters from summit to base. Skiers can finish a run and walk straight into the old town's stone taverns. The resort remains one of the more affordable ski options in Europe.
Highlights:
  • ⛪ Visit the Church of the Holy Trinity
  • 🚶‍♀️ Stroll charming cobblestone streets of Old Town
  • 🎿 Ski or snowboard on Bansko’s renowned slopes
Bad Ischl
Historic spa town nestled among alpine vineyards
9.3
Bad Ischl sits at the centre of Austria's Salzkammergut lake district, ringed by snowy peaks. Emperor Franz Joseph used this spa town as his summer residence for decades. Visitors can ski at nearby Katrin or Postalm before returning to the town's thermal baths. Frozen lakes surrounding the valley draw ice skaters during cold winter stretches.
Highlights:
  • 🎶 Attend a live concert in the historic Musikverein
  • 🌅 Stroll along the Danube promenade at sunset
  • 🏰 Explore the Baroque gardens of Schloss Belvedere
Bukovel
Ukraine’s Premier Winter Wonderland
Bukovel sits in the Carpathian Mountains and is Ukraine's largest ski resort. Snowmaking machines cover nearly all of its runs. Skiers can choose from more than a dozen lifts spread across four mountains. The resort village fills with wooden chalets and stands selling hot mulled wine.
Highlights:
  • 💆‍♂️ Relax in the thermal pools and SPA at VODA club
  • 🪂 Ride the longest zip-line over Lake Molodosti
  • 🎿 Ski or snowboard on the 68 km of scenic slopes
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