20 Best Ski Resorts In The World | Travel Inspiration

Skiers riding chairlift down mountain in Alyeska, Alaska

Alyeska, Alaska, USA

Rating: 3.5/5
Season: December to April
www.alyeskaresort.com

Fantastic for beginners and intermediates, Big White lives up to its name with 1,147 hectares (2,655 acres) of terrain. Around a third of the ski area is groomed, giving you plenty of space and skiing variety.

Aspen, Colorado, USA

Rating: 4/5
Season: November to April
www.aspensnowmass.com

In Aspen, you're likely to sight film stars, billionaires and Olympic athletes on its celebrity slopes. America’s most famous ski resort is perfect for the more serious skiers.

Banff, Canada

Rating: 4/5
Season: November to May
www.banff.com/banff-skiing

Incredible views, huge variety and a vibrant atmosphere, Banff is one of Canada’s most popular ski resorts. Located in a World Heritage-listed area, it’s home to three resorts and is fantastic for all levels of experience.

Big White, Canada

Rating: 4.5/5
Season: November to April
www.bigwhite.com/geo/ausnz

Fantastic for beginners and intermediates, Big White lives up to its name with 1,147 hectares (2,655 acres) of terrain. Around a third of the ski area is groomed, giving you plenty of space and skiing variety.

Chamonix, France

Rating: 3.5/5
Season: December to April
www.chamonix.com/skis-areas,22,en.html

The birthplace of extreme skiing lives up to its reputation. Nestled in the French Alps, it offers plenty of challenges for diehard adrenaline junkies and extreme sport enthusiasts!

Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy

Rating: N/A
Season: November to March
www.dolomitisuperski.com/en/ski-area/cortina

Some say it’s the most beautiful ski resort in the world. One of the less crowded slopes in Europe, there are plenty of great runs and excellent facilities.

Courchevel, France

Rating: 4/5
Season: December to April
www.courchevel.com/winter/en

A fantastic all-round resort, Courchevel offers huge variety across an expansive area. Courchevel is the largest resort in France’s Three Valleys area and gives you access to the whole 600km network with a special ski pass.

Fernie, Canada

Rating: 4/5
Season: December to April
www.skifernie.com

Well loved but little known, this ski resort boasts some of the best terrain in Canada.

Mount Hotham, Australia

Rating: 4/5
Season: June to September
www.mthotham.com.au

Australia’s most serious ski resort. Offering a wide variety of runs, Hotham caters best to intermediates and experts.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming, USA

Rating: 4/5
Season: November to April
www.jacksonhole.com

The huge range of bowls, chutes and back-country terrain are perfect for experts who want to push their boundaries. Jackson Hole is one the birthplaces of extreme skiing in the United States and it certainly delivers.

Lech am Arlberg, Austria

Rating: 4/5
Season: December to April
www.lechzuers.com/skiing

A playground for the rich and famous, Lech am Alberg is a sophisticated ski resort that caters more for beginners and intermediates.

Niseko, Japan

Rating: 4/5
Season: December to April
www.skijapan.com/resorts/niseko

A paradise for powder lovers. Hokkaido offers some of the world’s best skiing and boarding, with a fantastic resort and a huge variety of runs catering for all levels of experience.

Skiers riding chairlift in Norzawa Onsen, Japan

Nozawa Onsen, Japan

Rating: 5/5
Season: December to March
www.nozawaski.com/winter/en

The birthplace of skiing in Japan. One of the most popular ski resorts in the country, Nozawa Onsen offers a wonderful atmosphere and excellent terrain.

Sölden, Austria

Rating: N/A
Season: November to May
www.soelden.com/ski-area-information

This Austrian ski resort has been known as a premiere ski holiday destination for decades. While it boasts the odd celebrity guest and sleek perfect powder slopes that attract ski competitions, families have been taking advantage of its range of slopes for years.

Snow covered mountains in Squaw Valley, USA

Squaw Valley, California, USA

Rating: 4.5/5
Season: November to April
www.squawalpine.com

Squaw Valley is renowned for its off-piste skiing for the expert skier. Squaw Valley’s 3600 acres offers a sprawling European-style network of trails, peaks, vertical drops, bowls and slopes that vary from terrifying to tame.

Telluride, Colorado, USA

Rating: 5/5
Season: November to April
www.tellurideskiresort.com

Combining spectacular views and a relaxed atmosphere, Telluride is a much-loved, high-profile ski resort with excellent infrastructure and huge variety.

Verbier, Switzerland

Rating: 3.5/5
Season: November to April
www.verbinet.com

One of the largest and most-famous ski resorts in Switzerland. Suited more for intermediates and experts, this park has plenty to offer freestylers and off-piste skiers.

Wanaka, New Zealand

Rating: 3.5/5
Season: June to October
www.lakewanaka.co.nz/new-zealand/skiing-snowboarding

A fantastic ski town located in the famously picturesque New Zealand mountains. Wanaka offers plenty of terrain for all levels, with some great heli skiing nearby.

Whistler Blackcomb, Canada

Rating: 5/5
Season: November to May
www.whistlerblackcomb.com

Canada’s best-known ski destination is famous for a reason. Boasting nearly 8,200 acres of terrain and more than 200 marked trails, Whistler is perfect for skiing and snowboarding

Zermatt, Switzerland

Rating: 4/5
Season: November to April
www.zermatt.ch/en/Skiing

Zermatt offers some of the best skiing in the world. Pitched high in Switzerland’s crown, this famous ski resort offers the best Europe has to offer.