Best Ski Resorts in the World
The world's best ski resorts, from the Alps and the Rockies to Japan's powder and the Andes.
Skiing is one of travel’s great winter pleasures, and no other pursuit maps so completely onto the world’s mountains. From the glamorous linked valleys of the Alps to the bottomless dry powder of northern Japan, the sport spans continents, cultures and seasons. Wherever you point your skis, the payoff is the same intoxicating blend of alpine scenery, adrenaline and the ritual pleasures of mulled wine, hot springs or a fireside lodge at day’s end.
Europe and North America hold the marquee resorts, with their vast interconnected ski areas and centuries-old mountain villages, but the map is far bigger than that. Japan has become a global powder pilgrimage, the Caucasus and the Himalaya offer wild backcountry for the adventurous, and skiers chasing an endless winter can flip to the southern hemisphere and ski the Andes or New Zealand from June to October.
Choosing where to go comes down to what you want: reliable resort infrastructure and long groomed pistes, deep off-piste powder, ski touring far from the lifts, or simply an unforgettable setting. The regions below are the ones worth building an entire trip around, whatever your level and whatever the month.
The World's Best Ski Regions#
Chamonix, France Sitting beneath Mont Blanc, Chamonix is the spiritual home of extreme and off-piste skiing, ringed by steep couloirs, glaciers and the legendary Vallee Blanche descent. The town is a lively hub of mountaineers and hardcore skiers rather than a manicured resort, and the terrain rewards confident, experienced riders. Come January to March for the most reliable snow, and hire a guide before venturing onto the glaciated Vallee Blanche.
Zermatt, Switzerland Car-free and impossibly pretty, Zermatt lies at the foot of the pyramid-perfect Matterhorn and links across the border to Italy’s Cervinia for one of the largest ski areas in the Alps. Its high altitude and glacier skiing make it one of the most snow-sure resorts in Europe, with runs open nearly year-round. It suits intermediates and above, and the cog-railway village setting is worth the trip alone.
St Anton, Austria The beating heart of the Arlberg region, St Anton is famous for challenging terrain, huge off-piste bowls and a raucous apres-ski scene that starts mid-afternoon. Advanced skiers flock here for the steep, ungroomed lines and the sheer scale of the connected Arlberg lift network. Visit January to early March, and be ready for crowds on powder days.
Val d’Isere and Tignes, France Linked as the Espace Killy, these two French resorts offer high, snow-sure terrain and endless variety, from mellow cruisers to serious couloirs. The altitude keeps the season long, running well into spring, and the mix of glamour and grit gives it broad appeal. Strong intermediates get the most out of the vast piste map.
Niseko, Japan On the northern island of Hokkaido, Niseko is drenched in some of the driest, deepest powder on earth, fed by relentless storms rolling off Siberia. The skiing is relatively gentle in pitch but the snow quality is otherworldly, and tree runs between the resort’s four interconnected areas are the highlight. January is peak powder, and the onsen hot springs afterwards are non-negotiable.
Hakuba Valley, Japan Host to the 1998 Nagano Olympics, Hakuba packs ten resorts into one dramatic valley in the Japan Alps, offering steeper, more varied terrain than Hokkaido alongside the same famous powder. It appeals to advanced skiers chasing big off-piste lines and backcountry tours. The best snow falls from mid-January to February, with easy access from Tokyo by train.
Whistler Blackcomb, Canada North America’s largest ski resort sprawls across two mountains above a pedestrian village in British Columbia, with terrain for absolutely everyone from first-timers to expert alpine riders. Reliable snow, a huge vertical drop and a buzzing base village make it a bucket-list destination. December to April is the season, and midweek visits dodge the weekend crowds from Vancouver.
Aspen, United States Colorado’s most storied ski town spreads across four mountains, from beginner-friendly Buttermilk to the steeps of Aspen Highlands and its famous Highland Bowl hike. The light, dry Rocky Mountain snow and polished Victorian town give it a distinctive blend of substance and glamour. Peak season runs January to March, though sunny spring skiing is a local secret.
Jackson Hole, United States Wyoming’s Jackson Hole is a rite of passage for advanced skiers, defined by its fearsome Corbet’s Couloir and huge amounts of steep, ungroomed backcountry-style terrain inside the resort boundary. It is not a place for beginners, but experts find some of the most exciting inbounds skiing on the continent. Come in January and February for the deepest snow.
Portillo, Chile High in the Andes above a startling yellow lodge and frozen lake, Portillo offers counter-seasonal skiing from June to October with no town, no crowds and week-long all-inclusive stays. The terrain is steep and the atmosphere convivial, drawing racing teams and powder-hunters escaping the northern summer. Its remoteness and altitude make it a genuine adventure rather than a resort holiday.
Bariloche, Argentina Set beside a vast lake in Patagonia, Cerro Catedral above Bariloche is South America’s largest ski area, pairing lift-served terrain with lakeside Bavarian-style charm. The July-to-September season lets northern-hemisphere skiers keep their winter going, and the off-piste and backcountry options are excellent when conditions align. The town’s chocolate shops are a happy consolation on stormy days.
Queenstown and Wanaka, New Zealand The Southern Alps of New Zealand’s South Island deliver the southern hemisphere’s most scenic lift skiing, with resorts like Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Treble Cone rising above turquoise lakes. The terrain suits intermediates and advanced skiers, and Queenstown’s adventure-town energy is unmatched. The season peaks July to September, when you can ski by day and bungee by afternoon.
Verbier, Switzerland The gateway to the enormous Four Valleys area, Verbier is beloved by expert skiers and freeriders for its steep, lift-accessed off-piste and the wild terrain of Mont Fort. Its lively bars and high-altitude runs draw a stylish, committed crowd. Late January to March offers the best snow, and a guide unlocks the resort’s legendary backcountry.
Are, Sweden Scandinavia’s premier resort sits among gentle, forested Swedish mountains and offers scenic, family-friendly skiing with the rare chance to ride beneath the Northern Lights. The vibe is relaxed and the infrastructure excellent, though the low altitude means the season centres on the coldest months. Visit December to March, and pair skiing with dog-sledding and sauna culture.