Most of the world’s top ski resorts are found in North America and Europe. These elite slopes attract celebrities and snowbirds, die-hard heli-skiers and bunny hill bettys. Some are expensive and are home to world-class hotels and dining, while others are isolated and extreme. From Colorado to France, many of the resorts have a similar alpine feel with a strangely similar fashion sense. A few other locations in south America and Asia add their own lure, but North America and Europe dominate when it comes to winter sports.
- Aspen, Colorado
"I’m talkin’ about a place where the beer flows like wine, where the women instinctively flock like the salmon of Capistrano." Of course we’re talking about Aspen. This legendary resort attracts celebrities and die-hard snow junkies alike who indulge in the idyllic services, posh village atmosphere, and 76 runs spread out on world class terrain.
- Val d’Isère, France
Val d’Isère and its astounding 130 runs was host to the 1994 Winter Olympics. Europe’s premier resort has a bit of everything: world class runs, good terrain for both skiers and snowboarders, and a classic alpine village and party atmosphere.
- Sun Valley, Idaho
Sun Valley draws an elite crowd, although not many others, to the remote 75 runs and five star amenities.
- Whistler-Blackcomb, British Columbia
These once competing resorts have joined together for a combined 200 runs on a fine average of 100-inch base.
- Portillo, Chile
Many Northern hemisphere ski teams make the Aconcagua Valley and Portillo their off season base. Several world records in speed have been broken here.
- Las Leñas, Argentina
Las Leñas, nearby the wine region of Mendoza, is the most important resort in Argentina and has a variety of good runs, bowls, chutes, gulleys, and astrological themed hotels.
- Niseko, Japan
Five hundred inches of annual powder - that’s right 500 - make Niseko one of the world’s great resorts. More than 60 runs flooded with snow are for mostly intermediate skiers.
- Park City, Utah
Park City, along with several other excellent resorts nearby, is home to some of the world’s best snow and therefore skiing. The powdery slopes, ridges, chutes, and back country trails were good enough for the Winter Olympics, so why not you?
- Zermatt, Switzerland
Zermatt is the classic Swiss ski scene: 70 well groomed runs, cable cars, glaciers, beginner slopes, backcountry hikes, and a bustling alpine village free of cars.
- Zell Am See, Austria
World Cup downhills, glacier skiing, off track runs, and much, much more at Zell Am See. There are just 27 lifts and runs, it’s not nearly the biggest in the country, but the quality is without compare.