5 of the Best Ski Resorts in the World

Once a fringe sport for adventurous mountaineers, downhill skiing is now a popular family-friendly winter activity. Ski resorts have also become a valuable tourism asset. There are more than 2,000 ski resorts in the world and, as of 2021, it was estimated that the global ski resort industry attracted in excess of 400 million annual skier visits. While more than one-third of the world’s ski resorts are in the Alps, there are resorts in 67 countries, giving amateur and competitive skiers alike the opportunity to race down mountains and explore scenery and attractions in diverse settings.

I love to ski. Since my dad and mom started taking me skiing when I was a young kid, I have been a skiing enthusiast. I have gone from a speed demon who just wanted to race down the mountain in a straight line to someone who’s come to appreciate all the incredible benefits that skiing has to offer: the chance to travel the world, take a break from the city to be in the outdoors, smell the fresh mountain air, see awe-inspiring landscapes above the clouds, make memories with friends and family, après ski, hit the spa, and perhaps most importantly, ski the mountain. Some of the best moments in my life have been on the mountain, and that’s why when I started dating my Colombian wife, I turned her from a beach bum to a ski bum.

Here are my picks for the top 5 ski resorts in the world:

Whistler Blackcomb (Canada)

Although the Alps is the world’s best and most well-known region for skiing, North America accounts for approximately 20 percent of all annual skier visits worldwide. Whistler Blackcomb in Canada is arguably not only the best resort in the continent but the entire world. As North America’s largest winter sports area, it boasts more than 200 runs and has 37 ski lifts, including the PEAK 2 PEAK gondola, which runs beyond 3 kilometers to join the region’s two mountaintops. It is the largest unsupported lift span in the world.

Freestyle skiers and snowboarders in particular will enjoy Whistler Blackcomb as it has five parks covering nearly 100 acres of snow with a variety of obstacles, including easy jumps and rails and an Olympic-sized halfpipe. However, the resort has runs and terrain for skiers and boarders of all skill levels. It’s also highly regarded for its world-class grooming, full-service resort village, and picturesque views extending to the Pacific Ocean.

Courchevel (France)

In contrast to Whistler Blackcomb, Courchevel in France is mostly suited for more experienced and skilled skiers seeking new challenges. The 60-lift resort has 150 kilometers of Alpine ski terrain across 10 summits exceeding 2,500 meters. It is part of Les 3 Vallées, the world’s largest dedicated ski area, which includes 600 kilometers of interconnected runs and more than 160 lifts. Méribel and Val Thorens are the other two resorts in the area.

Courchevel includes downhill runs through the Piste des Indiens’ natural canyons and nearby forests. Couloir (one corridor) is regarded as one of the most difficult black runs at any ski resort worldwide, while the Jean Blanc pistes, a former World Cup downhill run, is a great option for tight tree skiing. Visitors should also make a point to take the Saulire cable car lift, which offers unmatched views of the mountainous region.

There are five resort villages in Courchevel and many great restaurants, seven of which are Michelin-starred.

Alta/Snowbird (USA)

Located 29 miles from Salt Lake City, Alta and Snowbird in Utah are renowned ski destinations. They are both known for their quality and quantity of snow. Combined, these resorts provide over 5,100 acres of skiable terrain in an area that gets more than 500 inches of snow each year. The resorts have a share ridgeline beneath 11,068-foot Mount Baldy. Alta is known for its untamed terrain, while, Snowbird, with its 110-person tram, has a more industrial ambiance. Featuring a 3,200-foot vertical drop, Snowbird is a challenging resort. Aspen (USA)

The US is home to some of the top ski resorts in the world, especially in Colorado. Aspen, Colorado, is a must-visit for both experienced skiers seeking a challenge and families looking to relax and enjoy the scenery and surroundings. You can find four great ski areas accessible from Aspen: Aspen Mountain, Buttermilk, Aspen Highlands, and Snowmass. They provide a world-class mountain destination that caters to skiers of all levels.

Aspen has a number of luxury hotels, including the St. Regis Aspen Resort, The Little Nell, and Hotel Jerome.

Zermatt (Switzerland)

The Swiss Alps should be on the winter travel bucket list for thrill-seekers and casual skiers alike. Not only is the region known for its abundance of skiing resorts, it’s also a hub for extreme sports like paragliding, ice climbing, and canyon jumping. It also presents some of Europe’s most impressive winter scenery with snow-covered peaks, sheer valleys, and frozen lakes.

For skiing, there’s no better destination than Zermatt. With the Matterhorn, one of the most magnificent mountains in the world, as its backdrop, Zermatt features 350 kilometers of slopes and trails and has areas that are open year-round, including the Matterhorn Glacier. This run begins at 3,883 meters altitude and is accessible via the world’s highest 3S Lift, which transports as many as 2,000 skiers per hour.

Visitors can also ski over a mountain pass and into a trail system that crosses the Switzerland border into Italy. In addition, Zermatt boasts the longest downhill run in Europe: a 25-kilometer stretch that begins at Matterhorn glacier (Klein Matterhorn) and extends down to the resort. Snowboarders and freeride skiers can work on their skills at Zermatt Snow Park, which is situated on one of the highest glaciers in the Alps.