Imagine yourself gliding through snow-coated slopes while enjoying an incredible landscape of towering mountains and pine forests. Then, staying by the fireplace and sipping a hot drink after a long day of skiing. Sounds awesome, right? You might wonder where are the best places to ski, knowing that winter is approaching. We have compiled a list of 12 best ski destinations in the world. Check them out and get ready for a fantastic getaway!
Best Places to Ski in the World – Summary
- Zermatt, Switzerland
- Hemsedal, Norway
- Chamonix Mont Blanc, France
- Kitzbuhel, Austria
- Cervinia, Italy
- Ortisei, Italy
- Vail, Colorado, USA
- Deer Valley, Utah, USA
- Whistler, British Columbia, Canada
- Portillo, Chile
- Niseko, Japan
- Queenstown, New Zealand
Zermatt, Switzerland
Nothing matches the spectacular scene in Zermatt. The snow-capped Matterhorn mountain points at the sky, along with a series of jutting peaks. Winding valleys and glimmering slopes stretch from the foothills of the jaw-dropping mountains. They beckon travelers to come and experience wholesome ski adventures. From the classic alpine to adrenaline-rushing heli-skiing, there is no such thing as ‘boring’ in Zermatt.
With its extraordinary landscape and diverse ski area, Zermatt is notably one of the world’s best places to ski. Matterhorn Ski Paradise has become a favorite spot. It stands at an altitude of 3883 meters and features 365 days of snow. Delve into a picturesque ski experience with the backdrop of the gorgeous Swiss Alps. During your vacation, you can stay in one of Zermatt’s ski resorts, ranging from comfortable cabins to five-star resorts.
Hemsedal, Norway
Get ready to slide and glide to Norway’s renowned ski spot. Hemsedal is tucked in the Scandinavian Mountains, offering an outstanding scene of snow-veiled landscapes. It is home to more than 50 slopes and 21 lifts. Whether you are having your first skiing or a dedicated skier, Hemsedal offers a little bit of everything for everyone. Moreover, it is a family-friendly resort, featuring a large children’s area.
As we mentioned before, Hemsedal welcomes all levels of skiers. The resort offers a 6 km-long piste, where you can slide downhill uninterrupted. The winding slopes and elevations are perfect for freestyle skiing. Moreover, you can do cross-country skiing in Hemsedal. With all it has to offer, Hemsedal is one of the world’s best places to ski.
Chamonix Mont Blanc, France
Glide through the slopes of the French Alps, while letting the stunning Mont Blanc cast a spell on you. Skiing in Chamonix Mont Blanc, a ski resort in France, is simply magical. The area offers various slopes and pistes, standing at an altitude of 1035 meters. From pine-dotted terrains to competition-level slopes, Chamonix beckons all ski lovers to come and visit.
Chamonix Mont Blanc comprises five main ski areas, which are Brevent, Flegere, Grands Montets, Domaine de Balme, and Les Houches. They feature high-altitude terrains, different levels of slopes, thick snow, and incredible resort towns. For that reason, world-class skiers choose Chamonix as their favorite ski resort. Nonetheless, Chamonix will make every traveler – beginner or expert – fall in love easily. It is undeniably one of the world’s best ski destinations.
Kitzbuhel, Austria
Tucked in the Austrian Alps, Kitzbuhel offers an exceptional ski vacation. As you step into the resort town, you will be greeted by adorable storybook houses and wooden lodges. Cable cars will take you to snow-veiled slopes and picturesque pistes. Kitzbuhel features a wide range of ski spots, including 70 km-long cross-country ski trails and 233 km downhill slopes.
Kitzbuhel has become one of Europe’s best places to ski. It has world championship-scale slopes, including the one used for the Hahnenkamm Race. Moreover, you can find a unique gliding terrain covered in thick layers of snow. After a long day of ski, you can unwind in a comfortable cottage and have some delicious meals.
Cervinia, Italy
Neighboring the ethereal Zermatt, Cervinia is an amazing ski destination. This Italian ski resort features everything unbelievable and luscious. Tucked on the Italian foothills of Matterhorn, Cervinia displays exquisite mountainous landscapes. Moreover, it has a wide range of winding slopes to choose from. It is often included in skiers’ Zermatt itinerary, as the two resorts are linked by the Matterhorn Alpine Crossing.
Cervinia features 150 kilometers of slopes that you can enjoy. From gentle pistes to groomed slopes, the resort welcomes all levels of skiers. The Plan Maison area is perfect for beginners who are taking their first steps at ski. Meanwhile, the slopes close to the Swiss border call experienced skiers for a challenge. Furthermore, you can do long runs on the slopes of Valtournenche village.
Ortisei, Italy
Another ski spot that is worth visiting in Italy is Ortisei. The small town is nestled at the foothills of the Dolomites, featuring an incredible landscape and wholesome activities. During winter, locals flock to the town to enjoy winter sports. The snowy slopes and terrains of Ortisei call you for various winter sports, such as snowboarding, tobogganing, and skiing. However, the most popular activity you can do during the winter in Ortisei is skiing.
Ortisei’s ski spots are nothing less than fantastic. It features hundreds of miles of ski terrains, which are marked by ten pistes. Whether you want to do cross-country skiing or classic alpine, experience a wholesome one in Ortisei. Moreover, the ski resort has ten ski lifts that take you to sparkling ski spots. Underrated and quaint – Ortisei is one of the best places to ski in Europe.
Vail, Colorado, USA
When talking about the best places to ski in the US, we won’t leave out Vail. This winter wonderland in Colorado has been everyone’s favorite for a long time. Tucked between the Gore Mountain Range and Sawatch Mountain Range, Vail offers a diverse range of ski areas. Snow-cloaked back bowls, smooth pistes, and vast terrains are what you can find in Vail. Moreover, get ready for a scenic adventure as Vail’s jagged mountains and snow-sprinkled woodlands create a beautiful landscape.
Are you ready to pave your way through the snowy terrains? Or has an awesome ski vacation been in your mind? Then, we got you! JoinMyTrip has fantastic group trips all over the world, led by experienced TripLeaders. They will happily take you to thrilling ski adventures or magical winter getaways – from Finland to Japan.
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