Ranking, Trends and Profile NEWS

The World’s Top 15 best Luxury Ski Resorts and Destinations

By Elizabeth Haggar for CEOWORLD Magazine Updated:December 7, 2009

Anyone who claims to be a ski enthusiast or even a relaxed snow bunny knows how addicting this sport can be. Although most of these mountains can be explored when the snow is melted, nothing beats seeing them cloaked in their white splendor.

Some of our mountains are skier and boarder friendly whereas others are designated towards one or the other.So pick your preferred style of ski town (small village, large town, or small city) and foreign culture (Austro-German, Swiss-German, French-German, French, or Italian), and be prepared for a trip that is as much about fabulous food, rubbing elbows with an international cast of characters, and marveling at spectacular mountain scenery as it is about skiing.

1. Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia

Whistler skiing is amazing. Whistler offers never-to-be-forgotten runs on Blackcomb Glacier rivaling the best in the Alps, while the five-mile swoop down to Whistler is one of the longest in North America- the longest run on both mountains is 7 miles long. On your Whistler ski vacation you can enjoy the central village, too, with its distinctive and reminiscent feeling of the best European ski resorts. Whistler also offers cosmopolitan shops and restaurants which cluster around charming plazas and along walkways designed for strolling.

2. Kitzbuhel, Austria

Kitzbühel is a medieval city in Tyrol, Austria, situated along the river Kitzbühler Ache, now best known as a ski resort. It is the administrative centre of the district (Bezirk) Kitzbühel. Kitzbühel is famous for having one of the most demanding runs of the FIS downhill calender, the Hahnenkamn. Extensive coverage of snow making now compensates for the lowish altitude (Kitzbühel used to struggle during mild seasons.) 165 km of piste are pitched at the beginner-intermediate but the off-piste and bump skiing is also pretty good. Considerable investment in new lifts, at Kitzbühel, has reduced problems with queues.

3. Gulmarg, Kashmir, India

Skiing in Gulmarg – a wonderful combination of incredible powder skiing and the unique culture of India – one of the world’s greatest adventure skiing experiences. Gulmarg is a small isolated hill-village situated in the northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir at the western extremity of the Himalayas in a subsidiary range called the Pir Panjals. It is 35 miles from Srinagar, the state capital.

4. Zermatt, Switzerland

Zermatt is known throughout the world for its skiing, especially Triftji for its moguls. The high altitude results in consistent skiing continuously up until the summer. Skiing and snowboarding the whole year round, with 365 days of snow – you can only find this in Zermatt. As the highest altitude, largest and most efficiently developed snow sport location in the Alps, Zermatt offers an absolute snow guarantee. In winter, 350 km of piste attracts skiers of all levels.

5. Levi, Lapland, Finland

Finland’s Levi is located in the Kittila region of Finnish Lapland, the northern part of Finland and is famous for it’s fell Levitunturi. Levi is used as a ski resort in the winter months between October and June, and for mountain biking in summer. The nearest airport is in Kittila, around 15 minutes away by car or bus.

6. Engelberg, Switzerland

A historic isolated village which grew up around a Benedictine monastery (established in 1120). The monks brought skiing here early in the twentieth century. Engelberg is a winter sport resort which delivers on all its promises – guaranteed snow cover, thrilling off-piste skiing, superb snowboard parks and vibrant après ski. It got voted the second most snow secure resort in the Alps– and it’s close to Zürich Airport.

7. Vail, Colorado

At Vail, enjoy 7 miles of mountain front, 7 back bowls famous from here to Timbuktu. 3 terrain parks, 300 days of sunshine. 5289 acres to make your mark. Vail Mountain is the ultimate blank canvas. But nobody comes here to do it by the numbers.

8. Banff/Lake Louise, Alberta

Adventure is calling you to Banff, Lake Louise and Banff National Park! As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Banff offers rugged beauty, unspoiled landscapes, and pristine mountain ranges. Experience an unrivaled alpine escape at “The World’s Finest National Park”. You can also drink in nature’s wonder at Lake Louise – one of the Canadian Rockies’ most beloved destinations, with turquoise waters sparkling underneath the towering Victoria Glacier.

9. Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France

Chamonix ranks among the world’s elite of ski resorts and is regarded as the most famous ski resort in the world. Some of the best and most challenging expert skiing can be found on the resort’s awesome jagged peaks that rise 12,000 feet above the valley. You are immediately in awe of the towering 15,767-foot Mont Blanc as you glance upon the mountain’s power and beauty. Chamonix Mont-Blanc is situated at 88km from Geneva-Cointrin International airport; 220km from Lyon-St-Exupery Intenational airport and 171 km from Turin-Caselle International airport.

10. St-Marcel-de-Belleville, France

St Martin de Belleville is a beautiful ski village. It has long been overlooked because the other ski villages in the valley (Les Menuires and Val Thorens) are overbuilt. However, St Martin de Belleville is now becoming recognised for what it is – an all year round thriving village with church, market, town hall, shops, bars, restaurants and a genuine French experience.

11. St. Moritz, Switzerland

The world’s most famous ski resort and the pioneer of Alpine winter holidays in 1864. Home of the Winter Olympics of 1928 and 1948 and of the famous Cresta Run. Long association with the global jet set who are offered unrivalled facilities if they stay at the best hotels, however there is so much to see and do that there is something for everyone. Additional winter activities include horse racing, polo and cricket on the frozen lake and a mass cross country race.

12. Morzine, France

Morzine is a long-established French resort, popular for its easy road access, traditional atmosphere and gentle tree-filled slopes, where children do not get lost and bad weather rarely causes problems. For keen piste-bashers wanting to travel the Portes du Soleil circuit, the main drawback to staying in Morzine is having to take a bus and cable-car or several lifts to get to Avoriaz and the main circuit. Morzine’s local slopes can suffer from poor snow conditions.

13. Flaine, France

Ski resort Flaine is located in France, in the Haute-Savoie region, close to Geneva and the Mont-Blanc. Le Grand Massif, is one of the largest ski areas in the French Alps. Its situation, close to Geneva airport, and the doorstep skiing accommodation, allows you to be on the slopes in just a few hours.

14. Cortina, Italy

The Queen of the Dolomites, the Alpine Living Room of Italy: this is Cortina d’Ampezzo, peograghic and touristic heart of the Dolomites and of alle the Veneto mountains. Tapped marvellous picks, such as Tofane and Cristallo, Cortina spreads in the sunny Ampezzo valley, it can be reached from all direction through marvellous passes, such as the Falzarego Pass, the Cimabanche Pass and the Tre Croci Pass. In winter, Cortina offers 110 kilometers of downhill and 58 km. of cross-country ski runs, with andless courses served by 37 lifts, and it offers various entertainment’s on the snow and on ice: skating, walk on the “ciaspe”, sleddog, climbing on the ice falls.

15. St. Anton, Austria

A modern holiday resort that has retained its traditional appeal. Hospitality and Tyrolean customs are as much a trademark of the village as its international, cosmopolitan character. And not only does it offer a colossal backdrop of peaks and popular (skiing) mountains, it also has all the comforts you would expect from an international holiday resort.

Other must go Ski Resorts and Destinations

Seefeld, Austria
Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy
Kranjska Gora, Slovenia
Courmayeur, Italy
Aspen, Colorado
Soldeu, Andorra
Zell am See, Austria

Like this article! ‹ OIL giant Chevron Chevron-Japan Tokyo Electric Power TepCo Wheatstone LNG Project gas deal is Australia’s largest Indian air force Mirage 2000H fighter aircraft upgrade deal is key to defence and strategic partnership with India ›
Share this Post: Get It Delivered To Your Inbox