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With more than 6,000 ski resorts worldwide, choosing the right one for your winter getaway can be a daunting task.
To help narrow down the list, Forbes Advisor analysed the quality, cost and accessibility of more than 6,000 standalone and connected ski resorts to create a shortlist of the 50 best ski and snowboarding destinations in the world.
Resorts were scored on 14 different factors including the length and variety of slopes, skier and snowboarder reviews, the quality of the après-ski scene, and value for money, to create a ski index score that grades resorts from 0 to 100.
So, whether you’re an experienced skier looking for new black runs to master, or a newcomer gearing up for ski-school, the Forbes Advisor World Ski Index sets out the best destinations for this ski season across a range of budgets.
World’s Top Ski Resorts
Our study found Les Trois Vallées, a large connected ski area in the French Alps, to be the most desirable winter sports destination in the world based on our criteria.
In fact, European destinations performed best overall with French, Swiss and Austrian resorts accounting for nine of the top 10 in our ranking. Coming in ninth place, Colorado’s Vail ski resort in North America was the only entry outside Europe that made it into our top 10.
We’ve highlighted the 50 destinations that received the highest ski resort scores, and pulled out the top performers for specific criteria including Best Resorts In North America, Best Resorts For Advanced Skiers, Best Resorts For Beginners and Best Resorts For Après-Ski. We’ve also looked at the best overall countries for skiing around the world.
For more details on exactly how these destinations are ranked, refer to our methodology at the end of this article.
Nestled in the Northern French Alps, Les Trois Vallées is the world’s largest linked ski area, with a network of 600 km of slopes spanning eight resorts – all of which can be accessed for £59 (€68) a day. The area ranges from the party town of Val Thorens to more family-friendly destinations such as Meribel.
Due to its sheer size, the variety of skiing offered by Les Trois Vallées – which is actually made up of four valleys not three, the Saint-Bon, Allues, Belleville, and Maurienne valleys – is practically unmatched anywhere in the world, making it an excellent destination for skiers of all abilities.
Thrill seekers will definitely want to head to Courchevel where the Grand Couloir run is considered to be one of the most challenging ski runs in Europe.
2. Les Portes du Soleil, Haute-Savoie/Valais, France/Switzerland
Ski Index Score: 76.71 out of 100
Another large ski area situated on the French-Swiss border is Les Portes du Soleil. It stretches from Lake Geneva in Switzerland through to Mont Blanc in France, allowing visitors to ski from one resort to another without ever having to ski the same run twice.
Adult ski passes cost £51 (around €60) a day, but cheaper area-specific ski passes are available if you don’t require access to the whole of Portes du Soleil.
3. Les Quatre Vallées, Savoie, France
Ski Index Score: 66.88 out of 100
Consisting of Verbier, La Tzoumaz, Nendaz, Veysonnaz and Thyon-Les Collons, Les Quatre Vallées boasts excellent snow conditions and over 400 km of slopes catering to all abilities.
Home to some of the most challenging skiing in the Alps, Verbier is the largest resort in the area. It is renowned for its off-piste options and freestyle scene which attracts adrenaline junkies from all over the world.
Top 10 Ski Resorts
Rank
Destinations
Country
Continent
Slopes (KM)
Ski lifts
Day pass £
Day pass €
Day pass $
Ski rating
Snowboard rating
Accommodation rating
Apres rating
AVG annual snowfall
Hashtags
Index score
1
Les Trois Vallées
France
Europe
600
158
59
68
66
4.6
3.5
4.3
5
569
1,417,383
84.42
2
Les Portes du Soleil
Switzerland
Europe
580
165
51
59
57
4.3
3.1
4.3
4
476
1,063,061
76.71
3
Les Quatre Vallées
Switzerland
Europe
412
66
72
83
81
4.3
4.5
4.3
4
428
553,836
66.88
4
Ski Arlberg
Austria
Europe
302
88
53
61
59
4.8
4.5
4.2
5
431
497,473
66.05
5
Zermatt
Switzerland
Europe
322
51
90
103
100
4.5
4
4.5
4
347
1,439,848
64.5
6
Silvretta Arena Samnaun/Ischgl
Austria
Europe
239
41
55
63
61
4.8
4.5
4.5
5
205
347,263
61.7
7
Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Fieberbrunn
Austria
Europe
270
70
57
66
64
4.7
3.5
4.5
5
493
397,039
61.7
8
SkiWelt
Austria
Europe
288
90
52
60
58
4.8
3.1
4.6
4
296
300,328
60.64
9
Vail
USA
North America
234
34
214
246
239
4.6
5
4.4
4
622
1,318,040
60.39
10
Val d'Isere
France
Europe
300
82
55
63
61
4.6
4
3.9
4
484
802,950
59.87
Best Ski Resorts In North America
1. Vail, Colorado, USA
Ski Index Score: 60.39 out of 100
One of the largest and best-known resorts in the US, Vail offers plenty of slopes for skiers of all abilities and ample après-ski opportunities to boot.
Vail’s almost legendary wide bowl-shaped slopes provide more experienced skiers and boarders with some of the best bowl skiing in the world, along with stunning views of the Rockies – as evidenced by more than 1.3 million hashtags on Instagram.
2. Whistler Blackcomb, Whistler, Canada
Ski Index Score: 56.34 out of 100
Comprised of two neighbouring mountains of the same name, Whistler Blackcomb is Canada’s largest ski resort with over 200 marked trails.
Whether you’re looking for gentle slopes or steep alpine bowls, Whistler Blackcomb has it all – including zones reserved for children and families.
Aside from the skiing, the PEAK 2 PEAK gondola which connects Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains is the world’s longest unsupported lift. The 4.4 km journey offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and takes around 11 minutes to complete.
3. Lake Louise, Banff National Park, Canada
Ski Index Score: 52.78 out of 100
Located in Banff National Park in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, and home to the renowned Fairmont Chateau, Lake Louise is among the most picturesque places in the world.
The largest of Banff’s ‘Big Three’ ski resorts with 139 km of slopes, Lake Louise provides plenty of choice for skiers and boarders of all ability levels.
With adult day passes costing as much as £97 (around $150 Canadian Dollars) during the main ski season, visitors will also have to factor in the cost of tickets to Banff National Park itself.
Best Resorts For Advanced Skiers
1. Big Sky, Montana, USA – 126 km of black slopes
Ski Index Score – 45.06 out of 100
Big Sky will keep advanced skiers occupied for days with its 126 km of black slopes and one of the biggest ‘vertical drops’ – one of the longest descents – in North America.
With no major cities nearby, the après scene isn’t the most lively. However, the absence of crowds in the evening will give you plenty of room on the slopes in the daytime.
2. Snowmass, Colorado, USA – 111 km of black slopes
Ski Index Score – 52.61 out of 100
Aspen Snowmass is made up of four ski areas, Aspen Mountain (also known as Ajax), Buttermilk, Snowmass and Aspen Highlands, all connected by a free shuttle service.
The varied terrain here offers something for everyone. Extreme sports fans will be most familiar with Buttermilk, having been the host of the Winter X Games since 2002.
3. Les Quatre Vallées, Val d’Hérens, Switzerland – 103 km of black slopes
Ski Index Score – 66.88 out of 100
The largest all-Swiss ski area, a massive 25% of Les Quatre Vallées’ 412 km of pistes are made up of black runs.
Advanced skiers looking for a challenge can test their mettle on the Piste de L’Ours which has hosted more than 30 Downhill Ski World Cups.
Best Ski Resorts For Beginners
1. Les Trois Vallées, Savoie, France – 312 km of blue slopes
Ski Index Score – 84.42 out of 100
With 600 km of pistes spread across 8 resorts, more than half (52%) is made up of blue pistes. Les Trois Vallées is an excellent destination for new and less experienced skiers to hone their skills while providing plenty of variety.
2. Les Portes du Soleil, Haute-Savoie/Valais, France/Switzerland – 310 km of blue slopes
Ski Index Score – 76.71 out of 100
Located just an hour and a half from Geneva, Les Portes du Soleil’s 310 km of blue slopes make it one of the most accessible ski areas for beginners.
3. Val d’Isère, Savoie, France – 170 km of blue slopes
Ski Index Score – 59.87 out of 100
One of Europe’s best-known resorts, Val d’Isère had traditionally catered more towards intermediate and advanced skiers, however, the development of the Solaise sector saw the addition of terrain better suited for beginners and families.
Best Ski Resorts For Snowboarding
1. Vail, Colorado, USA
Ski Index Score: 60.39 out of 100
Despite being on the more expensive side of things and drawing large crowds, Vail scored top marks from snowboarders. Between its back bowls and terrain parks, there’s something for everyone at Vail.
2. Serre Chevalier, Hautes-Alpes, France
Ski Index Score: 58.32 out of 100
With its extreme drop-offs, banks and gullies, and a massive natural snow park, Serre Chevalier is one of the best places to ride in France, according to our research.
The terrain park and icy halfpipe in Villeneuve will also provide plenty of fun for freestylers.
3. Whistler Blackcomb, Whistler, Canada Ski Index Score: 56.34 out of 100
Considered by many to be the best resort in North America, Whistler’s reputation as a winter sports paradise was reaffirmed when it co-hosted the Winter Olympics back in 2010.
A downside of its success however means that lift queues can be long, particularly in major holiday seasons.
Best Resorts For Après-Ski
1. Les Trois Vallées, Savoie, France
Ski Index Score: 84.42 out of 100
With its third appearance, Les Trois Vallées proves why it’s considered to be the jewel in Europe’s skiing crown.
From the nightlife of Val Thorens to the Michelin-starred restaurants of Courchevel, the après options are numerous and varied.
2. Ski Arlberg, Vorarlberg, Austria
Ski Index Score: 66.05 out of 100
Between its après huts, umbrella bars, and clubs, St. Anton is known for having one of the best après scenes in The Alps.
If you’re looking for a more sophisticated experience, Lech provides post-slope options that include champagne and oysters – but this luxury experience won’t come cheap.
Also scoring top marks for its après scene, Ischgl in the Silvretta Arena ski area is well known as a party hotspot.
While Ischgl is practically a snow-covered Ibiza, Samnaun village is a little more relaxed and better suited for those who prefer a quiet drink over raging parties.
Best Countries For Skiing
Country
Destinations in Top 50
AVG Ski Index Score
Austria
14
52.16
France
11
56.21
Switzerland
9
57.41
USA
8
48.74
Italy
4
53.77
Canada
3
50.88
Japan
1
54.7
Andorra
1
52.78
1. Austria – 14 Ski Resorts
(Average Ski Index Score: 52.16)
Home to more than a quarter (28%) of our top 50 ski resorts, Austria’s traditional alpine charm and spectacular snow-covered peaks make it one of the world’s most popular skiing destinations.
With terrain ranging from steep runs to gentle slopes, Austria has something to suit skiers of all experience levels and is a popular destination for families.
2. France – 11 Ski Resorts
(Average Ski Index Score: 56.21)
Whether it’s Val Thorens and Courchevel in Les Trois Vallées, Val d’Isere, or the Chamonix Valley, France is home to some of the world’s most iconic ski resorts.
From lively après scenes to quiet family-friendly resorts, and once-in-a-lifetime luxury experiences to budget-friendly options, France has it all.
3. Switzerland – 9 Ski Resorts
(Average Ski Index Score: 57.41)
Between the stunning scenery and excellent ski conditions, the Swiss Alps should be on every winter sports lover’s wish list.
With an average score of 57.4, the quality of Switzerland’s ski resorts is second to none. However, this is reflected in the price, with Swiss resorts generally being more expensive than their European neighbours.
Grands Montets / Brevent / La Flegere / Les Houches / Le Tour / La Vormaine / Les Planards
France
Europe
140
42
59
39
39
64
74
73
3.6
5
4
2
360
1,825,877
50.38
31
Livigno
Livigno
Italy
Europe
115
30
65
20
32
45
52
50
4.3
4
4.5
3
282
690,936
50.13
30
Le Grand Massif
Flaine/Les Carroz/Morillon/Samoëns/Sixt
France
Europe
265
135
95
35
62
44
51
49
4.1
3
4.2
3
449
268,504
49.68
32
Alpes d'Huez
Alpe d'Huez
France
Europe
250
70
130
50
70
50
58
56
4.2
3.5
3.9
4
401
36,895
49.12
33
Park City
Park City
USA
North America
250
27
152
71
42
205
236
229
3.9
3.5
4
3
617
1,612,812
48.94
34
Madonna di Campiglio
Madonna di Campiglio/Pinzolo/ Folgàrida/Marilleva
Italy
Europe
150
50
67
33
57
60
69
67
4.5
3
4.4
3
297
529,156
48.6
35
Megève
Megève/Saint-Gervais
France
Europe
263
98
134
31
81
45
52
50
4.1
2.5
3.9
3
333
453,885
46.61
36
Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis
Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis
Austria
Europe
186
47
112
27
39
53
61
59
4.8
0
4.4
4
260
259,590
46.59
37
Breckenridge
Breckenridge
USA
North America
153
28
60
65
35
196
226
219
4.3
4
4
3
772
1,074,155
46.51
38
Palisades Tahoe
Palisades Tahoe
USA
North America
200
50
85
65
43
205
236
229
4.3
4.5
4
3
947
179,898
46.48
39
Grindelwald-Wengen
Kleine Scheidegg/Männlichen – Grindelwald/Wengen
Switzerland
Europe
102
33
56
13
24
63
72
70
4.2
3
4.4
4
298
829,826
46.05
40
Stubai Glacier
Stubai Glacier (Stubaier Gletscher)
Austria
Europe
64.9
22
15
27.9
26
50
58
56
4.1
3.5
4.5
4
436
168,305
45.6
41
Beaver Creek
Beaver Creek
USA
North America
150
28.5
64.5
57
25
214
246
239
4.5
4
4.3
4
584
321,650
45.24
42
Les Deux Alpes
Les Deux Alpes
France
Europe
200
110
56
34
48
47
54
52
4.3
3.5
3.8
4
286
265,980
45.11
43
Big Sky Resort
Big Sky Resort
USA
North America
250
55
69
126
39
201
231
224
3.9
3
4.3
3
688
200,687
45.06
44
Nassfeld Hermagor
Nassfeld – Hermagor
Austria
Europe
110
30
69
11
30
46
53
51
4.1
3.5
4.5
3
454
103,553
44.93
45
Espace San Bernardo
La Rosière/La Thuile
France
Europe
143
57
71
15
38
42
48
47
3.9
3.5
4.2
4
479
168,476
44.84
46
Mammoth Mountain
Mammoth Mountain
USA
North America
89.8
18.4
48.5
22.9
25
187
215
209
4.4
5
4
4
775
424,407
44.65
47
Zell am See
Schmittenhöhe – Zell am See
Austria
Europe
77
30
28
19
28
57
66
64
4.4
3
4.3
4
297
511,105
44.57
48
Sunshine Village
Sunshine Village
Canada
North America
109
25
50
34
12
89
102
99
4
4
4.4
3
640
133,143
43.52
49
Parsenn
Parsenn (Davos Klosters)
Switzerland
Europe
95.5
17.3
60.5
17.7
18
68
78
76
4.2
5
4.3
3
393
17,350
44.34
50
Kaprun
Kitzsteinhorn/Maiskogel – Kaprun
Austria
Europe
61
29
23
9
21
57
66
64
4.4
3.5
4.2
4
457
389,490
43.52
Laura Howard, travel insurance expert at Forbes Advisor, commented: “Whether you’re an experienced skier or a relative newbie, accidents happen, and even the best skiers take a tumble from time to time. So, before you hit the slopes, make sure your travel insurance policy has adequate winter sports cover, including any exclusions with regards to high-risk pursuits other than skiing, such as snow-kiting, and any stipulations, such as the requirement to wear a helmet for cover to remain in place.”
Ski destinations were ranked on the quality, cost and accessibility of their skiing and snowboarding experience, as well as social factors like their après-ski scene and Instagram worthiness.
Resorts were scored on their relative performance in the below categories using a min-max normalisation formula and results were totalled to create an overall index score with a maximum possible score of 100.
Total length of slopes
Length of slopes by difficulty
Number of ski lifts
Ski pass price (Main season adult day pass)
Ski review score
Après-ski score
Source: skiresort.info. Where ski pass prices weren’t available on skiresort.info, prices were sourced from sno.co.uk.
Number of Instagram hashtags
The number of hashtagged posts for ski areas and resorts.
Average annual snowfall (cm)
Source: onthesnow.co.uk. Inches converted to centimetres using Google.
Snowboard review score
Source: worldsnowboardguide.com. As resorts were scored on a scale of 0-10, we divided the score by two for consistency. Where only text reviews were available and no score was given, resorts received 0 points.
Quality of accommodation
Average customer review score sourced from Booking.com. Review score divided by 2 for consistency.
Hashtags and slope difficulty were given half-weighting as while Insta-worthiness and the length of slope by difficulty might be important to some, they may be less of a consideration for others.
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