Best Ski Resorts in the World: 25 Mountains Every Skier Should Visit

Choosing the Right Mountain Changes Everything

A ski trip is one of the most exhilarating -- and expensive -- vacations you can take. Lift tickets, gear rental, accommodation, and meals add up fast. Choosing the wrong resort for your ability level, your travel style, or your budget can turn an expensive week into a frustrating one. This guide breaks down 25 of the world's best ski resorts across the Alps, the Rockies, Japan, Scandinavia, South America, and Oceania, with specific data on vertical drop, skiable terrain, lift ticket prices, snow reliability, and the intangibles that separate a good resort from a great one.

The Master Comparison Table

Resort	Country	Vertical Drop	Skiable Area	Lift Ticket (1 Day)	Snow Reliability	Beginner	Expert
Zermatt	Switzerland	2,200m	360 km	CHF 98 ($108)	High	7/10	9/10
Chamonix	France	2,807m	170 km	72 EUR ($78)	High	4/10	10/10
Val d'Isere/Tignes	France	1,900m	300 km	70 EUR ($76)	Very High	7/10	9/10
St. Anton	Austria	1,507m	305 km	74 EUR ($80)	High	5/10	10/10
Verbier	Switzerland	1,853m	410 km (4 Vallees)	CHF 79 ($87)	High	5/10	10/10
Cortina d'Ampezzo	Italy	1,315m	120 km	73 EUR ($79)	Moderate	7/10	7/10
Lech-Zurs	Austria	1,165m	305 km (Ski Arlberg)	74 EUR ($80)	Very High	8/10	8/10
Whistler Blackcomb	Canada	1,609m	3,307 ha	CAD 239 ($176)	High	8/10	9/10
Vail	USA	1,052m	2,140 ha	$259	High	8/10	8/10
Jackson Hole	USA	1,262m	1,012 ha	$219	High	5/10	10/10
Niseko	Japan	940m	887 ha (united)	7,500 JPY ($50)	Very High	7/10	8/10
Hakuba	Japan	1,071m	800+ ha (valley)	6,200 JPY ($41)	High	7/10	8/10
Portillo	Chile	800m	500 ha	$78 USD	Moderate	6/10	8/10
Las Lenas	Argentina	1,230m	1,600 ha	$65 USD	Moderate	4/10	10/10

The Alps

1. Zermatt -- Switzerland

Zermatt sits beneath the Matterhorn, arguably the most recognizable mountain silhouette in the world. The resort is car-free (you arrive by cog railway from Tasch), the skiing connects across the border to Cervinia in Italy, and the Klein Matterhorn glacier ensures some snow-sure terrain even in warm winters. The vertical drop of 2,200 meters is one of the largest in the Alps.

Terrain: 360 km of pistes, 55% intermediate, 25% advanced, 20% beginner. Off-piste opportunities are extensive with a guide.

Season: Late November through late April; glacier skiing available year-round.

Cost Breakdown: 1-day lift pass CHF 98 ($108); 6-day pass CHF 424 ($467). Accommodation averages CHF 200 to $500/night for mid-range hotels. A restaurant lunch on the mountain runs CHF 25 to $40.

Apres-Ski: Hennu Stall at the base of the Sunnegga funicular is the go-to, with DJs and an outdoor terrace facing the Matterhorn. Papperla Pub and the Vernissage Cinema/Bar are late-night options.

Expert Pick: Hire a guide from the Zermatt Alpine Center (from CHF 500/day for a private guide) to ski the Triftji Shoulder or the Italian side's off-piste bowls.

2. Chamonix -- France

Chamonix is not a resort; it is a mountain town with multiple separate ski areas linked by a shuttle bus. What it lacks in convenience, it makes up for in raw mountain grandeur. The Vallee Blanche descent -- a 20 km off-piste route down the Mer de Glace glacier from the Aiguille du Midi (3,842 meters) -- is one of the most famous ski runs on Earth.

Terrain: 170 km of marked pistes across five areas (Les Grands Montets, Brevent-Flegere, Le Tour, Les Houches, Aiguille du Midi). The off-piste and couloir skiing is world-class.

Season: December through April. Les Grands Montets often opens in November.

Cost Breakdown: Mont Blanc Unlimited pass (6 days) 380 EUR ($413). Budget accommodation in hostels and apartments from 50 EUR/night; hotels 120 to 400 EUR.

Apres-Ski: MBC (Micro Brasserie de Chamonix) for craft beer, Chambre Neuf for live music, and the Monkey Bar for cocktails.

Expert Pick: The Couloir Poubelle at Les Grands Montets and the Pas de Chevre on the Vallee Blanche route. A mountain guide is mandatory for the Vallee Blanche (from 350 EUR/day for a group of 4).

3. Val d'Isere / Tignes -- France

Connected as the Espace Killy ski domain, these two resorts offer 300 km of pistes at altitude, with the main ski area sitting between 1,800 and 3,456 meters. Snow reliability is among the best in the Alps. Val d'Isere hosted the 2009 Alpine World Ski Championships and multiple World Cup events.

Terrain: 300 km of pistes. The Face de Bellevarde (the Olympic downhill course) is a must-ski for advanced skiers. L'Espace Killy's high altitude means snow lasts well into May.

Season: Late November through early May. The Grande Motte glacier in Tignes opens for autumn skiing in October.

Cost Breakdown: 6-day Espace Killy pass 370 EUR ($402). Val d'Isere is the more expensive town for accommodation (apartments from 100 EUR/night); Tignes is more affordable (from 70 EUR/night).

Apres-Ski: La Folie Douce (the most famous apres-ski in the Alps, with outdoor DJs at 2,600 meters), Cocorico, and Dick's Tea Bar.

4. St. Anton am Arlberg -- Austria

The birthplace of Alpine skiing (the Arlberg technique was developed here in the 1920s). St. Anton is unapologetically expert-oriented, with steep couloirs, extensive off-piste terrain, and a legendary party scene.

Terrain: 305 km of pistes (shared with Lech-Zurs as Ski Arlberg). The Valluga summit (2,811 meters) offers a guided descent through near-vertical terrain. Run 15 (the Schindlerkar) is one of the most challenging marked runs in Austria.

Season: December through late April.

Cost Breakdown: 6-day Ski Arlberg pass 390 EUR ($424). St. Anton has a wide range of accommodation: hostels from 40 EUR/night, guesthouses from 80 EUR, hotels from 150 EUR.

Apres-Ski: Arguably the best in the world. The Mooserwirt and the Krazy Kanguruh at the base of the Galzig slope start rocking at 3 PM. The Taps Bar and Piccadilly Pub continue into the early hours.

5. Verbier -- Switzerland

Verbier is the jewel of the 4 Vallees, Switzerland's largest ski domain with 410 km of pistes. The resort attracts a sophisticated international crowd and is known for its challenging freeride terrain, particularly the Mont Fort glacier area and the Bec des Rosses (home to the Freeride World Tour finale).

Terrain: Steep and demanding. The Mont Fort descent from 3,330 meters and the backside itinerary routes (marked but not groomed or controlled) are for experts only. Beginners have limited terrain close to the village.

Season: Late November through mid-April.

Cost Breakdown: 6-day 4 Vallees pass CHF 416 ($458). Verbier is expensive: studio apartments from CHF 150/night, chalets from CHF 400. A mountain restaurant lunch averages CHF 30 to 45.

Apres-Ski: Pub Mont Fort (the "PuMF") is the legendary starting point. Le Rouge and Farinet are upscale options.

North America

6. Whistler Blackcomb -- British Columbia, Canada

The largest ski resort in North America by skiable terrain, with two mountains, three glaciers, and terrain for every level. The Peak 2 Peak Gondola connecting Whistler and Blackcomb mountains spans 4.4 km and hangs 436 meters above the valley floor.

Terrain: 3,307 hectares of skiable terrain, 8,171 acres, over 200 marked runs. The Couloir Extreme, Ruby Bowl, and Spanky's Ladder on Blackcomb offer expert steep skiing. The long cruising runs on Whistler (Peak to Creek, 11 km) are perfect for intermediates.

Season: Late November through late May; glacier skiing on Blackcomb into June.

Cost Breakdown: Walk-up day ticket CAD 239 ($176 USD). Epic Pass ($841 USD for the full season) includes unlimited Whistler Blackcomb access. Village accommodation: hostels from CAD 50/night, hotels from CAD 200.

Apres-Ski: GLC (Garibaldi Lift Company) at the base of Whistler, Longhorn Saloon, and Bearfoot Bistro for upscale cocktails.

7. Vail -- Colorado, USA

Vail's Back Bowls -- 1,200 hectares of open, treeless terrain -- are unlike anything else in Colorado. The front side offers perfectly groomed cruisers, while Blue Sky Basin adds gladed expert terrain. The resort town, modeled on a Bavarian village, is polished and expensive.

Terrain: 2,140 hectares, 195 trails. The Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin are the main draw for advanced skiers. The front side is groomer paradise. Beginner terrain is well-designed at Golden Peak and Lionshead.

Season: Mid-November through mid-April.

Cost Breakdown: Walk-up day ticket $259. Epic Pass ($841 for the full season) covers Vail plus 40+ other resorts. Lodging: budget options in nearby Minturn or Edwards ($100 to $150/night); Vail Village hotels $300 to $800/night.

Apres-Ski: The Red Lion is a Vail institution. The George and 10th Mountain Whiskey Bar are more refined.

8. Jackson Hole -- Wyoming, USA

Jackson Hole consistently ranks as the most challenging ski resort in North America. Corbet's Couloir -- a near-vertical chute accessed by a mandatory air drop from the top -- is the most famous in-bounds expert run in the United States.

Terrain: 1,012 hectares, 133 trails. Continuous vertical of 1,262 meters from top to bottom. The Expert Chutes, Headwall, and Casper Bowl are relentless. Beginners should be aware that only 10% of the terrain is rated green.

Season: Early December through early April.

Cost Breakdown: Walk-up day ticket $219. Ikon Pass ($1,259 for the full season) includes Jackson Hole. Town of Jackson lodging from $120/night; Teton Village slopeside from $250.

Apres-Ski: The Mangy Moose at the base of the tram is a Jackson Hole institution, with live music and a rowdy atmosphere.

9. Big Sky -- Montana, USA

Big Sky has the most skiable acreage of any resort in the United States (5,800+ acres with the Moonlight Basin expansion). Lone Mountain's summit, accessible by the Lone Peak Tram, offers 4,350 feet of continuous vertical -- the most of any lift-served terrain in the US.

Terrain: 5,800 acres, 317 runs. The Big Couloir off Lone Mountain is one of the most extreme in-bounds chutes in the country. The massive size means you can ski fresh tracks days after a storm.

Season: Late November through mid-April.

Cost Breakdown: Day ticket $199. Ikon Pass includes Big Sky. Slopeside lodging from $180/night; condos in the Mountain Village from $150.

10. Park City / Deer Valley -- Utah, USA

Park City Mountain Resort (the largest in the US by acreage, 7,300+ acres after merging with Canyons) and Deer Valley (an upscale, skiers-only resort next door) together make Park City one of the most compelling ski destinations in the world. Salt Lake City airport is just 37 miles away, making it one of the most accessible major ski destinations globally.

Terrain: Park City: 7,300 acres, 341 trails. Deer Valley: 2,026 acres, 103 runs. Deer Valley limits daily skier numbers and bans snowboarding, resulting in uncrowded, perfectly groomed slopes.

Season: Late November through mid-April.

Cost Breakdown: Park City day ticket $239 (Epic Pass included). Deer Valley day ticket $269 (Ikon Pass included). Historic Main Street lodging from $150/night.

Japan

11. Niseko -- Hokkaido

Niseko receives an average of 15 meters of snowfall annually -- some of the deepest, driest powder on Earth. The town has a significant international community (particularly Australian), excellent English-language infrastructure, and a food scene that blends Japanese cuisine with international options.

Terrain: 887 hectares across four interconnected resorts (Grand Hirafu, Hanazono, Niseko Village, Annupuri). The tree skiing in Niseko is legendary. The backcountry gates give access to extensive off-piste terrain.

Season: Late November through early May. January and February for peak powder.

Cost Breakdown: All-mountain 1-day pass 7,500 JPY ($50 USD). Accommodation ranges from 3,000 JPY/night in a hostel to 50,000+ JPY for a luxury condo. A ramen lunch costs about 1,000 JPY ($7).

Apres-Ski: Bar Gyu+ (craft cocktails), Tamashii Bar (local favorite), and the outdoor onsens (hot springs) that are the real apres-ski experience in Japan. Hilton Niseko Village has a rooftop onsen with mountain views.

12. Hakuba Valley -- Honshu

Hakuba hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics and offers 10 interconnected resorts across a wide valley backed by the Northern Japanese Alps. The combination of Olympic-grade terrain, deep powder, traditional Japanese culture, and lower prices than Niseko makes it a compelling choice.

Terrain: 800+ hectares across the valley. Happo-one is the largest and most famous area (Olympic downhill course). Cortina is the best for deep powder. Goryu and Hakuba 47 offer the best parks.

Season: December through April. Mid-January through February for the most consistent powder.

Cost Breakdown: Happo-one day pass 6,200 JPY ($41). Hakuba Valley season pass 88,000 JPY ($580). Pension-style accommodation from 5,000 JPY/night with breakfast.

Southern Hemisphere and Beyond

13. Portillo -- Chile

The oldest ski resort in South America, Portillo sits on the shore of Laguna del Inca at 2,880 meters in the Andes. The resort operates as a single hotel with a capacity limit of 450 guests, meaning lifts are never crowded. The steep, open bowls above the resort receive consistent Andean snowfall.

Terrain: 500 hectares, 35 runs. The Va-et-Vient (slingshot tow) gives access to steep chutes above Laguna del Inca. The Roca Jack couloirs are for experts only.

Season: Mid-June through early October (Southern Hemisphere winter).

Cost Breakdown: Day ticket $78 USD (if staying off-property in Los Andes). Full-board hotel packages from $2,000 USD/week per person including lift pass, meals, and wine.

14. Las Lenas -- Argentina

Las Lenas is South America's most extreme ski resort, with above-treeline terrain at 2,240 to 3,430 meters. When the Marte chairlift opens (weather-dependent), it accesses some of the most challenging lift-served terrain in the world: steep couloirs, exposed ridges, and wide-open bowls.

Terrain: 1,600 hectares, 65 km of pistes. The off-piste terrain (when open) is limitless. This is not a resort for beginners -- the base area terrain is the easiest, and it is still rated intermediate.

Season: Mid-June through mid-October.

Cost Breakdown: Day ticket approximately $65 USD. On-site hotel packages from $150 USD/night all-inclusive. The town of Los Molles (10 minutes away) offers budget hostels from $30/night.

15. Queenstown Ski Fields -- New Zealand

Queenstown is the gateway to four ski areas: The Remarkables, Coronet Peak, Cardrona, and Treble Cone. None are large by European or North American standards, but the stunning Southern Alps setting, uncrowded slopes, and the vibrant town of Queenstown make up for it.

Terrain: Treble Cone (550 hectares) has the longest vertical in the South Island. The Remarkables offer dramatic ridgeline views. Cardrona has the best terrain park in the Southern Hemisphere.

Season: Mid-June through October.

Cost Breakdown: Day tickets NZD 149 to $175 ($88 to $103 USD). Queenstown accommodation from NZD 40/night in hostels; hotels from NZD 180.

Scandinavia

16. Are -- Sweden

Sweden's largest ski resort with 91 runs and a 374-meter vertical. Reliable snow, short lift lines, and a charming Swedish village atmosphere. Day pass about 595 SEK ($55 USD). Season: November through May.

17. Levi -- Finland

Finland's most popular ski resort, above the Arctic Circle. Short vertical (325 meters) but reliable snow, Northern Lights, and a unique Lappish atmosphere. Day pass about 52 EUR. Season: October through May.

More Alpine Classics

18. Lech-Zurs -- Austria

The elegant sister resort to St. Anton (connected via the Ski Arlberg pass). Lech is more family-friendly and refined, with impeccable grooming and the famous White Ring ski circuit. Day pass 74 EUR.

19. Kitzbuhel -- Austria

Home to the Hahnenkamm downhill, the most famous and dangerous World Cup race on the circuit. The Streif course is open to the public (it is terrifyingly steep up close). Charming medieval town center with upscale shopping and dining. Day pass about 68 EUR.

20. Courchevel -- France

Part of Les 3 Vallees, the world's largest linked ski domain (600 km of pistes). Courchevel 1850 is the most exclusive ski village on Earth, with palace-rated hotels, Michelin-starred restaurants, and private jets landing at the tilted altiport. But Courchevel 1550 and La Tania offer much more affordable access to the same slopes. 6-day 3 Vallees pass about 365 EUR.

21. Engelberg -- Switzerland

The Titlis glacier (3,238 meters) offers the highest lift-served skiing in central Switzerland, with a revolving cable car and a glacier park. The Laub off-piste descent is a classic freeride route. Less expensive than Zermatt or Verbier. Day pass CHF 75.

22. Cervinia -- Italy

Connected to Zermatt across the border, Cervinia offers the Italian side of the Matterhorn skiing experience with significantly lower prices. Wide, long cruising runs, excellent pasta at mountain restaurants, and stunning Matterhorn views. Day pass about 57 EUR.

Budget-Friendly Options

23. Bansko -- Bulgaria

The best budget ski destination in Europe. Modern lift infrastructure, 70 km of pistes, and a charming old town with excellent Bulgarian cuisine. Day pass about 79 BGN ($43 USD). A beer at a mountain restaurant costs about 3 EUR. Accommodation from 30 EUR/night.

24. Gudauri -- Georgia

Georgia's premier ski resort, at 2,196 meters in the Caucasus Mountains. Uncrowded slopes, consistent snow, and developing infrastructure at incredibly low prices. Day pass about 45 GEL ($16 USD). A full Georgian feast with wine costs about $15 per person. Accommodation from $25/night.

25. Myoko Kogen -- Japan

Less famous than Niseko or Hakuba but with comparable snowfall (13+ meters annually) and a fraction of the crowds. The onsen culture is deeply authentic here, with historic hot spring inns (ryokan) offering the full Japanese winter experience. Day pass about 5,000 JPY ($33 USD).

Season Pass Value Comparison

Pass	Price (2025/26)	Key Resorts Included	Best For
Epic Pass	$841	Vail, Whistler, Park City, Verbier, Hakuba	Frequent skiers hitting multiple resorts
Ikon Pass	$1,259	Jackson Hole, Big Sky, Chamonix, Zermatt, Niseko	Expert skiers, international travelers
Mountain Collective	$579	Jackson Hole, Aspen, Banff, Chamonix, Valle Nevado	2-day samplers at 25 destinations
Indy Pass	$349	200+ independent resorts worldwide	Budget-conscious, off-the-beaten-path

Gear Rental vs. Buying

For a one-week trip, renting makes sense economically:

• Boot, ski, and pole rental: $40 to $70/day at resort shops; $25 to $45/day through online pre-booking (Ski Butlers, Black Tie Ski Rentals, or local shops booked via skiset.com in Europe)
• Demo-quality skis: $60 to $100/day but worth it if you want to try high-performance equipment
• Helmet rental: $10 to $15/day; strongly recommended and mandatory for children at most European resorts

Plan Your Ski Trip with TripGenie

Coordinating flights, transfers, accommodation, lift passes, gear rental, lessons, and restaurant reservations for a ski vacation is notoriously complex. TripGenie can help you plan the entire trip around your dates, budget, and skiing ability -- from choosing the right resort to building a day-by-day itinerary that maximizes your time on the mountain and minimizes logistical headaches.

Final Advice

Book early (lift passes, lodging, and lessons all cost less the earlier you commit), ski midweek when possible (Tuesday through Thursday are the least crowded days at virtually every resort), and never skip the sunscreen -- UV radiation at altitude is significantly stronger than at sea level, and snow reflects up to 80% of UV rays. See you on the mountain.