Best Ski Destinations
Take in the soaring mountain vista from atop the ski lift; feel the cold air nipping at your cheeks; experience the rush of adrenalin as you carve the snow, gliding down the run. There's nothing quite like a day on the slopes. And if you're wondering where to go, just take a look below at the world's best places to ski. This list takes into account the breathtaking views, the variety of runs, the amount of skiable acres and the best things to do when the ski lifts close for the night. So, go on: Hop a plane, a bus or into your own car. The slopes are calling.
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Why Go: Innsbruck is known as the "Capital of the Alps." And how did it earn that esteemed title? This snowy Mecca has hosted the Winter Olympics twice, harbors nine ski resorts and contains several historic attractions that absorb your non-ski time. Plus, Innsbruck's numerous alpine options make it appropriate for skiers of all levels. Read More»
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Why Go: Banff enjoys some prime real estate in the Canadian Rockies. Sunshine Village is the most popular place for downhill skiing, but there are several other choices like Mount Norquay and Lake Louise. And when you're all skied out, you'll find plenty of things to do, such as walking across a glacier at Columbia Icefield and relishing the nightlife. Read More»
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Why Go: Aspen is one of the States' poshest places to strap on skis. With a handful of resorts (like historic Aspen Mountain, ultra-popular Snowmass and the beginner-friendly Buttermilk), we suggest making an appearance at each. But the gorgeous slopes are only part of Aspen's indulgence. When the ski lifts close for the night, visitors curl up in the many luxurious lodges and hotels. Read More»
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Why Go: Burrowed between the Gore and Sawatch mountain ranges, Vail annually lures thousands of skiers and snowboarders to its slopes. And it's not difficult to see why: Vail Ski Resort contains no less than 5,289 skiable acres, making it the largest single-mountain resort in the country. In the evenings, skiers can head to Vail Village -- Colorado's twist on the Swiss ski town of Zermatt -- for shopping, dining and nightlife. Read More»
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Why Go: Zurich is known as the "Gateway to the Swiss Alps," and as such, some of Europe's best skiing is found nearby. There are a number of places to slide down the pistes (aka slopes), but many of the best resorts like Beckenried, Flumserberg, Engelberg and Andermatt also offer miles of cross-country trails. Read More»
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Why Go: Vail and Aspen are Colorado's most luxurious ski towns, but Telluride enjoys a rustic charm that's equally enchanting. Boasting 1,700 skiable acres, the Telluride Ski Resort is the main place to hit the powder. But it's the unlikely pairing of 300 sunny days and 300 inches of snow each year that makes Telluride a skier's heaven. In the evenings, you can replenish calories lost on the slopes and throw back some drinks at a bar in Mountain Village. Read More»
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Why Go: Snow bunnies love Vancouver because of the three ski options within a 30-minute drive of the city center. Each one claims its own superlative: Grouse Mountain is the most accessible; Mount Seymour sees the most snowfall; and Cypress Mountain has the biggest vertical drop. Plus, epic Whistler, site of the 2010 Winter Olympics, is just a two-hour drive away. Read More»
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Why Go: Calgary stretches across a prairie, right beside the Canadian Rockies. This former cowtown is now a bright and shiny metropolis, making it a great home base for a skiing vacation. You get all the charms of a city with world-class skiing. Plus, Calgary is just an hour away from Nakiska (the site of the 1988 Winter Olympics) and an hour and a half from Banff. Read More»
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Why Go: Just about 15 miles outside of northwest Lake Tahoe is Squaw Valley USA, home to the 1960 Winter Olympics and around 4,000 skiable acres. Visitors to this ski resort love its variety of runs, which appeal to novice, intermediate and advanced powder junkies. But with six other resorts surrounding the lake, don't limit yourself to just one. Read More»
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Why Go: At the mention of Munich, most of us immediately think of beer. But we should also start associating this German city with the Alps. We suggest you take multiple daytrips to the different ski areas, some of which (Wallberg and Alpspitze) are less than 60 miles away. And what can be better than sipping a hearty Bavarian lager, after a day on the slopes? Read More»
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Why Go: Aside from being one of the most photogenic locales on the planet, Jackson Hole is also a pretty gnarly place to hit the slopes. Three ski resorts pepper the Greater Jackson Hole area, but of these, the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is clearly the favorite. It boasts an annual 400 inches of snowfall, 2,500 acres of skiable terrain and 4,139 feet of vertical drop. Also, the historic Snow King Resort and the beginner-friendly Grand Targhee Resort are worth checking out. Read More»
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