It’s that time of year when your search history will be filled with variations on “top ski destinations,” “best ski resorts in the world,” and “great après-ski areas.” A ski holiday is, after all, the perfect occasion to don new snow pants that match your favorite wool sweater and model them out on the slopes, and follow a day on the mountain with a cozy bonfire with friends or a night of partying in local ski towns. Whether you’re sticking to beginner runs or know your way around black diamonds, plan ahead for the perfect trip at a premium resort. Here are some of the best ski destinations in the world, from North America to the French Alps.
Aspen, Colorado
Colorado is home to several world-class resorts, from Vail to Breckenridge. But Aspen-Snowmass takes the cake for its easy access to four fantastic mountains (Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, and Snowmass), live music options, and many excellent restaurants. Each mountain resort offers intimate dining opportunities, like Lynn Britt Cabin on the slopes of Snowmass, where foodies can eat and drink in a private cabin in the mountains, or Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro high up on Aspen Highlands, which boasts an iconic Alpine atmosphere and a champagne-spraying après-ski scene. Meanwhile, the town of Aspen itself boasts world-class shopping, restaurants, hotels, and museums. Grab a drink at the Little Nell, peruse the town and its Bottega Veneta store, and have dinner at White House Tavern after.
Whistler Blackcomb, Canada
Take a hop and a skip outside the USA and find yourself in British Columbia at Whistler Blackcomb. The two mountains, Whistler and Blackcomb, combine to create the largest ski resort in North America; its PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola is the longest and highest continuous lift system worldwide. The resort’s global stature is proved, as well, by the Whistler Blackcomb having hosted a number of sports events during the 2010 Winter Olympics. The neighboring village has exciting nightlife for your dining and après-ski needs, from shops and cafés to bars and memorable nightlife like the GLC and Dusty’s.
Zermatt, Switzerland
Take your snow days and ski runs to the highest possible altitude in Switzerland. Zermatt offers beautifully groomed slopes where visitors can experience the thrill of freeskiing, plus hiking and climbing. And Zermatt’s helicopters aren’t just used for emergencies: The Swiss resort offers sightseeing via helicopter as well as heliskiing, whisking adrenaline-seeking skiers to trails only reachable from the sky. Then, cap off your time at Michelin-starred restaurants like After Seven and Alpine Gourmet Prato Borni.
Val d’Isère, France
The French ski scene is competitive, to say the least, from Mont-Blanc in Chamonix to Courchevel. But Val d’Isère is worth the spot on your bucket list for its traditional charm, 90 ski lifts, and seemingly endless off-piste options. Located in the French Alps near the border with Italy, this European resort has an experience for everyone, whether you re bringing the whole family or looking for a romantic getaway, thanks to its over 186 miles of terrain. Among its many miles, Val d’Isère has plenty of dining options, such as Dick’s Tea Bar, as well as other fun experiences like ice skating and tobogganing.
Deer Valley, Utah
Deer Valley has been a hit for every one of its 43 years of existence. Created explicitly to bring a more luxurious experience than the (then still mostly gnarly) ski-grom life, at Deer Valley, you don’t huck your skis across muddy parking lots on your shoulder: You hand them off to the smiling and well-dressed ski valets, who store them for you for free. And it’s all done without sacrificing anything in the way of stunning terrain.
Recently, though, the resort announced that they’d be taking over vast amounts of new, adjacent, skiable terrain, more than doubling its size—and the project is a year ahead of schedule, meaning that this year there are an additional 20 ski runs, six bubble lifts, and three chair lifts. Deer Valley East Village, as the new expansion is dubbed, also features a new base town. With all of this, the resort—similar to an upscale boutique in terms of terrain and service—has now become one of the largest in the country. One thing that isn’t changing, though? The meticulous quality (not to mention the immense quantity) of the snow—credit is due here to the specific Alpine terroir of Utah’s Wasatch Range—which ranks among the absolute best that can be found anywhere in the world: It’s flaky and fluffy while still managing to retain some substance. And it’s magic.
As for where to stay? The Stein Eriksen Lodge is the gold standard here—arguably the best ski hotel in the country, modeled after the grand ski lodges of Europe and encompassing everything from incredible food and wine, to an unforgettable spa (start with their signature Sea to Ski treatment), pools, child care, easy shuttles into Park City for more exploring, shopping, eating, and/or drinking.
St. Moritz, Switzerland
The famed ski area of St. Moritz has three main mountains: Corviglia, Corvatsch, and Diavolezza. The latter is for those who prefer a mountain right in town, whereas the former two have more challenging terrain but are a car—and cable ride—away. Each one boasts breathtaking views of the Swiss Alps: there s a reason, after all, that famed photographer Slim Aarons regularly turned his lens on the winter playground.
Although it could have been because of the people as much as the peaks. St. Moritz has long attracted a glamorous crowd—in the 1950s, Alfred Hitchcock, Charlie Chaplin, and Coco Chanel were frequent guests at Badrutt’s Palace, and in Paradiso Mountain Club at the top of Corviglia, you’ll spot patrons in head-to-toe Fulsap or Gucci. (Read Vogue’s full guide to the ski town and its resorts here.)
Niseko United, Japan
It might be a bit farther afield than your usual ski destination, but this Japanese ski resort is more than worth the trip. Located on the island of Hokkaido, Niseko United brings together four resorts on one mountain, taking winter sports to the next level for skiers and snowboarders alike with its breathtaking views and some of the driest, lightest snow powder in the world. The variety of terrain means even more options for what kind of slope you’ll be racing down, but with the guarantee that any slope you choose will be smooth sailing. Sign up for a snowshoe tour or try out a guided snowmobile ride through the pristine snow before exploring the numerous cuisine options, from local Japanese to Scandinavian.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort’s 2,500 acres of terrain, stretching all the way to Bridger-Teton National Forest, make the backcountry skiing opportunities feel endless. This skiing experience should catch the eyes of all those thrill-seekers looking to customize their backcountry ski trip with fun and challenging obstacles, reached with minimum hiking. (Bonus: Early gondola access is offered, too.) If you’re really ready to push yourself, test your skills on the world-famous chute, Corbet’s Couloir, shaped like an upside-down funnel. Intense and intimidating, the chute is for the brave skiers willing to seemingly defy gravity.
Arlberg, Austria
Don t forgo Ski Arlberg on your list of options. The Austrian resort is the biggest connected ski resort in the country (consisting of St. Anton–St. Christoph–Stuben, Lech–Oberlech–Zürs, and Warth-Schröcken—we know, it’s a mouthful) and one of the five largest ski resorts worldwide. With some of the best snow for skiing and snowboarding, Arlberg is often regarded as the epicenter of winter sports, with over 125 miles of deep snow runs and diverse slope options. Wrap up your mountain races with other snow-lovers in the après-ski scene by partying among DJs at Mooserwirt.
Gstaad, Switzerland
The difficulty of Gstaad’s ski runs may not be on the level of, say, a Jackson Hole, but it’s the cultural scene around it that makes it best in class: stay at the Gstaad Palace and play backgammon in its famous living room, or sip hot chocolate in the living dollhouse that is the Hotel Grand Bellevue. The town, meanwhile, is full of designer boutiques and galleries like Gagosian and Maddox. After a day on the slopes, make sure to head to Hotel Olden’s charming restaurant for a heaping plate of penne alla vodka.