With greater than 6,000 ski resorts worldwide, selecting the best one on your winter getaway can really feel just a little overwhelming.
To assist slender down the checklist, Forbes Advisor analysed the standard, value and accessibility of greater than 6,000 standalone and linked ski resorts to create a shortlist of the 50 greatest ski and snowboarding locations on the earth.
Resorts have been scored on 14 various factors together with the size and number of slopes, skier and snowboarder critiques, the standard of the après-ski scene, and worth for cash, to create a ski index rating that grades resorts from 0 to 100.
So, whether or not you’re an skilled skier in search of loads of black runs, or a relative newcomer gearing up for ski-school, the Forbes Advisor World Ski Index units out the most effective locations for this ski season throughout a spread of budgets.
World’s High Ski Resorts
Our examine discovered Les Trois Vallées, a big linked ski space within the French Alps, to be probably the most fascinating winter sports activities vacation spot on the earth primarily based on our standards.
In actual fact, European locations carried out greatest general with French, Swiss and Austrian resorts accounting for 9 of the highest 10 in our rating. Coming in ninth place, Colorado’s Vail ski resort in North America was the one entry exterior Europe that made it into our prime 10.
We’ve highlighted the 50 locations that acquired the best ski resort scores, and pulled out the highest performers for particular standards together with Greatest Resorts In North America, Greatest Resorts For Superior Skiers, Greatest Resorts For Freshmen and Greatest Resorts For Après-Ski. We’ve additionally checked out the most effective general international locations for snowboarding around the globe.
For extra particulars on precisely how these locations are ranked, check with our methodology on the finish of this text.
Greatest Ski Resorts General
1. Les Trois Vallées, Savoie, France
Ski Index Rating: 84.42 out of 100
Nestled within the Northern French Alps, Les Trois Vallées is the world’s largest linked ski space, with a community of 600 km of slopes spanning eight resorts – all of which could be accessed for £59 (€68) a day. The world ranges from the celebration city of Val Thorens to extra family-friendly locations resembling Meribel.
As a result of its sheer measurement, the number of snowboarding provided by Les Trois Vallées – which is definitely made up of 4 valleys not three, the Saint-Bon, Allues, Belleville, and Maurienne valleys – is virtually unmatched wherever on the earth, making it a wonderful vacation spot for skiers of all skills.
Thrill seekers will certainly need to head to Courchevel the place the Grand Couloir run is taken into account to be one of the vital difficult ski runs in Europe.
2. Les Portes du Soleil, Haute-Savoie/Valais, France/Switzerland
Ski Index Rating: 76.71 out of 100
One other massive ski space located on the French-Swiss border is Les Portes du Soleil. It stretches from Lake Geneva in Switzerland by way of to Mont Blanc in France, permitting guests to ski from one resort to a different with out ever having to ski the identical run twice.
Grownup ski passes value £51 (€59) a day, however cheaper area-specific ski passes can be found when you don’t require entry to the entire of Portes du Soleil.
3. Les Quatre Vallées, Savoie, France
Ski Index Rating: 66.88 out of 100
Consisting of Verbier, La Tzoumaz, Nendaz, Veysonnaz and Thyon-Les Collons, Les Quatre Vallées boasts wonderful snow circumstances and over 400 km of slopes catering to all skills.
Dwelling to a number of the most difficult snowboarding within the Alps, Verbier is the most important resort within the space. It’s famend for its off-piste choices and freestyle scene which attracts adrenaline junkies from all around the world.
High 10 Ski Resorts
Greatest Ski Resorts In North America
1. Vail, Colorado, USA
Ski Index Rating: 60.39 out of 100
One of many largest and best-known resorts within the US, Vail provides loads of slopes for skiers of all skills and ample après-ski alternatives in addition.
Vail’s virtually legendary extensive bowl-shaped slopes present extra skilled skiers and boarders with a number of the greatest bowl snowboarding on the earth, together with beautiful views of the Rockies – as evidenced by greater than 1.3 million hashtags on Instagram.
2. Whistler Blackcomb, Whistler, Canada
Ski Index Rating: 56.34 out of 100
Comprised of two neighbouring mountains of the identical title, Whistler Blackcomb is Canada’s largest ski resort with over 200 marked trails.
Whether or not you’re in search of mild slopes or steep alpine bowls, Whistler Blackcomb has all of it – together with zones reserved for kids and households.
Other than the snowboarding, the PEAK 2 PEAK gondola which connects Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains is the world’s longest unsupported carry. The 4.4 km journey provides beautiful views of the encircling mountains and takes round 11 minutes to finish.
3. Lake Louise, Banff Nationwide Park, Canada
Ski Index Rating: 52.78 out of 100
Situated in Banff Nationwide Park within the coronary heart of the Canadian Rockies, and residential to the famend Fairmont Chateau, Lake Louise is among the many most picturesque locations on the earth.
The biggest of Banff’s ‘Massive Three’ ski resorts with 139 km of slopes, Lake Louise supplies loads of selection for skiers and boarders of all means ranges.
With grownup day passes costing as a lot as £97 ($149 Canadian {Dollars}) throughout the principle ski season, guests can even need to consider the price of tickets to Banff Nationwide Park itself.
Greatest Resorts For Superior Skiers
1. Massive Sky, Montana, USA – 126 km of black slopes
Ski Index Rating – 45.06 out of 100
Massive Sky will hold superior skiers occupied for days with its 126 km of black slopes and one of many greatest ‘vertical drops’ – one of many longest descents – in North America.
With no main cities close by, the après scene isn’t probably the most energetic. Nevertheless, the absence of crowds within the night offers you loads of room on the slopes within the daytime.
2. Snowmass, Colorado, USA – 111 km of black slopes
Ski Index Rating – 52.61 out of 100
Aspen Snowmass is made up of 4 ski areas, Aspen Mountain (often known as Ajax), Buttermilk, Snowmass and Aspen Highlands, all linked by a free shuttle service.
The various terrain right here provides one thing for everybody. Excessive sports activities followers will probably be most conversant in Buttermilk, having been the host of the Winter X Video games since 2002.
3. Les Quatre Vallées, Val d’Hérens, Switzerland – 103 km of black slopes
Ski Index Rating – 66.88 out of 100
The biggest all-Swiss ski space, a large 25% of Les Quatre Vallées’ 412 km of pistes are made up of black runs.
Superior skiers in search of a problem can check their mettle on the Piste de L’Ours which has hosted greater than 30 Downhill Ski World Cups.
Greatest Ski Resorts For Freshmen
1. Les Trois Vallées, Savoie, France – 312 km of blue slopes
Ski Index Rating – 84.42 out of 100
With 600 km of pistes unfold throughout 8 resorts, greater than half (52%) is made up of blue pistes. Les Trois Vallées is a superb vacation spot for brand new and fewer skilled skiers to hone their abilities whereas offering loads of selection.
2. Les Portes du Soleil, Haute-Savoie/Valais, France/Switzerland – 310 km of blue slopes
Ski Index Rating – 76.71 out of 100
Situated simply an hour and a half from Geneva, Les Portes du Soleil’s 310 km of blue slopes make it one of the vital accessible ski areas for freshmen.
3. Val d’Isère, Savoie, France – 170 km of blue slopes
Ski Index Rating – 59.87 out of 100
One among Europe’s best-known resorts, Val d’Isère had historically catered extra in direction of intermediate and superior skiers, nonetheless, the event of the Solaise sector noticed the addition of terrain higher suited to freshmen and households.
Greatest Ski Resorts For Snowboarding
1. Vail, Colorado, USA
Ski Index Rating: 60.39 out of 100
Regardless of being on the costlier facet of issues and drawing massive crowds, Vail scored prime marks from snowboarders. Between its again bowls and terrain parks, there’s one thing for everybody at Vail.
2. Serre Chevalier, Hautes-Alpes, France
Ski Index Rating: 58.32 out of 100
With its excessive drop-offs, banks and gullies, and a large pure snow park, Serre Chevalier is among the greatest locations to journey in France, in keeping with our analysis.
The terrain park and icy halfpipe in Villeneuve can even present loads of enjoyable for freestylers.
3. Whistler Blackcomb, Whistler, Canada
Ski Index Rating: 56.34 out of 100
Thought-about by many to be the most effective resort in North America, Whistler’s status as a winter sports activities paradise was reaffirmed when it co-hosted the Winter Olympics again in 2010.
A draw back of its success nonetheless implies that carry queues could be lengthy, notably in main vacation seasons.
Greatest Resorts For Après-Ski
1. Les Trois Vallées, Savoie, France
Ski Index Rating: 84.42 out of 100
With its third look, Les Trois Vallées proves why it’s thought of to be the jewel in Europe’s snowboarding crown.
From the nightlife of Val Thorens to the Michelin-starred eating places of Courchevel, the après choices are quite a few and different.
2. Ski Arlberg, Vorarlberg, Austria
Ski Index Rating: 66.05 out of 100
Between its après huts, umbrella bars, and golf equipment, St. Anton is thought for having among the finest après scenes in The Alps.
For those who’re in search of a extra subtle expertise, Lech supplies post-slope choices that embrace champagne and oysters – however this luxurious expertise gained’t come low cost.
3. Silvretta Enviornment, Tyrol/Samnaun, Austria/Switzerland
Ski Index Rating: 61.70 out of 100
Additionally scoring prime marks for its après scene, Ischgl within the Silvretta Enviornment ski space is properly generally known as a celebration hotspot.
Whereas Ischgl is virtually a snow-covered Ibiza, Samnaun village is a bit more relaxed and higher suited for many who favor a quiet drink over raging events.
Greatest Nations For Snowboarding
1. Austria – 14 Ski Resorts
(Common Ski Index Rating: 52.16)
Dwelling to greater than 1 / 4 (28%) of our prime 50 ski resorts, Austria’s conventional alpine attraction and spectacular snow-covered peaks make it one of many world’s hottest snowboarding locations.
With terrain starting from steep runs to mild slopes, Austria has one thing to go well with skiers of all expertise ranges and is a well-liked vacation spot for households.
2. France – 11 Ski Resorts
(Common Ski Index Rating: 56.21)
Whether or not it’s Val Thorens and Courchevel in Les Trois Vallées, Val d’Isere, or the Chamonix Valley, France is dwelling to a number of the world’s most iconic ski resorts.
From energetic après scenes to quiet family-friendly resorts, and once-in-a-lifetime luxurious experiences to budget-friendly choices, France has all of it.
3. Switzerland – 9 Ski Resorts
(Common Ski Index Rating: 57.41)
Between the beautiful surroundings and wonderful ski circumstances, the Swiss Alps needs to be on each winter sports activities lover’s want checklist.
With a mean rating of 57.4, the standard of Switzerland’s ski resorts is second to none. Nevertheless, that is mirrored within the worth, with Swiss resorts typically being costlier than their European neighbours.
High 50 Ski Resorts In The World
Laura Howard, journey insurance coverage skilled at Forbes Advisor, mentioned: “As a result of Covid-19 pandemic, many winter sports activities lovers would have discovered themselves taking an surprising hiatus from the slopes over the previous couple of years. And there’ll little question be some individuals who have discovered themselves build up a little bit of a backlog of dream locations consequently.
“To assist folks prioritise their bucket checklist, we checked out key components such because the size and number of slopes, critiques, après-ski scene and common prices to create a definitive rating of the world’s greatest winter sports activities locations.
“Whether or not you’re an skilled skier or a relative beginner, accidents occur, and even the most effective skiers take a tumble infrequently. So, earlier than you hit the slopes, ensure that your journey insurance coverage coverage has sufficient winter sports activities cowl, together with any exclusions on the subject of high-risk pursuits apart from snowboarding, resembling snow-kiting, and any stipulations, such because the requirement to put on a helmet for canopy to stay in place.”
Be sure to’re coated earlier than you hit the slopes and compare travel insurance deals with Forbes Advisor.
Methodology
Ski locations have been ranked on the standard, value and accessibility of their snowboarding and snowboarding expertise, in addition to social components like their après-ski scene and Instagram worthiness.
Resorts have been scored on their relative efficiency within the under classes utilizing a min-max normalisation system and outcomes have been totalled to create an general index rating with a most potential rating of 100.
- Complete size of slopes
- Size of slopes by problem
- Variety of ski lifts
- Ski cross worth (Major season grownup day cross)
- Ski overview rating
- Après-ski rating
Supply: skiresort.data. The place ski cross costs weren’t obtainable on skiresort.data, costs have been sourced from sno.co.uk.
- Variety of Instagram hashtags – appropriate as of 03/10/2022
The variety of hashtagged posts for ski areas and resorts.
- Common annual snowfall (cm)
Supply: onthesnow.co.uk. Inches transformed to centimetres utilizing Google.
Supply: worldsnowboardguide.com. As resorts have been scored on a scale of 0-10, we divided the rating by two for consistency. The place solely textual content critiques have been obtainable and no rating was given, resorts acquired 0 factors.
- High quality of lodging
Common buyer overview rating sourced from Reserving.com. Overview rating divided by 2 for consistency.
Hashtags and slope problem got half-weighting as whereas Insta-worthiness and the size of slope by problem could be essential to some, they could be much less of a consideration for others.
Foreign money conversions appropriate as of 14/10/2022
