alpine skiing Mountains + Skiing Trip Ideas snow outdoor sky mountain skiing mountain range mountainous landforms covered Winter Nature piste cloud alps geological phenomenon glacial landform arctic winter sport freezing tree fell massif summit landscape nunatak Ski ski equipment slope
Mountains + Skiing

The 9 Best Ski Destinations to Visit This Winter

From Austrian mega resorts to under-the-radar Swiss gems (plus a few of our favorite spots in North America), here’s where we’re planning to ski this winter.

See recent posts by James Jung

europe footprints Mountains + Skiing Nature Outdoors slope snow Trip Ideas Winter outdoor skiing white covered Ski weather geological phenomenon ski equipment hill season piste freezing ski touring winter sport ski mountaineering downhill mountain sports equipment alpine skiing
alpine skiing clouds europe mist Mountains Mountains + Skiing Nature orange sky Outdoor Activities Outdoors people snow snow capped Mountains snowboarding sunlight Sunset Trip Ideas Winter sky outdoor mountainous landforms cloud mountain atmospheric phenomenon sunrise atmosphere horizon dawn morning atmosphere of earth hill Sun mountain range evening dusk wave meteorological phenomenon day
alpine skiing europe Mountains + Skiing Outdoor Activities Outdoors people snow Trip Ideas Winter sky outdoor Nature snowboarding weather igloo geological phenomenon mountain season atmosphere of earth mountaineering winter sport sports extreme sport snowboard tepee mountain range Adventure ski equipment summit slope day
alpine skiing city lights city streets city views cozy europe lights Mountains Mountains + Skiing night Outdoors quaint remote snow Town Trip Ideas Winter outdoor mountain sky mountainous landforms mountain range weather geological phenomenon evening dusk Nature alps dawn
1

The Arlberg, Austria

It's easy to get obsessed with the Arlberg's metrics: seven unique villages, 88 lifts, 210 miles of trails, up to 400 inches of annual snowfall, and a seemingly endless array of skiable backcountry acres. But to get hung up on numbers would be to miss what Austria's biggest ski resort is all about. Here, in the birthplace of the sport (local boy Hannes Schneider opened the world's first ski school out of the Hotel Post in the 1920s), the international crowd comes for the vibe. Pillowy powder runs deposit you into centuries old farming villages, mountain huts turned atmospheric restaurants fleck the hillsides, and everywhere there's a party, from the Jägermeister-fueled bacchanals at St. Anton's thumping après-ski bars to the Aperol Spritz scene at chic hotel terraces lining the main drag of Lech. With its onion-domed church, five-star hotels, and luxury shopping (head to Stroltz for fur-trimmed jackets and custom ski boots), Lech is a more understated version of Gstaad and St. Moritz. Book a room at the secluded yet luxe Hotel Kristiania, whose genial owner and host Getrud offsets the half-timbered chalet's traditional feel with her vibrantly contemporary art collection. Though if your idea of a ski vacation is one that involves as much table dancing as it does steep and deep turns, then base yourself in bustling St. Anton. Schneider's two New Hampshire-born grandsons each own properties in town—the affordable and charming Fahrner-Hof (apartments come replete with kitchens and private balconies) and the five-suite Schneiderhof, a beautiful boutique hotel offering American-style breakfast within walking distance of the lifts.

See All Hotels in the Alberg
alpine skiing Mountains + Skiing Trip Ideas outdoor sky snow mountain mountainous landforms Nature mountain range geographical feature landform atmospheric phenomenon covered wilderness weather cloud clouds sunrise Winter alps dawn ridge summit plateau cloudy
Mountains + Skiing Trip Ideas outdoor sky snow mountainous landforms mountain mountain range cloud weather Ski Winter ski equipment geological phenomenon skiing atmosphere of earth alps winter sport alpine skiing piste summit cloudy clouds
alpine skiing Forest Mountains Mountains + Skiing snow trees Trip Ideas mountain sky outdoor mountainous landforms mountain range Nature landform geographical feature wilderness alps wooden mountain pass ridge landscape Adventure walking trail Lake overlooking highland
2

Murren, Switzerland

Switzerland is flush with ski resorts. But while most are modern, posh, and pricey (this is the land of bankers after all), Mürren feels frozen in a bygone era. And that's the point. Accessible only by train or cable car, the pedestrian-only village (narrow, snowy streets; timber chalets) evokes a sense of romance all too scarce in ski country these days. It's a mood that everyone—from the local farmers to the mom and pop hoteliers to the wealthy British families who've been coming here for nigh a century—is keen to preserve. In fact, the only drama you'll encounter is the view. Perched on top of a nearly 2,000 foot cliff, Mürren offers guests front row seats to arguably the most impressive treble of mountains in the Alps: The Jungfrau, Monch and Eiger. Take it all in from the Hotel Eiger, where spacious, wood-carved guest rooms have their own balconies, or from the top of the Shilthorn summit, whose rotating Piz Gloria restaurant doubled as a Bond villain's lair in 1969's On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Known as the Inferno, the six-mile run down into town is a gauntlet of rolling and winding pistes that pair perfectly with the breathtaking amphitheater of towering peaks. Need more? Murren's lift ticket is good at Wengen and Grindlewald, interconnected resorts located just across the narrow Lauterbrunnen Valley that serve up an additional 100 miles of ski slopes.

alpine skiing Mountains + Skiing Trip Ideas snow outdoor skiing sky Winter Nature mountain range mountain mountainous landforms piste ski slope geological phenomenon tree glacial landform alps winter sport arctic Ski freezing slope terrain ice ski cross water Lake ski equipment hill station ski tow massif cross country skiing nordic skiing cloud landscape vacation ski resort freestyle skiing mount scenery fell glacier moraine
3

Sunshine Village, Canada

When it comes to Canadian skiing, Whistler-Blackcomb gets all the attention. Which is why we love Sunshine Village. Less than 10-miles from downtown Banff and perched on the backbone of the Continental Divide, the under-the-radar ski resort offers blissfully uncrowded slopes and the highest lift-serviced skiing in Canada. Here, on a rocky spine of peaks that straddles the border of Alberta and British Columbia, the snow flies frequently and furiously, blanketing Sunshine with up to 30 feet in a single season, which stretches from November through May. A modern network of high-speed lifts (including a heated gondola) ferry skiers to three distinct summits. Instagram a shot of nearby Mt. Assiniboine, Canada’s answer to the Matterhorn, before choosing between a wide variety of ways down, from gentle alpine bowls and tree runs to the cliff-strewn steeps of Delerium Dive (considered some of the best lift-serviced side-country in North America). Base facilities are limited, but the ski-in, ski-out Sunshine Mountain Lodge offers modern guest rooms, fireside dining, and a heated outdoor pool. For something more opulent, make the 20-minute drive back to Banff and check into the Fairmont Banff Springs, the 768-room grande dame of the Canadian Rockies.

RELATED: America’s Most Beautiful Lake Towns

alpine skiing Boutique Hotels Hotels Mountains + Skiing Outdoors + Adventure Trip Ideas Winter bed indoor wall room floor sofa Bedroom hotel Suite ceiling interior design Architecture home real estate bed frame window interior designer estate daylighting penthouse apartment pillow living room decorated furniture
alpine skiing Mountains + Skiing Trip Ideas window indoor interior design living room ceiling Lobby furniture restaurant real estate daylighting
alpine skiing Mountains + Skiing Trip Ideas sky water mountain outdoor Nature mountainous landforms Lake reflection River wilderness valley canyon body of water loch tarn mountain range reservoir morning landscape autumn surrounded
4

Vail, Colorado

With its faux Austrian village, family-friendly atmosphere, and pricey lift ticket, Vail carries the dubious reputation of skiing's version of Disney World. But it's hard to leave a resort off this list that gets so much about the American ski vacation so exceedingly right. From 5,200 acres of treeless back bowls, leg-searing bumps and groomers so smooth they might as well be a carving board to the on-mountain food (the Epic Burger is Shake Shack worthy), and a lively town brimming with high-end restaurants, bars, and hotels, Vail delivers a sweeping ski vacation that's as reliable as Colorado powder days are deep. Always keen to help maximize guests' skiing, the resort recently debuted the Northwoods Express, a six-passenger lift that increased uphill capacity by 25 percent, as well as EpicMix Time Insights, an added feature on the EpicMix app that leverages historic lift line data to inform you of where the most congested areas on the mountain are likely to be. After a long day on the slopes, a plate of nachos and a pitcher of margaritas on the porch of classic après hang Los Amigos is in order. Or you can retire to the revamped Grand Hyatt Vail—tucked in a thicket of pine trees along Gore Creek, just steps from the Cascade Village Lift—for sabered champagne, house-made fries, and even boozy yoga classes.

alpine skiing Mountains + Skiing Trip Ideas sky snow outdoor mountain range Winter mountainous landforms cloud piste Nature mountain alps glacial landform freezing arctic winter sport nunatak hill station summit Ski skiing slope ice vacation ski equipment tree fell ice cap glacier ridge massif landscape arête ski resort elevation ski slope
5

Val d’Isere, France

Val d'Isere has Europe's most sophisticated and extensive snowmaking system. Pity there's no need to show it off this winter. That's because the Alps have been blessed with the best early season snowfall they've seen in decades, and Val d'Isere—wedged within the Savoie’s craggy Tarentaise Valley—is one of the resorts that's been hit hardest. Belted by storm upon storm, the entire skiable expanse—186 miles of trails serviced by 88 modern lifts and a summit that tops out at over 11,000 ft.—is shimmering with pristine powder. Like most purpose-built French ski towns, Val d'Isere doesn't exude the alpine authenticity of more historic Austrian or Swiss villages, but the stone-and-timber center isn't without its charms. Immerse yourself in them at Les Barmes de L'Ours, the top hotel in town. Located at the base of the 1992 Olympic downhill run (the aptly named and precariously steep Face de Bellevarde), the property's 49 guest rooms and 27 suites mix rustic mountain lodge chic with a more minimal aesthetic, while the Michelin starred restaurant is the perfect place to fortify yourself for another big day on the slopes.

alpine skiing Mountains + Skiing Travel Tips Trip Ideas snow outdoor sky mountainous landforms Nature mountain landform geographical feature mountain range Winter weather season alps plateau summit ice
alpine skiing Mountains + Skiing Trip Ideas tree outdoor sky mountainous landforms snow Nature mountain reflection landform wilderness mountain range Winter Lake weather season cloud landscape alps ice Forest surrounded hillside
alpine skiing Lakes + Rivers Mountains + Skiing Outdoors + Adventure Trip Ideas sky outdoor mountain village mountainous landforms mountain mountain range tree Village scene hill station cloud rural area City landscape alps plant mount scenery hill tourism roof house elevation several
alpine skiing Mountains + Skiing Trip Ideas sky mountain outdoor snow mountainous landforms mountain range transport track wilderness mountain pass alps cloud highland Nature national park hill station glacial landform mount scenery red valley landscape Winter summit tree rail transport fell moraine elevation hill traveling area hillside
6

Zermatt, Switzerland

Another European mega resort to regularly receive a fair amount of snow is Zermatt. With its narrow pedestrian streets, black wood barns, grand hotels, glacier-fed river, and the iconic Matterhorn rising above everything like a blue and white obelisk, we can think of few ski towns we’d rather be marooned in. Book a room at the Mont Cervin Palace, a five-star property in the center of town whose Belle Époque exterior belies a thoroughly modern interior—renovated rooms exude a private ski lodge vibe (blond wood, exposed beams), while the indoor/outdoor pool is perfect for a post-ski soak. For something hipper, try Cervo, a boutique ski-in, ski-out property with a playful mix of plaid and taxidermy and a daily après-ski party on the stone terrace that overlooks town. Of course once all the new snow settles, you’ll have full run of the resort—a sprawling 200 miles of pistes spanning two countries (Switzerland and Italy), 40 slope side restaurants, and topping out at the highest lift-serviced ski station in Europe.

Mountains + Skiing Trip Ideas outdoor snow sky skiing jumping air man person Ski Winter ski cross freestyle skiing piste mountain range atmosphere of earth winter sport cloud ski slope tree slalom skiing terrain boardsport telemark skiing alpine skiing glacial landform ski equipment nordic combined hill mountain snowboard extreme sport vacation cross country skiing fun slopestyle recreation ski mountaineering ski resort Adventure slope high
alpine skiing Mountains + Skiing Trip Ideas outdoor sky snow tree skiing transport Winter vertebrate dog like mammal Dog sled dog racing arctic mushing freezing geological phenomenon cloud winter sport ice vacation glacial landform sled dog mountain slope fun Adventure dog sled day
alpine skiing Mountains + Skiing Trip Ideas snow outdoor Nature tree sky skiing Winter mountain mountainous landforms mountain range ski slope geological phenomenon piste ice ridge freezing massif alps slope terrain glacial landform winter sport arête cloud ski tow summit frost cirque landscape nunatak fir
7

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Pitching almost straight up out of Teton Village, Jackson Hole’s Rendezvous Mountain might be North America’s most intimidating ski area, but don’t let its reputation (or size and steepness) damper your spirits. With over 4,000 vertical feet of couloirs, cliffs, spines, gullies, and tons of trees, this is a mountain that begs to be explored, so book a guide to safely show you around and take you into the extensive side-country. After a snowy day (30+ feet in a season is not uncommon here), crowds congregate at the kitschy Mangy Moose for live music. Though if you’re tuckered out from skiing (who wouldn’t be?), a good German pilsner at the Alpenhof Lodge might be more your speed. Stay at the Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole, where you can reward the day’s limit-pushing ski session with massage followed by some charcuterie and ramen.

alpine skiing Mountains + Skiing Trip Ideas snow outdoor sky Nature piste skiing mountain range mountainous landforms ice mountain geological phenomenon Winter ridge ski slope glacial landform covered massif people nunatak mountain pass alps arête terrain glacier fell ice cap moraine cloud winter sport cirque summit Ski ski equipment slope landscape arctic hill day
8

Obergurgl, Austria

Most Austrian ski resorts are as well known for their spirited (and sometimes completely debauched) après-ski scene as they are for their skiing. Not so at Obergurgl. Notched at over 6,000 feet in Tirol's Oetztal Valley on the border of Italy, Obergurgl is both Austria's highest ski resort and most overlooked. Which is just fine with the generations of well-heeled British and German families who continue to flock here thanks to the resort's resolutely laid-back ambiance. Lift lines are as uncrowded as the treeless, gently undulating ski slopes, the alpine elevation ensures the snow stretches from December through April, and the two tiny villages—Obergurgl and the even higher Hochgurgl, both a cluster of chalets and hotels that are connected via road and cable car—offer a simple respite from active days on the mountain. With its ski-in, ski-out access, Hotel Edelweiss & Gurgl is popular among regulars, but we love the Hotel Bergwelt, which blends Tyrolean tradition (taxidermy, wood carvings, cozy bunk rooms for kids) with a more modern design aesthetic and amenities (like a three-story spa) just above the main town. If you do find yourself in search of a party, you can use the Pow(d)er Card lift ticket at nearby Sölden for a more adventurous day on and off the slopes.

RELATED: 7 Off-The-Beaten-Path Destinations to Visit Now

alpine skiing Mountains + Skiing Trip Ideas snow outdoor mountain sky Nature mountain range mountainous landforms Winter piste alps geological phenomenon covered glacial landform terrain winter sport valley massif freezing tree mountain pass elevation landscape slope highland
alpine skiing Mountains + Skiing Trip Ideas mountain sky outdoor mountain village grass mountainous landforms mountain range Nature alps mount scenery Village home tree national park rural area hill station valley tourism real estate landscape estate elevation cottage Winter hillside
alpine skiing Mountains + Skiing Trip Ideas snow sky outdoor skiing mountainous landforms Nature Winter mountain range cloud mountain alps piste massif glacial landform mountain pass slope tree geological phenomenon ridge nunatak freezing terrain landscape summit fell elevation ice mount scenery glacier meteorological phenomenon cirque hill ski slope day
9

Alta Badia, Italy

Italy’s Dolomites come with an unfair advantage. First there’s the otherworldly scenery, towering limestone peaks that look like the lovechild of the Swiss Alps and the rock spires of the American Southwest. Then there’s the culture, a mix of Austrian mountain charm and Italy’s breezy dolce vita. And finally, there’s the skiing, most notably the Sella Ronda, a 360-degree carousel of slopes strewn with rifugios—rough-hewn mountain huts ranking from wood-fired pizzerias to Michelin-starred seafood eateries. Base yourself in Corvara, a pastoral village that’s home to the four-star La Perla hotel, or neighboring San Cassiano, whose Rosa Alpina offers ne plus ultra mountain luxury with its beautiful but understated rooms and two-Michelin starred restaurant. Days are spent on the rolling, groomed slopes ringing the Sella Massif—an impressive block of mountains that, like the other peaks punctuating the skyline, glow an incandescent pink come sunset. At some 16 miles in length, it is possible to ski the entire route (either clockwise of counterclockwise) in a single day—unless, of course you post up for too long at one of the rifugios. Perhaps a better option is to partake in this season’s Sommelier on the Slopes program, which allows you to explore the resort and the local wines with your own somm and ski instructor.

For info on these editor-selected items, click to visit the seller’s site. Things you buy may earn us a commission.

Want more?

Comments

comments

All products are independently selected by our writers and editors. If you buy something through our links, Jetsetter may earn an affiliate commission.