The Thrill of the Chill – 12 Famous Ski Resorts Around the World

Before diving into some of the most famous ski resorts around the world, let’s see what makes a ski resort one of the best? For me, it’s creating an environment that is entirely conducive to skiing. A place that offers something to every member of your family or group. Whether you have kids or not. A place that has plenty of secluded ski areas. So that I can flop and fall in peace. Without having to hear the laughter of the children!

There’s plenty of that on our list. Not the laughing children, I mean world-class resorts. Step inside and find your skiing Mecca.

Guest post by Matt Bryan at extremenomads.life.

World Class Ski Resorts Of The World

Ready to hit the slopes and experience some of the most breathtaking views in the world? Look no further than these famous ski resorts, nestled high in the mountains and offering some of the most thrilling runs you’ll ever encounter.

1. Whistler Blackcomb, Canada

Whistler Blackcomb is one of the top ski resorts due to its variety. Varied terrain, yes! However, it’s also varied in what it offers its patrons. Winter sports enthusiasts will feel right at home in the Whistler Olympic Plaza.

Plenty of locations to satisfy the hardcore and the newly baptized into the world of slopes and pistes. Prepare yourself for the tough ski runs. It’s no wonder why Canada is seen as one of the best countries you can ski in.

●     Opening Date: November 24, 2022

●     Closing Date: May 22, 2023

Resort Highlights

● Get those legs warmed up for some grueling ski runs at the Whistler Mountain Bike Park.

● Whistler Olympic Plaza.

● The Whistler Sliding Centre offers plenty, even for more serious skiers.

Best Resort Activity

● Summer skiing, are you into it? If so, then you won’t find a better place for it.

2. Vail Mountain Resort, Colorado, USA

Skiing heaven! That’s the only way to describe the Back Bowls. Wide-open basins that threaten to never end. Getting lost in the moment is absolutely possible here. Even a few images should be enough to showcase the vastness and untamed freedom of Vail resorts.

For your comfort, there is a Swiss-style village that was made to take you in and feed you well. Just keep an eye on your tab!

●     Opening Date: November 11, 2022

●     Closing Date: To be determined

Resort Highlights

● Swiss alps style village with food and other amenities.

● Mountain restaurants with great food.

● Plenty of restaurant variety on site.

Best Resort Activity

● Skiing through the Back Bowls is a whole lot of fun. Plenty of wide-open basins.

3. Courchevel, France

Equal parts paradise and perdition. Astounding six-hundred-plus kilometers of piste to butter through. That’s what you’ll be working with. At the end of all trails, you could consider taking a dip in the Lac de la Rosiere.

There aren’t many ski resorts around the world that even come close to putting on as good of a ski holiday.

●     Opening Date: First Saturday of December every year.

●     Closing Date: Third week of April every year.

Resort Highlights

● This resort is part of Les Trois. The largest linked ski area in the world.

● More than 600km of pistes.

● There are plenty of lifts to accommodate you and your family.

Best Resort Activity

● After some intense high-altitude skiing, you can relax at the serene Lac de la Rosiere.

4. Aspen Snowmass, Colorado, USA

Whether you like it or not, you’ll be flying. That’s got to be the unofficial motto of Snowmass. Its Powderhorn run is reason enough to make the trip here. The slope is steep. Real steep, and unless you’ve got wings, you better be ready to take a tumble.

Or perhaps you are good enough to conquer old Powderhorn!

●     Opening Date: November 19, 2022

●     Closing Date: April 16, 2023

Resort Highlights

● Great mixture of challenging backcountry terrain and kid-friendly areas.

● Snowmass has close to 4,000 skiable acres. The best off-piste skiing and cross-country trails around.

● Zip through refreshing forests and vistas on the Alpine coaster.

Best Resort Activity

● Taking on the infamous Powderhorn run. With a slope so steep, you’ll be flying.

5. Zermatt, Switzerland

Want to get technical? Me neither. However, the terrain parks and iconic ski resorts within Zermatt are forcing me to. Technically, you can ski year-round within this ski resort. However, certain ski areas are partitioned off. Opening on different dates.

But think about it; this place is perfect. Year-round skiing unlocks new areas as time progresses. Sounds like the world’s best skiing video game! But no, it’s just Zermatt, one of the best ski resorts around the world.

●     Opening Date: December 03, 2022

●     Closing Date: May 01, 2023

Resort Highlights

● The best moguls in the world can be found in Triftji, within Zermatt.

● Broken up into four sections. Perfect for interconnected ski runs.

● Ski destinations don’t get much more open than this.

Best Resort Activity

● Skiing the moguls and descending the spectacular snow-covered peaks.

6. Val d’Isere, France

Tiny little homes line the hillside. Forget the winter Olympics. This here was meant to be savored. Val d’Isere is like a fine wine. You’ve got to take it slow. Enjoy each of its quirks and specialties!

From Tignes station to the landscapes of the Vanoise national park. This resort is about more than just skiing. It’s a complete experience. One that offers some of the tallest mountains around for you to ski and flip down.

●     Opening Date: December 03, 2022

●     Closing Date: April 04, 2023

Resort Highlights

● Tignes station. The perfect mountain base for skiing and swimming.

● Breathtaking landscapes at the Vanoise national park.

● The tallest mountains for backcountry skiing.

Best Resort Activity

● Relaxing in its picturesque villages after skiing.

7. Cortina D’Ampezzo, Italy

There’s plenty of history that runs through Cortina. Seeped into the ground. The perfect foundation for the snow. Its credibility grew due to the number of world-class competitions that were held on its grounds.

Even if you aren’t a hardcore skier, you’ll find something to enjoy. Freestylers, in particular, will feel right at home within the Cortina snow park in Italy. It’s dotted with the right amount of variety to flip and spin through.

There are even downhill slopes to shred.

●     Opening Date: November 26, 2022

●     Closing Date: April 11, 2023

Resort Highlights

● Stuffed with impressive downhill runs.

● The surrounding mountains resemble painted masterworks.

● Freestyle skiers will love the Cortina snow park.

Best Resort Activity

● Tree skiing but only for the most skilled.

8. Telluride, Colorado, USA

I’ll tell you what, Telluride is one of the most talked about ski resorts in America. It earned the hype. Housing within its borders is a great amalgam of difficult and easy-going trails. Not just for skiers but for cyclists as well!

The pistes are maintained well. Carefully manicured to prevent excess crud. Only the right amount of chunder is allowed on these hallowed grounds.

●     Opening Date: November 26, 2022

●     Closing Date: April 02, 2023

Resort Highlights

● Telluride Bike Park has a great mix of challenging and calm trails.

● For a moment of peace, check out the San Sophia Overlook.

● Fresh pistes that rival even the most luxurious ski resorts.

Best Resort Activity

● Famous for its world-class skiing. Telluride is a five-star quality resort.

9. Niseko, Japan

There’s too much on offer in Niseko. Its excellent blend of family-friendly skiing and expert-minded trails sets it apart. You can rest assured that your entire family will be taken care of.

Often, ski resorts can cater too much to seasoned veterans. Much to the chagrin of parents. Fortunately for them, Niseko is no such place. There are special areas that are sectioned off based on skill level and intensity.

●     Opening Date: December 03, 2022

●     Closing Date: May 04, 2023

Resort Highlights

● Annupuri Kokusai is a family-friendly skiing area. For toddlers and adults alike.

● Niseko Moiwa is an out-of-the-way ski area that offers plenty of space.

● Take a load off at the Niseko village. Calming and accommodating.

Best Resort Activity

● Take a vacation together with your entire family. Excellent skiing runs and pistes!

10. Chamonix, France

Man, France is dominating this list. Rightfully so, the country has too much to offer the skiing world. Chamonix has a much more luxurious feel. High-quality cable cars are used to ferry you around its grounds.

Taking you from snowy peaks to winding trails. The Mer de Glace is especially enchanting. A glacier lined with fantastic trails. Chamonix even has an amusement park!

●     Opening Date: Winter season

●     Closing Date: April 16, 2023

Resort Highlights

● Plenty of high-quality cable car rides are available to take you to the best skiable terrain.

● Mer de Glace is an incredible glacier with amazing trails.

● Chamonix Valley amusement park has plenty of kid-friendly rides.

Best Resort Activity

● The climbing routes of Mont Blanc are a sight to behold.

11. Portes du Soleil, France

The biggest and proudest! Portes du Soleil is the world’s biggest international ski resort. If you are searching for a specific kind of terrain or trail, you’ll find it here. In fact, this resort has the world feared “The Wall.”

“The Wall” is a slope so steep that only the very elite should take it on. I’m talking Olympic-level skiers. It’s plain nightmare fuel!

●     Opening Date: December 17, 2022

●     Closing Date: April 09, 2023

Resort Highlights

● This is the world’s biggest international ski resort.

● The Wall is the steepest slope within the resort. A true challenge!

● Snow depth is consistent throughout the entire season.

Best Resort Activity

● The Wall is an awesome obstacle for any expert skier to take on.

12. St. Anton, Austria

The best ski resort in Austria. This Austrian ski resort has earned many prestigious epithets. The cradle of alpine skiing. Surrounded by the most stunning peaks and mountains the world has to offer.

Galzig, in particular, is quite iconic. Skiing here is more about the mystic than the challenge. Although there is more than enough that will challenge you at St. Anton’s. Advanced skiers won’t feel out of place. However, they may be humbled.

●     Opening Date: December 02, 2022

●     Closing Date: Early May 2023

Resort Highlights

● Known as the cradle of alpine skiing.

● Galzig is an incredible mountain peak to tear through.

● The Arlberg area of this resort has plenty to offer.

Best Resort Activity

● The avalanche-controlled marked ski runs are safe and exciting.

My Final Thoughts

Are you a skiing novice or a full-blown enthusiast? Either way, you’ve got to make the pilgrimage to one of the the best ski resorts listed above. You won’t know the best that skiing has to offer until you’ve stepped foot into one of them.

Remember, there are plenty of countries you can ski. However, only a few of them host snow parks that’ll keep you coming back.

Personally, Niseko, Japan, is my number one pick. It has a comfortable atmosphere and plenty of amenities and ski areas for the entire family.