8 incredible ski resorts around the world

Whether it’s untouched powder you crave or a next-level après-ski scene, there’s a ski resort for every kind of snow bunny. In fact, the best ski resorts in the world offer a little bit of everything, from unparalleled access to terrain to great dining, shopping, and hotel suites. Ready to scout out your next great run? Below, we’ve rounded up some of the top ski resorts in the world.

Looking for more next-level ski resorts? Explore our Travelers' Choice Best of the Best winners.

There are many things to love about Aspen. For one thing, it’s perhaps the pinnacle of Colorado's mountain beauty. For another, it’s got one of the most impressive restaurant lineups in the country. And, oh yeah, there’s access to four ski resorts all within minutes of each other. Aspen Highlands' expansive terrain offers a little bit of every kind of run, from easier greens to advanced double black diamonds. The resort is also home to the Highland Bowl, known by many locals and visitors alike as one of Colorado’s most challenging ski bowls (a wide mountain basin with slopes that look like a bowl). Après-ski here is also top of the line—the mountain is home to the infamous Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro, which is known for its fondue, mountain views, and wild Champagne-spraying party scene. Before you skip town, be sure to venture to Maroon Bells, which you can hike, snowshoe, cross country ski, or snowmobile across to visit Maroon Lake and take in the mountain peaks.

At Cerro Chapelco, book your stay at Cabanas Huella Blanca and the pleasure of going skiing or snowboarding from the door of your cabin is yours. The ski-in, ski-out cabin rentals are pet-friendly, Wi-Fi-equipped, and have free parking on-site to keep guests happy. As for the slopes, the resort has runs of various difficult levels, stellar snow quality, and postcard-worthy views of Lake Lácar. While here, you can enjoy alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, and snowboarding (there’s even a snowboard park) and hop on a snowmobile or sled driven by Siberian huskies. Sufficiently tired out, head back to your cabin where you can use the daily box of firewood delivery to cozy up by a fireplace and take it easy for a while.

For those skiers who really go to the mountain for the slopes themselves, there is no more impressive option for vast terrain than Big Sky, Montana. Home to nearly 6,000 acres of skiable land, you can go an entire day without coming across the same run twice. Although you won’t find a high density of upscale lodging offerings, the Montage Big Sky just opened and has proved itself a hot contender for the best luxe spot to stay locally. Neighboring town Bozeman, where many fly into the state, is filled with cute shops, restaurants, and hotels like the Kimpton Armory Hotel, and is only about an hour from Big Sky's slopes.

When it comes to genuine hospitality, it’s hard to beat Whistler. Fly into Vancouver and take an incredibly scenic drive along the coastal Sea to Sky Highway (British Columbia Highway 99) before you land yourself at the Four Seasons Whistler, a gorgeous property tucked into an idyllic mountain at the base of the Coastal Mountain Range. Plan to spend as much time skiing here as possible, but leave room in your schedule for exploring Whistler Village, which is rich with Hallmark holiday movie appeal (especially if there’s a blizzard) and has plenty going on, from its fine dining options and adorable shops to places to laze the evening away over a superb cocktail.

Skiing in Europe is a must for winter sports enthusiasts and Val d’Isere in the French Alps checks all the boxes, from challenging terrain and plenty of off-piste opportunities to a lively après-ski scene on the mountain. If you’re craving to experience the area’s quiet side after an epic day on the mountain, book a stay at Chalet Hibou in Le Miroir, just a short drive from the base of Val d’Isere. Here you can kick your feet up and enjoy chef-prepared meals, stellar service, and cozy accommodations while the staff warms your boots overnight to get you ready to do it all over again the next day.

This snowboard-free mountain caters specifically to skiers and those looking for a more private experience—Deer Valley caps tickets daily so that the mountain doesn’t get overcrowded. Trade long lift lines for great snow and plenty of terrain to explore. For lunch, kick your feet up at the St. Regis Deer Valley to enjoy slopeside hot toddies and a bite, and rest your head at the very posh Montage Deer Valley, where luxury abounds and phenomenal service awaits. A long day of cutting powder works up an appetite, and at the Montage’s signature restaurant, Apex, on-mountain dining runs the gamut from scallop crudo and blue crab cakes to fire roasted tomato soup and caramelized tofu stir-fry. We’re hungry already.

French ski town Chamonix, nestled right at the border of France, Italy, and Switzerland, is home to Mont Blanc—the highest summit in the Alps—known for its year-round skiing. But it’s not just steep descents and knee-deep power you’ll find at Chamonix; the inviting European ski town has plenty more to offer, including quaint artisan shops and a vibrant après-ski scene. The Grand Hotel des Alps offers historic charm and well-appointed suites just steps from all the action.

Jackson Hole is the epitome of cowboy chic, marrying classic Western town ambience with an alpine nirvana. Jackson Hole is not for beginners; many find the slopes a challenge and there are only five green runs, but advanced skiers will find more than 50 black trails and over 20 double-black diamond routes to explore. After tearing up the powder, head to the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar in downtown Jackson for a cocktail, then retire to the Amangani resort for a taste of true luxury.