You can ski nearly anywhere snow and elevation come together, but for truly world-class skiing, you must look toward North America and Europe. The alpine region of the European continent and the Rocky Mountain range of the United States offer breathtaking skiing along with beautiful landscapes. Two of the ten ski resorts are located in the Eastern half of the North American continent, where the mountains aren’t so high as the Rockies or Alps, but the skiing remains excellent nonetheless.
Chamonix / Mont Blanc, France
Chamonix is routinely included in any list of world-class ski locations. Located at the foot of Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps, Chamonix’ vertical drops challenge the most experienced skiers. The resort also boasts outstanding après ski nightlife.
Zermatt, Switzerland
Located at the base of the world-famous Matterhorn, Zermatt is famous for both skiing and mountaineering. The pretty village that houses the resort is car-free, which makes sightseeing more pleasurable. The ski resort also features the second biggest vertical descent in the world, which must be accessed by mechanical lift.
Gstaad, Switzerland
This glittering ski resort is frequently populated by celebrities along with hardcore ski and snowboarding aficionados who are attracted to the steep slopes and deep powder. The surrounding village also boasts some of the world’s best luxury accommodations to assure rest and relaxation after a day on the slopes.
Kitzbuhel, Austria
Located in the Tyrol region of Austria, Kitzbuhel is known as the “Pearl of the Alps.” Kitzbuhel has been a ski destination since the 1890s and features more than a hundred miles of ski runs. Once you’ve had your fill of skiing, explore the picturesque village, which is more than seven hundred years old.
Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy
Cortina d’Ampezzo, located in the scenic Dolomites region, hosted the 1956 Winter Olympics. The resort also features some of the longest and most varied ski runs in the world to challenge skiers of every expertise level.
Whistler-Blackcomb, British Columbia, Canada
The Whistler-Blackcomb resort in western British Columbia boasts the steepest vertical drop in all of North America. The surrounding resort features gorgeous scenery, the famous laid-back vibe of western Canada and more than a hundred restaurants.
Mont Tremblant, Quebec, Canada
Located on the side of Vermont’s highest mountain, Mount Mansfield, the ski resort at Stowe has been in operation since the 1930s. There are ski and snowboard runs to match the skills of skiers ranging from beginners to experts. Cross country skiers can also enjoy the facilities at Stowe. There are also a number of accommodations, including the famous Stowe Mountain Lodge, located right on the slopes.
Vail, Colorado
No list of the world’s best ski resorts would be complete without including Vail, Colorado, one of the favorite ski destinations of Americans and ski buffs around the world. This large resort offers an ample variety of runs for skiers and snowboarders alike. Purchasing a lift ticket for Vail also allows for access to Beaver Creek, A-Basin, Breckenridge, and Keystone – making the purchase an excellent bargain.
Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows, California
Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows, each located in the Lake Tahoe area in California, are actually two ski resorts operated under common management and linked by a shuttle that travels between the two resorts in ten minutes. Among the ambitious plans that the complex has planned for winter 2013 is a ski-in, ski-out Starbucks coffee outpost.
Have you ever been to one one of these great ski resorts? Please share your experiences.
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