top of page
Writer's pictureMelania Guarda Ceccoli
Mar 5

The Ultimate Guide To The World's Top 10 Ski Resorts

The dazzling white of fresh snow, the sun warming your face, and skis gliding down the slope. Nestled amidst breathtaking mountain landscapes, the world's best ski resorts offer a captivating blend of adrenaline-pumping slopes, luxurious amenities, and unparalleled natural beauty.


These winter wonderland's beckon adventure enthusiasts and snow aficionados alike to embark on a journey where powdery slopes meet alpine elegance. From the iconic peaks of the Swiss Alps to the majestic Rockies of North America, join us as we explore the top 9 luxury ski resorts across the globe, according to Snow+Rock.


10. Alleghe, Italy 🇮🇹


Credit: alleghefunivie


Located in the heart of the Dolomites in Northern Italy, Alleghe is a picturesque jewel. This enchanting village, located on the shores of the azure Lake Alleghe, is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, which encompass imposing peaks, pristine waters and the seductive charm of the Dolomites. 


There are 7 ski lifts, including 3 chair lifts and 5 surface lifts, that offers skiers an incredible 1100 metres of vertical descent and a total piste length of 80 kilometers, mostly covered by artificial snow.


Whilst there are no 5-star accomodation options in the area, guests rate Hotel La Maison a 4.8/5. With an outdoor pool that looks across the mountains, a Turkish bath, sensory showers and a thermal cabin, you are sure to relax once you leave the slopes.


Best Restaurant: Ristorante La Cambra

Guests rate Ristorante La Cambra as the top food-spot in the area, and often suggest that eaters should get the venison roost beef, and ravioli with polenta and pumpkin.


9. Zell am See, Austria 🇦🇹



Nestled among the beautiful Austrian Alps, Zell am See is a jewel located in the Salzburg region. This idyllic town is renowned for its beautiful setting along the shores of Lake Zell, surrounded by majestic peaks that provide a dramatic backdrop to every panorama.


Zell am See seamlessly combines the tranquility of its natural environment with a rich history and a modern, vibrant atmosphere, making it a destination that appeals to nature enthusiasts and culture seekers alike.


Zell am See is perfect for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. The Schmittenhöhe boasts a wide range of slopes, ensuring an unforgettable skiing experience for everyone.


Whilst there are 5 star hotels in the area, guests rate the 4* Grand Hotel Zell am See more luxurious, due to their location, 'royalty-like' service, and modern facilities.


Best restaurant: Flos Restaurant

You are spoilt for choice at Zell am See, but guests rate Flo's restaurant 5/5. This casual-dining, yet luxurious, restaurant is at the foot of the Schmittenhöhe, directly in the Boutique Hotel Martha. Flo, the young, wild culinary artist, has turned his passion into a profession, experimenting with different flavour components and he conjures up extraordinary culinary delights that are served on handmade plates from the forest workshop.


8. Megève, France 🇫🇷


Credit: Zannier Hotels Le Chalet


Megève, an Alpine jewel located in the majestic French Alps, enchants visitors with its timeless elegance and rich history.


This mountain resort, located in the heart of the Rhône-Alpes region, is renowned for its impeccable ski slopes set in an enchanting landscape.


However, Megève is much more than a prestigious ski destination. Its charming old town, with its cobblestone streets, elegant boutiques, and gourmet restaurants, evokes an atmosphere of understated luxury.


From 1,113 to 2,350 m, Megève is a vast ski area with 235 slopes for all levels.


Credit: Zannier Hotels Le Chalet


Located at the foot of Mount Arbois in the French Alps, this luxury hotel is a charming retreat decorated in a minimalist rustic style.The hotel spa offers the perfect escape to serenity, inviting guests into the hammam and sauna. A breakfast of rich local delicacies and cheese by Pascal Beillevaire is served to guests, and the hotel’s restaurant is led by acclaimed chef Julien Burlat.


Best restaurant: Le Refuge

Michelin Star restaurant Le Refuge is well known in the area for being the 'best' restaurant, and will need a reservation well in advance. This charming wood-panelled restaurant is extended by a veranda, as well as a terrace in good weather. Tuck into generous and indulgent dishes taken from a menu that includes some of the absolute classics (egg with green lentils, morels and shavings of foie gras), without forgetting the perennial Savoie specialties.


7. Innsbruck, Austria 🇦🇹


Credit: Innsbruck Tourism


Nestled in the heart of the Austrian Alps and surrounded by snow-capped peaks, Innsbruck is not only the gateway to world-class skiing and winter sports, but also a year-round destination offering a myriad of activities. 


The city is also perfect for culture lovers, with museums, music festivals and a lively atmosphere, making it an appealing destination for those looking for the perfect relaxing escape. The area has around 200 trails covering 500 kilometers (310 miles) and is perfect for beginner and intermediate skiers.


Altstadthotel Weisses Kreuz offers luxury accommodation in Innsbruck, and is within walking distance of Innsbruck Railway Station. It is a two-minute stroll from the Hofburg and is close to the area's well-known attractions. The hotel calls each room a 'chamber', and no two chambers are truly alike; these stylish rooms have a distinct colour theme, and many come with balconies or patios, and feature free Wi-Fi and smart TVs.


Credit: Altstadthotel Weises Kreuz


Best Restaurant: Restaurant Oniriq

Fine dining restaurant Restaurant Oniriq is renowned in the Innsbruck area for being a tiny, yet mighty, restaurant. With just seven tables, you will need a reservation. The contemporary kitchen is almost in the middle of the diners, with the chef, Udo Herrmann, his sous-chef/sommelier/waiter running the 'show' alone. There are two tasting menus (one vegetarian, one fish and meat) but no a la carte.


6. Sierra Nevada, Spain 🇪🇸


Credit: El Lodge


Located in the southern part of Spain, the Sierra Nevada stands as an amazing ski destination, fascinating for its unique combination of breathtaking scenery and extraordinary opportunities for winter sports.


This mountain range, the highest on the Iberian Peninsula, offers an incredible setting for skiers, with towering peaks and snow-covered valleys creating spectacular scenery. Sierra Nevada provides one of the widest and most attractive ski areas in southern Europe. The winter resort has 111.4 skiable km distributed in 133 slopes with the highest slope in Spain (1,200m)


Best hotel: El Lodge

Crafted from Finnish wood, El Lodge is an enchanting Alpine-style boutique hotel in Sierra Nevada’s fairytale landscape. Kitted out with animal prints by designer Andrew Martin, the contemporary interiors redefine log cabin luxury. Inside and out, it’s a haven for skiers. El Lodge offers everything from private lessons, a fun-filled Kid's Club to a boot warming service – pairing an exhilarating setting with exceptional service.


Credit: El Lodge


VIVAC, a fine-dining restaurant, has only 25 seats on the ground floor and 8 seats in the reserved on the upper floor, but is known for its 7-course tasting menu. Guests have said that VIVAC is "by far the best restaurant in Sierra Nevada". However, they do not have a children's menu, so if you have little ones, they will hopefully enjoy gastronomic options.


5. Winter Park, USA 🇺🇸


Credit: Winter Park Resort


Located amid the spectacular Colorado Rocky Mountains, Winter Park presents itself as a haven of exceptional beauty and adrenaline for winter sports enthusiasts.


This renowned U.S. resort is embraced by majestic peaks, fir forests and an authentic mountain atmosphere, creating the perfect setting for an unforgettable winter experience.


Winter Park ski area consists of 4 perfectly connected mountains: Winter Park Mountain, Parsenn Bowl/Vasquez-Cirque, Vasquez-Ridge and Mary Jane. It covers 1,246 hectares and is situated at an elevation of 2,743 to 3,676 m, 25 lifts and 143 km of slopes, most of them challenging. Mary Jane is famous for being the most beautiful mogul slopes in the world.


Being just 15-minutes drive from Winter Park, Devil's Thumb Ranch Resort & Spa guests can escape the slopes and experience 5* luxury, but still be close enough to the action. The hotel offers authentic ranch adventures from horseback riding, fly fishing, and cross-country skiing, to fat tire mountain biking, zip lining, and more on over 6,500 acres in the Rocky Mountains. But, it is renowned for its spa, acclaimed restaurants and elegant lodge accommodations.


Credit: Devils Thumb Ranch


Best restaurant: Cooper Creek Square

Cooper Creek Square is Winter Park’s outdoor dining and shopping center. Unlike the rest of our 'best restaurant' options above, guests vote Cooper Creek as their favourite dinner destination, due to the range of restaurant options. Enjoy this tour of ethnic foods including BBQ, Italian, Asian, Nepalese & Indian, Mexican, and Contemporary American. The brew pub offers a wide selection of beers, or visit the wine bar for a unique experience with over 80 sommelier-selected wines from around the world.


4. Lake Tahoe, USA 🇺🇸


Credit: Visit Lake Tahoe


Suspended between the borders of California and Nevada, Lake Tahoe stands as an extraordinary jewel of natural beauty nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. During the winter season, Lake Tahoe transforms into a snow sports enthusiast's paradise.


Surrounding ski resorts, such as Heavenly, Northstar, and Squaw Valley, attract skiers and snowboarders with their well-maintained slopes, spectacular scenery, and a lively après-ski scene. At Lake Tahoe, there are 767 kilometres of slopes, and the ski resorts are served by 168 ski lifts.


This ski-in/ski-out hotel is located mid-mountain at Northstar California Resort. A 10-minute gondola ride away, North Star Village has restaurants, outdoor clothing stores, a children’s ski beach, cinema and an ice-skating rink. Previously dubbed "a ski addict’s dream" by journalists, this hotel offers everything from mountain concierge services, gourmet marshmallow toasting, heated pools and warming spa treatments.



Credit: The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe


Best restaurant: Edgewood Restaurant

A favourite among tourists and locals for decades, Edgewood Restaurant has earned a loyal following serving up breathtaking views and fine cuisine.The contemporary menu marries fresh modern cuisine that embraces the season and region. Mere feet from water’s edge, the dining room’s sweeping wooden archways and vaulted ceilings sets the stage for the spectacle of the flamed sunsets as they paint the skies.


3. Selva di Val Gardena, Italy 🇮🇹



Nestled in the heart of the Dolomites, Selva di Val Gardena emerges as an Alpine paradise that enchants ski enthusiasts with its natural majesty and exciting winter sports opportunities. 


Selva di Val Gardena is an integral part of the Dolomiti Superski ski area, one of the largest and most diverse in the world, offering more than 1,200 kilometers of perfectly groomed slopes.


This skier's paradise enthusiastically welcomes beginners and experts alike, with trails suitable for all skill levels.


The beauty of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers unique scenery as you ski among snow-capped peaks and expanses of forest. The Selva ski area is well connected to the west with nearby Santa Cristina and the entire Val Gardena which offers 175 km of slopes and 79 facilities. With the My Dolomiti Skicard you have 450 ski lifts, 30 snow parks and 1200 km of slopes at your disposal.


Located in the centre of Selva Gardena and immersed in a majestic natural setting, with its splendid private gardens, Hotel Granbaita offers guests a superb panoramic view of the surrounding Dolomite mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The combination of pure mountain air, luxurious wellness facilities and fine dining makes this the perfect stay for Ski and Spa lovers.


Credit: Hotel Granbaita Dolomites


Best restaurant: Granbaita Gourmet

The Granbaita Dolomties 5-Star Hotel in Selva Val Gardena offers its hotel guests and visitors a fine dining experience in the Granbaita Gourmet Restaurant. In the reserved seven-table dining-room, surrounded by splendid panoramic windows, the chef Andrea Moccia and his staff will present you with a unique menu, based on carefully studied and a modern interpreted traditional flavours from the Trentino-Alto Adige and accompanied by finest wines.

 

2. Banff, Canada 🇨🇦


Credit: Fairmont Banff Springs


In the heart of the Canadian Rockies, Banff stands out like a pearl set against a backdrop of breathtaking beauty. This charming village, located in Banff National Park, is a prime gateway to one of the world's most spectacular natural environments.


Surrounded by majestic peaks, glistening glaciers and turquoise lakes, Banff is a true oasis of adventure and serenity. The presence of renowned ski resorts, such as Banff Sunshine Village and Mount Norquay, makes Banff a must-see destination for ski and snowboard enthusiasts.


Impeccable slopes wind between towering peaks, offering a unique wilderness experience. The winter season lasts from mid-November to late May and is one of the longest in North America.

 

There is the opportunity to ski at resorts that rise within a short distance of the town with a single ski pass. Five minutes northwest of Banff is Mt. Norquay Ski Resort, one of the top alpine ski resorts, with 28 slopes and two exclusive attractions: the snow tubing slope and a children's play area and night skiing twice a week.

 

Located in the heart of Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the world-famous Fairmont Banff Springs is a landmark in the picturesque alpine town of Banff, Alberta. Canada's "Castle in the Rockies" has been providing legendary hospitality to guests since 1888. Unrivaled among Banff luxury hotels, their year-round mountain resort offers a 27-hole championship golf course during the summer, exceptional skiing in the winter, an award-winning spa, and several distinctive dining experiences.


Credit: Fairmont Banff Springs


Best restaurant: Eden

This restaurant is known for its ultraluxe decor and magnificent mountain views. With three- to eight-course dinners of regionally influenced French cuisine, the food is prepared à-la-minute, so entrées change frequently.


1. Jasper, Canada 🇨🇦


Credit: Tourism Jasper


Jasper, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers an authentic experience of the immensity of the Canadian Rocky Mountains.


In Jasper National Park there are 91 km of trails. Only 20 minutes from the town of Jasper, Marmot Basin offers 3,000 vertical feet (914m) of superb skiing and snowboarding on 1,720 acres of varied terrain.


Large, snow filled bowls are paradise for powder skiers and snowboarders.

 

Surprisingly, the world's top ski resort lacks a 5* hotel, but visitors often praise the 4* Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. This hotel is known for being on TV hit reality show The Bachelor. With a breathtaking setting between snow-capped peaks, foothills clad in pine forest, and crystal-clear Lac Beauvert, this romantic hideaway offers 407 inviting rooms, suites and Signature Cabins, dining choices, and a myriad of adventure activities for all.


Credit: Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge


Best restaurant: Mad Grizzly Bistro Bar

This global fusion restaurant is a favourite amongst visitors and locals. Their menu often changes due to their dedication to source fresh ingredients from local farmers' markets. This means no matter what time of year, you can be sure you're eating the best of the season.

 

 

 Read More on Travel:

 

 


Comments

bottom of page