Winter is fast approaching and if you’re a ski lover, the season is the perfect time for an enjoyable ski experience. Love skiing and looking for an ideal ski destination for winter sports? Here is a guide listing the best places to ski this winter.
Vail Mountain Resort, Colorado
Vail is one of the largest ski resorts in the world and offers enough terrain that keeps skiers busy irrespective of their skill level. Its high altitude and beautiful scenery make it a perfect place to enjoy winter skiing. Vail has two major ski areas: Vail Ski Resort and Beaver Creek Resort, both combined offer over 7000 skiable acres and 345 ski trails.
December is one of the best periods to go skiing in Vail Mountain, as the snow is at its highest, and the area gives off a fun, festive vibe. But, be prepared to splurge because there are plenty of shops and the lodges tend to be expensive.
Lake Tahoe, California
Located in California, Lake Tahoe is one of the oldest lakes and the best places to ski in winter. There are a lot of mountains, about 15 ski resorts to pick from, and the lake views are really stunning. The crystal clear waters, the granite cliff sides, and the tall mountain tops make Lake Tahoe a popular winter spot.
The ski season in Lake Tahoe runs from November to April, and there are thousands of skiable terrain for skiers of all skill levels. Asides from skiing, there are other things you can do here, including strolling the Balancing Rock Nature Trail and visiting one of the state parks in the area.
Whistler Blackcomb, Canada
Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia is one of the world’s best destinations for a ski trip. This area has 200 trails across two mountains, offers plenty of terrain for all ski levels, and has many technical facilities to ensure a great ski experience.
Whistler Blackcomb is also a favorite amongst snowboarders. The skiable terrain offers more than 200 runs and has a full resort village making it a great choice for families. To enjoy skiing on this backcountry snow, you can get a local guide or find a concierge to explore the area together.
Aspen Snowmass, Colorado
One of the best regions in North America for a ski trip is Aspen Snowmass. With four major ski mountains and over 5,000 skiable acres, it’s easy to see why Aspen is popular among ski lovers. Also, Aspen is well-known for its challenging trails, the slopes, and the steep terrains.
Aspen Snowmass is perfect for intermediate and expert skiers as it hosts some of the most advanced runs and difficult trails. One of the ski areas in Aspen, Buttermilk features jumps and quarter pipes and other terrain features. This area has also been hosting the Winter X-games since 2002.
Chamonix, France
Chamonix is a popular ski destination in the French alps, and it boasts six ski areas and a wide choice of valley and altitude trails. This mountain town draws sports enthusiasts from around the world as it is an epic skiing destination for those looking for adrenaline-filled adventure.
One of the things that make Chamonix a favorite skiing destination is that it features slopes suitable for every level of skier. Whether you want to glide through the beginners’ slope or the complicated ones that run through trees, you will find something suitable for your skiing skills. Also, Chamonix offers off-piste skiing, and in the Les Houches ski area, there is the renowned Verte which is the only piste approved for World Cup races in Haute-Savoie.
Zermatt, Switzerland
Zermatt is the highest winter sports area in the Alps and has one of the most beautiful mountains in the world. This ski area is known for its Alpine ski resorts, imposing mountains, and amazing views of the most photographed mountain, the Matterhorn. The skiing slopes in Zermatt are open from November to April, but December skiing is the most popular option. When you make travel plans here, you can stop by the shops, galleries, theaters, and museums to explore the area.
Niseko, Japan
Want to ski on great slopes while enjoying views of Mountain Fuji? Make travel plans to Niseko, one of the best destinations for people who love winter sports.
Beginners, intermediate and advanced skiers will find many options and suitable slopes in this area. Also, this skiing location offers other fun winter activities, including snowboarding, snowmobiling, heli-skiing, and hot spring spas. Niseko is famous for its wooded glades, groomed trails, steep chutes, and powder.
There are also a variety of activities for children, including ski and snowboard lessons which earned the resort the ‘Japan’s Best Family Ski Resort’ title. You can also stop by the city of Sapporo for the annual Sapporo Snow Festival, which features big ice sculptures.
Cortina, Italy
If you’re looking for a perfect place to ski in winter, this Italian ski resort will serve as an ideal spot. The five ragged peaks around Cortina D’Ampezzo give these ski resorts the perfect backdrop to enjoy your skiing experience. Also, the resort features some ski towns between the peaks known as the Gruppo del Sella. The skiing experience in Cortina is made even better with the backdrop of Dolomite mountains and the surrounding streets filled with wooden market stalls, horse carriages, and fairy-lit bars.
Cortina hosted the 1956 Winter Olympics and has been a popular destination for skiing since then. The terrains in this ski resort are suitable for both experts and intermediate skiers.
Val Thorens, France
This winter sports retreat perches in the French Alps and offers a great ski experience in winter. With masses of pistes, a vast terrain, and plenty of powder, skiers of all abilities will enjoy being at Europe’s highest ski resort. The highest slope in Val Thorens is about 3,230m, and they are usually covered in snow from November till April. While you are here, glide down the slopes, walk through the trails and stop by the villages like Méribel for a cup of hot chocolate.
Bottom Line
Skiing is a great activity, especially when it’s winter, the conditions are dependable, and you are in a great location. A lot of things go into choosing the perfect skiing spot, but for this list, we consider everything that makes a great ski experience: location, snow conditions, and the challenge of the terrain.
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