The Best Skiing and Snowboarding Resorts

While Aspen Snowmass Ski Resort and Zermatt Ski Resort are seen by most as the top destinations for skiing and snowboarding holidays, many people forget that there are so many other resorts out there worth giving a try. Check out our list of the best skiing and snowboarding resorts around the world.

Parsenn (Davos Klosters) Ski Resort, Switzerland

Parsenn ski area is known for its excellent snowfall. You can get there from Davos by taking the Parsenn funicular or from Klosters by taking the Gotschnabahn ski lift. There are bus and train connections to the different slopes. You can get a day pass per mountain or a regional ski pass. There are many places to rent gear from and get lessons in the towns of Davos and Klosters, and you’ll find 15 bergrestaurants (mountain restaurants) dotted around the area. The slopes in Parsenn are wide and are marked for different experience levels. It’s home to the longest ski run in Europe which is 12-km-long; it starts at Weissfluh Peak and goes down to Kueblis.

Vail Ski Resort, Colorado, USA

Vail Ski Resort is the fourth largest ski resort in America. It’s made up of three mountain areas (the Front-Side, the Back Bowls, and the Blue Sky Basin) and has 39 lifts for its 193 trails. You can get skiing and snowboarding lessons for all ages and experience levels at Vail Snowsports School and you can rent your gear from Vail Nordic Center. The Nordic Center also offers cross country skiing. You can get to the Nordic Centre and to Lionhead via free bus rides from Vila Village. There is plenty of accommodation and eateries in the village, or you could dine at an on-mountain restaurant or café. If that doesn’t float your boat, there’s a grill for you to use at the top of the Blue Sky Basin.

Courchevel, France

Courchevel is the largest ski resort in Les Trois Vallées ski region, with 52 lifts and over a hundred runs. Courchevel is made up of towns on several levels: Saint Bon (1,100 metres) Courchevel Le Praz (1,300 metres), Courchevel-La Tania (1,400 metres), Courchevel Village (1,550 metres), Courchevel Moriond (1,650 metres), and Courchevel 1850 (1,850 metres). Courchevel 1850 offers the best snow and superb groomed runs. You’ll also find luxury 5-star hotels and chalets, Michelin star restaurants, and designer boutiques. It’s become a hotspot for the rich and famous. There are ESF Ski schools in Courchevel Village (1550), Courchevel Moriond (1650) and Courchevel 1850, and they each offer sit skiing lessons for individuals with disabilities. If the slopes in Courchevel are not enough for you, you can purchase a pass to access all 6 resorts in Les Trois Vallées.

Cardrona Alpine Resort, New Zealand

The Cardrona Alpine Resort opened in 1980, and it’s one of the top ski resorts in New Zealand. It is a forty-minute drive from Wānaka and is an hour away from Queenstown. You can catch a ride on one of the many chairlifts and gondolas to the top of the groomed runs that are for experts and novices. Cardrona Alpine Resort is known for being a family friendly resort, with childcare facilities and ski and snowboarding lessons for Under 5s (starting at age 2). There are various passes for one- or two-day visits or you can purchase season passes. If you don’t have your own gear, you can rent it from Snopro Ski Hire. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes for you to relax in after an afternoon of skiing or snowboarding, and you have the choice of on-mountain accommodation or staying in one of the nearby hotels. If you’re an experienced skier looking for more of a challenge, you may be better off at Treble Cone.

Portillo Ski Resort, Chile

This is the oldest ski resort in South America. Tourists love Portillo Ski Resort because the ski season is from June to September. There is no village at this resort. You can stay in Los Andes, but many skiers and snowboarders prefer the on-mountain accommodation, such as the Hotel Portillo, the Octagon Lodge, and the Inca Lodge, as they are ski-in and ski-out hotels. There are 14 ski lifts and 35 slopes, with plenty of steep slopes for advanced snowboarders and skiers. Beginners can take group or private lessons at Portillo's Ski and Snowboard School. The quickest way to get to Portillo Ski Resort is by taking a two-hour car ride from Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport.

Cortina d'Ampezzo Ski Resort, Italy

Cortina d'Ampezzo Ski Resort is the best ski resort in Italy, and it’s only two hours away from Venice. You have the options of skiing on several different mountains which are accessible by cable-car or by bus. The nearest mountain is Faloria, but the area with the best snow is Ra Valles. There are several black ski runs near the resort, although Cortina d'Ampezzo is more of a destination for beginners, intermediates, and cross country skiers. Visitors can buy individual day passes, multiday passes, or Dolomiti SuperSki passes which grants access to all Dolomites resorts.

Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort, Canada

Whistler Blackcomb ski resort is the largest ski resort in North America, and is made up of Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain. There are 36 lifts, 16 bowls, and over 200 runs. Most people stay at Whistler Village or North Village, but there is further accommodation at Creekside or Upper Village at the base of Blackcomb Mountain. There are free shuttles to take you to the lifts from Whistler Village and Upper village. The ski school offers private and group lessons to beginners, intermediates, and advanced skiers with highly skilled instructors.

Happo One Ski Resort, Japan

Happo One Ski Resort in the Hakuba Valley is a great skiing and snowboarding destination, and it was even the host of the 1998 Winter Olympics. Many people travel here for the opportunity to hit the slopes in the northern part of the Japanese Alps. There are 16 slopes, 22 lifts, and several on-mountain restaurants. There are several accommodation options in Happo Village, as well as shops, eateries, and hot springs. There are free shuttles that operate between all 10 ski resorts in Hakuba Valley, so travellers can have more skiing opportunities. Happo One offers snowboarding and skiing lessons in English and there are several rental shops in the area.

Ski Arlberg Ski Resort, Austria

Ski Arlberg is considered to be one of the best skiing areas in the Alps. Ski Arlberg encompasses the neighbouring villages of Lech, Zürs, Warth, Schröcken, St. Anton, St. Christoph, and Stuben. This resort is known for catering to its wealthy cliental. There are 88 lifts and 305km of ski runs, and there are several busses that transport guests between the local villages. This ski resort is favoured for its on-mountain restaurants and ski-in and ski-out accommodation, though many people like to stay in one of the villages for the après ski activities. There many blue runs for beginners, but experienced snowboarders and skiers will want to try the White Ring ski circuit and famed Langer Zug run. It has an 80% gradient and is one of the steepest groomed runs in the world

Levi Ski Resort, Finland

Levi Ski Resort in Finnish Lapland is the largest resort in Finland. It has 26 lifts and 44 slopes. The South Slopes are for beginners and intermediates, whereas the Front Slopes are a little more challenging. There are ski passes for individuals and groups, and equipment can be hired and serviced at Zero Point and South Point rental shops. The ski school offers lessons for various types of skiing and snowboarding. There are plenty of après ski options, such as gazing at the Northern Lights, visiting Santa’s Cabin, or hitting the local bar.

When you start planning your next skiing or snowboarding holiday, make sure you’re covered by Oasis travel insurance. You can even purchase our winter sports and ski add-on to make sure you’re covered when you hit the slopes. We cover downhill skiing, cross country skiing, sit-skiing, telemark skiing, as well as mono-skiing, split-boarding, and snowboarding. Our winter sports insurance offers cover for skiing off-piste within the resort boundaries; however, this excludes terrain parks.