Vail is known not just for its size—over 5,289 acres of skiing served by 31 lifts—but for its variety. The combined skiable terrain offers more than 200 runs accessed by 37 lifts. More than three dozen lifts in Cortina alone carry skiers from the center of town to snowfields at the crests of the highest ridges, from which they can ski back into town in a single exhilarating run or spend the day on the high-altitude snowfields. On Bald Mountain, where there's a lot of black and double black, follow Ruins of Pompeii into Triangle Trees for a mix of steeps and glades. The chic Swiss ski resort of St. Moritz is known as the birthplace of Alpine winter tourism. The Italian side of the ski area includes the resorts of Pragelato, Sansicario, Cesana, Clavière, Sauze d’Oulx, and Oulx. Val d'Isere and Tignes offers some of the best skiing for experts, with more than two dozen challenging black runs. In a recent OnTheSnow poll, 75 percent of respondents named scenic beauty and natural attractions as a major mountain town draw outside of skiing.
One thing to know: As one of the most prominent ski areas in the Lake Tahoe area, Mt. There are plenty of beginner and intermediate areas, as well as off-piste routes best explored with a guide. At Veysonnaz, take in the view of the Rhone Valley while basking in the sunshine (an average of 300 days per year).
not a hike >15mins; may require a traverse back to lifts or goes to a road, Expert: this includes off-piste and easily accessed backcountry for experts, Extreme: refers to super steep and narrow terrain, cliffs and other drop-offs, Snow: quality and quantity, and likely frequency of powder days, Lunchtime freshies: likelihood of finding quality fresh tracks at lunchtime on a powder day, Uncrowded: uncrowded lift lines and slopes, Lifts: refers to quality and quantity of lift infrastructure including the lay-out, Terrain park: size, variability and caters to all levels, Family friendly: refers to how well the resort caters to families, both on and off the slopes - includes elements of child care, ski school, accessibility and kids activities, Restaurants: quality and quantity of daytime eateries as well as evening restaurants, Nightlife: refers to nightime entertainment including bars but not restaurants, Ski-in ski-out accommodation: refers to the proportion and quality of accommodation on mountain that is truly ski-in ski-out, Cost: incorporates costs associated with lift tickets, resort facilities, food & drink, and lodging (where relevant) relative to other resorts across that country/continent, Powderhounds: incorporates powder hound factors - advanced/expert terrain; powder; uncrowded slopes; & finding lunchtime freshies. Design aficionados will find architectural paradise at the ski-in/ski-out Skye Niseko, a condo hotel that’s big on sophisticated minimalist decor.
Map of world ski resorts (interactive map This page was last edited on 17 February 2020, at 01:58 (UTC).