As spring turns to summer, it’s normal to be dreaming of long lazy days on the beach with a glass in hand and our feet on the sand. It seems like everywhere we look at the moment there are adverts and images of summer breaks and tropical destinations that will have us in shorts, sandals, and swimming costumes under the sun. For those of us who feel that call of the colder pursuits, however, this is the perfect time to begin preparing for our next sensational story on the slopes. It is estimated that there are a staggering 50 million people worldwide who take annual skiing trips to pursue this exciting, dynamic, and, dare we say it, coolest of ways to spend your holidays.
The Top Ski Resorts in The World
Skiing and snow sports are big business too. Ski resorts and the associated leisure facilities and hospitality industries that surround them often make locations that are attractive to skiers into huge holiday and tourist attractions in their own right. The bars and restaurants that offer the ultimate apres-ski vibe, along with the hotels that support them, quickly gain notoriety and will be booked up months, sometimes years in advance. With all of this in mind, it makes sense to get planning now. Our guide to the very best ski resorts in the world will make this into a simple downhill journey for you.
Gstaad, Switzerland
The charm of Switzerland makes it the ultimate destination for a classic ski resort. For alpine skiing purists, the town of Gstaad is the perfect representation of what you would expect here. It looks almost like a fairy tale with picturesque pistes offering you 200km of exceptionally manicured slopes 300 metres up above the clouds in the mountains. Designer shops such as Prada and Ralph Lauren rub shoulders with the chalets for the ultimate in exclusive ski shopping too.
The extraordinary Gstaad Palace is the pick of places to stay as one of Switzerland’s most iconic hotels renowned for its elegant luxury and impeccable spa. Its enviable views across the famous mountain ranges are only matched by the menus that include some fabulously glamorous dishes to accompany it. The truffle and Champagne cheese fondue is a stand-out statement for luxury cuisine here. Palatially perfect.
Aspen, USA
Aspen, Colorado is so much more than just a ski resort. This town is dedicated to the art of skiing with billionaires and the best in the world all vying for a place on the lifts above 700 acres of the most famous runs in America. The general atmosphere in Aspen isn’t necessarily the best choice for families or the faint hearted. This is a fast paced place where the standard of skiing is high, and the nightlife is late and loud all year round.
Private members clubs, Champagne on the piste, and cigar bars are all ready to fuel the lifestyles of the rich and famous with the local airport regularly hosting anything up to 200 private jets at a time. Luxury is everywhere you look with the 5-star, 5-diamond hotel, The Little Nell, providing the most prestigious accommodation that you can ski directly in and out of during your stay.
Manali, India
The Himalayas are perhaps the most famous mountains on Earth but not necessarily a location you would associate with skiing. The resort of Manali is hidden amongst them as a genuine gem for skiing aficionados and those open to trying something different. The ski action here happens on valley floors at around 2,500 metres and ridges that are at a staggering 5000 metres. To put that into context, helicopters can’t even operate at this height, so you are almost amongst the heavens when skiing in Manali. As you would expect, the surrounding lifestyle of the resort is a different environment altogether from the traditional or party town ski vibe.
This provides a much simpler, more contemplative, and cultural trip of discovery to pair with your pursuits on the slopes. There is a whole world to discover here of temples and Tibetan monasteries amongst the hot springs and art galleries. The Manali Bazaar is a must-see too with a plethora of hand crafted items and sumptuous oils to barter for as the perfect keepsake from your time here.
Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy
If you are looking for somewhere with unmatched ski heritage and history, then it has to be the town of Cortina d’Ampezzo in Italy. This was the location for the famous James Bond ski chases and thrilling snowmobile scenes in the 1981 classic movie, For Your Eyes Only. It was also home to the celebrated American writer Ernest Hemmingway during his time in Italy, with the nearby Hotel De La Poste offering the opportunity to stay in the perfectly preserved Hemmingway suite where he once resided and authored some of his works.
Make no mistake, however, Cortina is no museum. There are 70 miles of incredible trails to ski down and access to the entire Dolomite mountain range is at your disposal. The Dolomiti Ski Pass can be acquired here to open up a full 740 miles of the finest skiing scenery for your trip.
Hakuba, Japan
Japan is gaining a fantastic reputation as an alternative to the usual ski resort suspects of Europe and North America. Hakuba Valley is home to 9 beautiful ski resorts that showcase how deserved this status is, and it’s conveniently located just 3 hours from central Tokyo. As the host of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games, it has inherited a fantastic infrastructure for travel, accommodation, and leisure that has been developed and perfected over the last 25 years. With so many resorts to choose from, the slopes are often quiet enough to find virgin trails just waiting for you to lay your skis on.
The fascinating One Happo complex of chalets is an ultra-modern futuristic paradise with 3D plasma TV screens appearing from the ceiling and full home automation driven by cell phones and touchscreens. One-of-a-kind glass-topped pool tables and transparent fireplaces add a certain style that it's difficult to imagine being created anywhere apart from Japan.
Get ready to ride where the air is thin, and the ground is white. It won’t be long until you are staring down the slope with some of Mother Nature’s most wondrous mountains as your audience. Click your feet in, pull your mask down, and get ready for the adventure holiday of a lifetime!
