Fresh powder, miles of slopes, fine dining and winter activities await in these incredible ski resorts across the world.
Switzerland’s Verbier was ultimately announced as this years’ winner at the annual World Ski Awards, which took place in November. The nominations included breathtaking resorts spanning five continents suitable for beginners, experts and those just yearning for a winter getaway. Verbier is a picture-perfect location in the Swiss Alps with over 400km of runs. Other contenders offer Michelin-star dining, world-class shops, a variety of alternative winter sports activities, spas and all-day après.
Lake Louise has been named the best ski resort in Canada eight times over the last decade, and is a strong contender as one of the world’s greats. The resort has 164 runs over 4,200 acres of mountainous Alberta landscapes. There is something for skiers of all levels from blue and green runs to challenging blacks. The region has one of the longest ski seasons in North America, usually running from November to May during which time it has a constant supply of fresh snow. Lake Louise is set in the pristine location of Banff National Park, home to deer, elk, wolves and bear, meaning glitzy developments are few and far between. Instead, in the town of Banff you can enjoy great shopping, dining, museums and nightlife, on top of the epic activities on offer in the Rockies, such as skating, dog sledding, sleigh rides and hiking. Lake Louise is one of the easiest ski resorts to reach, just 1.5 hours west of Calgary International Airport.
It is little surprise Verbier has been crowned the winner, when it has the perfect combination of conditions for skiing: a high altitude of 1,500 meters, over 400km of slopes for all abilities and a postcard-perfect town filled with snow-dusted chalets. Located in the south-west of Switzerland, Verbier is a two-hour drive from Geneva airport and has widely become known as a ‘winter playground’ for the wealthy, however there is plenty to explore here for every budget. Lying at the centre of the Four Valleys, the resort’s 93 lifts transport visitors to miles of blue, green and black runs, as well as off-piste terrain. There is also a breakneck speed 10km toboggan run, tours to the top of Mont Fort, plus excellent dining and entertainment venues. Verbier is home to the highest igloo bar in Europe, more than one Michelin star restaurant including Le Table d’Adrien, and world-famous après at its many bars and clubs, of which Farm Club and Casbah are the most popular.
Deer Valley is one of the oldest ski resorts in the United States, but nowadays it has modern lifts, 5-star restaurants and 300m of powder each year. The slopes at Deer Valley are equally divided between skill levels, with a third each dedicated to beginners, intermediate and experts, although there are plenty of off-piste areas, cliffs and bowls too. The resort is divided into three lodges, Silver Lake, Empire Canyon and Snow Lodge. The first two encompass many of the top restaurants, hotels, shops and spas in the area, while the latter remains expensive, but has more family- and budget-friendly options. Après certainly hasn’t been forgotten either, with plenty of bars and clubs in nearby Park City, or if you prefer to stay onsite, The Lounge at Snow Lodge is the resort’s main après ski venue.
Appi Kogen is located in Japan’s Iwate Prefecture, and has 23 runs spread out across the 1,300m Mount Maemori and Mount Nishimori. The resort is a haven for all skiers, but particularly families or those who are keen to try other activities, as snowboarding, sledding and tubing are all available, along with ski and snowboarding schools. In the main resort area at the foot of the mountain is a wide range of hotels, shops and restaurants, including big names such as Intercontinental and IHG, which house fine dining options. Japan is wel-known for its geothermal activity, and Appi Kogen also features its own hot spring, a huge spa complex mostly made from bamboo with different hot baths, pools and saunas – exactly what’s needed after a day on the cold slopes. The resort is fairly easy to reach given Japan’s brilliant transport system, and is a 50-minute bus ride from Morioka Station, which lies around 2.5 hours north of Tokyo, and many hotels offer the transfer for free.
Val Thorens is part of the famous Three Valleys, the largest interconnected ski area in the world which encompasses numerous ski resorts including Meribel and Corchevel. The resort also retains the title for being the highest ski resort in the alps at 2300m, providing perfect conditions for hitting the slopes. The purpose-built resort has over 150km of pistes, many of which reach over 3000m and are ideal for intermediate or expert skiers. However, there are also a fair amount of blue and green runs as well as nursery slopes and ski schools. Restaurants in Val Thorens are diverse, ranging from the two Michelin-star Oxalys, to local cafes serving fondue, relaxed wine bars and steakhouses. Opting for a Three Valleys Pass will allow you access to the entire ski area, including amenities, so you can enjoy the diverse après ski in multiple resorts. Folie Douce near Meribel is particularly popular, and in Val itself are pubs, bars, karaoke venues and nightclubs. Getting to Val Thorens is as simply as flying to Geneva Airport and catching an airport transfer service, which takes around 2h45, although there are also transfers from Grenoble, Lyon and Chamberly.
