best ski resorts

where to ski and snowboard in 2011 and 2012 - ski holidays in the top 10 best ski resorts in the world

to ski & snowboard
the very best ski resorts
choose from our uber list of
the world's top ten ski resorts

All of these ski and snowboard mountains have at some stage held titles like "best skiing resort" or "best ski resort Europe", or been included in the winners lists of top US ski resorts such as "top Colorado ski resorts", "top ski resorts in USA". Neither the cheapest, nor the most expensive... they are simply the best ski resorts worldwide.

world's best skiing resorts

Val d'Isere France

Trendy favourite resort of the huge Espace Killy ski area. Fantastic intermediate, expert and apres ski from pretty town. Expensive but worth it

Beginner Trails

22 runs ?km

14%

Intermediate Trails

61 runs ?km

39%

Advanced Trails

46 runs ?km

29%

Expert Trails

25 runs 25km

16%

snoman says

Val d'Isère ranks alongside St Moritz, Stowe and Cortina in the "famous names of skiing" category and is one of the very few in the world to stage World Cup, World Chamionship and Olympic competitions.. However... more

Beginner		Intermediate
Expert		Snowboarders
Apres Ski		Families
Snowsure		Ambience
Value		Lift Pass	€208.5
Resort Open	Nov 2012	Resort Close	May 2013
(snow conditions often influence resort opening & closing)

Val d'Isere ski holidays

Jardins de la Balme apts.
03 Mar 2012
Edinburgh £262

Val d'Isere chalets

Chalet Les Danaides
08 Dec 2012
Dover Ferry £395

Val d'Isere luxury

Chalets de Solaise Apar...
05 Jan 2013
Ashford - Eurostar £420

Val d'Isere last minute

Jardins de la Balme apts.
03 Mar 2012
Edinburgh £262

Meribel France

Trad chalet resort in middle of huge 3 valleys ski area. Very popular with Brits for it's big mileage and big apres scene - often big prices too

Beginner Trails

10 runs ?km

13%

Intermediate Trails

34 runs ?km

45%

Advanced Trails

24 runs ?km

32%

Expert Trails

9 runs 9km

12%

snoman says

In 1938 a British Officer created a ski resort, Méribel, in an almost abandoned mountain valley. Today Méribel is one of the world's greatest ski resorts. It now has an apartment built off-shoot, Méribel Motta... more

Beginner		Intermediate
Expert		Snowboarders
Apres Ski		Families
Snowsure		Ambience
Value		Lift Pass	€187
Resort Open	Dec 2012	Resort Close	Apr 2013
(snow conditions often influence resort opening & closing)

Meribel ski holidays

Le Hameau de Mottaret A...
24 Mar 2012
Gatwick £256

Meribel chalets

NEW Chalet Camelia (Mé...
24 Mar 2012
Folkestone Ferry £358

Meribel luxury

NEW Chalet Camelia (Mé...
24 Mar 2012
Folkestone Ferry £358

Meribel last minute

Hameau du Mottaret Apar...
03 Mar 2012
Stansted £350

Zermatt Switzerland

One of the greats. France has the Mont Blanc and Chamonix, Switzerland has the Matterhorn and Zermatt - linked by the classic Haute Route. Legendary apres-ski is topped only by the awesome intermediate and expert skiing. Klein Matterhorn lift is highest cable car in world. Beginners are well looked after

Beginner Trails

0 runs 0km

Intermediate Trails

12 runs 29km

16%

Advanced Trails

41 runs 109km

55%

Expert Trails

21 runs 21km

28%

snoman says

Regarded by most as Switzerland's top ski resort and by many as the world's best. Picturesque, car free with spectacular views of the Matterhorn. Large glacier for Summer skiing, lift links to Breuil Cervinia ... more

Beginner		Intermediate
Expert		Snowboarders
Apres Ski		Families
Snowsure		Ambience
Value		Lift Pass	CHF359
Resort Open	Dec 2012	Resort Close	Nov 2013
(snow conditions often influence resort opening & closing)

Zermatt ski holidays

NEW Chalet Alessandra (...
14 Apr 2012
Dover Ferry £244

Zermatt chalets

NEW Chalet Alessandra (...
14 Apr 2012
Dover Ferry £244

Zermatt luxury

Chalet Aeschhorn B
24 Mar 2012
Dover Ferry £296

Zermatt last minute

Ambassador Self Caterin...
10 Mar 2012
Belfast (Aldergrove) £420

St Anton Austria

One of the greats - huge ski area and ultimate Austrian nightlife. Ski your legs off then party 'til you drop - a hard livin' heaven

Beginner Trails

? runs 0km

Intermediate Trails

? runs 108km

Advanced Trails

? runs 138km

Expert Trails

? runs ?km

snoman says

St Anton is unique amongst ski resorts in holding three legendary reputations simultaneously. First there is its world class skiing, second there is the resort's reputation for the most hedonistic nightlife in ... more

Beginner		Intermediate
Expert		Snowboarders
Apres Ski		Families
Snowsure		Ambience
Value		Lift Pass	€198
Resort Open	Dec 2012	Resort Close	May 2013
(snow conditions often influence resort opening & closing)

St Anton ski holidays

Chalet Arlhof
24 Mar 2012
Dover Ferry £296

St Anton chalets

Chalet Arlhof
24 Mar 2012
Dover Ferry £296

St Anton luxury

NEW Chalet Hotel St. Ch...
14 Apr 2012
Dover Ferry £296

St Anton last minute

Chalet Rathia
11 Mar 2012
Flights On Request £559

Tignes France

High snowsure town has some of best intermediate and advanced skiing in the Alpes. Not a pretty town but decent apres and huge Espace Killy ski area shared with Val d'Isere

Beginner Trails

22 runs 121km

14%

Intermediate Trails

61 runs 100km

39%

Advanced Trails

46 runs 58km

29%

Expert Trails

25 runs 25km

16%

snoman says

Tignes shares the huge and wonderful Espace Killy with Val D'Isere, but the underground funicular accessed Grand Motte glacier officially belongs to Tignes. The glacier no longer offers skiing 365 days a year (... more

Beginner		Intermediate
Expert		Snowboarders
Apres Ski		Families
Snowsure		Ambience
Value		Lift Pass	€154
Resort Open	Nov 2012	Resort Close	May 2013
(snow conditions often influence resort opening & closing)

Tignes ski holidays

Val Claret Apartments
03 Mar 2012
Edinburgh £266

Tignes chalets

Chalet Les Martins A
03 Mar 2012
Gatwick £414

Tignes luxury

Village Montana Hotel, ...
24 Mar 2012
Gatwick £404

Tignes last minute

Val Claret Apartments
03 Mar 2012
Edinburgh £266

Courchevel France

Arguably France's most exclusive resort, well located in the world's largest truly inter-connected ski area (Trois Vallées) and with some of Europe's best infrastructure, Courchevel would rate in the top 10 selection of resorts around the world for most dedicated skiers. Courchevel has it's own special Charter which en... [more Courchevel]

Beginner Trails

15 runs ?km

16%

Intermediate Trails

34 runs ?km

36%

Advanced Trails

35 runs ?km

37%

Expert Trails

9 runs 9km

snoman says

Beginner		Intermediate
Expert		Snowboarders
Apres Ski		Families
Snowsure		Ambience
Value		Lift Pass	€114
Resort Open	Dec 2012	Resort Close	Apr 2013
(snow conditions often influence resort opening & closing)

Courchevel ski holidays

Les Brigues apts, 1550
24 Mar 2012
Manchester £292

Courchevel chalets

Chalet Hotel Les Anémones
14 Apr 2012
Dover Ferry £296

Courchevel luxury

Chalets Les Montagnette...
12 Jan 2013
Dover Ferry £336

Courchevel last minute

Les Brigues apts, 1550
03 Mar 2012
Stansted £360

Kitzbuhel Austria

Lively resort and large varied ski area. Pretty town has lots of affordable accom as well as upscale

Beginner Trails

0 runs 0km

Intermediate Trails

21 runs 67km

35%

Advanced Trails

26 runs 78km

43%

Expert Trails

13 runs 13km

21%

snoman says

Austria's most famous resort, a lively town with chic overtones which most skiers agree has Austria's best intermediate/expert skiing in the mountains above it.

Beginner		Intermediate
Expert		Snowboarders
Apres Ski		Families
Snowsure		Ambience
Value		Lift Pass	€170
Resort Open	Dec 2012	Resort Close	Apr 2013
(snow conditions often influence resort opening & closing)

Kitzbuhel ski holidays

Hotel Aurach
17 Mar 2012
Belfast City £371

Kitzbuhel chalets

Chalet Karlberger
17 Mar 2012
Belfast City £385

Kitzbuhel luxury

Hotel Jägerwirt
17 Mar 2012
Belfast City £539

Kitzbuhel last minute

Hotel Aurach
10 Mar 2012
Belfast City £404

Verbier Switzerland

Huge high alt. ski area above a buzzy and pretty village. Nightlife is world famous and rightly so. Nearly as good skiing and apres as Chamonix, nearly as expensive as St Moritz. Great for going big, on the hill and in the bar

Beginner Trails

0 runs 0km

Intermediate Trails

19 runs 65.2km

32%

Advanced Trails

20 runs 31km

34%

Expert Trails

5 runs 5km

snoman says

A world class resort, ranked by many in their global top ten. Capital of the 4 Valleys ski circus. Wide ranging facilities for skiers and non-skiers of all kinds.

Beginner		Intermediate
Expert		Snowboarders
Apres Ski		Families
Snowsure		Ambience
Value		Lift Pass	CHF317
Resort Open	Nov 2012	Resort Close	Apr 2013
(snow conditions often influence resort opening & closing)

Verbier ski holidays

Chalet Tom Kitten
24 Mar 2012
Dover Ferry £266

Verbier chalets

Chalet Tom Kitten
24 Mar 2012
Dover Ferry £266

Verbier luxury

Chalet Hotel De Verbier
07 Apr 2012
Dover Ferry £424

Verbier last minute

Chalet Le Cairn
10 Mar 2012
Dover Ferry £395

Whistler Canada

Huge, world-famous resort with unrivalled skiing & nightlife: ski hard, play hard. Two mountains connected by pedestrian village. Exciting & expensive, with enough to keep you busy for weeks

Beginner Trails

0 runs ?km

Intermediate Trails

34 runs ?km

17%

Advanced Trails

110 runs ?km

55%

Expert Trails

56 runs 56km

28%

snoman says

Whilst many of the great European ski resorts tend to rest on their laurels, Whistler has shot up through the ranks to become one of the strongest contenders for the much disputed title of 'World's Greatest Ski... more

Beginner		Intermediate
Expert		Snowboarders
Apres Ski		Families
Snowsure		Ambience
Value		Lift Pass	C$397
Resort Open	Nov 2012	Resort Close	Jun 2013
(snow conditions often influence resort opening & closing)

Whistler ski holidays

Coast Blackcomb Suites
11 Dec 2012
Heathrow £865

Whistler chalets

Chalet Alice
21 Mar 2012
Heathrow £1058

Whistler luxury

Coast Blackcomb Suites
11 Dec 2012
Heathrow £865

Whistler last minute

Holiday Inn
13 Mar 2012
Heathrow £1038

Chamonix France

To many, Chamonix is the undisputed mountain-sport capital of the world! This Off-piste ski & snowboard mecca is home to the world's longest run, the Vallee Blanche (not really a piste at all, but a 23km ski down Europe's second largest glacier the Mer de Glace - "Sea of Ice"). The Grands Montets is one of greatest sk... [more Chamonix]

Beginner Trails

12 runs 5km

15%

Intermediate Trails

49 runs 46km

61%

Advanced Trails

190 runs 70km

237%

Expert Trails

21 runs 21km

26%

snoman says

An historic ski and climbing town on the picturesque side of Mont Blanc, by the entrance to the Mont Blanc tunnel. Chamonix offers the world's greatest lift-served vertical drop. Away from the slopes it is ver... more

Beginner		Intermediate
Expert		Snowboarders
Apres Ski		Families
Snowsure		Ambience
Value		Lift Pass	€200
Resort Open	Dec 2012	Resort Close	May 2013
(snow conditions often influence resort opening & closing)

Chamonix ski holidays

La Riviere Apartments
24 Mar 2012
Gatwick £212

Chamonix chalets

Chalet Hotel Sapinière
07 Apr 2012
Dover Ferry £382

Chamonix luxury

Les Balcons du Savoy Ap...
24 Mar 2012
Birmingham £291

Chamonix last minute

La Rivière Apartments
03 Mar 2012
Edinburgh £286

Each mountain resort on this list is created from the creme de la creme of top rated snowboarding and skiing resorts... combining two widely accepted lists which named the top ski resorts in north America and the top ski destinations in Europe, to create the definitive list of top 10 best ski resorts in the world.If you take your winter sports seriously, you're looking to discover what is for you personally the best ski resort in the world, or you simply want to guarantee you have the best ski holidays of anyone you know... why not use this definitive list for your ski holiday itinerary for the next few years - when you get to the end, you can genuinely say you've skied or snowboarded the best ski resorts in the world!

You can also checkout the best ski resorts Europe has to offer or the best ski resort france has created - be sure to think about what you want from your winter resort because there are many different types of resort on the "best of" lists and the real key to discovering your perfect mountain resort is to know which is the best specifically for you.

atol tta

All package ski holidays booked with SNO Ski are fully ATOL and TTA protected.

Book with the confidence that your ski holiday package is always protected against supplier failure.

SNO ski holidays packaged with flights are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. All our suppliers
are ATOL bonded too, so your holiday money is safe. In addition to this, payments for your ski holiday are
held in trust, by NatWest bank and the Travel Trust, who insure every booking against supplier failure.

Visit the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for the latest official travel information and advice.

In addition to the comprehensive protection provided by SNO ltd, all of the ski holiday companies we work with are also protected by at least one of the following travel organisations:

Air Travel
Organisers
Licence
ATOL

Travel
Trust
Association
TTA

International
Air Transport
Association
IATA

Federation
of Tour
Operators
FTO

Association
of British
Travel Agents
ABTA

Adults	(age 12 and over)
Children	(ages 2 to 11)
Infants	(aged under 2)

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