For even the most experienced skiers, it’s easy to get sucked into the trap of visiting the same resorts over and over again. It’s easily done. When you know the snow’s reliable, the locals are friendly, and you fall in love with your favourite runs and the dramatic views, it’s often hard to find a reason to justify rolling the dice on a new resort that might not hit the mark
That’s why I’ve curated a selection of my favourite resorts to tell you all about here. My criteria are mainly based on the quality and quantity of the skiing and the feel of the place itself. So, without any further ado, here are 5 of the very best resorts I’ve visited in over 20 years of hitting the slopes.
Chamonix
Yes, this is the obligatory Chamonix section. But I’m not just putting it on here because I feel like I have to; it’s a world-class ski resort through and through. Set in the shadow of Europe’s highest peak, Mont Blanc, Chamonix boasts a huge amount of skiing for intermediate and advanced skiers, fine French cuisine, and a variety of local amenities that can extend an après ski session into the early hours of the morning.
On top of that, the place just has an ‘it’ factor that’s almost impossible to put your finger on. When the conditions are at their best, and you’re gliding along one of the resort’s long, winding runs, you feel the unshakeable sensation that you’re in a truly legendary place – 3000 metres above sea level and on top of the world.
Lake Louise
If you’re looking for a snowy slope to slide down in style, the Rocky Mountains have a plethora of options just for you. My personal favourite of these is Lake Louise, which you can find in Alberta. Beside the eponymous Lake Louise itself, youll find the Fairmont Château Lake Louise. Built at the turn of the 20th century, the palatial hotel is a neo-renaissance marvel that echoes the design of Europeans castles in the 16th century.
Architecture aside, the skiing in Lake Louise is up there with the best in Canada. There are family friendly paths through trees, steep downhill runs, and mogel-riddled roads – if that’s your thing, power to you. The mountains that surround Lake Louise and the nearby mountain town of Banff are a collection of sheer black cliffs – all angles and sharp edges – that cut into the sky. The mountains themselves seem quite at odds with the warm, cozy Canadian hospitality you’ll likely experience if you’re in a hotel or chalet.
Fujiten Snow Resort
If you’ve never skied with Mount Fuji right in front of you, then I’d highly recommend it. It almost doesn’t feel real. That’s until you hit a metre-thick clump of powder, fly off your skis, and wind up filing multiple injury claims against the nation of Japan.
On a more serious note, Fujiten is an absolute must-visit for any skier who has never dipped their toes in offerings outside of Europe. Narusawa village isn’t just rich in cultural heritage; it’s also welcoming. The charming locals were thankfully patient with ignorant non-Japanese speakers like myself.
While the quality of the skiing, both on and off piste, was absolutely top-notch, the same can’t quite be said for the quantity. But in my opinion, the gravitas of the place itself and the quality of the powder more than make up for it.
Zermatt
If I’m being 100% honest with you, this one’s my favourite. High up in the Swiss Alps, you can find a small, idyllic village tucked away from the noise and excess that plague our daily lives. Zermatt is only accessible via a single train that goes up a few times a day, delivering food, supplies, and millions of tourists every year. The small village itself is dominated by the famous Matterhorn, which looms dramatically overhead, no matter where you are.
The skiing, meanwhile, is nothing short of superb. With just one lift pass, you’ll have access to hundreds of runs that span across all of the surrounding mountains in the valley, and even spill over the border into Italy – just in case you fancy a bowl of the best pesto you’ll ever have. What’s more, because it’s one of the highest resorts in Europe, Zermatt sees consistent snowfalls through to the end of the ski season. If you haven’t taken the train up from Täsch yet, I’d highly recommend that you do.
Final Thoughts
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not going to stop you from booking that fourth trip to Courcheval. Let’s face it, if you’re skiing anywhere, you’re going to have a good time. All I’m suggesting is that you take a punt on any of these resorts if you haven’t already visited them. Who knows, your favourite slope might be out there, waiting for you to discover it.
CastlesandTurrets 