This outdoor sport is also a great way to see the world and visit new regions you’d otherwise never experience. Explore new terrain, bond with new people and become a part of an exciting culture. We’ve scoured the Internet for the best ski destinations across the world, and can’t wait to share all of them with you.

There are so many beautiful ski destinations around the world waiting for you to explore them. But, how do you decide which one is right for you? Firstly, you don’t want to risk visiting a destination which isn’t guaranteed snow. Bear in mind your abilities too. Are you a beginner? Advanced? Travelling with a variety of skiers? The best ski destinations cater for an array of people, so you needn’t divide into groups to all fit in.

With that being said, we’ve discovered the best ski destinations which offer a variety of slopes, things to do and scenery. Here are our findings.  

If you’re searching for the best ski destinations, then we recommend considering Lech, Austria. Firstly, it’s a large resort which offers 86 lifts which offers 1000 meters of a descent. Since first becoming popular and recognized as one of the best ski destinations in the world, Lech screams skiers. It’s a great ski destination which all outdoor adventurists should experience at least once in their lifetime. However, this does mean that the journey there can be dangerous – with an array of extreme weather conditions. Heavy snowfall is particularly common, and often means that drivers have to change their route to accommodate safety.

The ski slopes at Lech, Austria are convenient and perfectly located to provide a practical and easy route around the resort. With attractive mountains and villages surrounding the area, there are incredible views which makes it a pleasant experience for everyone. Lech is one of the largest skiing resorts in the world. This means it’s filled with plenty of activities and things to do during your time there. If you’re wondering how Lech became one of the most famous resorts in the world, it’s because it was featured in Bridget Jones.

Another reason why Lech is so popular is for its climate, as it gets more snow than any other region. As a result, this makes it one of the best ski destinations – no matter your experience level. Running from December to April, the ski season is highly anticipated amongst locals and travelers from all around the world.

Cervinia is another of the best ski destinations for numerous reasons. Positioned at the side of mountains, it’s situated in one of the most beautiful places in the world. If you intend to enjoy amazing views and new experiences aside from skiing, then you’ll love the amount you can do here. The surrounding village is a popular destination to stay at during your skiing vacation. All levels of skiers are welcome at Cervinia’s skiing resort. For example, beginners can enjoy medium slopes which gradual gradients. As a result, this helps you to build confidence in skiing. After a few days, you’ll feel so much more experienced and ready to take on newer challenges.

Alternatively, if you consider yourself an intermediate skier, then you’ll appreciate the easy runs on the side of the mountains. These are followed by slightly more intense gradients. However, these aren’t so intimidating that you’ll feel challenged and nervous to begin. But it’s enough to improve your ability and get you feeling comfortable on the snow. Finally, there’s something for even the most advanced skiers at Cervinia. Ski across the border in Zermatt for an unbelievable experience you’ll love. Ensure that you buy a full area pass to make the most of an array of things to do.

After you’ve finished skiing, take a long walk around the area for remarkable views and experiences. Located in the center are many bars and restaurants, and local shops it’ll help you get a real cultural experience. Also, there are plenty of luxury accommodations scattered close to the skiing resort to make it more convenient to stay and travel around.

Whistler is another of the best ski destination. With its wonderful winter conditions, it’s no surprise that Canada has made the list. With plenty of snow on offer, Whistler is popular amongst Canadians and people from all over the world. It provides a friendly, non-intimidating environment. This is especially important if you’re looking for an authentic Canadian feel, whilst ensuring you’re in safe hands. There are so many amazing factors to Whistler – including its friendly community, snow records, amazing ventures and excellent skiing areas. It’s also worth mentioning that the local hotels and resort doesn’t come with extortionate prices either. When you’ve finished your skiing adventures, we recommend heading into the local villages for a delicious meal in high-class restaurants.

Unlike some of the best ski destinations in the world, Whistler strongly considers its effects on the environment. Therefore, they’re extremely eco-friendly. They also recommend every visitor and staff member to be so too. This also has a huge impact on the environment and what the overall experience of skiing is here. It’s radiating with charm and a positive mood. Before visiting Whistler, it’s good to know that there is something for everyone here. This is regardless of your passion for skiing, lifestyle choices or tastes.

As this skiing destination was founded by hosting the Olympic Winter Games, it’s become a popular and notable resort for all types of people. Celebrating over 50 years’ service, it continues to go strong and improve each year. If you love a challenge and aren’t afraid to try something which could scare you, you should make the most of its biggest vertical drop in North America. Add that to your bucket list.

Whistler is another of the best ski destinations, and with its wonderful winter conditions, it’s no surprise that Canada has made the list. With plenty of snow on offer, Whistler is popular amongst Canadians and people from all over the world. It provides a friendly, non-intimidating environment which is especially important if you’re looking for an authentic Canadian feel, whilst ensuring you’re in safe hands. There are so many amazing factors to Whistler – including its friendly community, world snow records, amazing ventures and excellent skiing areas. It’s also worth mentioning that the local hotels and resort doesn’t come with extortionate prices either. When you’ve finished your skiing adventures, we recommend heading into the local villages for a delicious meal in high-class restaurants.

Unlike some of the best ski destinations in the world, Whistler strongly considers its effects on the environment. Therefore, they’re extremely eco-friendly and recommend every visitor and staff member to be so too. This also has a huge impact on the environment and what the overall experience of skiing is here. It’s radiating with charm and a positive mood. Before visiting Whistler, it’s good to know that there is something for everyone here – regardless of your passion for skiing, lifestyle choices or tastes.

As this skiing destination was founded by hosting the Olympic Winter Games, it’s become a popular and notable resort for all types of people. Celebrating over 50 years’ service, it continues to go strong and improve each year. If you love a challenge and aren’t afraid to try something which could scare you, you should make the most of its biggest vertical drop in North America. Add that to your bucket list.

When you think about the best ski destinations in the world, you wouldn’t necessarily consider Japan. However, Niseko ski resort was rated Japan’s number one snow resort and is less than a three-hour drive from its main airport. The main reason why this is one of the best ski destinations in the world is for its high-quality snow. Each winter, it presents a thick blanket of snow across the resort and seizes to never let visitors down. Getting to this ski resort is easy, and you can access it by public transport. At Niseko, you can expect a world-class experience and be treated like royalty. However, there’s nothing artificial or unauthentic about Niseko.

If you’ve never visited Japan before, we highly recommend stopping by Niseko’s ski resort, because it provides a real atmosphere of what Japan is about. In the surrounding area, there are over 100 luxury restaurants in their nearby town, with an array of food to choose from. Alternatively, if you’re looking for international cuisine options, there’s also this choice too.

The only downside of Niseko is its high price range, so don’t expect to visit here on a budget. However, if you visit here, you’ll experience luxury accommodation and stay in one of the most glamorous destinations in Japan. There are also plenty of ski equipment and devices to rent, so you don’t need to purchase anything prior to your visit. Not many ski destinations provide a romantic setting with a relaxed ambience. But, Niseko offers an on-mountain diner to create the illusion that you’re somewhere in Europe. This venue tends to get busy, so make sure you book well in advance to avoid any disappointment.

Castle Mountain, Alberta is another of the best ski destinations to visit for so many reasons. It’s mainly suitable for advanced skiers as there are numerous challenging routes to explore. During your skiing experience, you’ll notice that there are fall line runs which are lengthy and a great way to make the most of a skiing holiday. Getting around the mountain isn’t difficult either, as the lift tickets are reasonably priced and their friendly staff make you feel comfortable and safe in a new environment. There are also plenty of services, facilities and equipment to accommodate everyone in the ski resort.

Not only is Castle Mountain one of the best ski destinations in the world, but it’s also one of the largest. With 79 trails, 863 meters of vertical and 3,592 acres in total, it’s an ideal resort to spend a winter holiday. However, Castle Mountain doesn’t seem or feel intimidating, so there’s no need to worry that you’ll get lost or feel out of place here. If you’ve never visited this ski destination, it’s reasonably easy to get to. Around a 40-minute drive from Pincher Creek town, this ski resort is southwest – close to Alberta Canada. To arrive here, you’ll preferably have a car, although there are some public transport services which’ll take you, but you’ll need to book in advance.

Castle Mountain is mainly dedicated to skiers, so if you intend to spend your time doing other activities, you might be disappointed. On the other hand, this means that the environment is purely ski-oriented and offers facilities such as lessons, child care, a retail shop and skiing and snowboard equipment (to rent and buy).

Verbier, Switzerland is another of the best ski destinations to spend your money on. This destination offers everything you could want from a ski area in Europe. With a variety of winter sports, the area has a versatility of activities and entertainment. Furthermore, Verbier provides unbelievable natural views of nearby mountains and lakes. What we love most about this ski destination is that it has everything you could want, no matter what you’re looking for. If you’re searching for difficult terrains, then you can find that here. Alternatively, if you love to ski in a calm environment where you can talk to friends at the same time, there’s also that option.

As Verbier is so ideal for skiers around the world, this means it’s often busy and can get packed. Therefore, we recommend booking well in advance and visiting during the off-peak season. This is particularly advantageous if you’d prefer to ski with less people around, or if you’re on a budget. To extend your experience, we suggest visiting some local towns to get a real feel for Switzerland. This is also a great way to indulge in the culture and experience the party scene. On the other hand, if you intend to cut costs and travel on a budget, there’s an array of youth hostels in the area.

Verbier has so much to offer both on and off the slopes, which is another reason why it’s so popular amongst so many different people. It’s also renowned for having one of the longest sledge runs in The Alps, by offering over 10 kilometers. As a result, there’s plenty to experience, and you’ll never feel stuck for something to do.

Bansko, Bulgaria is one of the best ski destinations to experience a range of activities, slopes and terrain. Firstly, it’s worth mentioning that it’s one of the cheapest ski resorts in Europe, as is the overall food, accommodation and rental equipment. There’s also a sense of peace and calmness in this culture, so you don’t need to feel tense if this is your first skiing experience. Also, Bansko offers one of the longest skiing seasons, as it’s open from December until the middle of May. Throughout this huge period of time, there’s excellent snow coverage in all areas, so there’s not really a particular preferable time to visit regarding the weather.

When you’ve finished skiing, enjoy some exciting bars and clubs throughout the resort. There are many traditional restaurants which offer live entertainment and a real taste of life in Bulgaria. Also, if you have enough time, make sure you plan to visit the surrounding towns. There’s nothing artificial or unreal about these towns, as they remain in their original state. This means you’ll find charm in the culture, historical buildings and natural scenery. Take a minute to absorb these beautiful surroundings for a peaceful break.

Another admiring aspect of Bansko is that it’s mainly English-speaking, so you don’t need to worry about the language barrier. There’s nothing worse than being at a ski resort where you feel out of place and can’t communicate with anyone. However, the staff at this mountain are more than happy to help you out, and want you to feel as comfortable as possible.

There are so many positive reasons to visit a ski resort with your family during the winter. The most obvious reason is that it’s fun and is a great way to release stress and anxiety and get fully engaged with nature like never before. We don’t connect with our loved ones as much as we’d like to (or should!). However, skiing is the perfect opportunity to spend some quality time with others and make some unforgettable memories you’ll all love.

After reading the above descriptions, which of these regions look the best ski destinations for you? Share your thoughts – or other recommendations – in the comments.

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