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Best Ski Resorts

We are often asked “which are the best ski resorts in the world” and “which are the top 10 ski resorts”? Our answer is always “it depends on what you’re looking for”! For us Powderhounds, our idea of the best ski resort is one with abundant dry powder that is practically deserted such that there are fresh tracks galore. These hidden gems are a bit of a rarity! The best powder skiing isn’t everyone’s highest priority in choosing the top ski resort. For some people, it’s about the quality of the cruising runs, the nightlife, the restaurants, the family friendliness, or a combination of variables. When choosing the top ski resorts, everyone has different priorities. We’ve provided ratings (from 0 to 5 where 5 = outstanding) on different factors as well as an overall rating. And in case you’re a powder hound just like us, we’ve also highlighted the best ski resorts in the world for powder skiing. See below for ski resort rankings:
Our ratings are based on our experiences of visiting lots of ski resorts. Obviously we haven’t been to all the top ski resorts in the world because that would take more than a lifetime, but we’ll continue to try!

Japan Ski Resorts

Japan has some of the best ski resorts in the world for powder hounds. Many of the top ski resorts for powder (both quality and quantity) can be found in Hokkaido, and many of the resorts are also uncrowded so there are lots of "freshies" to be found! The Japan snow is highly coveted by powder hounds. Also see the best skiing in Japan page.

Sort by columns

Japan Ski Resorts
5 = outstanding
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Off-Piste
Tree Skiing
Expert
Extreme
Snow
Freshies
Uncrowded
Slackcountry
Lifts
Terrain Park
Family Friendly
Daytime Restaurants
Nighttime Restaurants
Nightlife
Ski-in\Ski-Out
Cost
Apres
English
Culture
Powderhounds
Overall
Hokkaido
Asari 2.5 3 2 3 3.5 2 0 4 5 4.5 3 2.5 2 3 4 1 1 0 5 2 1 4 4.5 3.5
Fu's 2.5 2 2 0.5 2 2 0 3.5 5 3.5 1.5 2 0.5 3 2 0 0 0 5 0 2 4 3.5 3
Hakodate Nanae 3.5 2 1 2.5 3 3 1 4 5 4.5 4 3 0 2.5 2.5 0 0 0 4.5 0 0.5 4.5 4.5 3
Hidaka Kokusai 2 3 2.5 2.5 3 3 1 4 5 5 1.5 2.5 0 2 2 1 0 2 5 0 0.5 5 4.5 3.5
Hinata 2.5 2.5 2 2.5 3.5 3 1.5 4.5 5 5 3.5 2 0 2 2 0 0 0 5 0 1 5 5 3.5
Kamoidake 2 3 1 2 3 3 2 4.5 5 5 3.5 2 2.5 2 2 0 0 1.5 5 0 1.5 4.5 4.5 3.5
Kokusetsu Horotachi 1.5 2 2 3 3.5 3.5 1.5 4.5 5 5 2.5 1.5 0 2 2 0 0 0 5 0 1 4 5 3
Niyama Kogen 3 2 2 2.5 2.5 2.5 1 4 5 5 1.5 2.5 0 2 2 0 0 0 5 0 0 4 4.5 3
Otaru Tenguyama 2.5 2 3 3 4 4 2.5 3.5 5 5 2.5 2.5 0 2 2 0 0 0.5 5 0 1.5 4.5 4.5 3.5
Pirika 1 3.5 1.5 2 3 3 1 4 5 4.5 3 1.5 1 3 2 1 0 2 5 0 1 4 4.5 3.5
Piyashiri 2.5 2.5 2 2 3 2.5 2.5 5 5 5 3.5 2.5 1.5 2 2 0 0 1 5 0 2 4 5 3.5
Sahoro 4.5 2.5 2 4 4.5 3 1 4.5 5 3.5 4 3 1 5 3 3 2 4.5 4 0.5 4 2.5 4.5 4
Sunlaiva 2 2 0.5 2 2.5 2.5 2.5 3 5 5 4 2 0 2 1.5 0 0 0 5 0 2.5 5 4 3
Wassamu 1.5 3 2 2 3.5 2.5 1.5 4.5 5 5 3 1.5 0 2 2 0 0 0 5 0 1 5 4.5 3
Yubari 3.5 3 2.5 3 3 2.5 1 4.5 5 4.5 2 3 0 2.5 1.5 0 0 0 4.5 0 2.5 4 4.5 3.5
Kurodake 0 1 0.5 5 5 5 4.5 5 4.5 5 4 2.5 0 0.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 0 4 0.5 2.5 3 5 3.5
Pippu 2 2.5 2 2.5 3.5 2.5 1.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 4 2.5 1.5 2 2 0.5 0 0.5 5 0 1.5 3.5 4.5 3.5
Sapporo Kokusai 2.5 2 1.5 3.5 3.5 3 2 5 4.5 2.5 4.5 3 2.5 3.5 3.5 0 0 0 4.5 1.5 2.5 2.5 4.5 3.5
Tomamu 4.5 3 2 3.5 4 3.5 1 4.5 4.5 4 4.5 2.5 2.5 5 4 4.5 1 4.5 3.5 0.5 4 2 4.5 4.5
Asahidake 0 1 0.5 4.5 4.5 3.5 2.5 5 4 3.5 5 2.5 0 0 2 0 0 0 5 0 2 3 4.5 3
Furano 4.5 4 3 4 4.5 4.5 1.5 5 4 4 5 3.5 1.5 4.5 2.5 4 2.5 2.5 4.5 2.5 4.5 3.5 4.5 4.5
Kamui 3 3 2 4 4 2.5 0 5 4 4 3.5 2.5 0 3 2.5 0 0 0 5 0 3.5 3.5 4.5 3.5
Nukabira 2 2 1 0.5 0.5 0.5 0 4 4 5 0.5 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 5 0 1 4 3.5 2.5
Sapporo Teine 4.5 2.5 3 4 4.5 4.5 3 4.5 4 3.5 4.5 3 2 3 2.5 0 0 0 4.5 1 2.5 2.5 4.5 3.5
Canmore 3.5 2 1 1.5 1.5 1.5 0 3.5 3.5 4 1 2.5 0 3 2 0 0 0.5 5 0 1 5 3.5 3
Moiwa 2.5 2.5 2 3.5 4.5 3 2.5 4.5 3.5 4 4.5 2.5 0 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 4 2 4 3 4.5 4
Kiroro 4 3.5 2 4 4.5 3.5 1.5 5 3 4 4 5 1 4.5 3.5 4 2 3.5 2.5 2 4.5 1.5 4.5 4.5
Rusutsu 3.5 4.5 3 5 5 2.5 1 5 3 3.5 2.5 4.5 2.5 5 3.5 4 2 4 3 2 4.5 3 4 4.5
Niseko 5 4.5 3 5 5 3 1 5 2.5 2.5 5 3.5 3 4 4.5 5 5 4.5 3 3.5 5 1.5 4 5
Niseko Annupuri 3.5 2.5 2 2 4 2 1 5 2.5 3 5 3 0 3 3 3 2 2 4 2 4 3.5 4 4
Niseko Village 4.5 2.5 2 3 4 2.5 1 5 2.5 3 5 4 0 5 3 3 2.5 5 3 2 5 2.5 4 4
Niseko Hanazono 4 2.5 1 3 4.5 2.5 1.5 5 2 2.5 5 3 4 5 2.5 2 1 2 2.5 1 5 1 3.5 4
Niseko Hirafu 4 3.5 3 4.5 4.5 2.5 1 5 2 2.5 3 3.5 3 5 4.5 5 5 3 3 3.5 5 1 3.5 4.5
Honshu
Adatara Kogen 1.5 1.5 1 1 1 0 0 3.5 5 5 1 1.5 0 1 1 0 0 1.5 5 0 0 4.5 2.5 2.5
Akita Hachimantai 1.5 2 1.5 1 2.5 1.5 1 4.5 5 5 3 1.5 0 1 1 0 0 1 5 0 0 5 4.5 3
Alts Bandai 2.5 3.5 2.5 3 3 1.5 0 3 5 3 2 3 4.5 4 3 2.5 1 3.5 3.5 1.5 3 2.5 4 3.5
Amihari Onsen 2 2.5 1.5 3 3 3 3 4 5 5 4 2 0 2.5 1.5 2 0.5 3 5 0.5 1.5 4 4.5 3.5
Ani 2 2.5 1.5 3 5 4 2 4.5 5 5 4.5 2.5 0 2 2 0 0 0 5 0 2 4 5 3.5
Aomori Spring 5 2.5 1.5 3 4.5 3.5 2 4.5 5 4.5 4 4 5 3.5 2.5 2.5 1.5 3.5 4 1.5 4.5 2.5 5 4.5
Geto Kogen 2.5 3 2.5 4.5 4 2.5 0 5 5 5 3 4 1 2.5 2.5 1 0.5 1.5 4.5 0.5 2 3 5 3.5
Grandeco 3.5 3 1.5 3 3 1.5 1 4 5 5 2.5 4.5 0 3 3.5 2 0.5 2 4 0.5 3 3 4.5 3.5
Hachimantai Panorama 3 2 0 0.5 0.5 0 0 4.5 5 5 2 2.5 0 3 1.5 1.5 0 2.5 5 0 1.5 4.5 3 3
Hirayu Onsen 2 2 2 4 4 4 4 3 5 5 3.5 2 0 1 1.5 2.5 0 0 5 0 1 5 4.5 3.5
Houdaigi 4 3 2.5 3.5 4.5 4 2 4.5 5 3.5 3 3 2 3 2.5 0 0 1.5 4.5 0.5 2 4 4.5 4
Inawashiro 3.5 3 2 3 4 2.5 0 3 5 3 2 2.5 2 4 2.5 0 0 0 4.5 0 1.5 4 4 3.5
Iwate Kogen 2.5 2.5 1.5 3 3.5 3 1.5 3.5 5 4 3 3.5 0.5 3 2.5 0 0 0 5 0 1.5 4 4.5 3
Jeunesse 2.5 2.5 2 3 3 2.5 1 4 5 5 2 2.5 0 2 1.5 0 0 0 5 0 1 4 4.5 3
Kumanoyu 2.5 2.5 2 3 4 3 1.5 5 5 5 3 2 0 2.5 2.5 0 0 2 4.5 0 2 4.5 5 3.5
Kurohime 3.5 2.5 2 2 2.5 2.5 1 3.5 5 3.5 1.5 2.5 3 2.5 2 0.5 0 2 5 0 1 4 4 3
Minowa 3 2 2 4.5 5 3 1.5 4 5 4.5 4.5 2.5 0.5 2.5 2.5 0.5 0.5 1 4.5 0.5 2.5 3.5 4.5 3.5
Nekoma 2.5 3 2.5 3.5 4 3 1 4 5 5 2.5 3 3 3 2.5 2.5 0 0 4.5 0.5 2 3.5 4.5 3.5
Nomugi Toge 2 2.5 1 2 2 1 0 4 5 5 2 2.5 0 2.5 2 0 0 0 5 0 1.5 4 4.5 2.5
Oguna Hotaka 3 2.5 2 2.5 3 2 0 4 5 4 2 2.5 1.5 2.5 2 0 0 0 4.5 0 1 3.5 4 3
Okunakayama Kogen 4 1.5 2 3.5 3.5 3 1 4 5 5 2 2.5 1 3 2.5 1 0 2 5 0.5 3 4 4.5 3.5
Oze Tokura 3 2.5 1.5 3.5 3.5 2.5 1 4 5 4 2 2 3.5 3 2 0.5 0 1 5 0 1 4.5 4.5 3.5
Ryuoo 4 2.5 3 4.5 4.5 3.5 1.5 4 5 3.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 3.5 2.5 1.5 0.5 3 4.5 0.5 2 3.5 4.5 4
Shizukuishi 2.5 4 2 3 4 3 1 4 5 4 3.5 2.5 2.5 3 2.5 2.5 0.5 3.5 4 0.5 2 3.5 4.5 3.5
Tayama 0.5 2 1.5 0.5 1 1 0 3 5 5 1 1.5 0 1.5 1.5 0 0 0 5 0 0.5 4 3.5 2.5
Tazawako 3.5 3.5 2.5 3.5 4.5 3 2 5 5 4 3 3 1.5 3 2.5 0 0 0 5 0.5 2 4.5 5 4
Tengendai 2 2 1 1.5 3.5 4.5 4 4 5 5 4.5 1.5 0 1 1.5 0 0 0 4 0 1 5 4.5 3.5
Togakushi 3 3 2.5 3 3.5 2.5 1 4.5 5 5 2.5 3 2 3 3 1 0 1 5 1.5 2 4 4.5 4
Yokoteyama 2.5 2 1.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 0 5 5 5 2 2 0 2 2.5 0 0 1 5 0 1.5 4.5 4.5 3
Zao Onsen 4 4.5 2.5 4 3.5 3 2.5 4.5 5 3.5 2 3 2 3.5 3 3 2 3.5 4 2 2.5 4.5 4.5 4
Appi 3 3 3 4 4.5 2.5 1 4.5 4.5 4 3 3 2.5 3.5 4.5 4.5 2 4 3 1 4.5 2.5 4.5 4.5
Charmant Hiuchi 1.5 2.5 1.5 4.5 3.5 3 1.5 5 4.5 5 3.5 3 2 2 2.5 0 0 0 5 0.5 1 4 5 3.5
Hakkaisan 2.5 2.5 2.5 3.5 3.5 4 4.5 4 4.5 5 4 2.5 1 2 2 0 0 0 4.5 0.5 2 4 5 3.5
Kawaba 2 2.5 2.5 4 4 4 1 3.5 4.5 3 2.5 3 2.5 3 4 0 0 0 4.5 0.5 2 4 4 3.5
Mt Norikura 4 2.5 2 2.5 2.5 2 1 4.5 4.5 4.5 1.5 3 2 3 3 1 0 1.5 5 0 2 3.5 4.5 3.5
Okushiga Kogen 3 3 1 4 4.5 3.5 2.5 4.5 4.5 4 4 3 0 4 4 3 2.5 4 3.5 2.5 5 3 4.5 4.5
Oze Iwakura 2.5 4.5 3 4.5 5 4 1.5 4.5 4.5 3 2 3 0 3.5 3 1.5 0 3 5 0.5 1 4.5 4.5 4
Shiga Kogen 4 5 3 4.5 4.5 3.5 2 4.5 4.5 3.5 2.5 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5 2.5 2 5 4.5 1.5 3.5 4 4.5 4.5
Tenjindaira 2 2 2 5 5 5 5 5 4.5 5 5 2.5 0.5 1.5 2 0 0 0 4.5 0.5 2.5 3.5 5 3.5
Yakebitaiyama 1.5 3 2.5 4 4 4 2.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 3 4 2 3 2.5 2.5 0.5 4 4.5 0.5 4 3 5 4
Cupid Valley 2 2.5 1 2 2 1 2 4.5 4 4.5 2 3 0 2.5 2.5 0 0 1.5 5 0 1 4 4 3
Hachimantai Shimokura 2 2 1.5 2.5 3.5 3 2.5 4.5 4 5 2.5 2 1 2 2 0 0 0 5 0 1.5 4 4.5 3
Hakkoda 1 2 3 4.5 4.5 3 2 5 4 3.5 4 2.5 0 0 2 0 0 2 4.5 0 2.5 3.5 4.5 3.5
Hakuba Kashimayari 4 3 0 1 1 0 0 3.5 4 4.5 0 2 0 3.5 2.5 2 0 2 5 0 2.5 4 4 3
Norikura 4 3 2.5 4.5 4.5 5 3.5 4.5 4 4.5 4.5 3 2.5 3.5 3 2 1 4 5 1 3 3.5 5 4.5
Ikenotaira 4.5 3 0.5 2.5 3 1 0 4.5 4 4.5 2 2.5 2.5 3 2.5 1 1 2 4.5 1 2.5 4 4 3.5
Joetsu Kokusai 3.5 4.5 1.5 2 2 1 0 3.5 4 3 1 3 3 4.5 3.5 3 0.5 4 3.5 0 2 4 3.5 3.5
Kagura 5 3 2 3.5 4 3 1 4.5 4 3.5 4 3.5 2.5 2.5 3.5 1 0 1 4.5 1.5 2.5 3 4.5 4
Kandatsu 3.5 2 4 4 4.5 4 2 4.5 4 3 1.5 2.5 3 3.5 3 0 0 0 4.5 1 2.5 3 4.5 3.5
Lotte Arai 2.5 2.5 3.5 5 3.5 4 1.5 4.5 4 4.5 2 4 0 5 4 4.5 2 4.5 2.5 1.5 3.5 2 4.5 4
Suginohara 4 3 1.5 2.5 4 4 4 4.5 4 4 4 4 3 3 3 0.5 0.5 3 4.5 0.5 2.5 4.5 4.5 4
Akakura 4.5 3 2 2.5 4 2 1.5 4.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 4 1.5 4.5 3.5 4 3.5 3 4 2.5 4.5 3 4 4
Maiko 4.5 3 2 3 3 2 0.5 4 3.5 3 1 3 1.5 4 3.5 1 0.5 2.5 4 0.5 2.5 3.5 3.5 3.5
Myoko Kogen 4.5 3.5 2.5 4 4 3 2.5 4.5 3.5 4 3.5 4 2.5 4 3.5 4 3 3.5 4.5 2 4 3.5 4.5 4.5
Naeba 4 3 3 3 2 4 1 3.5 3.5 2.5 3 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 2.5 4 3 1.5 3.5 2 3.5 4
Tangram 2.5 3 2 3.5 4 2.5 0.5 4.5 3.5 4.5 1 2.5 2 4.5 2.5 2 0.5 3 4 0.5 2 2 4.5 3.5
Tsugaike 5 2.5 1 4 5 4 2.5 4.5 3.5 4.5 4.5 4 3 3.5 3.5 2.5 2 4.5 5 2 3 3.5 4.5 4.5
Hakuba Cortina 2.5 3 2.5 4.5 5 4.5 2 5 3 4 4.5 3 0 3.5 3 2.5 0.5 4 4 1 3.5 3 4.5 4
Hakuba Iwatake 3 3.5 2.5 3 2.5 1.5 0 3.5 3 2.5 2 2.5 2 3.5 4 1.5 1.5 1.5 4.5 2 3.5 4 3 3.5
Ishiuchi 3 3.5 2 2.5 2.5 2.5 0 3.5 3 3 3 3.5 3.5 4 4.5 1 0.5 3 4.5 0.5 3 4 3.5 3.5
Madarao 3.5 3 4.5 4.5 4.5 3.5 1.5 4.5 3 3.5 3.5 2.5 2 4.5 3 3.5 3 4 4 2.5 4.5 2.5 4 4.5
Nozawa Onsen 4.5 3 4.5 4.5 4.5 4 3 4.5 3 3 4 3.5 3 4.5 5 5 3.5 2 3.5 3 4.5 3 4 5
Seki Onsen 0 1.5 2 3.5 4 4.5 3.5 5 3 2.5 4 1.5 0.5 0 1.5 1 0.5 2 4.5 0.5 2.5 4.5 4 3.5
Yuzawa Kogen 4.5 2.5 1.5 1 1 1 0.5 4 3 3 1 2.5 0 4.5 2 5 3.5 1.5 4 1.5 2.5 4.5 3 3.5
Gala Yuzawa 3 4.5 1.5 0 0 0 0 4 2.5 1 1 3.5 1.5 4 4.5 0 0 0 3 0.5 4.5 2.5 2.5 2.5
Hakuba 47 1.5 2.5 2.5 3.5 4 3 2.5 4.5 2.5 3 2 3 4.5 3 3 1 1 0 4 2 4.5 3 4 3.5
Goryu 4.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2 4.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 3.5 1.5 4.5 3.5 2 1.5 1 4 1 4 3.5 3.5 3.5
Happo 3 4.5 3.5 3.5 2 2.5 2.5 4.5 2.5 3 4 3 1.5 4.5 4 3 3 3 4 1 5 2.5 4 4
Marunuma Kogen 4 2.5 1.5 0.5 0.5 1 0 4.5 2 3.5 0.5 3 0 2.5 3 0 0 1 4.5 0 1 4 3 2.5
Travel Guides

Canada Ski Resorts

The Canada ski resorts vary somewhat in their strengths, although many of them are amongst the best ski resorts in the world for family friendliness. You can also see our best ski resorts in Canada page.


Canada Ski Resorts
5 = outstanding
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Off-Piste
Tree Skiing
Expert
Extreme
Snow
Freshies
Uncrowded
Slackcountry
Lifts
Terrain Park
Family Friendly
Daytime Restaurants
Nighttime Restaurants
Nightlife
Ski-in\Ski-Out
Cost
Apres
English
Culture
Powderhounds
Overall
Baldy 3.5 3 2 4 4 2 0 4 5 5 2.5 2 2 3.5 2 0 0 0.5 5 2 -1 -1 4.5 3.5
Castle Mountain 3 2.5 4.5 4 2.5 4 2 3.5 4.5 3.5 2 2.5 1.5 3 2.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 4.5 2 -1 -1 4 4
Powder King 3 3 3 4 4 1.5 0.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 3 2 1 3 1.5 1 1.5 1.5 5 2.5 -1 -1 4.5 3.5
Apex 3 3 4 4 4 4 2 3 4 5 3 2.5 2 3.5 2.5 2.5 2 2 4.5 3 -1 -1 4.5 4
Hudson Bay 2.5 3 2 2.5 2.5 2.5 2 3 4 5 4 2 2 3 2.5 1 1 1.5 5 2.5 -1 -1 4 3.5
Red Mountain 3 3.5 4 5 5 4.5 4 3.5 4 3.5 2 2.5 2.5 4 3 2.5 3 3 5 3 -1 -1 4.5 4.5
Shames Mountain 2.5 2.5 2 3 3 2 0.5 3.5 4 5 5 2 1 2.5 2 0 0 0 5 2 -1 -1 4.5 3.5
Whitewater 2.5 3 4 4 5 4.5 3 5 4 4 5 2.5 2 3 3 0 0 0 4.5 2 -1 -1 5 4
Big White 4.5 5 3.5 3 3 3 1.5 3.5 3.5 3 1.5 4 4 5 3.5 3 3 5 3.5 2.5 -1 -1 4 4.5
Kicking Horse 3 2.5 5 4.5 3.5 5 5 4 3.5 3.5 5 3 0 4 3 3 2 4 3.5 1 -1 -1 4.5 4.5
Revelstoke 2.5 3.5 5 4 4 3.5 2.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 2 3.5 2 3.5 2.5 2.5 4 2.5 -1 -1 4 4.5
Fernie 4 3 3.5 3.5 4 4 3 3.5 3 3 5 2.5 1.5 4 3 3 3 4 3.5 3 -1 -1 3.5 4
Lake Louise 3.5 4.5 3.5 4 3 4 3.5 3 3 3 1.5 4.5 4 4 3.5 2.5 1.5 0 2.5 1 -1 -1 3.5 4
Marmot Basin 4 3 4 3 3 2.5 1.5 3 3 4 2 3 2.5 4 2 0 0 0 4 2 -1 -1 4 3.5
Mt Washington 4 3 3.5 2.5 2.5 4 2.5 2 3 3.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 4.5 2 2 2.5 2.5 4 2.5 -1 -1 3.5 4
Panorama 3 4.5 3.5 3 3.5 4 3 2.5 3 4 1.5 3 4 4 3.5 2.5 2.5 3.5 3.5 2.5 -1 -1 3.5 4.5
Silver Star 4 3.5 4.5 2 2 3 2 3.5 3 4 1 3.5 2.5 5 4 3 2 4.5 4 2 -1 -1 3.5 4
Sun Peaks 4.5 5 4 2.5 2.5 2.5 1 3 3 4 3 3.5 2.5 5 4 3.5 2 5 3.5 2 -1 -1 3.5 4.5
Sunshine 4 3 4.5 4 3 3.5 3.5 3.5 3 3 1 4.5 4.5 3.5 3 2 1.5 3 3 2 -1 -1 4 4
Norquay 2.5 2.5 2.5 1 1 2 0 1.5 2.5 4.5 1 3 3 4 2 0 0 0 4 2 -1 -1 3 3
Whistler-Blackcomb 4 4.5 5 5 4 5 5 3 2.5 1.5 5 4 4.5 5 3.5 5 5 2 2 5 -1 -1 4 5
Nakiska 3 3.5 2.5 1 1 2 0 1 2 4 1 2.5 2.5 4 2 0 0 0 3.5 0 -1 -1 2.5 2.5

South America Ski Resorts

The South America ski resorts are not really up there in the top 10 ski resorts in the world for powder skiing or the quality of the snow, but they provide some incredibly interesting & culturally diverse experiences.


South America Ski Resorts
5 = outstanding
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Off-Piste
Tree Skiing
Expert
Extreme
Snow
Freshies
Uncrowded
Slackcountry
Lifts
Terrain Park
Family Friendly
Daytime Restaurants
Nighttime Restaurants
Nightlife
Ski-in\Ski-Out
Cost
Apres
English
Culture
Powderhounds
Overall
Argentina
Caviahue 4 2.5 2 2.5 1 2 0.5 3 4.5 4.5 -1 3 0 3.5 2 2 1 2 3.5 2 2 4 4 3.5
Los Penitentes 2 2.5 2 3 0 3 2 2 4.5 4 -1 2 1 2.5 2.5 2.5 2 2.5 4.5 2 1.5 4.5 3.5 3.5
Cerro Bayo 3 2.5 3 4 4 4.5 3.5 3 4 4 5 2.5 2.5 3 3.5 1 1 0 3.5 1 2.5 3 4.5 4
La Hoya 2.5 2.5 2.5 4.5 0.5 4 3 4 4 2.5 1 2.5 2.5 3.5 3 0 0 0 5 2.5 1.5 5 4 3.5
Las Leñas 2.5 4 2 4.5 0 5 5 4 4 2.5 5 3 1 3.5 4 3 4 5 2 4 4 2 4 4.5
Chapelco 4 4 3 4 3 3 3 2.5 3 2.5 3.5 4 2.5 4 3.5 1 1 2 3.5 2.5 2 3 3.5 4
Perito Moreno 3 2 1 2 2 1 0 1.5 3 4 -1 1.5 1 4.5 2 1 1 1 5 1 0.5 4.5 2.5 3
Cerro Catedral 3 4.5 4 5 4 4.5 4.5 3 2 2 5 4 3.5 4 4.5 3 3 2 3.5 3 3 3 3.5 4.5
Chile
Corralco 2.5 2.5 2 4 0 4.5 4 3.5 5 5 4 2.5 1 4 3 2.5 1 4 2.5 1 4 3 4.5 4
Nevados de Chillan 5 3 3 4.5 2.5 4.5 3 3.5 4.5 4 4 3 1.5 4 3.5 3.5 2 5 2.5 2 3 2.5 4.5 4.5
Antillanca 3 2.5 2 2.5 1.5 3 2 2 4 3.5 4 2 0 2.5 2.5 2 1.5 3 3.5 1.5 2 3 3 3.5
Portillo 3 2.5 3.5 4 0 4.5 4.5 3 4 4 4.5 2.5 0 4 3 3 3.5 4 2.5 3 5 1 4 4
Valle Nevado 3 4 2.5 4 0 2 2 3 4 3 3.5 3.5 4 4 4 3 3 4 2.5 2.5 4 1.5 3.5 4
Pucon 3.5 1 1 2 0 2.5 2 2 3.5 4 1 1.5 1 2.5 2 0 0 0 3 2 2.5 4 3 2.5
La Parva 3 4 3 4 0 3.5 3.5 3 3 3 4 2.5 -1 3 4 2.5 1.5 3.5 2.5 2.5 2 3.5 3.5 4
El Colorado 4 4 2.5 3 0 3 3 2.5 2 2.5 4 2.5 4 3 4 2.5 2.5 4 3 3.5 2.5 2.5 3 4

New Zealand Ski Resorts

Like South America, the NZ ski resorts are not likely to be ranked for the best powder skiing (or the infrastructure). The major strengths of many of the New Zealand ski fields include the lack of crowds, likelihood of getting freshies at lunch time on a powder day, and the lack of expense.


New Zealand Ski Resorts
5 = outstanding
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Off-Piste
Tree Skiing
Expert
Extreme
Snow
Freshies
Uncrowded
Slackcountry
Lifts
Terrain Park
Family Friendly
Daytime Restaurants
Nighttime Restaurants
Nightlife
Ski-in\Ski-Out
Cost
Apres
English
Culture
Powderhounds
Overall
Fox Peak 1.5 2.5 3 3.5 0 3.5 2.5 1.5 5 5 3.5 0.5 0 2 0 0 0 0 5 0 -1 -1 3 2.5
Hanmer Springs 1 3 1 3 0 2 1 1.5 5 5 3 2 0 2.5 1 0 1 2 4.5 1 -1 -1 3.5 3
Mt Cheeseman 2.5 2.5 2.5 3.5 0 3 2 2 5 5 3.5 2 1 4 2 1 1 2 5 1 -1 -1 4 3.5
Mt Dobson 4 3 2 3.5 0 2.5 1 2 5 5 -1 2 0 4 1 0 0 0 5 0 -1 -1 3.5 3
Mt Lyford 3.5 3 2 3.5 0 3 1 2.5 5 5 2.5 2.5 2.5 4 2.5 0 0 0 4.5 0 -1 -1 4 3.5
Ohau 2.5 2.5 3 3 0 3 2 2.5 5 5 3.5 2 1.5 3.5 2 2.5 3 0 4.5 3 -1 -1 4 3.5
Rainbow 3 2 2.5 4 0 2.5 1 2 5 3 -1 1.5 1 3 1.5 0 0 0 4 0 -1 -1 3.5 3
Roundhill 3 2 2.5 3.5 0 3 1 2 5 5 -1 2 3 4 2 0 0 0 5 1 -1 -1 3.5 3
Craigieburn 0 1 5 4.5 0.5 4.5 4.5 2.5 4.5 3 5 1.5 0 0 2 0 2 2 5 3 -1 -1 4 3.5
Mount Olympus 1 1 2.5 4 0 4.5 4.5 3 4.5 4 4.5 1.5 0 1 2 3 2.5 2 5 1 -1 -1 4 3.5
Broken River 0.5 2 3.5 4 0 3.5 2.5 3 4 5 5 1.5 1 1 1 1 1.5 2 5 1 -1 -1 4 3.5
Mt Hutt 3 4 3.5 3.5 0 3.5 3 3 3.5 2.5 2.5 3 3 4 3 0 0 0 2.5 1.5 -1 -1 3.5 3.5
Porters 3.5 2.5 2.5 3.5 0 2.5 1.5 2 3.5 3 3 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 0 0 0 4 0.5 -1 -1 3 3
Treble Cone 2.5 3 4.5 4.5 0 4 4 3 3.5 3.5 4 2.5 2 3 2 0 0 0 3 1 -1 -1 4 3.5
Cardrona 5 3 2.5 4 0 3 2 2 3 2 2 3.5 4.5 4.5 3 1 1 1 3 2 -1 -1 3 3.5
Remarkables 4 2.5 3 3 0 3 3 2 3 2.5 3 3 4.5 4 3 0 0 0 2.5 1 -1 -1 3 3.5
Turoa 3 3.5 3 3 0 2.5 2 2.5 3 2 2.5 3 2 2.5 2.5 3 3 0 4 1 -1 -1 3 3.5
Whakapapa 4 4 3 3 0 2.5 2.5 2.5 3 1 2.5 2.5 2 3.5 3 2 1 2 4 1 -1 -1 3 3.5
Coronet Peak 3.5 4 3 2 0 2.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 2 4 1.5 4 3 1 1 0 3 1.5 -1 -1 2.5 3

Best Skiing USA

The USA ski resorts are many & varied, so it's somewhat difficult to categorise them. Some are up there with the best ski resorts in the world for the quality & quantity of powder, although many of the high profile resorts are crowded so freshies don't last long. Some of the strengths of the USA ski resorts include incredible terrain & infrastructure such as child facilities and restaurants.

USA Ski Resorts
5 = outstanding
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Off-Piste
Tree Skiing
Expert
Extreme
Snow
Freshies
Uncrowded
Slackcountry
Lifts
Terrain Park
Family Friendly
Daytime Restaurants
Nighttime Restaurants
Nightlife
Ski-in\Ski-Out
Cost
Apres
English
Culture
Powderhounds
Overall
Alaska
Alyeska 2.5 3.5 2.5 4 2 4 4 4 2.5 3.5 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 3 -1 -1 4 4
California
Homewood 1 4 3 4 5 1 0 3 5 4 0 3 0 4 3 0 0 1 4 3 -1 -1 4 3
June Mountain 3 2.5 2.5 2.5 3 1.5 0 3 4 4.5 3.5 2.5 1.5 4 2 0 0 0 4 1.5 -1 -1 4 3.5
Mammoth Mountain 3.5 4.5 4 4 3.5 4 2.5 4 3.5 2.5 2.5 4.5 5 4.5 4 4 3.5 3 3.5 3 -1 -1 4 4.5
Heavenly 3 4.5 2.5 4 4.5 2.5 0.5 3.5 3 1 1.5 4 3 3 2 5 5 0.5 3 4.5 -1 -1 3 4
Kirkwood 2.5 3 5 5 4 4.5 4 4.5 3 3.5 1.5 2.5 2 3.5 2.5 2 2 3 4 2.5 -1 -1 4.5 4
Sierra at Tahoe 5 2.5 3 4 5 3.5 2.5 3.5 3 3 2 3 3 4 3 0 0 0 3 2 -1 -1 4 3.5
Northstar 4 4.5 3 2.5 4.5 1.5 0 3.5 2.5 2 2 5 4 4.5 3.5 4 2 2.5 1.5 2 -1 -1 3 4
Sugar Bowl 3.5 3.5 3.5 4 3.5 4.5 4 3.5 2.5 3 -1 3.5 3 3.5 3 1.5 1.5 2.5 3 2.5 -1 -1 3.5 4
Alpine Meadows 2.5 3.5 3 4 2.5 4.5 3.5 4 2 1 3 3 2 2.5 2.5 0 0 0 3 1.5 -1 -1 3 3.5
Palisades Tahoe 3.5 4 3.5 5 3 5 5 4 1 1 4 4.5 3 2.5 4 3.5 3.5 2.5 2.5 4 -1 -1 3 4.5
Colorado
Buttermilk 4.5 3 2 2 2 1.5 0 2.5 4.5 3.5 -1 4 5 4 2.5 1 1 1.5 2.5 1 -1 -1 3 3.5
Silverton 0 0 3 5 4 5 5 4.5 4.5 4 3 1 0 0 0.5 1.5 1 0 4 2.5 -1 -1 5 3.5
Wolf Creek 3.5 3 3 5 5 4 4 5 4.5 4 2 3 0 4 2.5 3 2 0 5 1.5 -1 -1 5 4
Crested Butte 3.5 3.5 2.5 4 4 5 5 3.5 4 4 0 3.5 3 4 3 4 3 3 4 3 -1 -1 4 4.5
Powderhorn 2.5 3 3 3 3.5 1 1 3 4 4.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 4 2.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 5 3 -1 -1 4 3.8
Telluride 4.5 4.5 4 4 3.5 5 4 4 3.5 3.5 3.5 4.5 3.5 4.5 5 4.5 3 5 2 3 -1 -1 4.5 5
Monarch 2.5 2.5 2 3 3 3 3 3.5 3 4 3 2.5 2.5 4 2 2 1 0 4.5 2 -1 -1 4 3.5
Arapahoe Basin 2 3 3.5 3.5 2 3 2 3 2.5 2.5 3 2.5 3 2 2.5 0 0 0 3 0 -1 -1 3.5 3
Aspen Highlands 2 3.5 4 4 3 4.5 3.5 3.5 2.5 3 -1 3.5 0 3 2.5 2 2 3 2.5 2.5 -1 -1 4 4
Beaver Creek 4.5 4 4 3.5 3 3 2.5 3.5 2.5 2.5 -1 4.5 3 4.5 3.5 4 2.5 5 1.5 3 -1 -1 3.5 4.5
Copper Mountain 5 5 3.5 4 3 3 3 3.5 2.5 2.5 4 4 4 5 4 4 3.5 3.5 3 4 -1 -1 3.5 4.5
Purgatory 4.5 5 2.5 2 2.5 2 1.5 3 2.5 3 2 3 3 5 4 2 2.5 4 4 2.5 -1 -1 3 4
Snowmass 3 5 3 4.5 4 4.5 4.5 4 2.5 3 -1 4.5 4 5 3.5 3 2.5 5 2.5 2.5 -1 -1 4 4.5
Steamboat 3.5 4.5 4 3.5 4 2 2 4 2.5 3 2 3.5 4.5 4.5 3 3.5 3 3.5 2.5 3 -1 -1 3.5 4.5
Vail 3 3.5 5 5 3.5 2.5 0 4 2.5 2 3 4.5 4 3 5 5 5 2.5 2 5 -1 -1 3.5 4.5
Aspen Mountain 0 3.5 3.5 3 2.5 3 2 3.5 2 3 -1 3.5 0 2.5 2.5 5 4.5 2 2 4 -1 -1 3.5 3.5
Breckenridge 5 4 4.5 4.5 2.5 3 3 3.5 2 1 -1 4 4.5 4.5 3 4 5 4 3 4 -1 -1 3 4.5
Keystone 2.5 5 4 4 4 2.5 0 3 2 1.5 5 4 5 4.5 2 4 4 1 3 3 -1 -1 3 4
Idaho
Schweitzer 2.5 4 4.5 4 4.5 3 2 3 4 4 4 3.5 3 4 3.5 2.5 2 4 4 2.5 -1 -1 4 4.5
Sun Valley 3 5 4 3 3.5 2.5 1 3 4 4 2.5 4 3 4 5 4 3 0 2.5 2 -1 -1 4 4.5
Montana
Snowbowl 1.5 2.5 3 4 4.5 4 1.5 2.5 5 4 2 2 1 2.5 3 0 0 1 5 2 -1 -1 4 3.5
Whitefish 4 5 4 3 4 3 2.5 4 4 4 2 2.5 3 5 4 3 2 4 4 4 -1 -1 4 4.5
Big Sky 4.5 4 4 3.5 2.5 4 4 3 3 3 2.5 4 3 4 2 2.5 2 3.5 3 2.5 -1 -1 3.5 4.5
Bridger Bowl 4 2.5 2 4 3 5 5 3 3 2.5 2 2.5 2 4 2 0 0 0 4.5 2 -1 -1 3.5 4
New Mexico
Taos 2.5 3.5 3 4 2.5 5 5 3.5 3.5 4 0 3 2 3.5 4 4 3 5 3.5 4 -1 -1 4 4.5
Oregon
Mt Bachelor 4.5 4.5 4 5 5 2.5 1.5 4 4 3 1 4.5 4 4 2.5 0 0 0 4 3 -1 -1 4 4.5
Mt Hood Meadows 4 4 2 4 3 4 3 3.5 3 2.5 0 4 3.5 4 4 0 0 0 4 3 -1 -1 3.5 4
Travel Guides
Utah
Sundance 3 3 3 4 3 3 0 5 5 4 1 3 0 5 4 5 2 2 3 2 -1 -1 4.5 4
Powder Mountain 3 3 3.5 5 5 3 1.5 4.5 4.5 4 4 2.5 3.5 2.5 1.5 0.5 0 3.5 4 3 -1 -1 4.5 4
Alta 4 3.5 4.5 5 4 5 5 5 4 3.5 4 3 0 4.5 3.5 4 2 4.5 3 3 -1 -1 5 5
Brian Head 4.5 3 2.5 2.5 2.5 2 1 4.5 4 4 2.5 2.5 2.5 4.5 2.5 2 1.5 1.5 4.5 1.5 -1 -1 4 4
Eagle Point 3.5 3 3.5 1 1.5 2.5 0.5 4.5 4 4.5 2.5 2 2 3 2.5 2 1.5 3.5 5 1 -1 -1 4 3.5
Solitude 3 4 4 4 5 4.5 3.5 5 3.5 3 4.5 3.5 0 4 3 3 2 3 3 2.5 -1 -1 4.5 4.5
Nordic Valley 3.5 4 2 1 0 0 0 4 3 4 0 3 3.5 4.5 3 0 0 0 5 0 -1 -1 3 3
Snowbasin 2 3.5 5 4 3.5 4.5 4 4 3 3 4 4 2.5 2.5 5 0 1 0 3.5 1 -1 -1 4 4
Brighton 3.5 3.5 2.5 4 3 2.5 2 5 2.5 3 5 4 3.5 4 2.5 0.5 0.5 2 4 3 -1 -1 4 4
Deer Valley 3 5 3 2.5 3 2.5 1.5 4 2.5 3.5 0 4 0 4.5 5 4 2 5 1 2 -1 -1 3.5 4
Park City 3.5 5 5 3.5 4.5 3.5 2.5 4 2.5 2.5 3 5 5 4.5 4 5 4.5 3.5 2 3 -1 -1 3.5 5
Snowbird 2 2.5 5 5 4 5 5 5 2 3 4 4 1.5 3 4 3 3 2.5 2 3.5 -1 -1 4 4.5
Vermont
Washington
Crystal Mountain 4 3.5 4.5 5 3.5 5 3.5 4 4.5 3 4 4 1 3.5 3 1.5 2 1 3.5 4 -1 -1 4.5 4.5
Stevens Pass 4 3 3 5 3 4 2 4 3.5 3.5 4 3 0 3 5 0 0 0 3.5 1 -1 -1 4.5 4
Mt Baker 2 1 2 3 2 5 5 4 1 1 4 3 0 1 4 0 0 0 3.5 1 -1 -1 3.5 3.5
Wyoming
Grand Targhee 3.5 4 5 4.5 3 2.5 2 5 4 4 5 3.5 2 4 3 2 1 4 4.5 3 -1 -1 5 4.5
Jackson Hole 2.5 3 5 5 4 5 5 4.5 1.5 2 5 4 2.5 3 3 4 2.5 4 2 4.5 -1 -1 3.5 4.5

European Ski Resorts

The ski resorts in Europe are amongst the best in the world across all categories. Also see our best ski resorts in Europe, top Austria ski resorts, best skiing in France, best in Italy, and our picks for the Swiss ski areas. 


Europe Ski Resorts
5 = outstanding
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Off-Piste
Tree Skiing
Expert
Extreme
Snow
Freshies
Uncrowded
Slackcountry
Lifts
Terrain Park
Family Friendly
Daytime Restaurants
Nighttime Restaurants
Nightlife
Ski-in\Ski-Out
Cost
Apres
English
Culture
Powderhounds
Overall
Andorra
Grandvalira 5 4 1.5 1.5 1 1 1 2.5 3 3 2 4 2 5 4 3 3 4 2.5 3 5 1 3 4
Ordino Arcalis 3 4 1 4.5 4 4 3 3.5 2 4 4 4 1 3 5 0 0 0 5 4 5 3 3.5 4
Arctic
Austria
Axamer Lizum 2.5 4 2.5 4 2.5 3.5 2 4 5 4.5 3 2.5 0 3.5 3.5 2 2 3.5 5 3 5 4 4.5 4
Diedamskopf 3 3.5 3 4 3 2.5 1 4.5 5 4.5 2 3 1 4 3.5 4 1 2 4.5 3 5 4 4.5 4
Kaunertal Glacier 4 4 2 4 1 4 3 5 5 5 4 4.5 4 3 2.5 3 2 0 4 2 5 5 5 4.5
Kuhtai 2 4 3 5 3 3 2 5 5 5 4 3.5 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 4 4 4 5 5
Nauders 4.5 4 3 4.5 3.5 3 2 4 5 4.5 4 4.5 3 5 5 4 3 2.5 4.5 3 5 5 4.5 5
Pitztal Glacier 2.5 4 2.5 5 0 4 3 5 5 5 5 4 2 4 2 2 3 1 4 3.5 5 3 5 4.5
See 3 4 2 5 3.5 4 2 5 5 5 3 3.5 2 4 4 4 3 3 5 3 5 5 5 4.5
Zauchensee 3.5 4 3.5 4 4.5 4 3 4.5 5 4 3 3.5 3 4 4.5 4 2 5 4 4 5 5 5 5
Damuels Mellau 4 4.5 1 3.5 3 2 1 4.5 4.5 4 2.5 4.5 2 4 3 2 1 3 3.5 3.5 5 4 4.5 4
Galtuer 4 4 2 3 3 3 2 4 4.5 4.5 3 4 2.5 4 4 4 2 4 4.5 4 5 5 4.5 4.5
Gargellen 4 4 4 4.5 3 4 2 5 4.5 4 5 4 2 5 3.5 3 1 3.5 4.5 4 5 5 5 4.5
Hochzeiger 4 4 3.5 3.5 3 2 1 4 4.5 4 3 4 1 4 4 3 2.5 2.5 4 4 5 3.5 4.5 4.5
Kappl 3 4.5 3 5 3 3 2 4 4.5 4.5 3 3.5 2 4.5 3.5 3 3 3 5 4 5 5 4.5 4.5
Kaprun 4 4 2 4 1 4 2 5 4.5 4 4 4.5 4.5 4 4 4 4 1.5 4 4 5 5 4.5 4.5
Krippenstein 2 3 1 4 3 3 3 4 4.5 4 4 2.5 0 2 3 2.5 1 2 4 2 5 5 4.5 3.5
Serfaus Fiss Ladis 5 5 5 4 3 4 2 4 4.5 3 3.5 5 4 5 5 4 3 4 3.5 4 5 5 4.5 5
Ankogel 2 3 2 4 1 4 4 4 4 4 4 2 1 2 2 2 1 1 2 2 5 4 4.5 3.5
Fendels 3 2.5 2 3 2 2 1 3 4 4 3 2.5 2 5 4 2 1 3 4 3 5 5 4 4
Gastein 4.5 5 4 4 4 3 2.5 4 4 4 4 5 3 4 4 4 4 2 4 4 5 5 4.5 5
Hintertux Glacier 4 4 3 4 2 3 2 5 4 4 2 4.5 4 3 4.5 3 3 3.5 4 4 5 5 4.5 4.5
Hochoetz 2.5 3 2 3 3 1 1 3 4 4 4 3 2 5 3.5 4.5 1.5 1 4 3 5 4 4 4
Kitzbuhel 5 5 5 4.5 3.5 4 2 3.5 4 3.5 2 5 3 4 5 4 5 3 4 5 5 5 4 5
Mayrhofen 3 5 4 3.5 2 4 3 3 4 3 4 5 4 4 4 4 5 1.5 4 5 5 5 4 4.5
Obertauern 5 4 2 4 3 3 2 4.5 4 3 3.5 5 3 4 4 4 3 5 4 4.5 5 4 4 4.5
Schlick 4 4 2 3 2 3 3 4 4 4 2 3.5 2 4 3 2 1 1 4.5 3.5 5 4 4 4
Silvretta Montafon 4 5 3.5 5 3.5 4 3 4.5 4 4 4 3.5 4 4 5 4 3 3 4 4 5 5 4.5 5
SkiCircus Saalbach 4 5 3 4.5 3 3 3 3.5 4 3 4 5 3 4 5 4 5 3 3.5 5 5 2 4 5
Snow Space Salzburg 4 5 2 3 3 2 1 3 4 3.5 3 5 4 5 5 4 3 4 3 4 5 5 3.5 4.5
Stubai Glacier 4 4 3 4 1.5 4 3 4.5 4 4 3 4.5 4 4 4 1 1.5 2 4 4 5 2 4.5 4.5
Venet 2.5 4 2 3.5 3.5 4 2 3 4 4.5 2 2.5 2 4 4 4 2 2 4 2.5 5 4 4 4
Warth Schroecken 4 5 3 3.5 2 3 1.5 4 4 3 3 4 2.5 4 3 3 2 3 4 4 5 3 4 4
Zillertal Arena 5 5 3 3.5 3 4 2 3.5 4 2.5 4.5 5 4 5 5 3 3 3 3.5 4 5 5 4 5
Zurs 4 4.5 3 5 1 4 3 4.5 4 3.5 4 5 1 3 5 4 3 3 3.5 3 5 4 4.5 4.5
Glungezer 3 3 1 3 2 2 1 3 3.5 5 3 3 1 4 4 1 1 1 4 2.5 5 5 4 3.5
Hochzillertal 5 5 3.5 4.5 4 4 2 3.5 3.5 2.5 4.5 5 3 4 5 4 2 3.5 4 4 5 2 4 5
Obergurgl Hochgurgl 4.5 4.5 3.5 4 1.5 3 2 4 3.5 3 3 5 3 4 4 3 3 4.5 4 4 5 2 4 4.5
Oberperfuss 2 3 1 2 2 1 0 3 3.5 3.5 3 3.5 1 5 3 0 0 0 4 2 4 4 3.5 3
Patscherkofel 3 3.5 2.5 2.5 3 2 0 3 3.5 3 3 3.5 2 4 4 0 0 0 3 3 5 4 3.5 3.5
Lech 3.5 5 3 4.5 2 3.5 3 4.5 3 2 4 4 1.5 5 5 4 4 3 2.5 4 5 3 3.5 4.5
Nordkette 2 2.5 1 3 1 4 4 3.5 3 3 3 2.5 3 2.5 3 4 4 1 3.5 4 5 4 3.5 4
Radstadt Altenmarkt 3 3 2 1.5 2 1 1 3 3 4 1 4.5 2 5 4 2 1 2 2 3 5 5 3.5 3.5
Soelden 3 5 2 5 3.5 4.5 4 4 3 2 3 5 4 3 4 4 4 2.5 3 4 5 1 3.5 4.5
St Anton 4 5 5 5 1 5 5 4 3 1 3 5 3 2 4 5 5 3 3 5 5 2 3.5 5
Zell am See 3 5 4 3 3 3 1 3.5 3 3 2 5 3 4 4 5 5 3 3 5 5 5 3.5 4.5
Ischgl 5 5 3 4 2 4 2.5 4.5 2 1 4.5 5 4.5 2.5 4 4 4 4 3.5 5 5 2 3 4.5
Schladming 4 Berge 5 5 5 2.5 2 3 2 3 2 2 3 5 5 5 5 4 4 3.5 3.5 4 5 5 3 4.5
Balkans
Cat Skiing Europe
Eastern Europe
France
Bonneval sur Arc 3 4 2 4 1.5 3 3 5 5 5 4.5 2.5 1 3 2 2.5 1 2 5 2 3 5 5 4
La Norma 3 3 1.5 5 4 3.5 2.5 4.5 5 4.5 3 3.5 2 4.5 2.5 3 2 4.5 5 3.5 5 3 5 4.5
Sainte Foy 3 4 2 4 3 3 2 5 5 5 4 4 0 4 4 3.5 2.5 4 4 3.5 5 4 5 4.5
Serre Chevalier 4 4 4 4 4.5 3 2 4 5 4 4 4 3 5 3 4 4 3 4 3 5 5 4.5 4.5
Les Contamines 5 4.5 3.5 4 3.5 3 3 4 4.5 4.5 4 4 3 4 4 5 3 2 4.5 3.5 5 5 4.5 5
Les Deux Alpes 4.5 3 4 4.5 3 3 2 4.5 4.5 2 1 4 4 4 4.5 4 4.5 4 3.5 4 5 3 4 4.5
Valfrejus 3 4 3 3.5 2.5 3.5 3 3.5 4.5 4 3 4 3 4 3 4 2 4 4.5 4 4 3 4.5 4.5
Alpe d'Huez 5 3.5 5 5 2 5 5 4 4 3 3 4 3 4.5 4 4 3 4 3 4 5 3 4.5 5
Aussois 4 3 2 3.5 1 3 2 3 4 4 2.5 3.5 1 5 3.5 3 1 3 4.5 3 5 4 4 4
Balme Tour Vallorcine 4 3.5 2 3.5 3 3 1 3 4 3.5 3 3 4 4 2 3 3 3.5 4 3 5 5 4 4
La Rosiere 4 4 3.5 4 2 4 2 4.5 4 3.5 3 4 3 5 3 3 2 3.5 4.5 2.5 5 2 3.5 4.5
Montgenevre 4 4 4 4 2.5 3 2 4.5 4 3.5 3.5 4 3 4 4 2 2 3 4.5 3 4 2 4.5 4.5
St Gervais - St Nicolas 4 5 4 3.5 3 3 2.5 4 4 4.5 2.5 4 2 4 5 5 3 2.5 4 3 5 5 4.5 4.5
Val Cenis 5 4 3 4.5 4.5 4 2 4.5 4 4 3 4 3 5 3 4 2 4 4.5 3 5 3 4.5 4.5
Val d'Isere 4 4.5 4 5 3.5 5 4 5 4 2 4.5 4 2 3 3 4 4 4 2.5 4 5 4 4.5 5
Val Thorens 4 4.5 2.5 3.5 0 4 3 5 4 4 5 5 3.5 4 4 4 3 5 4 4 5 2 4.5 5
3 Vallees 5 5 3.5 5 2.5 4.5 3.5 4 3.5 3 4 5 4 5 4 4 4.5 4.5 3 4 5 3 4 5
Chatel 5 5 3.5 4.5 3.5 4 2 3.5 3.5 3 1 3.5 2 4 4 4 3 4 4 3.5 5 5 4 4.5
Courchevel 5 5 3.5 4.5 3 4.5 4 4.5 3.5 3.5 4 4.5 2 4.5 4 5 3 4 2 3 5 4 4.5 5
Grands Montets 1.5 3 4 5 3 5 5 4.5 3.5 2 5 3 0 1 3 3 3 2 3 4 5 5 4 4
La Grave 1 0 0 5 4 5 5 4 3.5 2 5 2 0 1 2 2 1 0 3 3 4 5 4 3.5
Les Arcs 4 5 4 5 3.5 4 3 4 3.5 3 4 5 4 4 4 3 3 5 3.5 3.5 5 1 4 5
Meribel 5 5 3 5 2.5 4 3.5 4 3.5 3 3 5 4 4 4 3.5 3 4.5 3.5 3 5 2 4 5
Avoriaz 5 4.5 4 4.5 3 3 3 4 3 1 3.5 4.5 4 4.5 5 4 3 5 4 4 5 3 3.5 5
Brevent Flegere 3 5 4 4 1 4 4 3.5 3 2.5 3 4 3 4 5 5 5 2 4 5 5 5 3.5 4.5
Chamonix 4 5 3.5 5 2 5 5 4 3 2 5 3.5 2 2.5 3.5 4.5 5 1.5 4 4.5 5 5 4 4.5
La Clusaz 3 4 3 3.5 2.5 3 2 3.5 3 2.5 2 3 2 3 3 3 2 4.5 3 2 3 3 3.5 4
Les Houches 5 3 3.5 2 2 1 1 2.5 3 4 1 3 2 4 4 3 3 2 4 3 5 5 3.5 4
Les Menuires 4 4 2.5 3.5 2 2 2 4 3 2 3.5 5 2 5 3 3 2 5 3 3 5 1 3.5 4
Portes du Soleil 5 5 5 4.5 3 3 3 4 3 2.5 3 4.5 4 4.5 4 4 3 3.5 4 4 5 3 4 5
Pralognan la Vanoise 3 3 3 2.5 1.5 2 1 3 3 5 3.5 4 1 4 4 3.5 1 3 4 2 5 5 4 4
St Martin de Belleville 5 3 1 3 3 1 1 4 3 4 1 4 1 5 2 2 1 3 4 2 4 5 3.5 3.5
Megeve 4.5 5 3 3 3 2.5 2 3 2.5 3.5 2 3.5 3 4.5 5 5 4.5 3.5 3.5 4 5 5 3.5 4.5
Tignes 5 5 4 5 2 5 4 4.5 2.5 1.5 4 5 3.5 3 3 4 4 5 2.5 4 5 2 3.5 5
La Plagne 5 3 1 3.5 1 4 3.5 4 2 2 2 4 3 5 3 3 2 5 3 3 5 1 3 4
Georgia
Bakuriani 2 2 1 1.5 3 1 1 1.5 3 3 2 1.5 2 2 2 4 1 2 3 2 3 2 3 3
Gudauri 2 4 1 1.5 1 1 1 3 2 2 5 3 2 1 1 5 3 3 4.5 3 5 4 2.5 3.5
Germany
Zugspitze 3 4 2 2 0 0 0 4 4 4 1 3 1 3 2.5 4.5 3 1 4 3 5 4 3.5 3.5
Garmisch Classic 5 2 4 1 2 2 2 2.5 2 2.5 1 3.5 2 4.5 4 4.5 3 2 4 4 5 4 3 4
Heli Skiing Europe
Italy
Crevacol 2 3.5 3 4 3.5 2.5 0 4 5 5 3 2 0 3 3.5 0 0 2 5 3 3 4 4.5 3.5
La Thuile 4 3 2 4 2 2 1 5 5 4 4 3 2 4 4 2 3 1 5 4 3 1 4.5 4
Santa Caterina 2 4 3.5 4.5 3 4.5 3 4.5 5 5 4 3.5 2 3 4 3.5 2 3 4.5 3 5 5 5 4.5
Trafoi 2 3 2 4 2 2 1 3 5 5 3.5 2 1 3 2 4 2 2 4 2 4 4 4.5 3.5
Livigno 5 5 2 4 3 2 1 5 4.5 2.5 4.5 4.5 5 5 3 4.5 4 4 3.5 4 5 3 4 5
Arabba Marmolada 3 4 5 4 3 3 3 4.5 4 3 3 3 2 2 3 2 1 3 4 4 5 4 4 4
Belpiano 3 3.5 1.5 3 2 1 0 4 4 3.5 2 4.5 1 4 2 3 1 1 3 2 5 4 4 3.5
Bormio 2 5 4 3.5 2 4 2.5 3 4 3.5 2 3.5 1.5 3 4 4.5 4 2.5 3.5 3.5 4 5 4 4.5
Cervinia 4 4 2 4 3 2 2 4.5 4 4 5 3.5 3 4 4 4 2 5 4 4 4 2 4.5 4.5
Chamois 2 3 0 2.5 2 0 0 3.5 4 5 4 1.5 0 4 3.5 3 1 3 5 3.5 3 5 4 3.5
Champorcher 2 4 2 3 3 3 0 3 4 5 3 2 0 3 3 3 2 0 4.5 3 2 5 4 3.5
Cima Piazzi - San Colombano 2 4 1 3 2 1 1 3.5 4 5 3.5 2.5 1 4 4 3 1 3 5 3 5 4 4 4
Claviere 4 3 2 3 3 2 1 3.5 4 5 3 3 2 3 4 3 1 3 5 3 5 4 4 4
Courmayeur 3 4 4 5 3 4 4 4 4 3 4 4 3 3 4 5 4 2 3.5 4 4 4 4.5 4.5
Madesimo 2 5 2 3 2 3.5 2.5 3.5 4 3.5 3 3.5 1 4 3 4 2 3 5 4 4 4 4 4
Monterosa 4 4 4 5 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 3.5 2 3.5 4 3.5 3 3 5 3 4 5 4.5 5
Pejo 2 4 2 3 2 2 2 3 4 4 3 3 2 3 4 2 2 1 4 3 3 4 4 3.5
Pila 4 4 4 4 3 3 1 4 4 4 3 2.5 3.5 4 4 4 4 3 4 4 5 4 4.5 4.5
Reinswald 3 4 2 3 3 1 0 4 4 5 3 3 2 4 3 3 2 3 4 3 4 4 4.5 4
Sestriere 4 4 4 3.5 3 3 2.5 4.5 4 3 2 4 3 4 3 3 3.5 3.5 5 3 5 1 4 4.5
Via Lattea 4 5 4 4 4 2.5 2 4 4 4 3 3.5 3 4.5 4 4 2 3 5 3 5 3 4.5 4.5
Cesana - Sansicario 3 5 3 2.5 4 2 1 3 3.5 4 2 3.5 1 4 3 3 2 4.5 4 3.5 5 3.5 3.5 4
Civetta 4 4 3 3 2.5 0 0 3 3.5 5 3 3 2 4 4 3 2 2 4 4 4 5 4 4
Solda - Sulden 3 4 3 4 2 4 4 4 3.5 4.5 4 3.5 2 3 4 3 1 3.5 4 3 4 4 4.5 4.5
3 Peaks Dolomites 3 4 3 2 1 0 0 3.5 3 4 2 4 2 4 3 3 1 3 3.5 3 4 3 3.5 3.5
Madonna di Campiglio 4 5 3 2.5 3 2 0 3 3 2 3 4 4.5 4 4 4 3 3 4 3.5 4 4 3 4
Plose 2.5 4 3 2 2 0 0 2.5 3 3 2 5 2 3 3 4 4 3.5 3.5 4 3 4 3 4
Tonale 5 4 3.5 3.5 2 3 2 4.5 3 2 3 5 3 5 4 3.5 3 3 3.5 3 5 3 3.5 4.5
Val di Fassa 4 4 4 3.5 2 3 2 3.5 3 3.5 3 5 3 4 4 3 3 2.5 4 3.5 5 5 3.5 4.5
Alta Badia 5 5 2 2 2 1 0 3.5 2 4 2 5 3 5 5 5 3 4 3 5 4 5 3 4.5
Aprica 4 4 4 1 2 2 1 3 2 3.5 3 2 0 5 3 3 2 3 4.5 3.5 4 3.5 3 4
Bardonecchia 2 5 3 2.5 2 1 1 3 2 3 4 3.5 2 4 4 4 3 3 5 3 4 5 3 4
Cortina 4 4 5 3 3 3 5 3 2 4 4 2 2 2 4 5 5 2 4 4 4 4 3.5 4.5
Dolomites 5 5 3 2 2 2 2.5 3 2 3 2 5 3 5 5 5 4 3 4 5 4 5 3 4.5
Folgarida Marilleva 2 4 2.5 2 3 0 0 2.5 2 1 2 3.5 0 4 3 2 2 3.5 3.5 3 5 1 2.5 3.5
Gitschberg Jochtal 3 4 3 2 1 0 0 2.5 2 4 2 4 3 4 2 2 1 3 3 3 3 1 3 3.5
Kronplatz 5 5 4 2 1 1 1 3.5 2 2 1 5 4 5 4 4 3.5 3 4 4 5 3 3 4
Val Gardena 4 5 3.5 2 2 1 1 3 2 2 3 5 5 4 4 4 3 3 4 4 5 5 2.5 4
Scandinavia
Spain
La Molina Masella 4 4.5 3.5 3 2 4 2 2 2 3 2.5 4 2.5 4 4 3 2 2.5 4 3.5 5 4 3 4
Switzerland
Anzere 3.5 4 3 4 3 2 2 4 5 5 3 3.5 2 4.5 2 4 2 3 4.5 2.5 5 4 4.5 4.5
Brigels 4 4 3 4 2 1 0 4 5 5 3 3 3 4 3 3 2 2.5 5 3 5 4 4.5 4
Champoussin 3 4 1 4.5 2 3 2 4.5 5 4.5 3 3 2 4 3 2 1 3 4 2 5 4 4.5 4
Glacier 3000 2.5 3 3 5 3 4 4 4.5 5 5 2 3 2 3 2 3 2 1 4 1 5 5 5 4
Grimentz Zinal 3.5 4 4 4.5 2 2.5 2.5 4 5 4 4.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 2.5 4 2 3.5 4 2.5 5 4 4.5 4.5
Lauchernalp 2 4 3 4.5 2 4 2 5 5 4.5 3 4 0 2 3 2 1 3.5 4 2 4 5 5 4
Leukerbad 2.5 4 3.5 3 3 2 2 4 5 4.5 4 3 2 3 3 3.5 2.5 1.5 3 1.5 5 5 4.5 4
St Luc Chandolin 4 4 3.5 3.5 2.5 3 2.5 3.5 5 4.5 3.5 2 1 4 3 2 2 2 4.5 2 5 5 4.5 4
Andermatt Sedrun 3 4.5 4 5 2 5 5 5 4.5 3 5 4.5 2.5 4 3 4.5 2.5 2 4 4 5 4 4.5 5
Bivio 2 3 2 4 0 0 0 4.5 4.5 5 4.5 1 0 3 2 2 1 2 4 2 4 5 4.5 3.5
Champery 4.5 5 4 5 3 4 4 4.5 4.5 3.5 3 4.5 3 4 4 4 2 3 3.5 4 5 3 4.5 5
Mürren Schilthorn 2.5 4 4.5 5 2.5 5 5 4 4.5 4.5 3 3.5 2 2 4 3 2.5 4 3.5 2 5 5 5 4.5
Rosswald 2 2 2 3 0 0 0 4 4.5 4 2 1.5 0 2 2 1 1 3 2.5 2 3.5 5 4 3
Aletsch Arena 5 4 2.5 2.5 2 1 1 5 4 4 3 4 3 5 4 3 2 5 4 3 5 4 4 4.5
Belalp 3 4 2 3 2 1 1 4 4 3.5 3.5 3 1 4.5 4 3 2 3 3 2 4 3.5 4 4
Corvatsch 3 4 3 4 2 3 4 4.5 4 4 3.5 4 3 3 4 3.5 2 3 3 2 5 4 4.5 4.5
Crans Montana 5 5 4 4 3 3 3 4 4 3 3 4 5 4 4 3 3 1 4 3.5 5 2 4 4.5
Davos Klosters 5 5 3.5 5 3 3 3 5 4 4 4 3 3 3 4 4 4 2 3 3 5 3 4.5 4.5
Diavolezza Lagalb 1 3 4 5 1 3 3 4 4 4 5 3 0 1 4 1 1 2 4 2 3 3 4.5 3.5
Disentis 4 4 2 4 2 3 2 4 4 5 5 3 1 4 3 2 1 2 3.5 2 5 2.5 4.5 4
Engelberg 4 3 3 5 2 5 5 5 4 3 3 4 2 5 3.5 4 2 2 3.5 3 5 3 4.5 4.5
Grindelwald First 3 4 3 3 2 2 2 4 4 4 4 3.5 2 5 4 5 2 4 3 3 5 5 4 4.5
Grindelwald Wengen 3 4.5 3 4 2 3 3 4 4 3.5 2 5 2 4.5 4 4 3 3.5 3 3 5 5 4 4.5
Jungfrau 2 5 4 4.5 2.5 4 4 4 4 4 3 3.5 3 4.5 4 3 3 3.5 3 3 5 4.5 4.5 4.5
Klewenalp 4 3 1 4 3 2 0 3 4 3 3 2 1 4 2 2.5 1 2 3 2 4 4 3.5 3.5
Lenzerheide 4 5 4 4.5 4 4 4 4.5 4 3 3 5 4 3 4 3.5 3 3.5 4 3 5 4 4.5 5
Meiringen Hasliberg 4 5 3 4 2 3 2 4 4 4 4 3.5 2 4 4 3 2 3 3.5 3 5 5 4.5 4.5
Nendaz Veysonnaz Thyon 5 5 4 4.5 3 4.5 4.5 4 4 3.5 4 4 3 4.5 4 3 2 3.5 4 3 5 2.5 4.5 5
Ovronnaz 3 3.5 2 3.5 3 3 2 4 4 4.5 4 3 2 2 2.5 3 1 1 3.5 1 5 5 4.5 4
St Moritz 4 5 3.5 5 1.5 3.5 3 4 4 4 4 4.5 3 3 4.5 4 3 2 3 3 5 3 4.5 4.5
Torgon 4 4 2 4 3 3 2 3.5 4 4 2 2 2 3 3 2 1 1 4.5 2.5 5 2 4 4
Verbier 4 5 3 5 2 5 5 3.5 4 2 5 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 5 3 4 4.5
Villars Gryon Diablerets 4 5 3.5 4 3 4.5 4 3.5 4 3.5 3 4.5 4 4 4 4 1.5 3 3 1.5 5 5 4 4.5
Zermatt 4 5 4 5 3 4 4 4.5 4 3 5 4.5 3.5 3 5 4 4 2 2 4 5 4 4.5 5
Corviglia 4 5 3 4 1 4 3 4 3.5 4 3 5 4 4 4.5 4 2 2 2 3 5 3 4 4.5
Morgins 4 4 2 4 2 2 2 3.5 3.5 3.5 2 2.5 2 4.5 3 4 2 3 4 3.5 5 5 3.5 4
4 Vallees 5 5 4 5 2.5 5 4 4 3 3 4 4 3.5 4 4 3.5 3.5 4 4 3.5 5 3 4 5
Arosa 4 5 2 3.5 0 2 1 4.5 3 3 3 5 2.5 4 4 3.5 3 3 3 4 5 3 3.5 4
Gstaad 4 4 3.5 3.5 3 3 2 3 3 4 3 3.5 3 4 4 4 3 3 3.5 3 5 5 4 4.5
Laax 5 5 3 4 3 3 1 4 3 3 3 5 5 3.5 4 3 3 2.5 3 4 4 2 3.5 4.5
Saas Fee 4 4 3 3.5 1.5 3 3 3.5 3 4 3.5 3 4.5 3.5 3 5 4 4 4 5 5 5 4 4.5
Samnaun 4 4 2 2.5 1 2 2 3.5 3 3 4 4 2 4 4 3 2 4 4 3.5 5 4 3.5 4

Australian Ski Resorts

The Australia ski resorts are a surprise packet that like anywhere, can be awesome on a powder day, but the term 'affordable' doesn't usually come into the equation! You can also have a look at our best ski resorts in Australia awards.


Australia Ski Resorts
5 = outstanding
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Off-Piste
Tree Skiing
Expert
Extreme
Snow
Freshies
Uncrowded
Slackcountry
Lifts
Terrain Park
Family Friendly
Daytime Restaurants
Nighttime Restaurants
Nightlife
Ski-in\Ski-Out
Cost
Apres
English
Culture
Powderhounds
Overall
Falls Creek 4 4.5 2.5 2.5 2 1 1 2 2.5 2.5 2 3 4 4.5 4.5 4.5 4 5 2 4 -1 -1 2.5 4
Mt Hotham 3 3 4.5 3.5 2.5 4 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 4.5 3 3.5 3 3 4 3.5 2.5 2 3.5 -1 -1 3.5 4
Perisher 4 4.5 2 2.5 2 1.5 0.5 2.5 2.5 1 1 2.5 4 4 3 2 2 2 1.5 2.5 -1 -1 2.5 3.5
Mt Baw Baw 2.5 2 1 0.5 0.5 0 0 1 2 2.5 1 1.5 1.5 4 1.5 1 1 0 3 1 -1 -1 2 2.5
Thredbo 3 4.5 3 2.5 2 2 1 2 2 2 2.5 3.5 3 3 3.5 4.5 4 1 1.5 4 -1 -1 2.5 4
Mt Buller 2.5 3.5 4.5 2.5 2 2 2 1.5 1.5 1 2 3 3.5 4 3.5 4.5 4 3.5 1.5 4 -1 -1 2 4

#not rated

Ratings are from 0 to 5 where 5 is outstanding


Definitions of Categories

  • Beginner and intermediate terrain: refers to the quality and quantity of terrain available
  • Advanced on-piste terrain: quality and quantity of marked trails; in some resorts trails are marked yet are really off-piste (e.g. Kicking Horse, Whistler)
  • Off-piste: this refers to the quantity and quality of the terrain, but also the likely snow conditions; this refers to in-bounds not out-of-bounds terrain
  • Backcountry: slack-country, "out-of-bounds" terrain close to the resort that is easily accessible i.e. not a hike >15mins; may require a traverse back to lifts or goes to a road
  • Expert: this includes off-piste and easily accessed backcountry for experts
  • Extreme: refers to super steep and narrow terrain, cliffs and other drop-offs
  • Snow: quality and quantity, and likely frequency of powder days
  • Lunchtime freshies: likelihood of finding quality fresh tracks at lunchtime on a powder day
  • Uncrowded: uncrowded lift lines and slopes
  • Lifts: refers to quality and quantity of lift infrastructure including the lay-out
  • Terrain park: size, variability and caters to all levels
  • Family friendly: refers to how well the resort caters to families, both on and off the slopes - includes elements of child care, ski school, accessibility and kids activities
  • Restaurants: quality and quantity of daytime eateries as well as evening restaurants
  • Nightlife: refers to nightime entertainment including bars but not restaurants
  • Ski-in ski-out accommodation: refers to the proportion and quality of accommodation on mountain that is truly ski-in ski-out
  • Cost: incorporates costs associated with lift tickets, resort facilities, food & drink, and lodging (where relevant) relative to other resorts across that country/continent
  • Overall rating: incorporates all factors
  • Powderhounds: incorporates powder hound factors - advanced/expert terrain; powder; uncrowded slopes; & finding lunchtime freshies