I believe many people, just like me, always want to go abroad every winter to enjoy a winter-exclusive activity—skiing, soaring down the slopes and enjoying the rush of high-speed wind. The thrilling sense of speed is guaranteed to be addictive after just one try. While most people tend to choose ski resorts in Japan and Korea, in fact, both Europe and the Americas offer a wide range of global skiing options. Today, our travel experts will tell you just how fun it is to ski in the Americas and Europe!
Skiing in North America?
Canada Whistler Resort
Whistler is located in the Pacific Ranges of the Coast Mountains, north of Vancouver, Canada. It has hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympic Winter Games, and has been selected multiple times as one of the best ski destinations in North America. Among them, the most famous is Whistler Blackcomb, the largest ski resort in the United States, featuring numerous trails that are wide and varied. It not only attracts many expert skiers to come and take on the challenge, but even professional ski athletes come here for fun.
Although some think that the trails at Whistler Blackcomb are quite difficult and not very suitable for beginners or family trips, the Whistler resort actually has a dedicated family area and a children’s amusement park on the mountain. Beginners can test the waters first, and Whistler also has a park zone (Coca-cola Tube Park), where you can enjoy the thrill of sliding down on an inflated tire—fun for both adults and kids. In addition, Whistler’s small village also offers many facilities, whether you want to shop or enjoy delicious food, you’ll find it all. Occasionally, small events are also held in the square!
United States Colorado
Colorado is located in the western United States and boasts the highest peaks of the Rocky Mountains. With its excellent natural environment—including abundant snowfall and clear weather—it allows for long-lasting snow cover, making the ski season last up to 7to9 months. There are also thousands of trails and numerous ski resorts here, with resorts being selected as among the world’s top five ski destinations year after year.
Among them, the most famous is the Vail (Vail) Resort, covering 2,104 hectares. It is the largest in the US and the second-largest ski resort in the country, featuring dozens of ski areas, lifts, and nearly two hundred trails. Especially the 7 legendary back bowls, stretching 7 miles (approximately 11 kilometers), are acclaimed as one of the best trails and attract numerous top skiers who travel from afar.
Skiing in South America: The Andes
Chile Valle Nevado
Chile is located in the mid-to-upper section of the Andes Mountains, and Valle Nevado is situated on Mount El Plomo, northeast of Santiago, about 46 kilometers away, with direct bus access available. At Valle Nevado The happiest thing is being able to ski while admiring the beautiful scenery of Chile. The mountain ranges seem to be draped in layer upon layer of glistening white snow, and the spectacular, awe-inspiring mountain views are truly breathtaking. Moreover, the ski runs here are not overly winding or steep, but rather relatively smooth, making them perfect for beginners and intermediate skiers alike.
Additionally, Valle Nevado you can also experience heli-skiing by taking a ride on a Eurocopter. B3 Ascending to an altitude of 13,000 feet or more (equivalent to the height of Yushan Main Peak), you’ll be treated to some of the best alpine terrain and snowscapes. Furthermore, Valle Nevadoheli-skiing has been operated here for over 25 years, and all activities are supervised by professional mountain guides, ensuring a very safe experience.
Argentina Las Le?as
Argentina is located at the tail end of the Andes Mountains, and the country boasts multiple ski resorts in its mountainous regions. Among them, Las Le?as is the largest, offering a ski area of up to 17,500 hectares — nearly 3/5 the size of Taipei City. It is known for its powder snow and high-end ski runs. The entire resort features green (beginner) runs accounting for 15%, blue (intermediate) runs making up45%, while red (advanced) and black (expert) runs account for 35% and 5percent respectively. It is better suited for intermediate and above-level skiers, and is especially famous for its expert-level extreme off-piste skiing areas.
In addition,Las Le?as it is also a full-fledged resort, featuring numerous restaurants, bars, where you can indulge in Argentine cuisine, chocolate, and Andean wines. There’s also the highest casino in the world, Piscis Hotel. If time permits, spending a whole week here for a relaxing vacation is also a great choice.
EuropeSkiing: The Alps
Austria Innsbruck
When it comes to skiing in Europe, the first place that comes to mind is Innsbruck, Austria — the capital of Tyrol. While the average person may not be too familiar with this city, it is actually one of the most famous ski destinations in Europe. It has hosted the Winter Olympic Games in both the 1964 and 1976 years, making it one of the must-visit spots in the world of skiing for enthusiasts.
In Innsbruck, there are also countless ski resorts to choose from. Here we only recommend a few of the more well-known ones. Beginners or families are advised to visit Schlick 2000 The ski resort is the largest in Stubai Valley, with gentle slopes reaching 55%, perfect for beginners to get started and enjoy the scenery; intermediate and advanced skiers are recommended to head to Axamer Lizum Ski Resort, which not only hosted the Olympic torch twice but also features slopes where about 70% are intermediate to advanced level.
Switzerland St. Moritz
St. Moritz is a resort town in Switzerland, boasting steep alpine slopes,150 kilometers of winter walking trails, and 180 kilometers of cross-country skiing tracks. St. Moritz has also hosted two Winter Olympic Games (1928,1948), and annually holds World Cup ski races and various winter competitions. Moreover, it's a favorite not only among skiers but also the rich and famous, thanks to its many high-end restaurants, bars, hotels, and even a full luxury shopping street. It's said that over 10,000 private jets land at the nearby airport each year.
Italy Dolomites
For most people, skiing in Italy is less familiar and harder to find information about, but the snowy landscapes in Italy are no less stunning than those in Switzerland. The Dolomites in northeastern Italy are known for their unique dolomite rock formations, attracting many visitors in spring and summer to admire the dramatic rockscapes. However, in winter, the Dolomites take on an even more distinctive appearance. Unlike other mountain ranges dominated by sharp white peaks, here you’ll find snow-covered mountains in all kinds of shapes. Best of all, there aren’t too many tourists, so you can ski to your heart’s content without crowds.
France Tignes
The last European ski resort we’re introducing is the town of Tignes in France, which was one of the host cities for the 1992 Winter Olympics freestyle skiing events and the1992Winter Paralympics. It is the second-highest ski resort in Europe, and its most unique feature is that due to its high altitude and proximity to glaciers, it has year-round snow. As a result, it remains open even in 7and8 during summer. So if you see people taking bikini selfies on the ski slopes, don’t think they’ve lost their minds — it’s just that the sunshine makes it warm enough to not freeze (but it’s still cold, so don’t try it lightly, lol)~
Whether you're skiing in the Americas or Europe, ski resorts are usually massive, often spanning dozens of Da’an Forest Park–sized areas, so it’s impossible to cover everything in one day. That’s why many offer short-term ski packages, allowing unlimited entries within a certain period. Some even let you access all ski areas in the region with one pass. If you plan to stay for several days, getting a ski package is highly recommended — you can save a significant amount of money.
Text by Kayline | Tripresso Travel Editorial Team
More travel info:
【 Switzerland Travel 】 Attraction Guide: A Snowy Country So Beautiful It’ll Make You Shake Your Head
【 Austria Attractions】Beyond musical prodigies Mozart and Haydn—What else you should know about Austria
【 Paris, France Free Travel 】Top-rated must-visit attractions in France, an exclusive food guide, plus essential pre-trip tips for first-timers