A ski town and a ski area are not always the same destination. This global archive mixes places to stay with places to ride, so a useful first step is to map the journey between the two.
The twenty-five entries
Wānaka, Girdwood, Fernie, Chamonix, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Whitefish, Crested Butte, Niseko, Kitzbühel, Bend, Mont-Tremblant, Taos, Park City, Hintertux, Truckee, Whistler, Las Leñas, Perisher, Portillo, Tignes, Zermatt, Aspen, North Conway, Banff and Treble Cone make up the original selection.
Match the hemisphere and season
Northern and Southern Hemisphere winter calendars differ. A single “upcoming ski season” introduction does not fit this whole list, and individual operations still depend on conditions.
Compare a real itinerary
Choose dates, suitable terrain, transfers and accommodation before comparing the final cost. Historical populations, lift counts and claims of uncrowded powder are removed. The list now works as a geography-led starting point rather than an unsupported current world ranking.
Explore more: a closer North American shortlist; planning around a family’s daily needs.
Yay Crested Butte!!!
ReplyDeleteCurious. How did my copyrighted image of Whitefish, Montana end up on your site?
ReplyDeleteChuck Haney Photography
wait, that is not my beautiful house.....and how did I get here? Ha ha, couldn't resist! I have to agree on most of the choices. No Breckenridge or St Anton a couple of the best apre' skis anywhere? C'mon man! :)
DeleteStill not as good as the Chile photograph.
DeleteIt's called copy and paste... you really going to bust balls over a shitty photograph that looks like it was taken from an iPhone...STFU and go ski.
DeleteYeah! Get em Chuck Haney!
ReplyDeleteI think Missoula has a good photography class.
ReplyDeleteThe "resort" in nh is not one resort it is an area of ski resorts.... Agreed, strange overall compilation....but I do love my wf, mt!
ReplyDeleteWord up. Whitefish rocks the house and certainly deserves a spot near the top in North America. It is stil in the USA correct? Hard to tell sometimes 'aey.
DeletePC but no mention of Canyons and Deer Valley in the same breath? All pale in the shadow of the Alta/Snowbird combo in skiable terrain snow depth, blah blah blah..but where you REALLY miss the boat is not mentioning the Utah interconnect tour through Ski Utah, which is tied to PC Ski as well. 6 world class resorts, one day, skis never leave your feet.
ReplyDeleteWhere in the world can you find its equal?
11 resorts in one hour or less from the international airport, a full sized metro area with all amenities and hotel types/space, Some of the worlds lightest, deepest snows with a wide range of terrain and vistas. And you mention PCMR as the one spot...c'mon.
There's a damn good reason the US Ski Team is based in this area, the Outdoor Retailers do their show here, numerous ski and board manufacturers are located here and why it was chosen for the winter Olympics.
Taos is up there. NICE!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd now I have a roadmap for the rest of my life. Great job!
ReplyDeleteWhoever thought up the title can't tell the difference between a ski resort and a town that happens to be the gateway to some great skiing. Bend, Banff, Truckee, Whitefish and Wanaka, for example, are towns some distance from the nearest lifts. Do your homework, folks. - Sign me "Colorado Claire"
ReplyDeleteSpot on, Claire.
DeleteWhitefish is a ski resort
DeleteAre these ordered as if number one is best? I honestly don't see how Bend fits into the top 25 - period. And as one person mentioned, Bachelor is a ski area, not a resort or connected connected a town. Bend is the town; snowboarding in Bend won't get you much action! I've had many fun days and Bachelor, but I can have fun at just about any anthill ski areas as long it's not sheet-ice. Images of bluebird, east-side of the Cascades riding is a joke and a marketing ploy; more often the place is often socked-in with severe fog and high wind. The area also claims acreage that gets little use, as the summit is often closed (even on perfect days) and there are usually delays opening Northwest lift. And as for varied terrain, are you kidding? There's not a steep pitch on that mountain. The snow is little different than the snow you'd get at Hoodoo ski area an hour away - same storm, same snow. It's best attribute is that the snow is plentiful and the weight of it makes for interesting natural features. People will rave about the champagne pow but they are out of the midwest and ice coast - sorry, don't buy the hype. Or buy it and move there like every other wannabe. Bend used to be low-key, now it's a complete scene (not saying there aren't good people and cool things going on).
ReplyDeleteWant steep terrain? Come to Crested Butte. Huge amount of steeps...not to mention the steepest cut run at any resort in North America..."Rambo". Odd's are, you'll at least shit yourself a little bit out of fear.
DeleteMove....
DeleteHappy to see Crested Butte on there...but you failed to mention the large amount of in-bounds, lift accessible extreme terrain. Double Black all over.
ReplyDeleteLive in Bend,Oregon ( Mt. Bachelor) Love it. But, where is Solden, Austria? Love Kitzbuhel and Hintertux as well, but Solden is my favorite!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is an awful list!!! Totally off and doesn't provide any metrics on why these are the top 25 resorts....average snow fall, amount of expert terrain, restaurants/bars in the base area, accessible backcountry terrain etc. Its missing so many great resorts and has a ton that shouldn't be on there let alone be top ten!!
ReplyDeleteThis list is a joke. No Jackson Hole? WOW!
ReplyDeletei don't who wrote this article, but he really has to travel over the world before to write a stupid article like this !! the really best ski resort are not in this ranking !!! it's a pitty ....))))
ReplyDeletesource: national geographic and ski channel!!! these lists are so predictable!! the point is this: are you a true skier/rider or a tourist? a local or a visitor? lists like this are much like politicians: they do not represent the people and they side with the $$$!!!!! take some cheer though. think of all the slope slop that will not be on your fave mountain!!!!
ReplyDeleteGood ... Wolf Creek Colorado didn't make the list. Fewer people=better skiing
ReplyDeleteHey, a fellow wolf-creeker - YAY. . . . grew up in Alamosa and WC will always be my favorite!
DeleteTaos is finally getting the props it deserves. I am so glad because it is my favorite. No Jackson Hole and Snowbird Utah is just absurd. I also think Vail and Aspen highlands should have made this list as well. I personally Love Taos and look no further, because it is simply the best.
ReplyDeleteWhere is Squaw Valley, Jackson Hole, Sun Valley and Big Sky? Oh well Taos made it, they did get something right.
ReplyDeleteSquaw Valley... That's where they said Truckee has up to 8 resorts within 15 miles. That would include Squaw.
DeleteBanff, which is spectacula, has three major resorts not just the two you mentioned. Somehow you forgot above the clou8ds skiing at Sunshine Village in addition to Norquay and Lake Louise. The Canadian Rockies are out of this world
ReplyDeleteWas a world map, 25 darts and a blindfold involved in this? Sure seems like it, but interesting none the less....
ReplyDeleteI would add Grindelwald (CH). Two large ski centers that are easily accessible from center (by train and chair lift).
ReplyDeleteSome of the best skiing views in world - certainly some of the Swiss Alps with several famous peaks right next to you.
No mention of Red Mountain in Rossland, BC. Good...
ReplyDeleteWhoever wrote this needs to spend more time in Europe. As ever top heavy with second rate North American resorts, most of which you could drop into a ski area like the Three Valleys and not even notice. And Perisher?! Bloody hell mate...
ReplyDeleteAnd... What about Courchevel ???
ReplyDeleteI Love Number 4 :D It Looks Fantastic For Me :D
ReplyDeleteThis list is just ridiculous. No St. Anton? Val D'Isere? Jackson Hole? Never been to Australia, but come on now, it's not known for some of the best skiing. Neither is New Hampshire. I mean, it's skiable, but we're talking about the best here? I wonder how the author came up with this stuff.
ReplyDeleteBig Sky
ReplyDeleteI have read this blog and again land on this page!
ReplyDeleteBut i really enjoyed this post
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
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ReplyDeleteAmazing list! these are most amazing destination for ski.
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ReplyDeleteSRE54
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ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful locations to ski. It's looking incredible.
ReplyDelete