What’s hot for 2020, you ask? We have chosen our top 17 ski resorts for this year, including lesser-visited resorts in Norway, Canada and Spain as well of some of our favourites. Each of these resorts offers something really special, find out where to ski this year below…
For fair-weather skiers: Sierra Nevada, Spain
Often trumped by its French and Italian counterparts, Sierra Nevada is Spain’s number one resort. Thanks to its location as the southernmost resort in Europe and high altitude, skiers can expect fantastic conditions and bright blue skies. Come sunset, you can even look over to Morocco’s Rif Mountains from the Veleta peak.
Bluebird skiing in Sierra Nevada
For uncrowded family skiing: Panorama, Canada
In British Columbia’s Purcell Mountains, Panorama is a family friendly resort that caters for both beginners and powder skiers. Made up of two villages that are linked by a free gondola, families can make the most of the confidence-boosting ski runs, ice-skating rink, outdoor hot pools and water slides.
A crowd-free family ski holiday in Panorama
For rubbing shoulders with stars: Aspen, US
Aspen hosts the Winter X Games every January, where elite skiers from every corner of the world descend on this classy town. Aspen is also a popular haunt with the Obamas, Elton John and Gigi Hadid. With sought after addresses like the W Hotel, The Little Nell and Hotel Jerome, don’t forget the skiing: there are challenging double-black diamonds and awesome gladed tree runs.
Skiing with the pros in Aspen Snowmass
For off-piste ski weekends: Engelberg, Switzerland
A quick flight to Zurich and a short transfer and you’re in this Swiss powder haven. With a laid-back Scandi vibe, Engelberg is popular with young European freeskiers. Reaching 3,020m, there are verticals of 2,100m, which creates some incredible off-piste terrain. Much of the terrain has been deliberately left un-pisted for powder skiers.
Powder skiing on the Titlis glacier © Engelberg, Oskar Enander
For sumptuous spas: Courchevel, France
This prestigious French resort in the Trois Vallées has more opulent restaurants, bars, spas and hotels that you can count on two hands. Split into four towns, the saying goes “the higher the altitude, the higher the price”. Courchevel 1850 has several Michelin-star restaurants that attract gourmands and palatial spa hotels for soothing well-used legs.
Le K2 Goji Spa in Courchevel
For following in James Bond’s footsteps: Sölden, Austria
With an excellent snow record and access to two glaciers, it’s no surprise they filmed James Bond in Sölden. Featuring in Spectre, you can retrace his steps at the interactive 007 installation. Dine at the ice Q restaurant that has incredible views through floor-to-ceiling windows. Meanwhile, the 155km of slopes are primarily blue runs with some more challenging red and blacks.
The 007 Elements cinematic installation
For glamour and class: Klosters, Switzerland
Dubbed by Condé Nast Traveller as the ‘world’s poshest ski resort’, they claim Klosters is where the real stars go off piste. Julia Roberts, Prince Charles and the King of Sweden are just a few of the visitors over the years. And if you pine after the White Company interiors, you could even stay in the founder’s hygge Haus Alpina. Despite its en vogue status, the charming village still retains its traditional Alpine character.
Where to ski this year? The traditional Swiss village that allures royalty…
For a ski and fjord experience: Myrkdalen, Norway
Want to broaden your horizons on your ski holiday? In Norway you can combine a day’s skiing with a trip to the infamous Norwegian fjords. Spend two nights skiing in Myrkdalen, followed by two nights exploring the foggy fjords. The northern lights are common in the winter, so keep your fingers crossed for a sighting!
Group skiing in Myrkdalen © Sverre / Myrkdalen
For fine dining: San Cassiano, Italy
Located just off the Sellaronda loop is this gastronomic ski resort. San Cassiano offers the perfect mix between family-run rifugios serving Italian fare and innovative Michelin stars. Most importantly, our favourites are mountain-side Rifugio Scotoni and Hotel Ciasa Salares’ dedicated cheese and chocolate rooms.
Hotel Ciasa Salares’ wine cellar
For foot-stomping après: St. Anton, Austria
There’s no other place to be past 4pm than the two neighbouring après ski bars: the MooserWirt and Krazy Kanguruh. With stein-clinking music and a rather lively atmosphere, St. Anton has a notorious reputation for its après and nightlife. First lifts are the best hangover cure, with a fantastic snow record and 305km of awesome pistes.
MooserWirt in St Anton
For car-free bliss: Avoriaz, France
Perched on the mountaintop, Avoriaz may be largely purpose built but this car-free town has a certain charm. The best way to get around is by skis, foot or horse-drawn carriages, which the kids will love! Above all, the views are sensational across the rugged Dents du Midi and Dents Blanche. And, it’s one of our sustainable resorts too!
Where to ski this year? Snow-sure Avoriaz
For thrilling spectator’s sports: St Moritz, Switzerland
Another glamorous Swiss ski resort, St. Moritz is best-known for the perilous Cresta Run, where racers reach 80mph on rock-hard ice. Moreover, the lake is a centre-point for sports, with the annual Snow Polo World Cup, international horse race and cricket games all taking part during the winter. We hope the ice is thick enough!
The Cresta Run © Roger Schaffner
For epic fluffy powder: Revelstoke, Canada
The powder capital of Canada, Revelstoke has an incredible average between 12 and 18 metres of powder each year. What was once a well-kept local secret with one lift, subsequently became heaven for powder hunters. With incredible powder bowls, groomed pistes and gladed tree runs, there’s plenty to keep you entertained, especially after a big snowfall.
Choosing a path in Revelstoke
For searching for the northern lights: Geilo, Norway
Set between two national parks, Geilo is a picturesque resort with a great snow record. Thanks to the lack of light pollution, the charming town often witnesses the natural light show of the aurora borealis and similarly has great stargazing. Family friendly too, kids can try dog sledding, tobogganing and ice fishing, among others.
Take a horse-drawn carriage around Geilo
For Italian flair and hospitality: Courmayeur, Italy
Our Italian favourite, Courmayeur lures us back year in year out. Many of the hotels, restaurants and bars are family run and have been passed down through generations, making it a special place. In addition, Via Roma comes alive in the evenings and at weekends with chic Italians from Milan and nearby towns.
Via Roma by night, Courmayeur © Eleonor Greco
For weekend skiing: La Clusaz, France
Approximately an hour from Geneva Airport, La Clusaz is the perfect French resort for a ski weekend. Not only does it have a short transfer, but the village is traditionally Alpine and has fantastic skiing options for all levels. With wide, cruisy blues and more challenging reds and blacks, there are also some epic off-piste opportunities.
For luxury and alpine chic: Gstaad, Switzerland
This glamorous ski resort in the Bernese Oberland has a certain flair. Meander through the charming town that is made up of wooden chalets, boutique shops and fine dining restaurants after a day on the slopes. To stay in style, the Gstaad Palace and Alpina Gstaad are turreted luxury ski hotels that look like dominating castles on the mountainside.
Gstaad at night © Christof Sonderegger, SwitzerlandTourism
