Top 10 ski destinations
Our favourites, in Canada, the US and Europe
The thought of pillowy snow to zig-zag through all day long and warming dinners and drinks afterwards thrills us so much that we've put together our favourite skiing and snowboarding destinations - ten picture-postcard resorts in Canada, the US and Europe.
We're also presenting our traveller-tested packing tips and a table that highlights the costs of carrying your skis or snowboards on flights.
Whistler, British Columbia
Alpine skiing and mountain biking are big at Whistler Blackcomb, which is consistently voted a top ski destination each year. Whistler hosted most of the 2010 Winter Olympics’ alpine, Nordic, skeleton and bobsled events, so if you’re ready to claim your glory on the slopes, head to the world-renowned Whistler to try your hand at these great heights. But watch out for the bears – the fuzzy friends in Whistler have been known to open car doors for a snack.
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Hotels and resort areas around Whistler, British Columbia
Whistler Blackcomb
Just north of Vancouver, B.C. , Whistler Blackcomb features the Peak 2 Peak Gondola for moving between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains at the top.
Le Chamois
Located in the heart of the Upper Village and only steps to the Blackcomb lifts, Le Chamois boasts arguably the best location on Blackcomb.
Coast Blackcomb Suites
Located slope-side on Blackcomb Mountain, Coast offers a unique lodge-style setting. Complimentary buffet breakfast, fully equipped kitchens, gas fireplaces, OnCommand movies and daily housekeeping are all included in the Coast Blackcomb Suites stay.
Banff, Alberta
Breathtaking scenery may be Banff’s claim to fame, but its recognition goes much further than glittery aesthetics. With a long ski season, light and dry snow, fantastic facilities and three major resort areas, skiing in Banff is a pleasure. The unspoilt area in the Canadian Rockies is home to elks and moose, among other creatures. Accommodation is lavish and luxurious; the resort area crawls with five-star hotels to welcome tired skiers after a long day on the slopes.
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Hotels and resort areas in Banff, Alberta
Sunshine Village
Located in Banff National Park and receiving more than 30 feet of annual snowfall, Sunshine Village has tremendous "Champagne Powder.". The village is composed of Mount Standish, Lookout Mountain and Goat's Eye Mountain and spans the Great Divide which defines the Alberta-British Columbia border in the Canadian Rockies.
Irwin's Mountain Inn
Fully renovated for 2011, the Irwin is a family owned and operated Banff hotel. The Irwin’s Mountain Inn is an ideal choice for Canadian Rockies accommodations. Amenities include fitness centre, whirlpool, conference facilities and the El Toro Restaurant.
Norquay
Norquay is only 5 minutes from Banff and a great value, since it’s the only hill in the area with hourly passes. As such, you only get charged for the time you ski, not the time you don’t. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, snow tubing is also available.
Mont Tremblant, Quebec
A firm favourite with the A-list, but catering for skiers of all abilities, Mont Tremblant is set on the highest peak of the Laurentians. Cobbled streets, brightly-coloured houses and no cars conspire to create a charming village feel. Tremblant boasts one of Canada's largest snow-making systems. If the resort doesn't get its average annual 395cms of snow, 1,037 snowguns kick into action.
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Hotels and resort areas in Mont Tremblant, Quebec
Ski de Fond Mont
Offers cross country skiing and snowshoeing on 65km of exceptional trails. Skiers can circulate between the two sectors of the network: Domaine Saint-Bernard and Tremblant.
Rendez-Vous Mont Tremblant
Rendez-Vous an incredible range of vacation homes and condos to rent for your ski adventure on Tremblant.Additionally, the Ministry of Tourism has rated Rendez-Vous with the maximum, 4 star rating.
Mont Blanc Ski Resort
With 41 trails, three peaks, one of the region’s highest verticals and the Tremblant region’s second highest elevation, Mont Blanc is a formidable mountain for skiing and snowboarding. Accommodations include both hotels and condos.
Marble Mountain, Newfoundland
Great snow, no line-ups. What more could a skier ask for? The resort is situated on Newfoundland's west coast, part of the foothills of the mighty Appalachian Mountain Range. Marble Mountain's summit is 1,700 feet above the Humber River, which twists and turns through the Humber Valley to the Bay of Islands.
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Hotels and resort areas in Marble Mountain, Newfoundland
Marble Mountain Resort
Marble Mountain is known for its challenging terrain, abundance of snow and short lift lines. Additionally, the vertical drop is the highest of any ski area in Atlantic Canada. The Marble Villa is the resort’s set of slope side condominiums.
Marblewood Village Resort
Offering snowmobiling, snowshoeing, dog sledding, ice fishing, heli-snowshoeing and skiing. And, on the off chance that you get tired, the 1 to 4 bedroom, self contained condos should help you relax.
George's Mountain Village
Located at the base of Marble Mountain, George’s Mountain Village includes a ski shop, gas station, liquor store, dairy bar, trailer park, Tim Horton’s and lots of cozy ski cabins.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Beginners beware, this is expert territory. Set in the Grand Teton Mountains, Jackson Hole adds a little attitude with its altitude – offering up steep runs, deep powder and narrow chutes. A few outstanding parts include the Cheyenne, Tensleep and Laramie Bowls, and more challenges are just a shuttle-ride away in Grand Targhee.
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Hotels and resort areas in Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Jackson Hole Lodge
Near numerous outdoor attractions including renowned national parks. Yellowstone National Park, the breathtaking Grand Teton and Grand Targhee Mountains and 3.5 million acres of undisturbed Rocky Mountain area national parks are just a short drive away.
Wort Hotel
The Wort Hotel, is an elegant hotel rich in the history that thrives in the heart of Jackson Hole. Located one half block from the town square, The Wort Hotel is steps from the best boutiques, museums, galleries, restaurants and nightlife, including our own famous Silver Dollar Bar.
Cowboy Village Resort
Cozy cabins and easy accessibility to the area's activities bring our guests back, year after year. Jackson Hole Ski Resort and the Gateway to Grand Teton National Park are only 15 minutes from our door.
Vail, Colorado
Time after time, Vail is classified as one of the finest ski resorts in the world. Its seven Back Bowls and exceptional powder draw expert skiers from around the globe. Due to the mountain’s size, there is plenty to do for beginners, regulars and veterans - the only problem is that most skiers run out of vacation time before they can truly explore the entire mountainous layout.
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Hotels and resort areas in Vail, Colorado
Vail Cascade
Offers hotel rooms, condos and vacation home rentals in the heart of Vail’s breathtaking ski country.
Evergreen Lodge
Just a short walk to the world-class skiing, outstanding shopping and the exquisite dining and all exciting activities for which Vail is internationally known.
The Lodge at Vail
Nestled at the base of Vail Mountain, in the heart of the renowned Vail Village, The Lodge at Vail combines a perfect location and fine service with the classic ambiance of this famous alpine-inspired Vail hotel.
Park City, Utah
Just south of Salt Lake City, Park City is no little sibling when it comes to drawing tourists. Famous for hosting the Sundance Film Festival each year, it’s also home to serious alpine skiing. Six mountains and 114 trails give cold weather adventurers plenty of room to roam, and other mountain activities such as tubing and an alpine coaster won’t disappoint. Its dining and apres ski options aren’t half bad, either.
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Hotels and resort areas in Park City,Utah
Hotel Park City
Located only 35 minutes from Salt Lake City International Airport, this Conde Nast Traveler award-winning hotel is edged in native pines and aspens on the spectacular Park City Nordic Ski Course, at the base of the Park City Mountain Ski Resort.
Stein Eriksen Lodge
Guests will enjoy ski-in/out access to Deer Valley Resort. Conveniently located mid-moutnain at Deer Valley Resort, the lodge is one of the most accessible, year-round hotel destinations in North America.
St. Anton, Austria
Holding its head high with a glamorous reputation, St. Anton is no one-trick pony. Beyond its glitzy facade, it brings the thrills with world-class skiing, fantastic powder and lots of unmarked trails. Experts enjoy steep drops like that of Zura and the challenging powder bowls of the Valluga. Beginners find their own excitement in the less-demanding slopes. Beginners should head to the neighbouring resort of Lech, a bus ride away and skiable on the same lift pass.
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Hotels and resort areas in St. Anton, Austria
Best Western Hotel Alte Post
The Best Western Hotel Alte Post, which has been under the ownership of the Tandl family since 1991, has been rebuilt and renovated in recent years and is among the best 4-star hotels in St. Anton.
Schwarzer Adler Hotel
Since 1570 the Schwarzer Adler has been home to travel enthusiasts from all over the world - and is so now more than ever. The mountain views from the Adler really make you feel that much closer to heaven.
Hotel Post
A striking entrance way in the middle of charming downtown of St. Anton and directly next to the lifts and slopes leads directly to your holiday dream residence.
Zermatt, Switzerland
Situated in the Alps at the southern end of Matter Valley, close to the Italian border, Zermatt offers some of the highest and most picturesque skiing in Europe. Skiing in Zermatt gets divided up into four areas known as Sunnegga, Gornergrat, Klein Matterhorn and Schwarzsee, each characterised by its own unique traits. You can get an international lift pass that allows you ski on the Italian side of the boarder in Cervinia. To ski Zermatt on the cheap, stay in Cervinia. Your euros will go a lot further than your Swiss francs, and the Italian food is fantastic.
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Hotels and resort areas in Zermatt, Switzerland
Grand Hotel Zermatterhof
Zermatt, with its wind-protected southern location, embraces three skiing areas which enjoy superb snow conditions and the longest skiing season in the Alps. The 394km/246 miles of ski runs include slopes ranging from the simplest to the most challenging.
Hotel Schweizerhof
The Hotel Schweizerhof is located in a traffic-free zone on the Bahnhofstrasse at the heart of beautiful Zermatt.In fact, the railway and Gornergratbahn stations are just a few steps away. Guests from all over the world appreciate our buoyantly refined, rustic, easy-going and sportive atmosphere together with our warm-hearted and friendly team of staff!
Le Petit Hotel
Five to seven minutes walking distance to the ski-lifts or the bus-stop. Le petit hotel has 16 double and 04 single rooms. All rooms are equipped with shower or bathtub / WC and cable-TV.
Chamonix, France
Sitting right under Europe’s highest mountain, Mont Blanc, Chamonix has a wide range of intermediate and advanced skiing options. Known as the extreme free-riding capital of Europe, it’s also a hot spot for snowboarders as well. Once the day of downhill fun comes to a close, gear up for its dynamic town filled with more than 100 restaurants and bars.
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Hotels and resort areas in Chamonix, France
Hotel Alpina
Whether they are cosy and traditional (Standard), spacious and light (Superior) or large and luxurious (Luxury), all the rooms have one thing in common: they have been fitted and decorated with care and attention and are well equipped.
Hotel La Morgane
The four-star Le Morgane hotel successfully combines the sophistication expected of a hotel with this grading and the resolutely sporting nature of Chamonix. Located in the centre of town, the hotel has a total of 56 rooms in four different categories: standard, premium, luxury and junior suite. All the rooms feature a balcony with stunning views of either Mont-Blanc or the Brévent.
Hotel Mercure
The hotel is located at the foot of the famous Mont Blanc and Aiguille du Midi mountains, right in the heart of the ski town of Chamonix and only a few steps from the railway station.