Top Ten Global Ski Resorts

Of the hundreds of ski writers who have tried, scores have found themselves tumbling down snow slopes, closely followed by their pens and pencils, desks and more often than not — their careers. To choose the top ten global ski resorts outside of Europe is like asking the Pope to choose his favourite vicar. So button up your dog-collars people, because we’re about to run you down the very best ski resorts in the world (outside of Europe, and the Vatican City).

Cardrona, South Island, New Zealand

Technically, most of NZ’s ski resorts aren’t actually ski resorts, (more like ski fields near major urban areas) but we’re overlooking the technicality to include the South Island’s awesome, Cardrona ski field near Wanaka. Featuring a combination of gentle, open trails for beginners; purpose built children's facilities, chutes and world-class terrain parks and half pipes.

Telluride, Colorado, USA

For such a compact town, Telluride — just eight blocks wide — packs a big punch on the global ski circuit. Set among the highest concentration of 14,000 ft peaks in North America. The elegant Victorian buildings lead visitors to talk in black and white, and sing American musicals. But don’t be fooled; Telluride’s ski fields consistently suck visitors into a vortex of breathtaking moments.

Portillo, Chile

The après ski of Portillo is reason enough to visit this South American hotspot, just 100 miles from the culture capital of the continent, Santiago. The ski season runs from June through September and throughout the season you’re likely to rub shoulders with the Illuminati of the snow sports world, as they drop below the equator. This jewel of the Andes features 23 spellbinding runs, and while it lacks in the grandeur of its international brethren, it makes up in Olympian spirit.

Aspen/Snowmass, Colorado, USA

Arguably the most famous ski resort in the world, Aspen/Snowmass has been the powder of choice since the fifties. Featuring four exceptional skiing/snowboarding zones on four adjacent mountains, the Aspen/Snowmass winter resort spends over $20 million a year in on-mountain improvements. With nearly 5,300 ft of terrain between the twin towns, there’s room aplenty for some of the world’s best après ski.

Falls Creek, Australia

Ski fields in Australia are becoming well known as world-class ski regions. The Falls Creek fields (five hours northeast of Melbourne) promote themselves as a family friendly resort, and are deserving of the growing international support they’re shown each season. An excellent selection of 92 ski runs — featuring a vertical drop of 1,129 ft — are kept fresh with an impressive 10 feet of annual snowfall.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming, USA

Ask any ski bum to describe Jackson Hole and they’ll tell you, “It’s steep, and it’s deep.” This valley resort sees some of the finest powder snow on the planet. The nearby town is straight from the Wild West, featuring raised boardwalks and countless wily characters. Jackson is a major gateway for the Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, and off piste don’t pass up the sleigh ride through the National Elk Refuge.

Squaw Valley, California, USA

Since hosting the 1960 Winter Olympics, the Squaw Valley has fixed itself as one of the world’s premium ski resorts. Located in the ridges off the west coast of Lake Tahoe, near America’s own west coast, the slopes of Squaw are spliced by 170 ski trails, served by 33 lifts. Annual snowfall averages 38 feet, and the Squaw Valley witness’s more than 300 blue sky days a year.

Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia, Canada

To exclude Whistler from the top ten best ski resorts in the world would be sacrilege, yet this is a resort that has never rested on its laurels. Hauled over 8,171 acres, Whistler Blackcomb has more terrain than anywhere else in North America. The resort hires over 18,000 people each year to keep the resort and runs in world-class shape, and for the greens amongst you (what skier isn’t?) the resort claimed the title of Canada’s greenest employers in 2009.

Copper Mountain, Colorado, USA

Lining up beside its Colorado kith and kin, Copper Mountain is held close to local hearts, and consistently pounds its more famous siblings as the best-loved ski field in the region. The longest run on Copper Mountain is a mighty 2.8 miles, while cross-country aficionados are invited through the trails of the White River National Forest. After all is said and skied, enjoy some of the country’s best live music, in one of the world’s most beautiful locations.

Queenstown, South Island, New Zealand

This former goldminers’ town in New Zealand has gone from rich to richer, with some of the world’s best ski/snowboard runs and liveliest après ski on the planet. The largest snowmaking system in the Southern Hemisphere encourage skiers into the Remarkables’ three bowls, or the wide steep furrows of Coronet Peak which becomes floodlit during seasonal weekends. Queenstown also offers some of the world’s best heli-skiing.

So there you have it. A rundown of the world’s best ski resorts, in no particular order. We believe we’ve nailed the best ski resorts on the planet to this page for posterity. How would you alter our selection of the world’s greatest winter resorts?