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Best Ski Resorts

We are often asked “which are the best ski resorts in the world” and “which are the top 10 ski resorts”? Our answer is always “it depends on what you’re looking for”! For us Powderhounds, our idea of the best ski resort is one with abundant dry powder that is practically deserted such that there are fresh tracks galore. These hidden gems are a bit of a rarity!

The best powder skiing isn’t everyone’s highest priority in choosing the top ski resort. For some people, it’s about the quality of the cruising runs, the nightlife, the restaurants, the family friendliness, or a combination of variables. When choosing the top ski resorts, everyone has different priorities. We’ve provided ratings (from 0 to 5 where 5 = outstanding) on different factors as well as an overall rating. And in case you’re a powder hound just like us, we’ve also highlighted the best ski resorts in the world for powder skiing.

See below for ski resort rankings:
Our ratings are based on our experiences of visiting lots of ski resorts. Obviously we haven’t been to all the top ski resorts in the world because that would take more than a lifetime, but we’ll continue to try!

Japan Ski Resorts

Japan has some of the best ski resorts in the world for powder hounds. Many of the top ski resorts for powder (both quality and quantity) can be found in Hokkaido, and many of the resorts are also uncrowded so there are lots of "freshies" to be found! Skiing in Japan is ideal for powder hounds - you can check out our videos of Japow!

Sort by columns

Japan Ski Resorts
5 = outstanding
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Off-Piste
Tree Skiing
Expert
Extreme
Snow
Freshies
Uncrowded
Slackcountry
Lifts
Terrain Park
Family Friendly
Daytime Restaurants
Nighttime Restaurants
Nightlife
Ski-in\Ski-Out
Cost
Apres
English
Culture
Powderhounds
Overall
Hokkaido
Asahidake 0 1 1 4.5 4.5 3 2 5 4 3.5 5 2.5 0 0 2 1 1 0 5 0 2 3 4.5 3.5
Asari 2.5 3 2 3 3.5 2 0 4 5 4.5 3 2.5 2 3 4 1 1 0 5 2 1 4 4.5 3.5
Kamui 3 3 2 4 4 2.5 0 5 4 4 3.5 2.5 2 3 2.5 0 0 0 5 0 2 3.5 4.5 3.5
Niyama Kogen 3 2 2 2.5 2.5 2.5 1 4 5 5 -1 2.5 0 2 2 0 0 0 5 0 0 4 4.5 3
Nukabira 2 2 1 0.5 0.5 0.5 0 4 -1 5 2 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 5 0 1 4 3 2.5
Otaru Tenguyama 2.5 2 3 3 4 4 2.5 3.5 5 5 2.5 2.5 0 2 2 0 0 0.5 5 0 1.5 4.5 4.5 3.5
Pippu 2 2.5 2 2.5 3.5 2.5 1.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 4 2.5 1.5 2 2 0.5 0 0.5 5 0 1.5 4 4.5 3.5
Piyashiri 2.5 2.5 2 2 3 2.5 2.5 5 5 5 3.5 2.5 1.5 2 2 0 0 1 5 0 1 4 5 3.5
Furano 4 4 3 4.5 4 4 1.5 5 3.5 4 4.5 4 1 5 3.5 4 2.5 2.5 4.5 2 4 3.5 4.5 4.5
Hakodate Nanae 3.5 2 1 2.5 3 3 1 4 5 4.5 4 3 0 2.5 2.5 0 0 0 4.5 0 0.5 4.5 4.5 3.5
Sapporo Teine 4.5 2.5 3 4 4.5 4.5 3 4 4 3.5 4.5 3 2 3 2.5 0 0 0 4.5 1 2.5 2.5 4.5 4
Kurodake 0 1 0.5 5 5 5 4.5 5 4.5 5 4 2.5 0 0.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 0 4 0.5 2.5 3 5 3.5
Moiwa 2.5 2.5 2 4 4.5 3 2.5 4.5 3.5 4 4.5 2.5 0 3 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 4 2 4 3 4.5 4
Niseko Annupuri 3.5 2.5 2 2 4 2 1 5 2.5 3 5 3 0 3 3 3 2 2 4 2 4 3.5 4 3.5
Rusutsu 3.5 4 3 5 5 2.5 1 5 3.5 4 2.5 5 2.5 4.5 3.5 4 2 3.5 4 1.5 3 3 4.5 4.5
Sahoro 4.5 2.5 2 4 4.5 3 1 4.5 5 3.5 4 3 1 5 3 3 1 4.5 4 0.5 4 2.5 4.5 4
Sapporo Kokusai 2.5 2 1.5 3.5 3.5 2.5 1 4.5 4.5 2.5 4.5 3 2.5 3 3 0 0 0 4 1.5 2.5 2.5 4 3.5
Tomamu 4 3.5 3 4.5 4.5 3 0 4.5 4.5 4 4 4 3.5 5 3 3.5 0.5 4.5 4 0.5 3 2.5 4.5 4.5
Yubari 3.5 3 2.5 3 3 2 1 4 5 4.5 -1 3 3 2.5 2 3 0.5 2.5 4 0.5 2.5 4 4.5 3.5
Niseko 4.5 4.5 3 5 5 3 1 5 2 1.5 5 3.5 3 4.5 4.5 5 5 3.5 3 3.5 5 1.5 3.5 5
Niseko Hirafu 4 3.5 3 4.5 4.5 2.5 1 5 2 2.5 5 3 3 5 4.5 5 5 3 3 3.5 5 1 3.5 4.5
Niseko Village 4.5 2.5 2 3 4 2.5 1 5 2.5 3 5 4 0 5 3 3 2.5 5 3 2 5 2.5 4 4
Kiroro 4 3.5 2 4 4.5 3.5 1.5 5 3 4 4 5 1 4.5 3.5 4 2 3.5 2.5 2 4.5 1.5 4.5 4.5
Niseko Hanazono 4 2.5 1 3 4.5 2.5 1.5 5 2 2.5 5 3 4 5 2.5 2 1 2 2.5 1 5 1 3.5 4
Honshu
Adatara Kogen 1.5 1.5 1 1 1 0 0 3.5 5 5 -1 1.5 0 1 1 0 0 1.5 5 0 0 4.5 2.5 2.5
Amihari Onsen 2 2.5 1.5 3 3 3 3 4 5 5 4 2 0 2.5 1.5 2 0.5 3 5 0.5 1.5 4 4.5 3.5
Ani 2 2.5 1.5 3 5 4 2 4.5 5 5 4.5 2.5 0 2 2 0 0 0 5 0 2 4 5 3.5
Charmant Hiuchi 1.5 2.5 1.5 4.5 3.5 3 1.5 5 4.5 5 3.5 3 2 2 2.5 0 0 0 5 0.5 1 4 5 3.5
Cupid Valley 2 2.5 1 2 2 1 2 4.5 4 4.5 2 3 0 2.5 2.5 0 0 1.5 5 0 1 4 4 3
Hakuba Kashimayari 4 3 2 2.5 2.5 2 1 4 4 4.5 -1 2.5 0 3 2.5 2 0 2 5 0 2.5 4 4 3.5
Norikura 4 3 2.5 3 3 2.5 1 4.5 4.5 4.5 3 2.5 2.5 4 3 2.5 0.5 4 5 0.5 2 4 4.5 4
Hirayu Onsen 2 2 2 4 4 4 4 3 5 5 2.5 2 0 1 1.5 2.5 0 0 5 0 1 5 4.5 3.5
Iwate Kogen 2.5 2.5 1.5 3 3.5 3 1.5 3.5 5 4 3 3.5 0.5 3 2.5 0 0 0 5 0 1.5 4 4.5 3.5
Kurohime 3.5 2.5 2 2 2.5 2.5 1 3.5 5 3.5 -1 2.5 3 2.5 2 0.5 0 2 5 0 1 4 4 3.5
Mt Norikura 4 2.5 2 2.5 2.5 2 1 4.5 4.5 4.5 -1 3 2 3 3 1 0 1.5 5 0 2 3.5 4.5 3.5
Okunakayama Kogen 4 1.5 2 3.5 3.5 3 1 4 5 5 2 2.5 1 3 2.5 1 0 2 5 0.5 3 4 4.5 3.5
Oze Iwakura 2.5 4.5 3 4.5 5 4 1.5 4.5 4.5 3 2 3 0 3.5 3 1.5 0 3 5 0.5 1 4.5 4.5 4
Oze Tokura 3 2.5 1.5 3.5 3.5 2.5 1 4 5 4 2 2 3.5 3 2 0.5 0 1 5 0 1 4.5 4.5 3.5
Tazawako 3 3 2.5 4 4.5 2.5 2 5 5 4 -1 3 0 3 2.5 0 0 0 5 0.5 2 4.5 5 3.5
Togakushi 3 3 2.5 3 3 2.5 1 4.5 5 5 2.5 3 1.5 3 2.5 1 0 2 5 1.5 2 4 4.5 3.5
Geto Kogen 2.5 3 2.5 4.5 4 2.5 0 5 5 5 3 4 1 2.5 2.5 1 0.5 1.5 4.5 0.5 2 3 5 3.5
Hachimantai Shimokura 2.5 2.5 1.5 3 3.5 3 1 4.5 4.5 5 2.5 2.5 1 3 2 0 0 0 4.5 0 1.5 4 4.5 3.5
Hakkaisan 2.5 2.5 3 4.5 4.5 4.5 4 4 4.5 5 5 2.5 1 2 2 0 0 0 4.5 0.5 2 4 5 3.5
Hakkoda 1 2 3 4.5 4.5 3 2 5 4 3.5 5 2.5 0 0 2.5 0 0 2 4.5 0 2.5 3.5 4.5 3.5
Hakuba Iwatake 3 3.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 1.5 0 3.5 3 2.5 -1 3 1.5 4 2.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 4.5 2 3.5 4 3 3.5
Ikenotaira 4.5 3 0.5 2.5 3 1 0 4.5 4 4.5 2 2.5 2.5 3 2.5 1 0.5 1 4.5 1 2.5 4 4 3.5
Inawashiro 3.5 3 2 3 4 2.5 0 3.5 5 3 -1 2.5 2 4 2.5 0 0 0 4.5 0 1.5 4 4 3.5
Ishiuchi 3 3.5 2 1.5 1.5 1 0 3.5 3 3 -1 2.5 3 3 4 1 0.5 3 4.5 0.5 2.5 4 3 3.5
Kagura 5 3 2 3.5 4 3 1 4.5 4 4 4.5 3.5 2.5 2.5 3.5 1 0 1 4.5 1.5 2.5 3 4.5 4
Kandatsu Kogen 3.5 2 4 4 4.5 4 2 4.5 4.5 3 -1 2.5 3 3.5 3 0 0 0 4.5 1 2.5 3 4.5 4
Madarao 3.5 3 4.5 4.5 4.5 3 1 4.5 3 3.5 3.5 2.5 2.5 4.5 3.5 3 2 4 4.5 1.5 4 3 4 4.5
Marunuma Kogen 4 2.5 1.5 0.5 0.5 1 0 4.5 2 3.5 -1 3 0 2.5 3 0 0 1 4.5 0 1 4 3 3
Minowa 3 2 2 4.5 5 3 1.5 4.5 5 4.5 4.5 2.5 0.5 2.5 2.5 0.5 0.5 1 4.5 0.5 2.5 3.5 5 3.5
Myoko Kogen 4.5 3 2.5 4 4 3 2 4.5 4 4 3 4.5 2.5 4 3.5 4 3 3.5 4.5 2 3.5 3.5 4.5 4.5
Nekoma 3 3 2.5 3.5 4 3 1 4 5 5 2.5 3 3 3 2.5 2.5 0 0 4.5 0.5 2 3.5 4.5 3.5
Oguna Hotaka 3 2.5 2 2.5 3 2 0 4 5 4 -1 2.5 1.5 2.5 2 0 0 0 4.5 0 1 3.5 4 3
Ryuoo 4 2.5 3 4.5 4.5 3.5 1.5 4 5 3.5 -1 2.5 2.5 3.5 2.5 1.5 0.5 3 4.5 0.5 2 3.5 4.5 3
Seki Onsen 0 1.5 2.5 3.5 4 4.5 3.5 5 3.5 2.5 4 1.5 0.5 0 1.5 1 0.5 2 4.5 0.5 2.5 4.5 4 3.5
Suginohara 4 3 1.5 2.5 4 4 4 4.5 4 4 4 4 3 3 3 0.5 0.5 3 4.5 0.5 2.5 4.5 4.5 4
Tenjindaira 2 2 2 5 5 5 5 5 4.5 5 5 2.5 0.5 1.5 2 0 0 0 4.5 0.5 2.5 3.5 5 3.5
Tsugaike 5 3 1 4 5 3 1.5 4.5 3.5 4 4.5 4.5 3 4 4 2.5 1.5 4.5 4.5 2 2 4 4.5 4.5
Akakura 4.5 3 2 2.5 4 2.5 1.5 4.5 3.5 3.5 3 4.5 1.5 4.5 3.5 4.5 3.5 3 4 2 4.5 3.5 4 4.5
Aomori Spring 5 2.5 1.5 3 5 3.5 2 4.5 5 4.5 4 4 5 3.5 2.5 3 1.5 4 4 1.5 4.5 2.5 5 4.5
Grandeco 3.5 3 1.5 3 3 1.5 1 4 5 5 2.5 4.5 0 3 3.5 2 0.5 2 4 0.5 3 3 4.5 3.5
Hakuba 47 2 2.5 2.5 3.5 4 3.5 2.5 4.5 2.5 3.5 -1 3 4 3 2 2 2 0 4 2 4.5 3 4 4
Hakuba Cortina 2.5 3 2.5 4.5 5 4.5 2 5 3.5 4 4.5 3 0 4 3 3 0.5 4 4 1 3.5 3 4.5 4
Goryu 4.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2 4.5 2.5 3 2.5 3.5 1.5 4.5 3.5 2 1.5 1 4 1 4 3.5 3.5 3.5
Happo 3 4.5 3.5 2.5 2 2.5 1.5 4.5 2.5 3 4 4 2.5 4.5 4 3.5 3 3 4 1 4.5 2.5 3.5 4
Maiko 4.5 3 2 3 3 2 0.5 4 4 3 -1 3 1.5 4 3.5 1 0.5 2.5 4 0.5 2.5 3.5 4 3.5
Nozawa Onsen 4.5 3 4.5 4 4 4 2.5 4.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 3 4.5 5 5 3.5 3 4 3 4.5 4.5 4.5 5
Shizukuishi 2.5 4 2 2.5 4 3 1 4 5 4 3.5 2.5 2.5 3 2.5 2.5 0.5 3.5 4 0.5 2 3.5 4.5 4
Tangram 2.5 3.5 2 3.5 4 2.5 0.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 -1 2.5 2 4 2.5 2 0.5 3 4 0.5 2 2 4.5 4
Tengendai 2 2 1 1.5 3.5 4.5 4 4 5 5 4.5 1.5 0 1 1.5 0 0 0 4 0 1 5 4.5 3
Yuzawa Kogen 4.5 2.5 1.5 1 1 1 0.5 4 3 3 -1 2.5 0 4.5 2 5 3.5 1.5 4 1.5 2.5 4.5 3 3.5
Zao Onsen 4 4.5 2.5 4 3.5 3 2.5 4.5 5 3.5 -1 3 2 3.5 3 3 2 3.5 4 2 2.5 4.5 4.5 4.5
Alts Bandai 3 4 2.5 3 3 1.5 0 3.5 5 3 -1 3 4.5 4 3 2.5 1 4 3.5 1.5 3 2.5 4 4
Appi Kogen 4 3 3.5 3.5 4 2.5 1 4.5 4 3.5 3 4 3 4.5 4.5 4.5 2.5 5 3.5 2 3.5 3 4 4.5
Joetsu Kokusai 3.5 4.5 1.5 2 2 1 0 3.5 4 4 -1 3 3 4.5 3.5 3 0.5 4 3.5 0 2 4 3.5 3.5
Okushiga Kogen 3 3 1 4 4 3.5 2.5 4.5 4.5 4 4 3 2.5 4.5 4 3.5 2.5 4 3.5 2 5 3 4.5 4.5
Shiga Kogen 4 5 4 3.5 3.5 2.5 1 4.5 4.5 3.5 -1 4 2 3.5 3 2.5 2 5 3.5 1.5 3.5 3 4.5 4.5
Gala Yuzawa 3 4.5 1.5 0 0 0 0 4 2.5 1 -1 4 1 4 4.5 0 0 0 3 0.5 4.5 2.5 2.5 3
Naeba 4 3 3 2.5 2 4 0 3.5 3.5 2.5 2 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 2 5 3 1.5 3.5 2 3.5 4
Lotte Arai 2.5 2.5 3.5 5 3.5 4 1.5 4.5 4 4.5 2 4 0 5 4 4.5 1.5 4.5 2.5 1.5 3.5 2 4.5 4.5
Travel Guides

Canada Ski Resorts

The Canada ski resorts vary somewhat in their strengths, although many of them are amongst the best ski resorts in the world for family friendliness.


Canada Ski Resorts
5 = outstanding
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Off-Piste
Tree Skiing
Expert
Extreme
Snow
Freshies
Uncrowded
Slackcountry
Lifts
Terrain Park
Family Friendly
Daytime Restaurants
Nighttime Restaurants
Nightlife
Ski-in\Ski-Out
Cost
Apres
English
Culture
Powderhounds
Overall
Baldy 3.5 3 2 4 4 2 0 4 5 5 2.5 2 2 3.5 2 0 0 0.5 5 2 -1 -1 4.5 3.5
Hudson Bay 2.5 3 2 2.5 2.5 2.5 2 3 4 5 4 2 2 3 2.5 1 1 1.5 5 2.5 -1 -1 4 3.5
Powder King 3 3 3 4 4 1.5 0.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 3 2 1 3 1.5 1 1.5 1.5 5 2.5 -1 -1 4.5 3.5
Red Mountain 3 3.5 4 5 5 4.5 4 3.5 4 3.5 2 2.5 2.5 4 3 2.5 3 3 5 3 -1 -1 4.5 4.5
Shames Mountain 2.5 2.5 2 3 3 2 0.5 3.5 4 5 5 2 1 2.5 2 0 0 0 5 2 -1 -1 4.5 3.5
Apex 3 3 4 4 4 4 2 3 4 5 3 2.5 2 3.5 2.5 2.5 2 2 4.5 3 -1 -1 4.5 4
Castle Mountain 3 2.5 4.5 4 2.5 4 2 3.5 4.5 3.5 -1 2.5 1.5 3 2.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 4.5 2 -1 -1 4 4
Whitewater 2.5 3 4 4 5 4.5 3 5 4 4 5 2.5 2 3 3 0 0 0 4.5 2 -1 -1 5 4.5
Marmot Basin 4 3 4 3 3 -1 -1 3 3 4 -1 3 2.5 4 2 0 0 0 4 2 -1 -1 4 3.5
Mt Washington 4 3 3.5 2.5 2.5 4 2.5 2 3 3.5 -1 2.5 2.5 4.5 2 2 2.5 2.5 4 2.5 -1 -1 3.5 4
Norquay 2.5 2.5 2.5 1 1 2 0 1.5 2.5 4.5 1 3 3 4 2 0 0 0 4 2 -1 -1 3 3
Revelstoke 2.5 3.5 5 4 4 3.5 2.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 2 3.5 2 3.5 2.5 2.5 4 2.5 -1 -1 4 4.5
Silver Star 4 3.5 4.5 2 2 3 2 3.5 3 4 1 3.5 2.5 5 4 3 2 4.5 4 2 -1 -1 3.5 4
Big White 4.5 5 3.5 3 3 3 1.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 1.5 4 4 5 3.5 3 3 5 3.5 2.5 -1 -1 4 4.5
Fernie 4 3 3 3.5 4 3.5 3 3.5 3 3 5 2.5 2.5 4 3 3 3 4 3.5 3 -1 -1 3.5 4
Kicking Horse 3 2.5 5 4.5 3.5 5 5 4 3.5 3.5 5 3 0 4 3 3 2 4 3.5 1 -1 -1 4.5 4.5
Nakiska 3 3.5 2.5 1 1 2 0 1 2 4 -1 2.5 2.5 4 2 0 0 0 3.5 0 -1 -1 2.5 2.5
Panorama 3 4 3.5 3 3.5 3.5 3 2.5 3 4.5 -1 3 4.5 5 3.5 2.5 3 3.5 3.5 2.5 -1 -1 3.5 4.5
Sun Peaks 4.5 5 4 2.5 2.5 2.5 1 3 3 4 3 3.5 2.5 5 4 3.5 2 5 3.5 2 -1 -1 3.5 4.5
Sunshine 4 3 4.5 4 3 3.5 3.5 3.5 3 3 -1 4.5 4.5 3.5 3 2 1.5 3 3 2 -1 -1 4 4.5
Lake Louise 3.5 4.5 3.5 4 3 4 3.5 3 3 3 -1 4.5 4 4 3.5 2.5 1.5 0 2.5 1 -1 -1 3.5 4
Whistler-Blackcomb 4 4.5 5 5 4 5 5 3 2.5 1.5 5 5 4.5 5 3.5 5 5 2 2 5 -1 -1 4 5

South America Ski Resorts

The South America ski resorts are not really up there in the top 10 ski resorts in the world for powder skiing or the quality of the snow, but they provide some incredibly interesting & culturally diverse experiences.


South America Ski Resorts
5 = outstanding
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Off-Piste
Tree Skiing
Expert
Extreme
Snow
Freshies
Uncrowded
Slackcountry
Lifts
Terrain Park
Family Friendly
Daytime Restaurants
Nighttime Restaurants
Nightlife
Ski-in\Ski-Out
Cost
Apres
English
Culture
Powderhounds
Overall
Argentina
Perito Moreno 3 2 1 2 2 1 0 1.5 3 4 -1 1.5 1 4.5 2 1 1 1 5 1 0.5 4.5 2.5 3
La Hoya 2.5 3 2.5 4.5 0 4 3 4 4 2.5 1 2.5 2 3.5 3 1 1 1 4.5 2.5 1.5 4.5 4 3.5
Los Penitentes 2 2.5 2 3 0 3 2 2 4.5 4 -1 2 1 2.5 2.5 2.5 2 2.5 4.5 2 1.5 4.5 3.5 3.5
Caviahue 4 2.5 2 2.5 1 2 0.5 3 4.5 4.5 -1 3 0 3.5 2 2 1 2 3.5 2 2 4 4 3.5
Cerro Bayo 3 2.5 3 4 4 4.5 3.5 3 4 4 5 3.5 2.5 3 3.5 1 1 0 3.5 1 2.5 3 4.5 4
Cerro Catedral 3 4.5 4 5 4 4.5 4.5 3 2 2 5 4 3 4 4.5 3 3 2 3.5 3 3 3 3.5 4.5
Chapelco 4 4 3 4 3 3 3 2.5 3 2.5 3.5 4 2.5 4 3.5 1 1 2 3.5 2.5 2 3 3.5 4
Las Leñas 2.5 4 2 4.5 0 5 5 4 4 2.5 5 3 1 3.5 4 3 4 5 2 4 4 2 4 4.5
Chile
Antillanca 3 2.5 2 2.5 1.5 3 2 2 4 3.5 4 2 0 2.5 2.5 2 1.5 3 3.5 1.5 2 3 3 3.5
El Colorado 4 4 2.5 3 0 3 3 2.5 2 2.5 4 2.5 3 3 4 2.5 2.5 4 3 3.5 2.5 2.5 3 4
Pucon 3.5 1 1 2 0 2.5 2 2 3.5 4 1 1.5 1 2.5 2 0 0 0 3 2 2.5 4 3 2.5
Corralco 2.5 2.5 2 4 0 4.5 4 3.5 5 5 4 2.5 1 4 3 2.5 1 4 2.5 1 4 3 4.5 4
La Parva 3 4 3 4 0 3.5 3.5 3 3 3 4 2.5 -1 3 4 2.5 1.5 3.5 2.5 2.5 2 3.5 3.5 4
Nevados de Chillan 5 3 3 4.5 2.5 4.5 3 3.5 4.5 4 4 3 1.5 4 3.5 3.5 2 5 2.5 2 3 2.5 4.5 4.5
Portillo 3 2.5 3.5 4 0 4.5 4.5 3 4 4 4.5 2.5 0 4 3 3 3.5 4 2.5 3 5 1 4 4
Valle Nevado 3 4 2.5 4 0 2 2 3 4 3 3.5 3.5 4 4 4 3 3 4 2.5 2.5 4 1.5 3.5 4

New Zealand Ski Resorts

Like South America, the NZ ski resorts are not likely to be ranked for the best powder skiing (or the infrastructure). The major strengths of many of the New Zealand ski fields include the lack of crowds, likelihood of getting freshies at lunch time on a powder day, and the lack of expense.


New Zealand Ski Resorts
5 = outstanding
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Off-Piste
Tree Skiing
Expert
Extreme
Snow
Freshies
Uncrowded
Slackcountry
Lifts
Terrain Park
Family Friendly
Daytime Restaurants
Nighttime Restaurants
Nightlife
Ski-in\Ski-Out
Cost
Apres
English
Culture
Powderhounds
Overall
Broken River 0.5 2 3.5 4 0 3.5 2.5 3 4 5 5 1.5 1 1 1 1 1.5 2 5 1 -1 -1 4 3.5
Craigieburn 0 1 5 4.5 0.5 4.5 4.5 2.5 4.5 3 5 1.5 0 0 2 0 2 2 5 3 -1 -1 4 3.5
Fox Peak 1.5 2.5 3 4 0 4 3 2 5 5 3.5 1 0 2.5 0 0 0 0 5 0 -1 -1 3.5 2.5
Mount Olympus 1 1 2.5 4 0 4.5 4.5 3 4.5 4 4.5 1.5 0 1 2 3 2.5 2 5 1 -1 -1 4 3.5
Mt Cheeseman 2.5 2.5 2.5 3.5 0 3 2 2 5 5 3.5 2 1 4 2 1 1 2 5 1 -1 -1 4 3.5
Mt Dobson 4 3 2 3.5 0 2.5 1 2 5 5 -1 2 0 4 1 0 0 0 5 0 -1 -1 3.5 3
Roundhill 3 2 2.5 3.5 0 3 1 2 5 5 -1 2 3 4 2 0 0 0 5 1 -1 -1 3.5 3
Hanmer Springs 1 3 1 3 0 2 1 1.5 5 5 3 2 0 2.5 1 0 1 2 4.5 1 -1 -1 3.5 3
Mt Lyford 3.5 3 2 3.5 0 3 1 2.5 5 5 2.5 2.5 2.5 4 2.5 0 0 0 4.5 0 -1 -1 4 3.5
Ohau 2.5 2.5 3 3 0 3 2 2.5 5 5 3.5 2 1.5 3.5 2 2.5 3 0 4.5 3 -1 -1 4 3.5
Porters 3.5 2.5 2.5 3.5 0 2.5 1.5 2 3.5 3 3 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 0 0 0 4 0.5 -1 -1 3 3
Rainbow 3 2 2.5 4 0 2.5 1 2 5 3 -1 1.5 1 3 1.5 0 0 0 4 0 -1 -1 3.5 3
Turoa 3 3.5 3 3 0 2.5 2 2.5 3 2 2.5 3 2 2.5 2.5 3 3 0 4 1 -1 -1 3 3.5
Whakapapa 4 4 3 3 0 2.5 2.5 2.5 3 1 2.5 2.5 2 3.5 3 2 1 2 4 1 -1 -1 3 3.5
Cardrona 5 3 2.5 4 0 3 2 2 3 2 2 3.5 4.5 4.5 3 1 1 1 3 2 -1 -1 3 3.5
Coronet Peak 3.5 4 3 2 0 2.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 2 4 1.5 4 3 1 1 0 3 1.5 -1 -1 2.5 3
Treble Cone 2.5 3 4.5 4.5 0 4 4 3 3.5 3.5 4 2.5 2 3 2 0 0 0 3 1 -1 -1 4 3.5
Mt Hutt 3 4 3.5 3.5 0 3.5 3 3 3.5 2.5 2.5 3 3 4 3 0 0 0 2.5 1.5 -1 -1 3.5 3.5
Remarkables 4 2.5 3 3 0 3 3 2 3 3 3 3 4.5 4 3 0 0 0 2.5 1 -1 -1 3 3.5

Best Skiing USA

The USA ski resorts are many & varied, so it's somewhat difficult to categorise them. Some are up there with the best ski resorts in the world for the quality & quantity of powder, although many of the high profile resorts are crowded so freshies don't last long. Some of the strengths of the USA ski resorts include incredible terrain & infrastructure such as child facilities and restaurants.

USA Ski Resorts
5 = outstanding
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Off-Piste
Tree Skiing
Expert
Extreme
Snow
Freshies
Uncrowded
Slackcountry
Lifts
Terrain Park
Family Friendly
Daytime Restaurants
Nighttime Restaurants
Nightlife
Ski-in\Ski-Out
Cost
Apres
English
Culture
Powderhounds
Overall
Alaska
Alyeska 2.5 3.5 2.5 4 2 4 4 4 2.5 3.5 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 3 -1 -1 4 4
California
Homewood 1 4 3 4 5 1 0 3 5 4 0 3 0 4 3 0 0 1 4 3 -1 -1 4 3.5
June Mountain 3 2.5 2.5 2.5 3 1.5 0 3 4 4.5 3.5 2.5 1.5 4 2 0 0 0 4 1.5 -1 -1 4 3.5
Kirkwood 2.5 3 5 5 4 4.5 4 4.5 3 3.5 -1 2.5 2 3.5 2.5 2 2 3 4 2.5 -1 -1 4.5 4.5
Mammoth Mountain 3.5 4.5 4 4 3.5 4 2.5 4 3.5 2.5 -1 4.5 5 4.5 4 4 3.5 3 3.5 3 -1 -1 4 4.5
Alpine Meadows 2.5 3.5 3 4 2.5 4.5 3.5 4 2 1 3 3 2 2.5 2.5 0 0 0 3 1.5 -1 -1 3 3.5
Heavenly 3.5 4.5 2.5 4 4.5 2.5 0.5 3.5 3 1 1.5 4 4 3 2 5 5 0.5 3 4.5 -1 -1 3 4
Sierra at Tahoe 5 2.5 3 4 5 3.5 2.5 3 3 3 -1 3 3 4 3 0 0 0 3 2 -1 -1 3.5 4
Sugar Bowl 3.5 3.5 3.5 4 3.5 4.5 4 3.5 2.5 3 -1 3.5 3 3.5 3 1.5 1.5 2.5 3 2.5 -1 -1 3.5 4
Squaw Valley 3.5 4 3.5 5 3 5 5 4 1 1 4 4.5 3 2.5 4 3.5 3.5 2.5 2.5 4 -1 -1 3 4.5
Northstar 4 4.5 3 2.5 4.5 1.5 0 3.5 2.5 2 -1 5 4 4.5 3.5 4 2 2.5 1.5 2 -1 -1 3 4
Colorado
Powderhorn 2.5 3 3 3 3.5 1 1 3 4 5 2.5 2.5 2.5 4 2.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 5 3 -1 -1 4 3.8
Wolf Creek 3.5 3 3 5 5 4 4 5 4.5 4 2 3 0 4 1.5 3 2 0 5 1.5 -1 -1 5 4
Monarch 2.5 2.5 2 3 3 3 3 3.5 3 4 3 2.5 2.5 4 2 2 1 0 4.5 2 -1 -1 4 3.5
Crested Butte 3.5 3.5 2.5 4 4 5 5 3.5 4 4 0 3.5 3.5 4.5 3 4 3 3 4 3 -1 -1 4 4.5
Purgatory 4.5 5 2.5 2 2 1 1 3 2.5 3 1 3 3 5 4 2 2.5 4 4 2.5 -1 -1 3 4
Silverton 0 0 3 5 4 5 5 5 4 5 -1 1 0 0 0.5 1.5 1 0 4 4 -1 -1 5 3.5
Arapahoe Basin 2 2.5 3 3.5 2 3 2 3 3 4.5 3 2.5 3 1 2.5 0 0 0 3 0 -1 -1 3.5 3
Breckenridge 5 4 4.5 4.5 2.5 4 4 3.5 2 1 -1 4 5 4.5 3 4 5 4 3 4 -1 -1 3 4.5
Copper Mountain 5 5 3.5 4 3 3 3 3.5 2.5 3.5 4 4 4 5 4 4 3.5 3.5 3 4 -1 -1 3.5 4.5
Keystone 2.5 5 4 4 4 3 0 3 2 2 5 4 5 3 2 4 4 1 3 3 -1 -1 3 4
Steamboat 3.5 4.5 4 3.5 5 2.5 2 4 3 4 -1 3.5 3.5 4.5 3 3.5 3 3.5 3 3 -1 -1 4 4.5
Aspen Highlands 3 3.5 4 4 3 4.5 3 3.5 3 4 -1 3.5 0 3 2.5 2 2 3 2.5 2.5 -1 -1 4 4
Buttermilk 4.5 3 2 2 2 1.5 0 2.5 4.5 4 -1 4 5 4 2.5 1 1 1.5 2.5 1 -1 -1 3 3.5
Snowmass 3 5 3 4.5 4 4.5 4.5 4 3 3.5 -1 4.5 4 5 3.5 3 2.5 5 2.5 2.5 -1 -1 4 4.5
Aspen Mountain 0 3.5 3.5 3 2.5 3 2 3.5 2.5 3.5 -1 3.5 0 2.5 2.5 5 4.5 2 2 4 -1 -1 3.5 3.5
Telluride 4.5 4.5 4 4 4 5 4.5 4 3.5 3.5 3.5 5 3 4.5 5 4.5 3 5 2 3 -1 -1 4.5 5
Vail 3 3.5 5 5 3.5 2.5 0 4 2.5 2 3 4.5 4 3 5 5 5 2.5 2 5 -1 -1 3.5 4.5
Beaver Creek 4.5 4 4 3.5 3 3 2.5 3.5 2.5 2.5 -1 4.5 3 4.5 3.5 4 2.5 5 1.5 3 -1 -1 3.5 4
Idaho
Schweitzer 2.5 4 4.5 4 4.5 3 2 3 4 4 4 3.5 3 4 3.5 2.5 2 4 4 2.5 -1 -1 4 4.5
Sun Valley 3 5 4 3 3.5 2.5 1 3 4 4 2.5 4 3 4 5 4 3 0 2.5 2 -1 -1 4 4.5
Montana
Snowbowl 1.5 2.5 3 4 4.5 4 1.5 2.5 5 4 2 2 1 2.5 3 0 0 1 5 2 -1 -1 4 3.5
Bridger Bowl 4 2.5 2 4 3 5 5 3 3 2.5 2 2.5 2 4 2 0 0 0 4.5 2 -1 -1 3.5 4
Whitefish 4 5 4 3 4 3 2.5 4 4 4 2 2 3 5 4 3 2 4 4 4 -1 -1 4 4.5
Big Sky 4.5 4 4 3.5 2.5 4 4 3 3 3 -1 4 3 4 2 2.5 2 3.5 3 2.5 -1 -1 3.5 4.5
New Mexico
Taos 2.5 3.5 2.5 4 2.5 4.5 4.5 3.5 3.5 4 0 3 2 3.5 4 4 3.5 5 3.5 4 -1 -1 4 4
Oregon
Mt Bachelor 4.5 4.5 4 5 5 2.5 1.5 4 4 3 1 4.5 4 4 2.5 0 0 0 4 3 -1 -1 4 4.5
Mt Hood Meadows 4 4 2 4 3 4 3 3.5 3 2.5 0 4 3.5 4 4 0 0 0 4 3 -1 -1 3.5 4
Utah
Nordic Valley 3.5 4 2 1 0 0 0 4 3 4 0 3 3.5 4.5 3 0 0 0 5 0 -1 -1 3 3
Brian Head 4.5 3 2.5 2.5 2.5 2 1 4.5 4 4 2.5 2.5 2.5 4.5 2.5 2 1.5 1.5 4.5 1.5 -1 -1 4 4
Brighton 3.5 3.5 2.5 4 3 2.5 2 5 2.5 3 5 4 3.5 4 2.5 0.5 0.5 2 4 3 -1 -1 4 4
Powder Mountain 2 2.5 2 5 5 3 1.5 4.5 5 5 4 2 2 2.5 1 0.5 0 3.5 3.5 1.5 -1 -1 5 4
Alta 4 3.5 4.5 5 4 5 5 5 4 3.5 4 3 0 4.5 3.5 4 2 4.5 3 3 -1 -1 5 5
Snowbasin 3 3.5 5 4 3.5 4 4.5 4.5 3.5 4 4 4 3.5 4 5 3 2.5 0 3 2 -1 -1 4.5 4.5
Solitude 3 4 3.5 4 5 4.5 3.5 5 4 4 4.5 3 1.5 4 3 3 2 3 3 2.5 -1 -1 5 4.5
Sundance 3 3 3 4 3 3 0 5 5 4 1 3 0 5 4 5 2 2 3 2 -1 -1 4.5 4
Park City 3.5 5 5 3.5 4.5 3.5 2.5 4 2.5 2.5 3 5 5 4.5 4 5 4.5 3.5 2 3 -1 -1 3.5 5
Snowbird 2 2.5 4.5 5 4 5 5 5 2 2.5 4 4 1 3 4 3 3 2.5 2 3.5 -1 -1 4 4.5
Deer Valley 3 5 3 2.5 3 2.5 1.5 4 2.5 3.5 0 5 0 4.5 5 4 2 5 1 2 -1 -1 3.5 4
Washington
Crystal Mountain 4 3.5 4.5 5 3.5 5 3.5 4 4.5 3 4 4 1 3.5 3 1.5 2 1 3.5 4 -1 -1 4.5 4.5
Mt Baker 2 1 2 3 2 5 5 4 1 1 4 3 0 1 4 0 0 0 3.5 1 -1 -1 3.5 3.5
Stevens Pass 4 3 3 5 3 4 2 4 3.5 3.5 4 3 0 3 5 0 0 0 3.5 1 -1 -1 4.5 4
Wyoming
Grand Targhee 3.5 4 5 4.5 3 2.5 2 5 4 4.5 5 3.5 2 4 3 2 1 4 4.5 3 -1 -1 5 4.5
Jackson Hole 2.5 3 5 5 4 5 5 4.5 1.5 2 5 4 2.5 3 3 4 2.5 4 2 4.5 -1 -1 3.5 4.5

European Ski Resorts

The ski resorts in Europe are amongst the best in the world across all categories. In particular, the resorts of the Alps in Austria, Switzerland, France & Italy are of such scale & diversity that we are continually blown away by how amazing they are. And then there is the Balkans, eastern Europe, the Pyrenees, Scandinavia, Iceland, Russia, Georgia ....... so much to explore!


Europe Ski Resorts
5 = outstanding
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Off-Piste
Tree Skiing
Expert
Extreme
Snow
Freshies
Uncrowded
Slackcountry
Lifts
Terrain Park
Family Friendly
Daytime Restaurants
Nighttime Restaurants
Nightlife
Ski-in\Ski-Out
Cost
Apres
English
Culture
Powderhounds
Overall
Andorra
Ordino Arcalis 3 4 1 4.5 4 4 3 3.5 2 4 4 4 1 3 5 0 0 0 5 4 5 3 3.5 4
Grandvalira 5 4 1.5 1.5 1 1 1 2.5 3 3 2 4 2 5 4 3 3 4 2.5 3 5 1 3 4
Arctic
Austria
Axamer Lizum 2.5 4 2.5 4 2.5 3.5 2 4 5 4.5 3 2.5 0 3.5 3.5 2 2 3.5 5 3 5 4 4.5 4
Kuhtai 2 4 3 5 3 3 2 5 5 5 4 3.5 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 4 4 4 5 5
Diedamskopf 3 3.5 3 4 3 2.5 1 4.5 5 4.5 2 3 1 4 3.5 4 1 2 4.5 3 5 4 4.5 4
Schlick 4 4 2 3 2 3 3 4 4 4 2 3.5 2 4 3 2 1 1 4.5 3.5 5 4 4 4
Gastein 4.5 5 4 4 4 3 2.5 4 4 4 4 5 3 4 4 4 4 2 4 4 5 5 4.5 5
Hochoetz 2.5 3 2 3 3 1 1 3 4 4 4 3 2 5 3.5 4.5 1.5 1 4 3 5 4 4 4
Hochzeiger 4 4 3.5 3.5 3 2 0 4 4.5 4 3 4 0 4 4 3 2.5 2.5 4 4 5 3.5 4.5 4
Hochzillertal 5 5 3.5 4.5 4 4 2 3.5 3.5 2.5 4.5 5 3 4 5 4 2 3.5 4 4 5 2 4 5
Kaprun 3 4 2 4 1 4 2 4 4 4 2 4 3 4 4 2 2 1.5 4 2 5 4 4 4
Kaunertal Glacier 4 3.5 2 4 1 4 3 5 4.5 5 4 4 4 3 2 0 0 0 4 2 5 4 4.5 3.5
Kitzbuhel 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 3 4 3 2 5 3 4 5 4 5 3 4 5 5 5 4 5
Krippenstein 2 3 1 4 3 3 3 4 4.5 4 4 2.5 0 2 3 2.5 1 2 4 2 5 5 4.5 3.5
Mayrhofen 3 4 4 3 2 3 3 3 4 3 4 5 4 4 4 4 5 0 4 5 5 1 4 4.5
Obergurgl Hochgurgl 4.5 4.5 3.5 4 1.5 3 2 4 3.5 3 3 5 3 4 4 3 3 4.5 4 4 5 2 4 4.5
Oberperfuss 2 3 1 2 2 0 0 3 3.5 3.5 3 3 0 5 3 0 0 0 4 2 4 4 3.5 3
Obertauern 5 4 2 4 3 3 2 4.5 4 3 3.5 5 3 4 4 4 3 5 4 4.5 5 4 4 4.5
Pitztal Glacier 2.5 4 2.5 5 0 4 3 5 5 5 5 4 2 4 2 2 3 1 4 3.5 5 3 5 4.5
SkiCircus Saalbach 4 5 3 5 3 3 3 4 4.5 4 4 5 3 3 5 4 5 3 4 5 5 2 4.5 5
Stubai Glacier 4 4 3 4 0 4 3 4 4 4 2 4 4 4 4 0 0 0 4 4 5 2 4 4
Venet 2.5 4 2 3.5 3.5 4 2 3 4 4.5 2 2.5 2 4 4 4 2 2 4 2.5 5 4 4 4
Warth Schroecken 4 5 3 3.5 2 3 1.5 4 4 3 3 4 2.5 4 3 3 2 3 4 4 5 3 4 4
Damuels Mellau 4 4.5 1 3.5 3 2 1 4.5 4.5 4 2.5 4.5 2 4 3 2 1 3 3.5 3.5 5 4 4.5 4
Ischgl 5 5 3 4 2 4 2.5 4.5 2 1 4.5 5 4.5 2.5 4 4 4 4 3.5 5 5 2 3 4.5
Nordkette 2 2.5 1 3 0 4 4 3.5 3 3 3 2.5 3 2.5 3 4 4 0 3.5 4 5 4 3.5 4
Zurs 4 4.5 3 5 1 4 3 4.5 4 3.5 4 5 1 3 5 4 3 3 3.5 3 5 4 4.5 4.5
Hintertux Glacier 4 4 3 3 0 2 2 4 3 4 1 4 4 2 4 3 3 3 3 3 5 3 3.5 4
Patscherkofel 3 3.5 2.5 2.5 3 2 0 3 3.5 3 3 3.5 2 4 4 0 0 0 3 3 5 4 3.5 3.5
Soelden 3 4 2 5 3.5 4.5 4 4 3 2 3 5 4 3 4 4 4 2.5 3 4 5 1 3.5 4.5
St Anton 4 5 5 5 1 5 5 4 3 1 3 5 3 2 4 5 5 3 3 5 5 2 3.5 5
Zell am See 3 5 4 3 3 3 0 4 3 3 1 5 3 3 4 4 4 3 3 4 5 2 3.5 4
Lech 3.5 5 3 4.5 2 3.5 3 4.5 3 2 4 4 1.5 5 5 4 4 3 2.5 4 5 3 3.5 4.5
Ankogel 2 3 2 4 1 4 4 4 4 4 4 2 1 2 2 2 1 1 2 2 5 4 4.5 3.5
Balkans
Cat Skiing Europe
France
Bonneval sur Arc 3 4 2 4 1.5 3 3 5 5 5 4.5 2.5 1 2 2 2.5 1 2 5 2 4 5 5 4
La Norma 3 3 1.5 5 4 3.5 2.5 4.5 5 4.5 3 3.5 2 4.5 2.5 3 2 4.5 5 3.5 5 3 5 4.5
Aussois 4 3 2 3.5 1 3 2 3 4 4 2.5 3.5 1 5 3.5 3 1 3 4.5 3 5 4 4 4
Montgenevre 4 4 4 4 2.5 3 2 4.5 4 3.5 3.5 4 3 4 4 2 2 3 4.5 3 4 2 4.5 4.5
Avoriaz 5 5 5 4.5 3 3 3 4 3 1 3.5 5 4 4.5 4.5 3.5 3 4.5 4 4 5 3 3.5 5
Balme Tour Vallorcine 4 3.5 2 3.5 3 3 1 3 4 3.5 3 3 4 4 2 3 3 3.5 4 3 5 5 4 4
Brevent Flegere 3 5 4 4 1 4 4 3.5 3 2.5 3 3.5 3 4 5 5 5 2 4 5 5 5 3.5 4.5
Chamonix 4 5 3.5 5 2 5 5 4 3 2 5 3.5 2 2.5 3.5 4.5 5 1.5 4 4.5 5 5 4 4.5
Chatel 5 5 3.5 4.5 3.5 4 2 3.5 3.5 3 1 3.5 2 4 4 4 3 4 4 3.5 5 5 4 4.5
La Rosiere 4 4 1 2 1 0 0 4 3 4 3 3 3 5 3 3 2 2 4 2 4 2 3.5 3.5
Portes du Soleil 5 5 5 4.5 3 3 3 4 3 2.5 3 4.5 4 4.5 4 4 3 3.5 4 4 5 3 4 5
Pralognan la Vanoise 3 3 3 2.5 1.5 2 1 3 3 5 3.5 4 1 4 4 3.5 1 3 4 2 5 5 4 4
Sainte Foy 3 4 2 4 3 3 2 5 5 5 4 3 0 4 4 3.5 2.5 4 4 3.5 5 4 5 4.5
Serre Chevalier 4 4 4 4 4.5 3 2 4 5 4 4 4 3 5 3 4 4 3 4 3 5 5 4.5 4.5
Val Cenis 4 4 3 4.5 4.5 4 2 4.5 4 3 2 4 3 4 3 4 2 4 4 3 5 3 4 4.5
Val d'Isere 3 3 3 5 3 4 4 4.5 4 1 4 4 2 2 3 4 4 4 4 4 5 4 4 4.5
Val Thorens 4 4.5 2.5 3.5 0 4 3 5 4 4 4 5 3.5 4 4 4 3 5 4 4 5 2 4.5 4.5
Les Arcs 4 5 4 5 3.5 4 3 4 3.5 3 4 5 4 4 4 3 3 5 3.5 3.5 5 1 4 5
Meribel 5 5 3 5 2.5 4 3.5 4 3.5 3 3 5 4 4 4 3.5 3 4.5 3.5 3 5 2 4 5
3 Vallees 5 5 3.5 5 2.5 4.5 3.5 4 3.5 3 4 5 4 5 4 4 4.5 4.5 3 4 5 3 4 5
Alpe d'Huez 5 3.5 5 4 2 5 4 3.5 4 3 3 4 3 4.5 4 4 3 4 3 4 5 3 4 5
Grands Montets 1.5 3 5 5 3 5 5 4.5 2 2 5 3 0 1 3 3 3 2 3 4 5 5 4 4
La Clusaz 3 4 3 3.5 2 3 0 3.5 3 2.5 2 3 2 3 3 3 2 4.5 3 2 3 3 3.5 4
La Grave 1 0 0 5 4 5 5 4 3.5 2 5 2 0 1 2 2 1 0 3 3 4 5 4 3.5
La Plagne 5 3 1 2.5 1 4 3.5 4 2 2 2 3.5 3 5 3 3 2 5 3 3 5 1 3 4
Les Deux Alpes 4 4.5 3.5 4.5 3 3 2 4.5 4.5 2 1 4 4 4 4.5 4 4 4 3 4 5 3 4 4.5
Les Menuires 4 4 2.5 3.5 2 2 2 4 3 2 3.5 5 2 5 3 3 2 5 3 3 5 1 3.5 4
Courchevel 5 5 3.5 4.5 3 4.5 4 4.5 3.5 3.5 4 4.5 2 4.5 4 5 3 4 2 3 5 4 4.5 5
Tignes 5 5 4 5 2 5 3 4 2 1.5 4 5 3 3 3 4 4 5 1.5 4 5 2 3.5 4.5
Georgia
Germany
Garmisch Classic 5 2 4 1 2 2 2 2.5 2 2.5 1 3.5 2 4.5 4 4.5 3 2 4 4 5 4 3 4
Zugspitze 3 4 2 2 0 0 0 4 4 4 1 3 1 3 2.5 4.5 3 1 4 3 5 4 3.5 3.5
Heli Skiing Europe
Italy
Bardonecchia 2 5 3 2.5 2 1 1 3 2 3 4 3.5 2 4 4 4 3 3 5 3 4 5 3 4
Chamois 2 3 0 2.5 2 0 0 3.5 4 5 4 1.5 0 4 3.5 3 1 3 5 3.5 3 5 4 3.5
Cima Piazzi - San Colombano 2 4 1 3 2 1 1 3.5 4 5 3.5 2.5 1 4 4 3 1 3 5 3 5 4 4 4
Claviere 4 3 2 3 3 2 1 4 4 5 3 3 2 3 4 3 1 3 5 3 5 4 4.5 4
Crevacol 2 3.5 3 4 3.5 2.5 0 4 5 5 3 2 0 3 3.5 0 0 2 5 3 3 4 4.5 3.5
La Thuile 4 3 2 4 2 2 1 5 5 4 4 3 2 4 4 2 3 1 5 4 3 1 4.5 4
Monterosa 4 4 4 5 4 4 4 5 4 4 5 3.5 2 3.5 4 3.5 3 3 5 3 4 3 5 5
Oulx 2 3 3 4.5 4 2 1 4 5 4.5 3 3 2 3 3 3 2.5 2 5 3 5 3 4.5 4
Sestriere 4 4 4 3.5 3 3 2.5 4.5 4 3 2 4 3 4 3 3 3.5 3.5 5 3 5 1 4 4.5
Via Lattea 4 5 4 4 4 2.5 1 4 4 4 3 3.5 3 3 4 4 2 3 5 3 5 3 4.5 4.5
Aprica 4 4 4 1 2 2 1 3 2 3.5 3 2 0 5 3 3 2 3 4.5 3.5 4 3.5 3 4
Champorcher 2 4 2 3 3 3 0 3 4 5 3 2 0 3 3 3 2 0 4.5 3 2 5 4 3.5
Santa Caterina 2 4 3.5 4.5 3 4.5 3 4.5 5 5 4 3.5 2 3 4 3.5 2 3 4.5 3 5 5 5 4.5
Arabba Marmolada 3 4 5 4 3 3 3 4.5 4 3 3 3 2 2 3 2 1 3 4 4 5 4 4 4
Cervinia 4 4 2 4 3 2 2 4.5 4 4 5 3.5 3 4 4 4 2 5 4 4 4 2 4.5 4.5
Cesana - Sansicario 3 5 3 2.5 4 2 1 3.5 3.5 4 2 3.5 1 4 3 3 2 4.5 4 3.5 5 3.5 4 4
Civetta 4 4 3 3 2.5 0 0 3 3.5 5 3 3 2 4 4 3 2 2 4 4 4 5 4 4
Cortina 4 4 5 3 3 3 5 3 2 4 4 2 2 2 4 5 5 2 4 4 4 4 3.5 4.5
Dolomites 5 5 3 2 2 2 2.5 3 2 3 2 5 3 5 5 5 4 3 4 5 4 5 3 4.5
Kronplatz 5 5 4 2 1 1 1 3.5 2 2 1 5 4 5 4 4 3.5 3 4 4 5 3 3 4
Madesimo 2 5 3 3 2 3.5 2.5 3.5 4 3.5 3 3.5 1 4 3 3 1 3 4 4 4 4 4 4
Madonna di Campiglio 4 5 3 2.5 3 2 0 3 3 2 3 4 4.5 4 4 4 3 3 4 3.5 4 4 3 4
Pejo 2 4 2 3 2 2 2 3 4 4 3 3 2 3 4 2 2 1 4 3 3 4 4 3.5
Pila 4 4 4 4 3 3 1 4 4 4 3 2.5 3.5 4 4 4 4 3 4 4 5 4 4.5 4.5
Reinswald 3 4 2 3 3 1 0 4 4 5 3 3 2 4 3 3 2 3 4 3 4 4 4.5 4
Solda - Sulden 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 4 3 4.5 4 3 2 3 3 3 1 3.5 4 3 4 4 4 4
Val di Fassa 4 4 4 3.5 2 3 2 3.5 3 3.5 3 5 3 4 4 3 3 2.5 4 3.5 5 5 3.5 4.5
Val Gardena 4 5 3.5 2 2 1 1 3 2 2 3 5 5 4 4 4 3 3 4 4 5 5 2.5 4
3 Peaks Dolomites 3 4 3 2 1 0 0 3.5 3 4 2 4 2 4 3 3 1 3 3.5 3 4 3 3.5 3.5
Bormio 2 5 4 3.5 2 4 2.5 3 4 3.5 2 3.5 1.5 3 4 4.5 4 2.5 3.5 3.5 4 5 4 4.5
Courmayeur 3 4 4 5 3 4 4 4 4 3 4 4 3 3 4 5 4 2 3.5 4 4 4 4.5 4.5
Folgarida Marilleva 2 4 2.5 2 3 0 0 2.5 2 1 2 3.5 0 4 3 2 2 3.5 3.5 3 5 1 2.5 3.5
Livigno 5 5 2 4 3 2 1 5 4.5 2.5 4.5 4.5 5 5 3 4.5 4 4 3.5 4 5 3 4 5
Tonale 5 4 3.5 3.5 2 3 2 4.5 3 2 3 5 3 5 4 3.5 3 3 3.5 3 5 3 3.5 4.5
Alta Badia 5 5 2 2 2 1 0 3.5 2 4 2 5 3 5 5 5 3 4 3 5 4 5 3 4.5
Belpiano 3 3.5 1.5 3 2 1 0 4 4 3.5 2 4.5 1 4 2 3 1 1 3 2 5 4 4 3.5
Gitschberg Jochtal 3 4 3 2 1 0 0 2.5 2 4 2 4 3 4 2 2 1 3 3 3 3 1 3 3.5
Plose 2.5 4 3 2 2 0 0 2.5 2 3 1 5 2 3 3 4 4 2 3 4 3 4 2.5 3.5
Russia
Scandinavia
Spain
La Molina Masella 4 4.5 3.5 3 2 4 2 2 2 3 2.5 4 2.5 4 4 3 2 2.5 4 3.5 5 4 3 4
Switzerland
Brigels 4 4 3 4 2 0 0 4 5 5 3 3 3 4 3 3 2 2.5 5 3 5 4 4.5 4
St Luc Chandolin 4 4 3.5 3.5 2.5 3 2.5 3.5 5 4.5 3.5 2 1 4 3 2 2 2 4.5 2 5 5 4.5 4
Torgon 4 4 2 4 3 3 2 3.5 4 4 2 2 2 3 3 2 1 1 4.5 2.5 5 2 4 4
Aletsch Arena 5 4 2.5 2.5 2 1 0 5 4 4 3 4 3 5 4 3 2 5 4 3 5 4 4 4.5
Andermatt Sedrun 3 4.5 4 5 1 5 5 5 4.5 3 5 4.5 2.5 4 3 4 2.5 1.5 4 4 5 4 4.5 4.5
Bivio 2 3 2 4 0 0 0 4.5 4.5 5 4.5 1 0 3 2 2 1 2 4 2 4 5 4.5 3.5
Crans Montana 5 5 4 4 3 3 3 4 4 3 3 4 5 4 4 3 3 1 4 3.5 5 2 4 4.5
Diavolezza Lagalb 1 3 4 5 0 3 3 5 4 4 5 3 0 1 4 1 1 2 4 2 3 3 4.5 3.5
Engelberg 3 3 3 5 2 5 5 5 4 3 3 4 2 5 3.5 4 2 2 4 3 5 3 4.5 4.5
Grimentz Zinal 3.5 4 4 4.5 2 2.5 2.5 4 5 4 4.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 2.5 4 2 3.5 4 2.5 5 4 4.5 4.5
Lauchernalp 2 4 3 4.5 2 3 0 5 5 4.5 3 4 0 2 3 2 1 3.5 4 2 4 5 5 4
Lenzerheide 4 5 4 4.5 4 4 4 4.5 4 3 3 5 4 3 4 3.5 3 3.5 4 3 5 4 4.5 5
Morgins 4 4 2 4 2 2 2 3.5 3.5 3.5 2 2.5 2 4.5 3 4 2 3 4 3.5 5 5 3.5 4
Mürren Schilthorn 1 4 4.5 5 2.5 5 5 4 4.5 4.5 2 3.5 2 2 4 2.5 2.5 4 4 2 5 5 5 4.5
Saas Fee 4 4 3 3.5 1.5 3 3 3.5 3 4 3.5 3 4.5 3.5 3 5 4 4 4 5 5 5 4 4.5
Samnaun 4 4 2 2.5 0 2 2 3.5 3 3 4 4 2 4 4 3 2 4 4 3.5 5 4 3.5 4
Disentis 4 4 2 4 2 3 2 4 4 5 5 3 1 4 3 2 1 2 3.5 2 5 2.5 4.5 4
Gstaad 4 4 3.5 3.5 3 3 2 3 3 4 3 3.5 3 4 4 4 3 3 3.5 3 5 5 4 4.5
Arosa 4 5 2 3.5 0 2 0 4.5 3 3 3 5 2.5 4 4 3.5 3 3 3 4 5 3 3.5 4
Belalp 3 4 2 3 0 0 0 4 4 3.5 3.5 3 1 4.5 4 3 2 3 3 2 4 3.5 3.5 3.5
Corvatsch 3 4 3 4 2 3 4 4.5 4 4 3.5 4 3 3 4 3.5 2 3 3 2 5 4 4.5 4.5
Davos Klosters 5 5 3.5 5 3 3 3 5 4 4 4 3 3 3 4 4 4 2 3 3 5 3 4.5 4.5
Grindelwald Wengen 3 5 3 4 2 3 3 4 4 3.5 2 4.5 2 3.5 4 3 3 3 3 2 5 5 4 4
Jungfrau 2 5 4 4.5 2.5 4 4 4 4 4 3 3.5 3 4.5 4 3 3 3.5 3 3 5 4.5 4.5 4.5
Klewenalp 4 3 1 4 3 2 0 3 4 3 3 2 0 4 2 2.5 1 2 3 2 4 4 3.5 3.5
Laax 5 5 3 4 3 3 0 4 3 3 3 5 5 3.5 4 3 3 2.5 3 4 4 2 3.5 4.5
St Moritz 4 5 3.5 5 1.5 3.5 3 4 4 4 4 4.5 3 3 4.5 4 3 2 3 3 5 3 4.5 4.5
Verbier 4 5 3 5 2 5 5 4.5 4 2 5 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 5 3 4 4.5
Rosswald 2 2 2 3 0 0 0 4 4.5 4 2 1.5 0 2 2 1 1 3 2.5 2 3.5 5 4 3
Corviglia 4 5 3 4 1 4 3 4 3.5 4 3 5 4 4 4.5 4 2 2 2 3 5 3 4 4.5
Zermatt 4 5 4 5 3 4 4 4.5 4 3 5 4.5 3.5 3 5 4 4 2 2 4 5 4 4.5 5

Australian Ski Resorts

The Australia ski resorts are a surprise packet that like anywhere, can be awesome on a powder day, but the term 'affordable' doesn't usually come into the equation!


Australia Ski Resorts
5 = outstanding
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Off-Piste
Tree Skiing
Expert
Extreme
Snow
Freshies
Uncrowded
Slackcountry
Lifts
Terrain Park
Family Friendly
Daytime Restaurants
Nighttime Restaurants
Nightlife
Ski-in\Ski-Out
Cost
Apres
English
Culture
Powderhounds
Overall
Mt Baw Baw 2.5 2 1 0.5 0.5 0 0 1 2 2.5 1 1.5 1.5 4 1.5 1 1 0 3 1 -1 -1 2 2.5
Falls Creek 4 4.5 2.5 2.5 2 1 1 2 2.5 2.5 2 3 4 4.5 4.5 4.5 4 5 2 4 -1 -1 2.5 4
Mt Hotham 3 3 4.5 3.5 2.5 4 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 4.5 3 3.5 3 3 4 3.5 2.5 2 3.5 -1 -1 3.5 4
Perisher 4 5 1.5 1.5 2 1 0 2.5 2.5 1.5 2.5 2.5 4 4 2.5 2 2 3 1.5 2 -1 -1 2.5 3.5
Thredbo 2.5 4.5 3 2.5 2 2 1 2 2 2 3 3.5 3 3.5 3.5 4.5 4 1.5 1.5 4 -1 -1 2.5 4
Mt Buller 2.5 3.5 4.5 2.5 2 2 2 1.5 1.5 1 2 3 3.5 4 3.5 4.5 4 3.5 1 4 -1 -1 2 4

#not rated

Ratings are from 0 to 5 where 5 is outstanding


Definitions of Categories

  • Beginner and intermediate terrain: refers to the quality and quantity of terrain available
  • Advanced on-piste terrain: quality and quantity of marked trails; in some resorts trails are marked yet are really off-piste (e.g. Kicking Horse, Whistler)
  • Off-piste: this refers to the quantity and quality of the terrain, but also the likely snow conditions; this refers to in-bounds not out-of-bounds terrain
  • Backcountry: slack-country, "out-of-bounds" terrain close to the resort that is easily accessible i.e. not a hike >15mins; may require a traverse back to lifts or goes to a road
  • Expert: this includes off-piste and easily accessed backcountry for experts
  • Extreme: refers to super steep and narrow terrain, cliffs and other drop-offs
  • Snow: quality and quantity, and likely frequency of powder days
  • Lunchtime freshies: likelihood of finding quality fresh tracks at lunchtime on a powder day
  • Uncrowded: uncrowded lift lines and slopes
  • Lifts: refers to quality and quantity of lift infrastructure including the lay-out
  • Terrain park: size, variability and caters to all levels
  • Family friendly: refers to how well the resort caters to families, both on and off the slopes - includes elements of child care, ski school, accessibility and kids activities
  • Restaurants: quality and quantity of daytime eateries as well as evening restaurants
  • Nightlife: refers to nightime entertainment including bars but not restaurants
  • Ski-in ski-out accommodation: refers to the proportion and quality of accommodation on mountain that is truly ski-in ski-out
  • Cost: incorporates costs associated with lift tickets, resort facilities, food & drink, and lodging (where relevant) relative to other resorts across that country/continent
  • Overall rating: incorporates all factors
  • Powderhounds: incorporates powder hound factors - advanced/expert terrain; powder; uncrowded slopes; & finding lunchtime freshies