Active recreation among snowy slopes, picturesque landscapes and bright entertainment after skiing is a real winter fairy tale for many tourists. The 2025/2026 ski season has already started, so now is the best time to plan your winter vacation. Find out more about which ski resorts in the world have been recognized as the best for this winter

The 2025/2026 ski season has already begun at most resorts around the world. And although experts are afraid to make any predictions this year: given the hottest summer, it can be assumed that the winter will be warm as well, optimistic travelers are already looking at winter tours.

When looking for an ideal place for skiing and snowboarding, you should pay attention to the length of the slopes and the thickness of the snow. Infrastructure is also important - the number of hotels and their location, environmental friendliness, prerequisites for family vacations, etc.

So, where should you go skiing this winter?

Are you planning to travel or move abroad? An important component of a successful trip is a travel insurance policy, because it guarantees the provision of high-quality medical care in any corner of the world and is able to protect you from unnecessary expenses during the trip. You can buy insurance from verified agents on the Visit World portal.

Top 10 largest ski resorts in the world

1. Les 3 Vallées, France

2. Sella Ronda, Italy

3. Paradiski, France

4. Les 4 Vallées, Switzerland

5. Via Lattea, or the Milky Way, Italy/France

6. Matterhorn Ski Paradise, Switzerland/Italy

7. Ski resort Arlberg, Austria

8. Val d'Isere-Tigne, France

9. Whistler-Blackcomb, British Columbia

10. Park City, USA

Read more about the largest ski resorts in the world here.

Top 8 best ski resorts in the world

Zermatt, Switzerland

- Length of slopes: 360 km;

- Located at an altitude of 4,000 meters above sea level.

- Ski-pass price (adult): €85.00;

- Duration of the season: the whole year.

The resort of Zermatt is located in the Swiss Alps, near the famous Matterhorn mountain, and is a favorite destination for skiers and snowboarders looking for the perfect combination of tradition and luxury.

Zermatt has an extensive network of trails for tourists with any level of experience. Also, this attractive village boasts the absence of cars and its high-end hotels, gourmet restaurants and luxury shops.

The highlight of the season will be the cable car connecting Zermatt with the Italian village of Cervinia. It is also home to one of the highest railways in Europe - the Hornergrat Railway, which transports passengers from the center of Zermatt to the top of Mount Hornergrat, where the observatory once stood at an altitude of 3,089 meters.

Chamonix, France

- Length of slopes: 152 km;

- Altitude of the resort: 1035 m;

- Ski-pass price (adult): €65.00;

- Duration of the season: from the end of November to the beginning of April, about 140 days.

This famous resort is a real magnet for skiers and snowboarders, and Chamonix's five different areas - Grand Monte, Les Ouches, Le Tour/Balm, La Fleugere and Le Brevan - ensure there's something for everyone.

Against the backdrop of Mont Blanc, Europe's highest peak, this place combines European architecture, tradition and offers a vibrant nightlife. You can reach the main peaks to see the most beautiful views of the region on the Aiguille du Midi cable car.

It was here in 1924 that the first Winter Olympic Games were held.

Serfaus Fiss Ladis, Austria

- The length of the slopes: more than 200 km;

- Height of the resort: 1429 m;

- Ski-pass price (adult): €56.00;

- Duration of the season: from the beginning of December to the middle of April, about 140 days.

The Austrian ski resort Serfaus Fiss Ladis invests a lot of money in the development of infrastructure every year, in total, more than 200 million euros have been invested in the last ten years alone, and this can be immediately felt on the spot.

The main focus of the resort is family recreation, but given the length of the tracks, every active tourist can find something for himself.

The service at Serfaus Fiss Ladis is also at the highest level: perfectly groomed slopes, state-of-the-art lifts, huge ski depots, excellent signposts and many other little things make the resort a ski area where you feel just at home.

Whistler Blackcomb, Canada

- Length of slopes: 240 km;

- Height of the resort: 935 m;

- Ski-pass price (adult): €133.00;

- Duration of the season: from the middle of November to the end of May, about 205 days.

The ski resort near Vancouver is the absolute leader in Canada in terms of the number of tourists. The advantage of the resort is that skiers can explore the mountain of the same name here or go to Blackcomb Peak. Due to the large number of slopes, special areas can be distinguished here for beginners, family recreation and experienced skiers. Whistler Blackcomb is also a paradise for freestylers, and its huge theme parks are among the best in the world.

Last season, Vail Resorts invested a record $66 million in Canada's largest ski resort.

Val Gardena, Italy

- Length of slopes: 175 km;

- Height of the resort: 1286 m;

- Ski-pass price (adult): €64.00;

- Duration of the season: from the beginning of December to the middle of April, about 150 days.

The perfect combination of Italian culture and sports made Val Gardena an ideal place for a winter vacation.

The winter resort of Val Gardena includes three resort towns - Ortisei, Santa Cristina and Selva Gardena.

Sweet and cozy Santa Cristina (1466 m) is a small alpine village, as if inscribed in a mountain valley. It is here that the stages of the World Cup are held every year. Selva Gardena (1563 m) is arguably the most athletic in the valley. You can ski down to almost every hotel, the most interesting tracks are located here.

For professionals, the world championship track descending from the top of Ciampinoi (Ciampinoi, 2254 m) to the town of Selva is suitable. The track is maintained in excellent condition. We can also recommend a wonderful descent from the same peak of Ciampina, but already in Santa Cristina. For intermediate skiers, we recommend a long descent from the top of Dantercepies (Dantercepies, 2300 m) to Selva.

Aspen, USA

- Length of slopes: 135 km;

- Altitude of the resort: 2405 m;

- Ski-pass price (adult): €168.00;

- Duration of the season: from mid-December to mid-April, about 120 days.

Aspen is one of the most famous ski resorts in the world, which unites four ski areas: Aspen Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands and Aspen Buttermilk. This western Colorado resort is one of the most popular, diverse and highest ski areas in the United States. There are trails for all tastes, but Aspen Highlands is best known for its challenging trails. The rich nightlife will also be an advantage of the resort.

Saalbach/Hinterglemm, Austria

- Length of slopes: 270 km;

- Height of the resort: 830 m;

- Cost of ski pass (adult): €60.50;

- Duration of the season: from the end of November to the middle of April, about 140 days.

Austrian winter resorts - cheerful Saalbach and more respectable Hinterglemm are located 3 km from each other in the deep valley of the intermountain river Saalach.

They are attracted by an incredible number of ski tracks of different levels of difficulty: from extreme and almost flat to flat and wide.

Austria's largest 100-seat cable cars take you to the top of the East Schätberg (2020 m). The main feature of the Saalbach-Hinterglemm ski resort is the crossing of tracks of varying difficulty. A large number of interesting descents allows a skier to ski in the surroundings all day without using the same lift twice.

Vail, USA

- Length of slopes: 234 km;

- Altitude of the resort: 2445 m;

- Ski-pass price (adult): €185.50;

- Duration of the season: from mid-November to mid-April, about 155 days.

In the middle of the mighty Rockies in the USA is Vail, one of the most exclusive ski resorts in the world. On an area of about 2,000 hectares, skiers will find almost inexhaustible opportunities for real recreation.

Of course, those who have purchased a ski tour to the Vail resort should know that it has its own peculiarities. If, having arrived at a European resort, you immediately immerse yourself in the atmosphere of a holiday, then the American mountains set you up for business. Ride, ride, ride - that's the general mood prevailing at the resort! On the open terraces of mountain restaurants, you will hardly meet citizens relaxing.

The main highlight of the resort is the tracks as wide as a football field and in perfect condition.

A good ski resort can be found in almost every corner of the world, so choose a destination and go on an interesting journey.

When planning a winter trip, take care of your safety and comfort in advance. Travel insurance is not a formality, but a guarantee that in the event of an injury on the slopes, a sudden illness or a flight delay, you will receive prompt assistance without unnecessary expenses. The policy covers medical expenses, transportation, search and rescue operations and other unforeseen situations that are especially relevant during active winter holidays.

Take out travel insurance from reliable partners on the Visit World portal - quickly, conveniently and with a guarantee of quality support in any corner of the world.

Photo: © Ski amadé

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