10 Incredible Ski Resorts Around the World

Whistler Blackcomb, Canada

Whistler Blackcomb hosted the world's best snow-sports athletes at the 2010 Winter Olympics, and now ordinary skiers can test their skills on the official alpine skiing venue, too. If Canada's just too cold for you in the winter, dust off your skis in June and July, when Whistler Blackcomb's Horstman Glacier is open for skiing and snowboarding. There's also a tube park, a sightseeing gondola, and sleigh rides to get you out in the snow.

Jay Peak Resort, Vermont

Jay Peak in Vermont is one of the few resorts where skiers, snowboarders, and snow-sports haters can all vacation happily. Skiers and boarders can tear it up on the mountain's famous glades (with more than 100 acres of gladed terrain), while the non-sporty can enjoy the giant indoor water park, the Jay Peak Pump House. The water park features a 65-foot waterslide on which riders can reach speeds of up to 45 miles per hour, the Double Barrel Flowrider for indoor surfing, a tubing river, and giant outdoor hot tubs that can hold 20 people.

Bad Gastein, Austria

After a long, cold day on the slopes, nothing's better than a soak in a hot tub—except a dip in nature's hot tub, the hot springs of Bad Gastein. This Austrian resort town has 18 natural thermal waters for soothing apres-ski relaxation. When you tire of lounging in the hot springs, there's a casino for gambling, red deer stags you can feed by hand, and of course ski runs for all levels.

Whiteface Mountain, New York

Sure, there are plenty of resorts out there for skiing and snowboarding. But how many resorts arm you with a rifle and let you ski and shoot in the same session? Whiteface hosted the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics, and you can still experience many of the sports here. Visitors can try the biathlon (which combines cross-country skiing and riflery), "skeleton" sledding (rocketing down a frozen track at 30 miles per hour while lying facedown), and bobsledding (don't worry, you'll have a professional driver and brakeman on your team).

Mt. Ruapehu, New Zealand

Ever wanted to ski an active volcano? Do it at Mt. Ruapehu in New Zealand. If that's not enough incentive, Mt. Ruapehu also has the highest lift in New Zealand and the longest vertical descent in Australasia.

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Wyoming

Advanced skiers know that Jackson Hole is the place to go if you're looking for a challenge. Visit the resort to experience one of the world's most famous (and scariest) ski slopes, Corbet's Couloir. Jackson Hole features two mountains, a vertical drop of 4,139 feet, and 58 expert trails. Even the most experienced skiers can learn something here by taking the four-day Steep & Deep Ski Camp, a series of intense lessons held on mostly black and double-black diamonds.

Zermatt, Switzerland

With the fearfully awesome Matterhorn as a backdrop, Zermatt has some of the best slope scenery in the world. If the Matterhorn's not enough mountain for you, Zermatt is surrounded by almost one-third of the "four thousanders," Alps mountains with peaks of 4,000 meters (13,123 feet) or more, which bring plenty of fresh powder. The mountain air will taste especially crisp in Zermatt, as only electric cars are allowed in the town. Plus, Zermatt is the highest ski area in the Alps and it boasts 300 sunny days per year, so if you're going to ski the Alps, you can't go wrong here.

Portillo, Chile

Really get away from it all at Portillo, where "there is no town, no shopping centers, and no Starbucks." You'll be skiing in the Chilean Andes, above the crystal-clear Laguna del Inca, at the oldest ski area in South America. We promise you won't miss the Starbucks. Be sure to keep an eye out for the many Olympic skiers who train here when it's summer in the Northern Hemisphere. At the lodge, there is one staff member for every guest, as well as a full-sized basketball court, a climbing wall, and a movie theater.

Mt. Baker Ski Area, Washington

The Mt. Baker Ski Area boasts the world record for most snowfall in one season: In the 1998–1999 season, the area received 1,140 inches. Take advantage of the mountain's great natural conditions by tearing up the 38 trails spread out over 1,000 acres.

Le Massif De Charlevoix, Canada

Le Massif has the highest vertical drop east of the Canadian Rockies, but where it really wins is with the views—pretty much every one of the 52 trails gives skiers a unique view of the St. Lawrence River as they descend. If you can tear yourself away from your skis for a bit, be sure to try "rodeling" on a wooden sled down Le Massif's 4.6-mile run.

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