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The best ski resorts in the world to head to this winter

Dust off your thermals and slap on your salopettes, it's time to book this year's ski trip.

The only problem with booking a winter sports holiday is the sheer amount of resorts there are to choose from.

This year, we've done the hard work for you. From the best family-friendly villages to the best pistes for serious skiers and, crucially, which resorts have the best après-ski, below we rundown the 16 best ski resorts in the world.

From the Alps and Nordic mountain ranges to the North American heavyweights, we detail everything you need to know.

St. Moritz, Switzerland

St. Moritz is home to the famous Cresta Run (Source/Copyright: St. Moritz Tourism)
St. Moritz is home to the famous Cresta Run (Source/Copyright: St. Moritz Tourism)

What to expect: The elegant Swiss village of St Moritz is full of old-world charm. Located among an emerald forest blanketed in snow and overlooking an azure lake, the St Moritz is consistently referred to as the best ski resort in the world. Home to the famous Cresta Run ice toboggan track, St. Moritz has hosted the winter Olympics twice and this winter you can experience its annual gourmet festival from January 11 to 19 and the Snow Polo World Cup from January 25 to 27. With world-class hotels, restaurants and bars as well as luxury shopping and tonnes of off-piste activities, St Moritz is as good as it gets.

Who for: intermediate skiers who want plenty of activities to do off the slopes as well as on.

Where to stay: the five-star Carlton Hotel St. Moritz dates back to 1913 but their refurbishment in 2007 means the hotel is cosy and modern, with elegant old-timey touches. With three restaurants – including one with a Michelin star – a luxury spa and an in-house ski school, this is one of the finest hotels in St. Moritz.

Price for return flights from London: £59 to Zurich, where St. Moritz is a two-hour transfer by car or is easily accessible by train, or £19 return to Milan, where St. Moritz is a three-hour transfer by car.

If you don’t have a car, there are daily flights directly to St. Moritz from both Zurich and Milan, and if you have your own private jet you can fly directly to the airstrip outside St. Moritz.

St. Moritz is open from November 24, 2018 until April 28, 2019.

Méribel, France

For chalet-heaven, visit Méribel (Shutterstock)
For chalet-heaven, visit Méribel (Shutterstock)

What to expect: located in the Les Trois Vallées, the largest ski area in the world, you’ll find a slice of home at Méribel – which is often referred to as ‘Little England upon the Alps’. The firm British favourite has an elevation of 1,450 metres and located near the neighbouring ski resorts of Val Thorens and Courchevel. The purpose-built resort is dotted with chalets as it doesn’t allow high-rise developments and these make it picture-perfect. As for the slopes, it has a varied terrain ideal for the skiing novice or expert. If you need a day off, make sure to visit the Olympic Centre built for the 1992 Winter Olympics, which is home to a 25-metre pool, a children’s pool, waterslide, spa and indoor ice rink.

Who for: skiing novices and families.

Where to stay: spend your holiday at the five-star L’Hélios Hotel & Spa at the foot of the Méribel slopes. The boutique chalet-style hotel has an indulgent spa and stunning panoramic views across the valley. From £363 per night, lhelios.com/

Price for return flights from London: £129 for a return flight to Chambery, where Méribel is an hour and a half away by car, or £55 return to Geneva, where Méribel is a two-hour transfer by car.

Méribel is open from December 8, 2018 to April 22, 2019.

St Anton, Austria

Take it all in from atop one of St. Anton's peaks (Tourist Association St. Anton am Arlberg)
Take it all in from atop one of St. Anton's peaks (Tourist Association St. Anton am Arlberg)

What to expect: one of the world’s most celebrated ski resorts, St Anton packs some serious skiing heritage. The birthplace of the ‘father of modern skiing’, Hannes Schneider and the home of the first ski club in the Tyrolean Alps, St Anton is located in Austria’s Arlberg region which is the biggest connected ski area in Austria. The region is home to 340 kilometres of slopes, challenging tracks and a great children’s ski school and youth centre. St Anton itself is a romantic Tyrolean mountain village moonlighting as a hedonistic nightlife-lover’s paradise with the ski bar Krazy Kanguruh being a legend among skiers for over half a century.

Who for: serious skiers – both adults and kids.

Where to stay: the m3 is a four-star design hotel ideally located on the pedestrianised main street of St Anton and features a number of guest and family rooms, with each guest room featuring a private infared sauna. Price on request, m3hotel.at/

Price for return flights from London: £64 return to Innsbruck Airport where St Anton is just an hour away by car transfer or train.

St Anton is open from November 30, 2018 to April 28, 2019.

Aspen, USA

Look out for the A-Listers in Aspen (Shutterstock)
Look out for the A-Listers in Aspen (Shutterstock)

What to expect: the mountainous area is home to four ski resorts; Aspen (intermediate/expert), Snowmass (all levels), the Highlands (expert) and Buttermilk (beginner/terrain) and all of the resorts are connected by shuttles. Aspen, an old silver mining town, is the namesake resort and home to a number of aesthetically-pleasing Victorian-style buildings intertwined with restaurants, bars and shops.

Who for: experienced skiers looking for world-class terrain.

Where to stay: The Little Nell is the epitome of luxury in Aspen, tucked away in a leafy corner it lures in its celebrity clientele with its luxe, modern interiors and award-winning 20,000-bottle wine cellar. With ski in/ski out convenience and elegant rooms with mountain views, the hotel is also dog friendly, has a spa and can organise a babysitter for when you visit the wine bar. From £304 per night, thelittlenell.com/

Price for return flights from London: £715 for return flights to Aspen Airport.

Aspen Mountain is open from November 22, 2018 to April 21, 2019.

Val-d'Isère, France

Twinkling and snow-covered, just as an alpine village should be (Shutterstock)
Twinkling and snow-covered, just as an alpine village should be (Shutterstock)

What to expect: located in the French Alps bordering Italy and linked to the luxe lakeside village of Tignes, Val-d'Isère is one of the Alps’ best ski locations. The twinkling alpine village has a number of posh hotels and world-class facilities which draw in a legion of Brits and Europeans year after year. Yet, it’s the slopes that make Val-d'Isère a legend in the ski world with over 300 kilometres of prepared pistes and a number of off-pistes to discover too.

Who for: every ability but expert skiers will love the vast amount of off-piste tracks.

Where to stay: with three restaurants, a 1,000-square-metre wellness space and located at the foot of the legendary Bellevarde run, the Hôtel les Barmes de l'Ours is the perfect five-star chalet-style hotel to rest your head in Val-d'Isère. From £288 per night, hotellesbarmes.com/

Price for return flights from London: £59 for a return flight to Lyon, where Val-d'Isère is two and a half hours away by car, or £55 return to Geneva, where it is a two-hour transfer by car.

Alternatively, you can take the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Bourg St Maurice for £198 return, where you can take a two-hour bus or 40-minute taxi to the ski resort.

Val-d'Isère is open from November 24, 2018 to May 1, 2019.

Courmayeur, Italy

Don't forget to look behind you for scenic views (Unsplash)
Don't forget to look behind you for scenic views (Unsplash)

What to expect: located at the base of Mont Blanc and bordering France’s Chamonix ski resort, Courmayeur is a chic Italian’s playground and seventeenth century spa town filled with cobbled streets and pretty buildings. The limited slopes are for intermediate to expert skiers and offer incredibly scenic views at the top – with the main lift running until midnight so you can make the most of the sunsets from the mountain tops. Courmayeur is also home to some of the best restaurants in the Alps, pleasing for any gastronome.

Who for: intermediates and skiers who love an off-piste challenge.

Where to stay: the Grand Hotel Courmayeur Mont Blanc is a new five-star hotel just 500 yards from the centre of the village. The large chalet-style hotel is home to a restaurant, treatment rooms, bar, indoor swimming pool, sauna and Turkish bath with a cable car just five minutes from the hotel. From £255 per night, grandhotelcourmayeurmontblanc.it/

Price for return flights from London: £55 return to Geneva, the most convenient airport to fly into for Courmayeur. From there it’s just an hour transfer by car or bus.

Courmayeur is open from November 24, 2018 to April 8, 2019.

Verbier, Switzerland

Do like the royals do and ski in Verbier (Shutterstock)
Do like the royals do and ski in Verbier (Shutterstock)

What to expect: the luxury Swiss resort of Verbier is where Princess Eugenie met her now-husband Jack Brooksbank eight years ago – so there’s a high chance you may be rubbing shoulders with the royal set (Prince Andrew owns a chalet there). The crowning jewel of the Valaisian Alps, it's a playground for the rich and fabulous, with its chalet-style village, 93 lifts and 412 kilometres of runs that cater for every level of experience. The view from the top of Mont Fort is also a drawcard – you can see as far as the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc, so take your GoPro for some spectacular Instagram-worthy shots. Off the slopes, there are loads of restaurants, shops and bars to choose from.

Who for: advanced skiers or intermediate skiers looking to skill up.

Where to stay: sprawling luxury in the alps is the best ways to describe W Verbier, the hotel with 123 rooms and suites, each with their own fireplace and private balcony. Home to no less than six restaurants, a state-of-the-art gym with a private yoga room, an indoor-outdoor heated pool, sauna, whirlpool, hammam and spa. If you manage to leave the hotel, access to the slopes are on your doorstep. From £600 per night, marriott.com/

Price for return flights from London: while you can fly to Bern or Sion, flights are infrequent so your best bet is a £55 return flight to Geneva where Verbier is a two-hour transfer away.

Verbier is open from November 10, 2018 to April 28, 2019.

Les Deux Alpes, France

Head to the summit for unparalleled views of Mont Blanc (Unsplash)
Head to the summit for unparalleled views of Mont Blanc (Unsplash)

What to expect: as the name suggests, Les Deux Alpes is made up of two high-altitude pastures belonging to neighbouring villages Venosc and Mont de Lans. It is home to the largest skiable glacier in Europe and is the second oldest French ski resort after Chamonix. With 225 kilometres of pistes covering 425 hectares, skiers will be spoilt for choice with the 96 tracks ranging from beginner to expert. Non-skiers are welcome too, as they can ride the lifts to the viewing platform at 3,400 metres and take in the incredible views of Mont Blanc and visit the glacial ice caves while they're there.

Who for: families.

Where to stay: gather your friends and family and book a few nights at Chalet Chamois Volant, a seven-bedroom, three-floor chalet that will transport you back to nineteenth century France. The old stone building has exposed stone work but the interior has been modernised with a wood-burning stove, leather sofas and a hot tub on the first floor balcony. The 17-seater dining room table is large enough to entertain your closest friends and family for the perfect luxury winter getaway. From £702 per person for seven nights 2alpesnet.com/

Price for return flights from London: £31 return to Grenoble where Les Deux Alpes is just an hour and a half transfer away. An alternative option is getting to Grenoble by train, via the Eurostar from St Pancras to Paris (£29) and the TGV from Paris to Grenoble (also £29).

Les Deux Alpes is open from December 1, 2018 to April 27, 2019.

Whistler, Canada

It's worth a trip across the Atlantic to try the slopes at this world-famous ski resort (Unsplash)
It's worth a trip across the Atlantic to try the slopes at this world-famous ski resort (Unsplash)

What to expect: with a dynamic après scene and views worth taking your phone to the top of the mountain for, Whistler is one of the best skiing areas in North America. This year, expect a lot of shiny new lifts after a £39 million investment focussing on three new lifts in the heart of the resort and a new 10-person gondola to see the mountain in all its powdered glory. The resort's ski area is one of the largest in the world thanks to the Peak 2 gondola linking Whistler to neighbouring peak Blackcomb a decade ago, now offering 8,000 acres of pistes and over 1.6 kilometres of vertical. Whistler village itself is more of a large town than a village with a number of boutiques, restaurants and spas to indulge in during your stay.

Who for: those looking for challenging pistes at a world-class ski resort.

Where to stay: Whistler is home to a number of large hotels, but buck the trend and opt for a stay at the Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel. Rated the number one Whistler hotel on TripAdivsor, Summit Lodge is located in the heart of the bustling village just minutes from the ski lifts and features a sauna, hot tub, spa and pool to freshen up after a day on the slopes. From £272 per night, summitlodge.com/

Price for return flights from London: £535 return to Whistler Airport.

Whistler is open from November 22, 2018 to May 27, 2019.

Zermatt, Switzerland

Be sure to capture a picture of the Matterhorn while at Zermatt (Unsplash)
Be sure to capture a picture of the Matterhorn while at Zermatt (Unsplash)

What to expect: Zermatt is undoubtedly Switzerland's most famous ski resort and for good reason - it's open all year round. Switzerland's highest ski resort offers 360 kilometres of blue, red, black and yellow runs. The charm of Swiss village streets and weathered chalets coupled with views on the slopes of the world's most photogenic mountain - the Matterhorn - make Zermatt extremely enchanting, and enticing for any avid skier who wants a challenging ski piste mixed with picture-perfect settings. Head to Zermatt in summer for skiing combined with sun-soaked days and hikes around the Swiss Alps.

Who for: expert skiers looking to tackle an infamous yellow run.

Where to stay: when the Backstage Hotel opened in Zermatt in 2011, it was a game-changer for the historic village. Once dominated by hotels that looked straight out of a Wes Anderson film, Backstage added a much-needed design flair to the village, with its floor-to-ceiling windows, in-house cinema and arty rooms. Opt for the sky and stars suite which offers breathtaking views of the Matterhorn and windows above the bed so you can sleep under the stars (while still being cosy and warm). From £160 per night, backstagehotel.ch/

Price for return flights from London: £55 return to Geneva, where Zermatt is a two and a half hour transfer by car or four-hour transfer by train.

Zermatt is open for skiing all year round.

Lech, Austria

One must always remember to bring a GoPro skiing (Unsplash)
One must always remember to bring a GoPro skiing (Unsplash)

What to expect: Lech, more formally known as Lech Zürs am Arlberg, offers 350 kilometres of ski slopes and 200 kilometres of high Alpine deep powder snow runs, best suited for the intermediate skier, which can be accessed via one of their 88 cable cars and lifts. Heliskiing, freeskiing and ice skating are also available if you want to broaden your winter activity horizons. Lech village itself has hosted a number of royals from across the world, perhaps most famously Princess Diana who took Prince William and Prince Harry on their first ski trip there in 1991. While some aspects of Lech's farming origins remain, huts have been replaces with chalet-style hotels but it manages to maintain its alpine village charm.

Who for: intermediate skiers who want a plethora of ski routes to choose from.

Where to stay: our pick is the boutique, 29-room hotel Kristiania. The rooms in this family-run hotel have all been individually stylised and attention to detail is second to none. They also have a ski nanny service for children over three and can organise helicopter rides over the peaks or romantic dinners for two - all you need to do is ask. From £440 per night, kristiania.at/

Price for return flights from London: £64 return to Innsbruck Airport where Lech is just an hour and a half away by car or bus transfer or a 35 minute helicopter transfer away, if cost is not an issue.

Lech is open from November 30, 2018 to April 28, 2019.

Klosters, Switzerland

Klosters, the OG royal ski resort (Unsplash)
Klosters, the OG royal ski resort (Unsplash)

What to expect: with a healthy mix of beginner, intermediate and advanced slopes at Klosters, there's something for everyone - which must be why it's been such a popular resort with the British Royal Family over the years. Prince Charles learnt to ski here and took his sons, Prince Harry and Prince William, to the resort annually during their teen years. Often known as Davos Klosters as the Davos ski area sits just above Klosters, the combined areas are home to some six different skiing regions which offer a combined total of 300 kilometres of snowy pistes to choose from. Klosters is the must-stay village, dotted with log-lined chalets and powdery snow.

Who for: intermediate skiers and snowboarders looking for miles of terrain.

Where to stay: Leo Trippi was founded in 1882 and ever since then has been sourcing the most luxurious lodges in the Alps. Through them, you can rent the seven-bedroom Tivoli Lodge, one of the most lusted-after chalets in Europe. With a swimming pool, sauna, steam room, hot tub and in-chalet cinema, it will be hard to leave. Price on request, leotrippi.com/

Price for return flights from London: £59 return to Zurich. Klosters is two hours by car transfer or two and a half hours by rail.

Klosters is open from November 23, 2018 to April 22, 2019.

Val Gardena, Italy

With easy slopes and stunning terrain, Val Gardena is a beginner's utopia (Unsplash)
With easy slopes and stunning terrain, Val Gardena is a beginner's utopia (Unsplash)

What to expect: a picturesque valley in the Dolomites, Val Gardena comprises three separate resorts in an eight kilometre radius where you'll find the towns of Ortisei (1236m), Santa Cristina (1428m) and Selva Gardena (1563m). Voted Italy's best ski resort on numerous occasions, Val Gardena is also part of the famed Dolomiti Superski​, a network of 12 ski areas in the Dolomites. With 175 kilometres of slopes and 115 kilometres of cross-country pistes, there are a number of options for advanced and expert skiers as well as nursery slopes for beginners. While there, be sure to check out the Sellaronda ski route which takes you around one of the Dolomites' most stunning peaks. Locals in all three villages speak Ladin, a language older than Italian and still taught in the local schools. Selva Gardena is the prettiest of the villages to stay in, the traditional Tirolean-style architecture makes it an enchanting winter wonderland.

Who for: those looking for the ultimate beginners ski area.

Where to stay: Boutique Hotel Nives is a family-run boutique hotel that was designed to delight both foodies and spa lovers. In-house you'll find a gourmet restaurant, coffeehouse and wine bar, along with a pool, sauna, hot tub and dedicated spa treatment facilities. The junior suites have in-room egg-shaped bath tubs and views over the Val Gardena valley. Price on request, hotel-nives.com/

Price for return flights from London: £64 return to Innsbruck Airport where Val Gardena is just a two-hour transfer by car.

Val Gardena is open from December 6, 2018 to April 7, 2019.

Alpe d'Huez, France

Be sure to take in the stunning sunsets (Shutterstock)
Be sure to take in the stunning sunsets (Shutterstock)

What to expect: Alpe d'Huez is home to varying green, blue, red and black routes, including the 16-kilometre Sarennes ski run​ - the longest run in Europe. Alpe d'Huez sits at 1869 metres above sea level and has a reputation for having the most sunny days of all the Alpine ski resorts, giving it the nickname "l'Isle du Soleil", the Island of the Sun. Yet, what Alpe d'Huez has in sunlight, it sorely lacks on the alpine village charm of its neighbours. While it's not the prettiest ski resort (if you're after that head just up the road to Vaujany), it is certainly one of the more family-friendly.

Who for: the number of green routes make it perfect for novices and families.

Where to stay: the Chamois d'Or Hotel is a chalet-style abode located directly next to the slopes, so you can sneak into the hotel spa as soon as you return from your day skiing. The larger suites have their own open fire, the most delightful crackling sound to hear after being out in the cold air, and the hotel has a library and teen and kids play room for when you need some downtime. Price on request, hotel-lesgets.com/

Price for return flights from London: £31 return to Grenoble where Alpe d'Huez is an hour and a half away by car.

Alpe d'Huez is open from December 1, 2018 to April 27, 2019.

Åre, Sweden

Try something different and head north (Anette Andersson)
Try something different and head north (Anette Andersson)

What to expect: go off the beaten track and instead of heading to the Alps of Austria, France, Italy and Switzerland, head north to the Nordic mountains. The world-class ski resort of Åre is 400 miles north of Stockholm with 91 kilometres of alpine skiing routes mainly catering for beginners and intermediate skiers. Yet, a holiday to Åre is about much more than the slopes. While there go ice fishing, dog sledding, snowkiting, visit frozen waterfalls and take a ride at Europe's largest zipline park.

Who for: beginners and intermediate-level skiers looking for an off the beaten track ski resort.

Where to stay: Copperhill Moutain Lodge is the ultimate ski-to-door destination. With an in-house award-winning spa, restaurant, bar, gym and helipad, as well as rooms that offer panoramic views of the snowscape, this hotel is reason enough to visit Åre. From £122 per night. copperhill.se/

Price for return flights from London: £58 return to Åre Östersund Airport, where the ski resort is an hour away by transfer.

Åre is open from November 24, 2018 to May 1, 2019.

Chamonix, France

Chamonix is the oldest ski resort in France (Unsplash)
Chamonix is the oldest ski resort in France (Unsplash)

What to expect: with majority red and black runs that are both steep and challenging, Chamonix is best suited to the experienced skier. The 20-kilometre Vallee Blanche is the highest off-piste run in Europe and a thing of legend among the ski community, though confident intermediates could master it too. Chamonix itself is a village of 9,000 permanent residents set at the base of Mont Blanc with a vehicle-free centre, offering both traditional charm and a lively nightlife.

Who for: expert-level skiers and alpine thrill-seekers looking for a challenge.

Where to stay: opening in February 2019, Our Retreat is a boutique retreat for 12 guests set in a luxury chalet at the foot of Mont Blanc, offering nutritious meals and fitness classes led by world-class trainers. Perfect for the solo traveller, Our Retreat is priced from £1,150 per person on a room share basis, all-inclusive of your accommodation, classes, food, drinks, transfers and evening activities. ourretreat.co.uk/

Price for return flights from London: £55 return to Geneva where Chamonix is an hour away by car or bus.

Chamonix is open from November 17, 2018 to May 5, 2019.