10 Busiest Ski Resorts In The World
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There are thousands of ski resorts worldwide, ranging from local hidden gems to those that draw large crowds throughout the season. Below, I’ve highlighted ten of the busiest ski resorts in the world.
While these resorts are famous for good reason: they offer fantastic skiing, great snow, charming villages, and more. It’s helpful to know which ones tend to get crowded so you can be ready for long lift lines, book your reservations in advance, mentally prepare for the full atmosphere, and maybe so you can add a new ski resort to your bucket list. After all, there is a reason why so many people love these ski resorts!
1. Whistler Blackcomb, Canada
Whistler Blackcomb sits in British Columbia, Canada. The resort is about an hour and 45 minutes from Vancouver.
The resort is famous for being the biggest in North America, with over 8,000 skiable acres for skiers and snowboarders to enjoy. Riders from all over the world come to experience its sheer size, incredible snow, and adorable village areas, making it one of the busiest ski resorts in the world.
2. Les Arcs, France
Another ski resort known for being incredibly busy is Les Arcs in France. This resort is about 1 hour and 5 minutes from Nice.
People from around the world flock to Les Arcs because of its unique features. The first notable feature is that there are five different village areas, which people are drawn to for the variety of accommodation and apres-ski options. Another reason people come to this ski area is the fabulous mountain views, including views of the beautiful Mont Blanc.
3. Vail, Colorado
Next on this list is Vail Ski Resort, one of the largest ski resorts in Colorado and one of the most famous in the United States. The resort is about two hours from Denver, making it easy to reach from a large airport.
People from around the world fly in to explore Vail because of its massive size, variety of terrain, and its iconic Vail Village. It’s one of my favorite ski resorts and many other skiers’ favorites, making it one of the most popular ski resorts in the world.
4. Breckenridge, Colorado
Right next door to Vail is the popular ski resort of Breckenridge. This resort is another very famous one in Colorado, known for its terrain, snow, and town.
Aside from these characteristics, another standout feature that drives visitors to Breck is that it’s home to the highest ski lift in North America, the Imperial Express Lift. Many people from around the world come to ride this lift and ski at a high elevation. I’ve personally done it, and it’s a super cool experience to ride on top of the world.
5. Park City, Utah
Park City is the largest ski resort in Utah and sits about 40 minutes from Salt Lake City. It’s one of the busiest ski resorts in the world because visitors come to explore its sheer size, awesome snow, two village areas, and cool ski culture.
One of its standout features is that the Sundance Film Festival is held nearby, which draws many celebrities to its slopes. This adds to its popularity and busy nature.
6. Val D’Isere, France
Next on this list is Val D’Isere in France. This ski resort is in the French Alps, near the Italian border.
People from France and countries beyond visit this resort not only for its skiing but also for its countless other activities and attractions. These include other sports like snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and paragliding and even events like concerts, festivals, and more. It’s a great all-around destination for those wanting to ski and stay active, making it one of the most popular ski resorts in the world.
7. Zermatt, Switzerland
Zermatt is in Switzerland and is about 2 hours and 30 minutes south of Bern. It’s world-famous for its Matterhorn mountain views and fabulous skiing.
It’s incredibly busy because of its excellent snow, fabulous views, adorable town, delicious food, and so much more. If you want to head to one of Switzerland’s busiest and most famous mountain towns, this should be your go-to choice.
8. Saalbach Hinterglemm, Austria
Saalbach Hinterglemm is a ski resort in Austria, about two hours and twenty minutes from Innsbruck. Although you may not have heard of it before, it is one of the most popular in the world.
Skiers from around the globe come here for its massive size, beautiful views, excellent powder, countless events, charming town, family-friendly atmosphere, and so much more. If you want to head to one of the most popular ski resorts in Austria, add this to your bucket list.
9. Courchevel, France
Next on the list is Courchevel, which competes as one of the ski capitals of the world. As such, you can expect countless crowds.
This resort is in Eastern France and is the place to be for a high-end experience. The town features Michelin-starred restaurants, 5-star hotels, luxury shopping, state-of-the-art facilities, and incredible skiing, making it a popular place for people who want a lavish skiing experience.
10. La Plagne, France
Are you surprised to find yet another ski resort in France? If you can’t tell by now, people worldwide love to go to France for its ski resorts, snow, views, and fantastic cuisine.
La Plagne is located in Eastern France near the Swiss and Italian borders. People from around the world come here for its great snow, fantastic trails, eleven different village areas, and countless activities besides skiing, like their Olympic Bobsleigh Track. This is the place to be for options and a magical experience.
Have You Been To Any Of These Busy Ski Resorts?
Let us know in the comments!
