11 Biggest Ski Resorts in the World

By Christine
  
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Ski resorts come in all different shapes and sizes, from monster mountains with dozens of lifts to spots that only provide a few lifts. But a big ski resort will give you access to a seemingly endless amount of terrain to explore on your skis. 

I’m Christine, a lifelong skier and the founder of this blog. I’ve been lucky to ski at many resorts, of all different sizes, all over the world. I’ve been to some of the biggest resorts out there and have researched other locations to come up with the information here. 

This post will highlight some of the biggest ski resorts in the world. I’ll provide a bit of background on each resort to give you a good understanding of what kind of terrain it offers, how big it is, and why you might want to ski here. 

Let’s dive in. 

1. Les 3 Vallees (Moutiers, France)

  • Total skiable terrain: 370 miles (600 km) 
  • Number of ski runs: 335
  • Number of ski lifts: 162 
  • Average annual snowfall: 330+ inches 
  • Resort website: https://www.les3vallees.com/en

The biggest ski resort in the world by size is Les 3 Vallees in France. This is actually a combination of three resorts very close to one another, so the distinction as the largest resort on the planet is slightly debatable. 

Still, this is an excellent place to visit, and you get access to a near-endless amount of terrain spread out on nearly 600 km of skiable area. That’s an impressive number and definitely enough to keep you busy all season long. 

There are 162 ski lifts here, giving you rides all over the valleys and mountains, with plenty of terrain for skiers of all ability levels. If you plan on skiing in Europe and want to spread out to enjoy the snow, this is a top destination for it. 

You also have many food and dining options all over Les 3 Vallees, and you can easily take advantage of all this to make your stay more enjoyable. But with so much good skiing at your disposal, it’s a challenge not to have an amazing time here.  

2. Portes du Soleil (Mont Blanc, France and Lake Geneva, Switzerland)

  • Total skiable terrain: 400 miles (650 km) 
  • Number of ski runs: 300
  • Number of ski lifts: 200
  • Average annual snowfall: 350 inches
  • Resort website: https://en.portesdusoleil.com/

The statistics listed above might make you think that Portes du Soleil is larger than the resort at the number one spot on the list, but this one doesn’t have the same lift access even though it boasts nearly 400 miles of skiable terrain. 

Still, this is one of the largest ski resorts in the world, and it’s actually more of an interconnected skiing region composed of 12 different resorts spread around the border of France and Switzerland. You can ski two countries at once here, which is pretty sweet. 

Portes du Soleil is enormous, and you have plenty of access to world-class skiing here. There is something for every ability level and style of skier, whether you want to venture off-piste or stick to the groomers at the resort. 

Remember to bring along a trail map because with so much terrain to explore, there’s a decent chance you might get lost if you don’t know where you are going. But if you want plenty of room to explore and have fun, this is a great spot for it. 

3. Sella Ronda (Italy)

Italy is also home to some great skiing, and the Sella Ronda ski resort in the Dolomite mountains is another one of the biggest ski resorts in the world. This is another top destination for European skiers looking for great snow and access to lots of terrain. 

Sella Ronda has some of the longest runs you’ll find anywhere. You can start at the top and follow a run for nearly 25 km without going on another one, which is impressive, to say the least! That allows you to ski all day long while only taking a few runs. 

You have over 200 lifts to explore all of the mountain snow here, which gives skiers of all kinds plenty of room to spread out and explore as much as they can muster. It’s a fun and exciting place to visit with lots of excellent conditions as well. 

There are four main valleys to ski here, and you should plan your day according to what part of the area you want to explore the most. It’s difficult to explore the entire area in a single day, but a worthy attempt. 

4. Paradiski, France

  • Total skiable terrain: 264 miles (425 km)
  • Number of ski runs: 264 
  • Number of ski lifts: 164 
  • Average annual snowfall: 200 inches 
  • Resort website: https://paradiski.com/?lang=en

Paradiski is another massive ski resort located in France. This is another top destination if you are looking for impressive amounts of skiable terrain to explore and plenty of snow, as you can expect over 200 inches of fresh flakes every season. 

The ski area does a great job of supplementing natural snow with artificial, which enables much of its terrain to stay open nearly all season long. The result is plenty of good access to any terrain you want to match or challenge your ability levels. 

Paradiski has a majority of intermediate slopes, but there is still plenty of other runs for beginners and advanced skiers alike. You’ll also get quick access to many different accommodations here, so it’s a good location for a French ski trip. 

The resort is also very modern, with many high-speed lifts and gondolas carrying skiers up the slopes. This helps reduce the time you’ll spend waiting in line, and you can also take advantage of other several other modern niceties.

5. Les 4 Vallees (Mon Fort, Switzerland)

This resort has a similar name to the number one resort on this list, but even though it has an extra valley, Les 4 Vallees is a little bit smaller. It’s still a large and biggest resort in Switzerland, so it is a good option for any skier to explore. 

You have nearly 100 ski lifts giving you access to over 250 miles of terrain here. That’s a lot of room, no matter how you look at it, and you’ll have plenty of space to spread out to avoid crowds and chase fresh snow. 

The terrain here isn’t as technical as some other Swiss resorts, but there is something for everyone, and you can find whatever conditions or slopes you like and spend your day bombing down them. 

This area also has a bunch of stuff to do in the summer months when there is no snow around, so it’s a fun vacation destination any time of year. So whether you are a skier or not, Les 4 Vallees has options for just about anyone. 

6. Via Lattea aka Milky Way (France/Italy)

  • Total skiable terrain: 248 miles (400 km)
  • Number of ski runs: 249
  • Number of ski lifts: 70
  • Average annual snowfall: 200 inches 
  • Resort website: https://www.vialattea.it/en/

If you ever wanted to ski in outer space, or at least a very big resort named after a celestial feature, check out Via Lattea. This is another awesome skiing destination that boasts impressive terrain and lots of it. 

The resort has nearly 250 miles of skiable terrain along the border of France and Italy. There are plenty of lifts to give you access to all of this and a good amount of everything for beginner, intermediate, and advanced skiers. 

There are many different villages in the area here, so you can get a unique sense of the Alps which have been known as a world-class skiing destination for centuries. There is a history in the air that is hard to ignore and really cool to experience. 

This is a pretty expensive resort, but what great destination isn’t these days? If you are looking for another spot where you can get out and roam, Via Lattea is definitely recommended. 

7. Matterhorn Ski Paradise (Zermatt, Switzerland) 

If you want to ski in a legendary location where it’s often possible to get on the slopes virtually any day of the year, you’ll want to check out Matterhorn Ski Paradise. This is another top spot in Switzerland that comes with a legendary history. 

The main attraction here is the Matterhorn, a huge mountain peak known worldwide and one of the most enticing mountain scenes you can imagine. It can sometimes look intimidating, but it’s always inspiring. 

You also get a ton of access to excellent skiing here, and the high-altitude terrain makes conditions good throughout the winter. It also helps keep snow on the slopes during the summer months, enabling year-round skiing possibilities. 

This is the highest winter sports resort in the Alps, making it a very sought-after destination. But with so much skiable terrain available, it usually doesn’t feel very crowded. 

8. Arlberg, Austria 

If you plan on visiting Austria to go skiing, you’ll definitely want to check out Arlberg. Not only is this the largest resort in the country, but it’s also one of the biggest in the world, with nearly 200 miles of skiable terrain to explore. 

The resort gets plenty of good snow every season to allow you to take advantage of all the excellent terrain here. The average snowfall is over 350 inches, comparable to many of the resorts in western North America known for having incredible snow. 

There is a pretty strong ski racing scene here, so it’s a good place to watch some of the best in the world go head-to-head on race day. But that also means there are some really fun runs to reach top speeds on. 

There are also a few towns in the area to have fun at when you are done skiing. This makes for a welcome treat after spending a full day exploring all of the runs at the resort. Just be sure you don’t get too wild so you can do it again tomorrow. 

9. Val d’Isere (Tignes, France)

  • Total skiable terrain: 186.4 miles (300 km) 
  • Number of ski runs: 159 
  • Number of ski lifts: 75 
  • Average annual snowfall: 
  • Resort website: https://www.valdisere.com/en/ 

Val d’Isere in France is another one of the biggest ski resorts in the world. This is an awesome location to experience high-alpine skiing in Europe, as much of the skiable terrain sits at 7,000 feet or higher, which is pretty rare on the continent. 

Despite being a huge resort, you also have access to many groomed runs here. That makes a good place for beginners to get the hang of things or intermediate skiers to start reaching for top speeds. 

The town of Val d’Isere is also pretty unique, making this a great destination for any history buffs who also like to ski. You can view many buildings with old stone architecture and other attractions here. 

10. Whistler Blackcomb (British Colombia, Canada)

  • Total skiable terrain: 8,171 acres 
  • Number of ski runs: 200+ 
  • Number of ski lifts: 37
  • Average annual snowfall: 465 inches 
  • Resort website: https://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/

Even though most of the resorts on this list are in Europe, many of them are so big because of their proximity to other mountains and resorts. But Whistler Blackcomb in Canada is a huge mountain on its own and one of the biggest resorts in the world. 

This is a very fun ski location; you get world-class skiing and many amazing amenities at the same place. The mountain can also get absolutely hammered with snow, so you are in for an unforgettable experience if you get the chance to visit here. 

On a good year, Whistler can get over 500 inches of snow, making powder days the norm rather than the exception. It also has plenty of beginner and intermediate terrain for other skiers if heavy snow isn’t your thing. 

Whistler is also an absolutely beautiful place to visit, so you will surely have some great photo opportunities during your stay here. It’s a magical place and one of the top skiing destinations in the world. 

11. Park City (Utah, USA)

Park City rounds out the list of the biggest ski resorts in the world, and this is one of the largest in the USA. It’s another great destination if you are on a ski trip in the west and one of the iconic ski resorts in the country. 

Park City has it all in terms of what you want from a world-class ski resort – great snow conditions, plenty of terrain, and amenities to please all budgets and preferences. There’s a reason the Winter Olympics have been held here in the past. 

With over 7,000 skiable acres and an average annual snowfall of over 350 inches, this is a skier’s mountain with plenty of options for the family as well. And with so much terrain to explore, you can really spread out and enjoy it. 

Another cool thing about Park City is that the resort does a good job of adhering to environmentally friendly practices, which is super important for every skier to keep in mind.

Final Thoughts

The resorts on this list are some of the biggest in the world, and each is well worth exploring if you ever have the chance. Bigger isn’t always better, but more terrain is always nice when it comes to having fun in the snow. 

I’m partial to the resorts in North America, but that’s just because I’ve spent more time at them. The European options seem impressive, and I can’t wait to try skiing at every spot on this list.

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  • Abe

    Powder Mountain, Utah. 8464 acres, bigger than Whistler and Park City. The next mountain I have to ski!

    Reply
    • Christine

      I have yet to ski Powder Mountain, either. Looks like a blast! And that’s an impressive amount of acreage.

      Reply