There are so many factors and so much about any resort, whether this is a summer holiday resort or a skiing resort, it is always a personal matter. But there are some things that many consider to be essential for a ski resort to claim to be the best in the world. This could be the height of the mountain, length of the runs or the degree of difficulty, the atmosphere and après ski, or glamour. Whatever the reason, some resorts seem to attract huge numbers of visitors each and every season.
For general skiing conditions Whistler in Western Canada is one of the biggest in North America attracting more skiers than any other resort in the world. The magnificent and highly developed all-round resort of Whistler-Blackcomb, as it is now referred to, boasts two magical mountains full of amazing glaciers and bowls, incredible high-speed lifts, acres of expert and extreme skiing, with a bright and vibrant village.
However the home of skiing holidays has to be the European Alps and it is here, many would argue, the best ski resorts in the world are to be found. Chamonix-Mont Blanc in the French Alps with its huge vertical of 2,800 metres and the best run of over 22km. The three valleys, or Trois Vallees, with sophisticated Courcheval at its heart offers fantastic skiing and French cuisine at its best. The Tyrolean village of Kitzbuhel with the famous slope on the Hahnenkamm is the classic downhill ski course regarded as the most demanding race course on the World Cup circuit, lays claim as the best.
But what about family friendly resorts which can also be regarded as the worlds, best for all round family-friendliness, the worlds’ best ski resorts should feature the versatile resorts of Breckenridge, Les Arcs and Leysin, offering great facilities and plenty of varied terrain. Upmarket resorts would have to be St. Anton and Val d’Isere for their young and lively non-stop party scene, and Aspen and Cortina, both towns known for vibrant and upscale establishments, but for the jet set, they would claim that Gstaad, St Moritz, and Lech are unbeatable.