Skiing around the world: The best ski destinations for 2022

Some legendary winter resorts at Europe’s Alps and the Dolomites are all covered by private jet charter flights. They are known for their spectacular skiing and their picture-perfect Alpine villages and celebrity-filled resort towns that surround their slopes. Several hours are often required to descend from the mountains to the village below during ski runs.

A vacation at many ski resorts in Europe does not have to include skiing the same run twice. For example, there are many mountains over 3,000 metres in Italy’s Dolomites, and the Alps are even higher, where the powder can be found for a long period of time during the ski season.

Italy: Cortina D’Ampezzo

For the fashionable mountain town of Cortina d’Ampezzo, the Cinque Torri mountains of the Italian Dolomites offer beautiful scenery and excellent skiing. As a result of hosting the Winter Olympics in 1956, the area became a favourite destination for jet-setters for many years. However, despite catering to a wide range of clients, the resort still has the chic shops and entertainment venues that anyone would expect from a European resort.

There are still many ski resorts in the region. Roughly half the skiable terrain is intermediate in difficulty, because of the steep slopes and high altitude. However, ample snow awaits those getting started. The Olympic skating rink, cross-country skiing, and downhill skiing make Cortina an excellent destination for winter sports lovers.

Several resorts in the Dolomites offer lifts and trails from one pass called the Dolomiti Superski Pass, including lifts and trails in Cortina. Among the ski resorts in the Sella group are small resorts like Val Gardena, which is among a number of ski resorts located along the mountain range. 

Switzerland: Zermatt

Skiing in Zermatt and its surroundings is one of the most sought-after winter sports destinations in the Alps because of its altitude of 3,900 metres. As a result, Zermatt, which boasts the iconic Matterhorn, has proven to be one of the most popular ski destinations in the world. Aside from offering one of Europe’s most picturesque scenes, the Matterhorn can also be enjoyed from the 350km trail network that connects Zermatt with the rest of the world.

The long runs in Zermatt usually end right in the village – it’s possible to ski straight home from anywhere in the village. Two thousand skiers an hour are transported to the glacier on the world’s highest 3S cableway, which opened for the 2019 season. The glacier is at a height of 3,883 metres and is accessible all year round.

There is a free app that can guide skiers safely between locations in this huge trail network based on their ability, weather, and snow conditions, along with lift operations.

Skiers who want a softer terrain with the same stunning views can choose Wolli’s Park, located at the top of the Sunnegga funicular. Skiers can cross the Theodul Pass and ski in both countries in one day by skiing into the Italian trail system from the south face of the Matterhorn.

Austria: St Anton am Alberg

More than a dozen super-expert runs can be found at St Anton in Austria’s Arlberg region, where serious skiers come for high-challenge skiing. There is a challenging 10km race between Valluga and St. Anton, with a difference in elevation of 1,347 metres.

However, even the red-marked pistes in this resort are over their counterparts in most other resorts. This area is at least 200 miles off the beaten path for advanced skiers – many places needing a guide – and home to the largest mogul field in the world on Schindler Kar.

As a result of recently added lifts, St Anton is now connected to the ski slopes on the other side of the Flexen Pass, which comprise the leading resorts in the Arlberg: Lech, St Christoph, Zürs, Stuben and others that are connected through 340km of ski slopes. The regional Arlberg lift pass includes access to all of these. 

France – Val d’Isère

There are more than 150 ski lifts serving 300km of skiable terrain in the mountain range with 3,000-metre peaks shared by Val d’Isère and Tignes. Parc Killy was named after Jean-Claude Killy, born in Val d’Isere and winning three Olympic gold medals. The lowest parts of the mountain range reach an altitude of 1,550 metres, while the highest parts reach 3,450 metres. It is generally possible to ski on the Glacier du Pisaillas during the months of June or July.

It also offers terrain for all skill levels. A covered magic carpet lift to the slopes offers excellent ski instruction for young skiers. The travelators along the gondolas provide access to gentle slopes. Skiers can get from one area to another via lifts instead of walking across catwalks.

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