15 MOST Beautiful Ski Mountains

Skiing is the most popular winter pastime in the world, but each resort offers its own unique surroundings and environment. If you're looking for the best place for the perfect selfie or stunning scenery, then keep watching, because today we're exploring the 15 most beautiful ski mountains in the world. Number 15, Levy, Finland. With a maximum elevation of 1,742 feet, Levy is a fell in Lapland, Finland. That because of its constant snowfall and stunning surroundings has become the largest ski resort in the country. It boasts 43 different ski slopes, of which 17 are completely floodlit, and is well prepared for the influx of visitors each year, with two gondolas, a chairlift, 14 t-bar lifts, and even a magic carpet surface lift for kids. Majority of slopes on offer are suited to beginner or intermediate skiers and boarders, but there are also three back slopes for those looking for something a little more challenging. The longest slope at the resort is 1.3 miles long, and features a vertical drop of more than a thousand feet. It's not just about the slopes though, there's also a super pipe, a half pipe, a couple of snow parks, and a range of different restaurants and various accommodation options. As it's in the Arctic Circle, it's almost guaranteed a continuous snow cover, but the thing that truly makes it one of the most beautiful places in the world to ski, is that the visitors will often see the northern lights in the sky above, as they're hitting the slopes. With such reliable and exhilarating skiing, it's no wonder that the slopes here are a regular feature on the Alpine Ski World Cup circuit, and it's somewhere every ski enthusiast should visit at least once in their lives. Number 14. Alpbach, Austria. There's probably no mountain range in the world as beautiful as the Alps, and the small town of Alpbach in Austria has one of the most perfect views out across them you'll ever see. The town itself has been inhabited for more than 800 years, but today is reliant on tourism, with visitors staying in traditional wooden chalets surrounded by snow. Despite being so popular, it's quite easy to find peace and isolation while you're on the slopes, if that's what you want, with the main mountain being the Wiedersberger Horn. A gondola ride takes skiers and boarders near to the summit, and from there they have a choice of several different pieces. Mainly ones that are suitable for beginners, but there's also a couple that are more challenging for experienced people. The snow isn't ideal for boarding, however, but to make up for that, there's a half-pipe close by to Alpbach. Some of the slopes are lined on either side by trees. They're all well-maintained, and with the town itself, which is exactly what you'd imagine from a mountain chalet village, there's hardly a direction that you can look that isn't picture-perfect. Number 13. Niseko, Japan. Niseko, in Japan, is one of the best resorts in the world if you're looking for powdered snow, but beyond the actual skiing experience, it's also one of the most stunning, literally meaning a cliff jutting over a riverbank deep in the mountains. It has glorious views out across Mount Yotei, which is where most visitors go to explore. It's in the Shirabeshi Prefecture on Hokkaido Island, which is in northern Japan, and as a result of its location, is treated to colder and less humid temperatures than elsewhere. This is the reason why the snow is so unique there, but rather than being overdeveloped, there's something for everyone. If you're a beginner looking for an easy slope, then there's plenty on offer, but Mount Yotei really comes into its own for more experienced skiers and boarders. There's both alpine and tree skiing across 61 ski runs and 12 terrain parts. The most famous run is called Strawberry Fields, which passes through a dense forest, but you don't have to stick to the designated routes if you're looking to explore. The mountain is also ideal for backcountry expeditions, as long as you keep a watch out for avalanches, which can form with little notice because of the type of snow that falls there. It's become one of the most popular winter destinations in that part of the world, but the crowds of people don't take away from how stunning the surroundings are. It also has one of the most unique apres-skis, where you sit in outdoor thermal baths while drinking whiskey. Number 12. Wengen, Switzerland. Sat on a mountainside in the Jungfrau region of Switzerland and looking out over the Lautenbrunnen Valley, Wengen was one of the first ski resort villages in the world. At an elevation of 4,100 feet, it offers easy access to the surrounding snow-covered mountains. During peak times in winter, the village's population can grow to as many as 10,000 people. The first record of it being used as a mountain retreat comes from more than 750 years ago, but it really became known as a tourist destination in the 19th century. It's a mixture of the isolation you feel when you're staying deep in the mountains and the glorious surroundings that you wake up to each day that make the place so special. The village is absolutely stunning, and the slopes are some of the most picturesque you'll ever see. Surrounded by the peaks of the Eiger, Jungfrau, and Monk, you can't help but feel like you're in a postcard-worthy winter paradise. Since the 1930s, it has regularly held ski events, too, and remains one of the most anticipated stops on the FIS World Cup circuit. The race on the Lauberhorn, which features a 2.7 mile long slope, is regarded as easily the most scenic on the tour. But reaching speeds of up to a hundred miles an hour, those taking part in the competition have very little chance to take in their surroundings. Number 11. Whistler-Blackcomb, Canada. Located in Whistler in British Columbia, Canada, the Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains are arguably the most stunning mountains to ski on in all of North America. And it's no wonder that the resorts have become the most popular on the continent. It's amazing to think that very few people have even heard of the mountains before the 1960s. But as a part of a bid to host the Winter Olympics, developments began to turn it into a premier destination. Despite not ultimately winning the hosting rights, the slope continued to be developed and were first open to visitors in 1966. The two mountains and the resorts on them were for decades arch rivals. But in 2003, the operations were merged together to create a winter resort powerhouse. With more than two million visitors each year, you might think you get overwhelmed by people everywhere, but that's usually not the case. Both mountains are served by lifts, and the skiing routes are along ridge lines that run in parallel to each other. Between the mountains is a deep valley with a creek that runs through it, and this is part of what makes the views there so spectacular. The resorts have become so renowned and popular that they finally were able to hold the Winter Olympics in 2010, and were responsible for the stunning imagery that was beamed around the world during the championships, cementing the region as one of the most beautiful ski venues anywhere on Earth. Number 10. Courchevel, France. Courchevel is a large ski resort in the French Alps, which is part of Les Trois Vallées, which form one of the largest combined ski destinations in the world. Within the valleys are some of the most luxurious and exclusive resorts you'll find anywhere, and they have just about every amenity you could possibly think of. There are actually four villages called Courchevel, which are each at different altitudes within the mountains, and across these there are 11 five-star hotels and two six-star hotels. There's an amazing seven Michelin-starred restaurants in the area, and a range of different slopes suited to all skill levels, including what are regarded as the trickiest black runs in the world. It's a place frequented by the super-rich, and that's not just because of the hospitality, the large shopping village, or other facilities on offer, but because the surrounding mountains are some of the most beautiful on Earth. In every direction there are snow-covered peaks as far as you can see, and it certainly feels as if you're living in an icy wilderness. Apart from skiing, the other thing that Courchevel is known for is its airport. It's one of the most extreme runways in the world, located on the edge of a cliff and with a steep incline. Pilots have to navigate through a series of valleys before they reach it. As a result, special certification is required to fly into Courchevel. But with pistes on either side, it's one of the most stunning approaches possible in an aircraft. Number nine, Vail, Colorado. Vail is a mountain and a resort in Colorado, which is one of the largest single mountain ski destinations in North America. It first opened in 1962, and now has a range of different routes for skiers and boarders of all experience. Something that's possible because of the wide open mountain terrain. The mountain is split up into three areas, which is known as the Frontside, the Blue Sky Basin, and the Black Bulls. Each of them have their own distinct personalities in terms of the slopes they offer, such as cruising runs on the Frontside and the Blue Sky Basin, and the glades, chutes, and open expanse that the Black Bulls have become known for. As well as a glorious mountain that is built upon, the village of Vail is a beautiful place, too. It was purposefully built to support tourism in the 1960s, so instead of being a historical town like other nearby places like Aspen or Steamboat Springs, it's an idyllic place based upon the chalet villages you find in Europe. There are, amazingly, 193 trails, more than half of which are rated for expert skiers. Well, there's also three terrain parks, a super pipe, and ten bowls. It's as beautiful a place as any other ski mountain in the world, and has facilities to back it up, making it a must-see resort for any serious skier. We're constantly adding more people to the Top 5's production team. To bring you all the best content, be sure to subscribe with notifications on, and hit the like button. Number 8. Saas Fee, Switzerland. Unlike most resorts that are built on one mountain and possibly offer access to several more, Saas Fee in Switzerland is nestled so far within the Alps that it's actually surrounded by 13 peaks that are each higher than 13,000 feet. The resort itself is situated on a mountain plateau that's at an elevation of 5,900 feet, meaning that you're virtually guaranteed to have a perfect covering of snow at any time during the ski season. Saas Fee is called the Pearl of the Alps, and for good reason. There are spectacular views in every direction. It's not only perfect for skiing and boarding, but its proximity to two glaciers means that it's also popular for trekkers and ice climbers. The main ski run has an almost 6,000-foot vertical drop and covers a 93-mile stretch from an initial elevation of 11,000 feet. Serious effort has gone into preserving the village itself, too, with it retaining its traditional wooden buildings and banning all vehicles in its center. It holds two unusual records as well, including having the world's highest altitude underground funicular railway. It's also the highest revolving restaurant on Earth, which offers incredible views over the surroundings from an altitude of 11,500 feet. Number 7. Park City Mountain, Utah. The Park City Mountain Resort in Utah was first opened in 1963 and has become one of the most important ski facilities in the United States. With a top elevation of 10,026 feet and more than 7,000 acres of space that can be skied on, it's become a popular tourist destination, as well as one of the best training venues in the country. It's there that the U.S. ski team often trains on the slalom and giant slalom runs, and in total it offers 324 different runs, almost half of which are designated as black runs for experienced skiers. The resort also features seven terrain parks, which include a super pipe, mini pipe, and six natural half pipes. But don't let this development make you think that the natural charm and character of the region has been lost. Yeah, there are some parts that are functional and look that way, but on other parts of the mountain, you'll be able to enjoy some of the most incredible views you'll find anywhere in North America. It's a perfect alpine landscape, and with an average of 355 inches of snowfall each year, it's usually covered with a fresh blanket continuously through the season. The Park City Resort has now been connected with the nearby Canyons Resort by a gondola, which has resulted in the creation of the largest ski resort in the U.S. that's serviced by ski lifts. If learning to ski, perfecting your skills, or simply finding a place where you can show off is what you're looking for, then Park City is ideal. Number 6. Cerro Catedral, Argentina. Around 12 miles away from the city of San Carlos de Bariloche, in the Nahuelhuapi National Park of Patagonia in Argentina, is the biggest ski resort in the southern hemisphere, and it's on the Cerro Catedral mountain. There, you'll find more than 2.3 square miles of skiable area, with more than 75 miles of ski runs, along with a large network of hotels and hostels to cater to all visitors. There are 31 runs in total, most of which are for intermediate skiers, but there's still enough there for beginners and experts to enjoy themselves, too. The mountain has an elevation of up to 6,800 feet, but because it's in such a southerly latitude, it experiences just the right amount of snow, with an average of 98 snowfall days each year. Patagonia, which is the region that it's in, is one of the most stunning regions in the world, and from Cerro Catedral, you get an incredible view out across this landscape. It's such a scenic place, with vistas of the Andes, nearby mountains, and ancient glacial lakes, that you'll spend most of your time in awe at your surroundings. To make things even better, the fact that it's in the southern hemisphere means that winter on Cerro Catedral is during the summer in the northern hemisphere, so when the ski slopes in Europe and America are closing, it's the perfect time to fly down to Argentina to be able to continue skiing all year round. Number 5. Mégève, France. Mégève, which is close to Mont Blanc in the French Alps, was first developed as a ski resort in the 1920s, to compete with other successful venues in the mountain range. It's essentially a medieval town that lies at the base of a mountain, and has become so popular and renowned for its stunning scenery, that it's been described as being the 21st Arrondissement du Paris, simply because this is the place that the French like to go and ski if they can. With cobbled streets and wooden buildings, the town is postcard perfect, and even has an open-air ice rink in the center. Of course, things have expanded significantly since it first opened, though. There are now 116 lifts that lead to a choice of 219 slopes. With more than 277 miles of mountainside to ski or board along, you won't be short of options. But if you're looking for a different challenge, there are also 18 cross-country skiing routes, too. This means that despite being one of the busiest ski resorts in Europe, you can easily find a tranquil place to ski without interruption by anyone, and you'll be surrounded with views across the Alps in every direction. When you think of ideal, pristine mountain skiing, Mégève is probably as close as you'll ever get in real life. Number 4. Mount Buller, Australia. Around 129 miles to the east of Melbourne in Australia is one of the country's most popular ski mountains and resorts, called Mount Buller. The village itself sits at an elevation of just under 6,000 feet on the mountainside, and the resorts offer 85 different runs as well as four terrain parks. There are more than 50 miles of maintained trails, with around half of that suited to intermediate skiers, with the rest split between beginners and experts. There's also 5.6 miles of cross-country trails from the village, too, and by taking this route, you can connect up with the nearby Mount Sterling, which also has amazing slopes on offer. The resort welcomes guests all year round, but because of the mountain's relatively low elevation, virtually all of the snow melts by the time the summer comes around. This means that the vistas change dramatically throughout the year, and despite this meaning there's a need for artificial snow production to support the winter sports industry in the winter, the place looks simply wonderful during the peak season. Huge investment continues to be put towards the facilities on offer at Mount Buller, and with surroundings like this, it's sure to go from strength to strength in the future. Number three, Val d'Isere, France. Val d'Isere, in southeastern France, is near to the border with Italy, that passes through the Alps, and is arguably the most famous ski resort in the world. Development of the region to cater to winter sports enthusiasts began in the 1930s, and it retains its charming traditional chalet aesthetic in most parts of the town to this day. It's located within the Terrentes Valley, which gives access to several of the surrounding mountains, each of which is just as stunning as the next. Along with the neighboring commune of Tignes, Val d'Isere is part of the Espasquillé, which is described as being the most beautiful ski area in the world. There are more than 186 miles of pistes on offer, which include 154 runs that cater to skiers of all abilities, two terrain parks, 90 lifts to give easy access to the mountains, and two glaciers. To ensure its operational throughout the season, and to retain its picturesque appearance, there are also 216 discreetly placed cannons, which are used to top up the amount of snow that is naturally fallen. With such a historical prowess, incredible scenery, and challenging slopes, Val d'Isere is a regular stop on the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup, has held events during the Winter Olympics, and was also chosen as the starting point of the 2007 Tour de France, an honor only granted to the country's most beautiful places. Number 2. Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. Cortina d'Ampezzo is a town in the southern Alps that's in a region of northern Italy. It's built around the Boate River that passes through a valley, and provides the perfect place to access the surrounding mountains. This was once a place that was occupied by the Roman Empire, but once you see the scenery that surrounds it, you'll begin to understand why so many civilizations have fought over it throughout history. It's not your typical mountain views here, because of the unusual rock formations across the landscape. The huge dolomites, which are rocks made of limestone, reach up to heights as much as 10,000 feet, and have straight edges, which means snow doesn't cover their reddish-orange coloration. The cable car system is also a sight to behold, because the stations are above 100 foot drop cliffs, and you immediately know there's a wilderness that's ready to be explored on skis. It is such a stunning location that the 1956 Winter Olympics were held there, and the 2026 tournament is also due to take part there too, and it's a regular stop on the World Ski Tour. There are 12 ski resorts in the area, 71 miles of pistes, and challenging runs that even put the most experienced skiers through their paces. If you're ever planning on visiting the Alps, then this is one of the best places you could possibly choose to go. Number 1. Aspen, Colorado Located just outside of the city of Aspen in Colorado, Aspen Mountain, which was once called Ajax Mountain, is one of the most famous and popular ski destinations in the Americas. It first opened up as a venue in 1946, and has since gone from strength to strength. It, along with the nearby Aspen Snowmass area, offers 170 different runs across varying elevations and difficulty levels. The Aspen Mountain ski area is contained entirely within the White River National Forest, and the protection this designation has afforded the region means that it's about as pristine an alpine environment as you'll find anywhere in the world. It isn't, however, suitable for beginners who are better off going to the snowmass area, and around a quarter of it is considerably safe for expert skiers. Facilities are nowhere near as developed as a result, but with a few lifts, a couple of restaurants, and miles upon miles of fresh snow and routes to explore, what else could you want? Watch our binge-watching playlist if you'd like to watch all of our most popular top 15 videos. Grab a drink, grab a snack, and get ready to binge.