We’ve already been through our Top 10 Winter Sports destinations in Europe. But, if you’re looking to go further afield, then you’ve most definitely come to the right place! So, read on as Geronigo HQ takes a look at our Top 10 Winter Sports Destinations in the rest of the world.
Aspen, United States
A former Victorian mining town based in Colorado, Aspen is undoubtedly one of the United States’ most luxurious skiing destinations. In total, there is a whopping 5517 acres of skiable area within this particular location, meaning it couldn’t be more perfect if you’re in search of the ultimate winter adventure.
This spectacular location is well worth a visit no matter if you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned pro. This is all thanks to the four separate ski areas which each offer a challenge for different levels of ability.
The areas in the resort are known as Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, and Snowmass. The latter features 3,332 acres alone, which is made up of 94 trails in total! Each of the skiing areas in Aspen are linked via a free shuttle bus service, in addition to 43 lifts. So, getting around this wonderful destination most definitely won’t be a difficult task!
Whistler, Canada
Perfectly placed on the west coast of Canada in British Columbia, Whistler is without a doubt internationally known as one of the finest winter sports resorts you’ll find anywhere in the world. Since the turn of the 21st century, Whistler has surged in popularity amongst winter sports fans. This really isn’t surprising considering how stunning the dramatic mountain scenery is!
The Whistler skiing area is now one the largest you’ll find in the world. After all, there is in excess of 8,000 acres of pistes at your disposal! What’s more, 1,610m of these are vertical runs. So, for true winter sports fans, this is undoubtedly a must-visit destination.
Snowfall averages around 12m and the season stretches out from the middle of November right up until May. So, there’s plenty of opportunity to get your fix of adrenaline on the slopes in this superb location. That’s not all though, it has regularly been voted as the best ski resort in North America. What more of a reason do you need to pack your bags and head to Whistler?!
Beaver Creek, United States
Around a 2-hour journey away from Aspen lies Beaver Creek – another of the USA’s finest winter sports destinations. An extraordinary alpine escape is exactly what you can expect when you pay a visit to this wonderful location in Colorado. Beaver Creek offers world-class terrain for all levels of ability, and this translates into perfect conditions for all kinds of winter sports.
1,800 acres of stunning natural beauty and a warming atmosphere is exactly what you can expect at Beaver Creek, which makes it the ideal destination for all the family. Over 1,000m of vertical slopes are at your disposal at Beaver Creek too, not to mention the fact it has hosted the World Skiing Championships three times! Award-winning restaurants and luxurious hotels make this destination all the more special.
Niseko, Japan
Based in Hokkaido, Niseko is the number one ski resort in Japan. It is renowned all around the world thanks to the quality and consistency of its powder snow. As well as this, it is known to have an average of around 15m of snow. This means that the conditions are pretty much perfect throughout the season.
Elevation reaches up to 1,308m and there’s a good mixture of terrain available to suit all levels of ability, whether you’re a skier or a snowboarder. In total, there are 69 trails to choose from at Niseko. This includes two terrain parks and 4 separate ski resorts which are connected by 23 lifts and 3 gondolas. The superb winter sports facilities are most definitely matched by the fantastic nightlife scene too – with a whole host of classy bars and restaurants for you to choose from.
Yabuli, China
The largest ski resort in the whole of China which is built on the Yabuli Sun Mountain, this particular location is one of the best skiing venues within the country. For the advanced skiers, there’s the 3,000m alpine piste featuring an 805m vertical drop – the longest in the whole of Asia! This most definitely isn’t for the faint of heart. But, luckily, there’s the 500m gentle slope which is tailor-made for beginners too. In total, there are 11 pistes which are connected by 9 lifts.
What’s more, Yabuli has also hosted a plethora of winter games tournaments over the years. This includes the likes of the 1996 Winter Asian Games, the 2008 National Winter Games, and more. So, you just know that the slopes are most definitely of a high quality at this particular destination! If skiing doesn’t tickle your fancy, or you just fancy something a little different, there’s also a toboggan run, a stating rink, and snowmobile trails!
Gulmarg, India
India probably isn’t the first place that springs to mind when you think of winter sports. But, Gulmarg is without a doubt the leading ski resort within the Asian country. Perfectly placed at a height of 2,600m, this particular destination can be described as a secret that’s just waiting to be discovered. Each year, around 14m of snowfall is pretty much guaranteed – placing it in a similar realm to Niseko in Japan.
The Gulmarg Gondola was set up to travel a distance of almost 3,000m, allowing skiers to reach a heights of up to 3,980m. It might not rival the likes of French and American winter sport destinations, but the spectacular views make a visit to Gulmarg an absolute must for true adventure-seekers.
Yongpyong Ski Resort, South Korea
One of the finest ski resorts in the world, Yongpyong earns itself the title of the biggest skiing and snowboarding destination in Korea. This particular location was put on the map in 2018 after nearby Pyeongchang hosted the Winter Olympics, in which Yongpyong was selected as a site for the Alpine skiing event. So, it just goes to show that it is held in high regard around the world.
In total, there are 28 slopes – all connected by 14 ski lifts and 1 gondola. Amongst the available slopes is the Rainbow slope. This just so happened to be the designated area for the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. The perfect spot for advanced skiers though is without a doubt the Rainbow Paradise course – stretching out to 5,600m in total. However, those who are less advanced will be perfectly suited to the silver zone which features beginner-friendly slopes.
Shymbulak, Kazakhstan
Shymbulak is the largest ski resort which can be found within the region of central Asia, and it’s safe to say that it has come a long way in recent years. A total of seven ski lifts provide access across the resort – with the highest reaching a staggering 3,200m above sea level. Back in 2011, this particular location was chosen to host the Asian Winter Games. Since then, Shymbulak has bid to host the Winter Olympics in 2022. However, it narrowly missed out to Beijing by just four votes.
Across the resort, there is a total of 20 km of slopes. This equates to 4km of easy terrain, 10km of medium terrain, and 6km of difficult terrain. So, it goes without saying that there’s something for everyone at this truly wonderful winter sports destination.
For the particularly adventurous skiers, there’s even night skiing available twice a week throughout the season. This provides the perfect opportunity to get a fix of adrenaline even after the sun has set! Prince Harry even visited Shymbulak back in 2014. So, if it’s good enough for royalty, it’s most definitely a destination to be added to your list!
Coronet Peak, New Zealand
Another destination that you might not think of when it comes to winter sports, Coronet Peak is one of the best skiing destinations in New Zealand – just twenty minutes away from Queenstown. There are 691 acres of slopes at this particular location. This equates to over 40 pistes, all of which are suitable for a range of ages and levels of ability. Quality snow is guaranteed over a long season, and this makes Coronet Peak one of the most visited skiing destinations in New Zealand.
There are 5 ski lifts in total, with each of these providing quick and easy access across the resort. The highest lift reaches 1,649m – with a 462m vertical drop that’s tailor-made for advanced skiers. For the beginners, there is an area which is separate from the main slopes.
Park City Mountain, United States
Based in Utah, Park City Mountain is a true adventure seeker’s paradise. Ever since its opening in 1963, it has been a major tourist attraction for skiers across the United States. The 2002 Winter Olympic games saw men’s and women’s alpine giant slalom events held at Park City. Delightful old buildings and a whole host of restaurants and bars that are full of life ensures that a visit to Park City will be a memorable one.
A staggering 7,300 acres of terrain are at your disposal at Park City too, with a mixture of slopes which are perfect for all levels of ability – in particular intermediate to advanced skiers. The base elevation measures up to 2,103m, while the top elevation stretches out to 3,048m.
Back in 2014, Park City became combined with the Canyons Resort via an interconnect gondola, which as a result created the largest skiing area in the USA. However, it has since been surpassed by Powder Mountain which is around a 90 minute journey away from Park City.
Conclusion
That concludes our Top 10 Winter Sports Destinations in the Rest of the World! We’ve taken a look at some truly spectacular destinations, and we’re pretty tempted to pay a visit to either of them ourselves. Each of our Top 10 makes for the ultimate winter adventure if you’re looking to go further afield than mainland Europe. But, the question remains, which one will you choose?
If you think that Geronigo HQ has missed out your favourite winter sports destination in the rest of the world, let us know in the comments section below or on our Facebook or Twitter pages. Alternatively, you can head straight down to either of our skiing or snowboarding venues right here on home turf. Click the following link to find out more information.