The slopes are calling. For those living in a tropical city like Hong Kong where snowfall is an impossible dream, it comes as no surprise to see a travel itinerary packed with wintry destinations. Plus, the Beijing Winter Olympics in early 2022 seems to have ignited an even stronger passion for winter sports, including skiing and snowboarding. As we near the end of travel restrictions in Hong Kong, it is time to say hello again to white winters.
Japan
Japan is undoubtedly one of the most beloved ski destinations among Hongkongers and needs little introduction. The northernmost Hokkaido Prefecture is particularly ideal for skiing, as the cold climate, abundant snowfall, and rich topographical diversity culminate in a long ski season with high-quality powder snow.
A two-hour drive from Chitose Airport will take you to Niseko, the ski capital of Hokkaido. Comprised of four resorts on the 1,308-metre Niseko Annupuri Mountain, the Niseko United ski area boasts over 2,100 acres of terrain and slopes as well as backcountry trails. Ski season usually lasts from early December to early May, while the best time to hit the slopes is January and February, when you can expect plentiful powder snow.
In the past few years, luxury resorts have rushed to open their doors in Niseko, such as Park Hyatt and the Ritz-Carlton Reserve, while an all-villa Aman is set to open in the near future, further cementing Niseko as a much-coveted ski destination.
Switzerland
When it comes to skiing in Europe, few destinations can rival the Alps, the extensive mountain range that stretches across eight countries from east to west in continental Europe. Notably, over half of the 82 “alpine four-thousanders”—mountains reaching a peak of 4,000 metres or above—are located in Switzerland or sit on its border. It has not only created some of the world’s most breathtaking sceneries, but also makes it a paradise for skiers.
In Switzerland, there’s no shortage of ski resorts; Zermatt, Davos, St Moritz, Gstaad, Verbier, and Titlis are also among the A-listers. Remarkably, the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise that lies between Zermatt and Breuil-Cervinia of Italy is the highest ski resort in Europe at an altitude of about 3,883 metres. It boasts a total of 360 kilometres of blue, red, black, and yellow runs representing all difficulty levels. Experienced skiers can also challenge the longest ski slope in Europe, with the downhill run from Matterhorn Glacier Paradise to the Zermatt village being over 25 kilometres long.
France
With the Alps lying to the southeast of the country, France is another ski hotspot in Europe. The “Hexagon” country has the world’s largest ski area located in Les Trois Vallées in the southeastern Savoie department, offering the highest number of interconnected runs open in Europe with 339 pistes making up 600 kilometres of slopes. Over 85 percent of the runs in the area are set at a height of 1,800 metres or above.
The whole area is made up of seven resorts connected via mountain ridges at altitudes of over 2,000 metres. The most notable ones include Méribel Val, Thorens, and the famed Courchevel, which has the reputation of being the world’s most luxurious ski resort with a three-Michelin-starred restaurant and luxury ski chalets and accommodations—this Cheval Blanc hotel is a ski-in, ski-out resort just nestled above the Courchevel 1850 village.
Other worthwhile ski areas situated along the French Alps include Val d’Isère, Tignes, and Chamonix at the France-Italy-Switzerland border to the north of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps.
But winter sports in France is not just about the French Alps. The Pyrenees that form a natural border between France and Spain in the south, the Vosges in the northeast, and the nearby Jura Mountains also add to the skiing scene in France.
Austria
Austria recalls memories of Vienna, the world-renowned “Capital of Music,” but the city is also home to the “Capital of the Alps.” In fact, as much as 62 percent of Austria’s total area is covered by the Alps, and this allows the country to boast some of the top-rated ski resorts in the world.
Particularly, Innsbruck, located in the western state of Tirol, is home to over 80 ski areas and around 3,400 kilometres of skiable terrain. Nestled in a broad valley between high mountains, Innsbruck is a major winter sports hub with 13 ski resorts around, offering a total of around 308 kilometres of snow-sure pistes.
Among them, Stubaier Gletscher has Austria’s largest glacial skiing area and is a free-ride heaven with many off-piste powder descents, while Kühtai, located at an altitude of 2,020 metres, is Austria’s highest ski resort. Nordkette is another ski paradise that is home to the Karrinne, a steep ski run with a 70-degree gradient for pure adrenalin. For a break, kick back on sun loungers at 2,000 metres above sea level, which promises a magnificent city view.
No matter where you go, after a day of skiing, there’s always Austria’s unique and lively après-ski scene—the social activities after hitting the slopes. With rustic huts, clubs, traditional cuisine, and music festivals, Austria has a lot to offer.
Canada
From the Rocky Mountains in the west, the Canadian Shield in the north, to the Laurentian Mountains in the east, Canada has a mountainous terrain, which, with abundant snowfall in winter, makes it an easy ski destination in North America. From Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia, Lake Louise in Alberta, Blue Mountain near Toronto, to Mont Tremblant in Quebec, you’re not short on choices when it comes to fabulous ski resorts.
Located 120 kilometres north of Vancouver, Whistler Blackcomb is the largest ski area in North America with 8,171 acres of skiable terrains. The area is made up of two side-by-side mountains—Whistler and Blackcomb—offering more than 200 marked runs, 16 alpine bowls, and three glaciers together. And the two mountains are connected by the Guinness World Record-breaking Peak 2 Peak Gondola at 436 metres above the valley floor, the world’s highest lift of its kind.
Expect an array of luxurious experiences across lodging, activities, and transportation here. Among them, the signature Whistler Heli-Skiing is not to be missed. A helicopter ride takes you on a day trip to an exclusive tenure that spans 432,000 acres of big mountain terrain, where you can ski freely between gladed trees, on open bowls, and across glaciers as if you are on your private piste. The area—50 times the size of Whistler Blackcomb—is home to 173 glaciers and 475 runs. Alternatively, powderhounds can go for an exclusive ski or snowboard lesson with an Olympian, including Ashleigh McIvor, the first gold medal winner of women’s ski cross at the 2010 Winter Olympics. The lesson can be done as a private one-on-one session.
US
With the Rocky Mountains extending southwards to the US, we arrive at Montana. The “Treasure State” has a long list of skiing options, including the famous Big Sky Resort perched high at an altitude of 4,350 vertical feet in the upper Rocky Mountains area where snowfall is plentiful. Opening every winter on Thanksgiving Day as a tradition, the resort boasts 5,850 skiable acres where cold smoke snow follows you on a fresh-powder run.
If you prefer to stay away from the crowds, then the Yellowstone Club, located not too far away from Big Sky, is definitely your destination of choice. This 15,200-acre exclusive community is home to 2,900 acres of ski trails and an 18-hole mountain golf course open only to its private members.
South of Montana, Wyoming is not short of ski spots, either. The acclaimed Jackson Hole is best known for its challenging slopes and terrain variety that delight skilled skiers. 90 percent of the resort’s 130 trails are expert and intermediate level, so it’s time to test your mettle. If you are experienced enough, challenge the legendary Corbet’s Couloir; surrounded by huge rock walls on three sides, this double black diamond chute has a steep 45-degree pitch.
Also a ski haven, the western Colorado state is blessed with 300 days of annual sunshine, a long snowy season with record snowfalls, and alpine mountains—no wonder it’s one of the most popular ski destinations in the States. A highly sought-after winter resort complex in Colorado, Aspen Snowmass covers over 5,500 acres of terrain across four adjacent mountains near the towns of Aspen and Snowmass Village. The integrated destination comprises the beginner- and family-friendly Buttermilk with a recently renovated base area, as well as Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, and Snowmass, which are more suitable for intermediate and advanced skiers. Notably, this winter season will see the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup scheduled for 3–5 March 2023 with the return of America’s Downhill course on Aspen Mountain.
The ski resort also attracts culture-seeking travellers with its vivid art scene. The unique Art in Unexpected Places (ArtUP) programme, now in its 18th year, brings revered artists to Aspen to connect with local and global communities through installations, workshops, lectures, and on-mountain experiences. This winter season, Chicago-born artist Rashid Johnson will have his works featured on the lift tickets and on a limited collection of skis available at the retail store Aspenx in downtown Aspen, while Mexican artist Jose Dávila will also have his art installation displayed in the resort.
Located to the northeast of Aspen Snowmass, Beaver Creek is another popular ski attraction in Colorado, home to the famous Birds of Prey downhill ski run that top athletes compete in. Its curated, unique experiences—for example, the Winter Wine Excursions that feature a guided snowshoe tour and wine pairing—are among its many attractions during the ski season every year.
