World's Dreamiest: Alpine Resorts

As many of us now spend our days lounging around indoors we’ve found ourselves daydreaming of the great outdoors –specifically, magnificent mountains blanketed in pearly, white snow. When we get out of this pandemic, traveling may look and feel different for each of us. Long gone are the days of feeling comfortable walking on cobblestone streets surrounded by hundreds of people and the nights of dancing in a sea of people. At least for a little bit. Dipping in and out of local boutiques and charming restaurants where you’re practically sitting on your neighbor’s lap may not be as appealing to you anymore. And if that’s the case for you, then we have good news. We’ve compiled a list of the dreamiest ski resorts in the world, and you’re definitely going to want to check them out.

Romantically-lit towns with snowy, mountainous backdrops? Now that’s what we call dreamy. Photo by Sepp Rutz.

With the holiday season around the corner, we can’t help but fantasize about the enchanting ski villages with views that are worth millions on their own. Not to mention, the luxurious amenities and resources that can be found in most of these beautiful resorts. Days can be spent on the slopes or weaving in and out of the trails, while nights can be spent doing any sort of après ski event. There are simply too many grand mountains in this world, let alone resorts, to mention all that are worthy of this distinction. Here are a few places we’ve been dreaming about for some time. 

St. Moritz, Switzerland. 

Even though these are in no particular order, St. Moritz had to be addressed first. Situated on the Upper Engadine Lakes, close to the Italian and Austrian borders, St. Moritz is the oldest winter holiday resort. It is the definition of elegance. But if that’s not convincing enough, the sun makes sure to shine 320 days a year. The sun will make the snow sparkle like everything else in the resort! Don’t worry if downhill skiing isn’t up your alley, there are many other options. Options like cross-country skiing, snowboarding, ski jumping, ice climbing, polo on ice, cricket on ice, horse racing on ice, and so much more are what makes St. Moritz such a popular destination. We recommend looking into Badrutt’s Palace Hotel, Kulm Hotel St. Moritz, and Carlton Hotel St. Moritz. Michelin-starred restaurants are not rare to come by in the area. And, if you’re looking for activities après ski, consider looking into a saltwater grotto treatment!

The powder? Glistening. The slopes? Amazing. The views? Breathtaking. Photo by Lance Anderson.

Whistler-Blackcomb, Canada.

How could you resist a ski resort that looks as charming as this? Photo by Morgan Thompson.

This four-season resort is located north of Vancouver and consists of two side-by-side mountains, accounting for the hyphenated name. The two peaks are linked together by a gondola that offers divine views from above the valley. It’s the largest ski resort in Canada with 200 km of slopes and 50 km of ski routes accessible by 23 lifts. The diversity of difficulty levels makes this the perfect place for skiers from all backgrounds and experience. The Blackcomb side consists of many rungs along the fall-line, meaning you probably won’t have to deal with losing all speed and having to hike back out. On the contrary, Whistler is the prime location if snow-dusted trees and glistening powder appeal to you.

With the winter season extending deep into May here, guests are able to enjoy the slopes even in the beginning of the summer! The world-class terrain that Whistler-Blackcomb is notorious for is not the only appeal of this mountain, though. The dining is fine, the breweries and pubs are numerous, and the dancing and live music will not disappoint. 

Zermatt, Switzerland.

This is every skiers’ dream destination, but not because it’s the highest or hardest mountain in Switzerland. Instead, skiers love this resort for having the greatest vertical drop in the country. Skiing here is divided into four areas: Sunnegga, Gornergrat, Klein Matterhorn, and Schwarzsee. There is a connection to Cervinia and Valtournenche in the Italian Alps. Matterhorn is the main peak when referring to Zermatt skiing. Something about the aura and elegance of Matterhorn makes it a must-see mountain for winter sports enthusiasts and après ski lovers all alike. It’s so beautiful because there isn’t a singular side that attracts visitors, the whole mountain is an attraction in and of itself. Because Matterhorn is perched in the heavens with an altitude of 3,899 m, the runs are sure to be snowy. 

As far as your appetite should be concerned, no need to fret. With more than 40 restaurants speckled around the slopes, Zermatt is the food capital of the Alps–and that’s saying something! One thing to note if making travel plans to this dreamy village is that it is entirely pedestrian, meaning comfortable walking attire is necessary. Horses and carriages saunter up and down the cobblestone streets making it feel more like a fairytale land than anything else. The recommended time to make the trip is in April because the days are much longer, allowing for more time on the powdery peaks. 

Lech, Austria.

This resort is fit for a princess, and we know that for a fact–Princess Diana brought her two sons here in ‘91 on their first ski trip. This posh resort town receives close to twice as much the amount of snow as comparable resorts in France. Regardless of the snowfall temptation, no need to worry about a dangerously overwhelming number of skiers on the slopes. It was also the first European resort to limit a maximum of 14,000 day passes annually. This keeps the slopes serene and peaceful. While it may be known for the affluent socialites and business gurus, Lech has accommodations for the less-splurgy types and solo travelers as well. Lech also remains the sole leading ski resort that has imposed significant restrictions on building capacity. This is in efforts to hold on to the originality and history of the village. It’s certainly rejuvenating to travel somewhere that is full of culture and authenticity. Lech may be a difficult resort to get to, but the journey is part of the charm and most definitely worth it!

Aspen, Colorado.

Located in the great Rockies, radiating under the sun is a beautiful valley called Aspen. An incredible destination for adventurous skiers along with beginners, Aspen is perched 8,000 feet above sea level. Essentially, it’s four ski areas in one incredible resort: Aspen, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass. In comparison to the other names on this list, Aspen Mountain itself is relatively quite small. Don’t be too quick to judge though, because it’s just one of four in the resort. Combined, Aspen Snowmass resorts offer 5,303 acres of powder with 336 marked trails. Buttermilk is legendary for its parks and hosting the ESPN Winter X Games. If jumps and pipes tempt you, Buttermilk is calling your name. 

There are also numerous options situated above the clouds to dine and drink. The resort is dotted with opulent hotels and unreal views. Infamous for their spas, St. Regis Aspen and Hotel Jerome offer the perfect solutions to wind down après ski–or, instead of. Look into a hot stone massage, oxygen lounge, steam caves and more. Aspen didn’t get its lovely reputation for nothing! 

This list mentioned a few of our favourites, but barely broke the tip of the iceberg of divine ski resorts around the globe. Share your favourite alpine resorts for après ski activities with us @theedgemag! 

Featured image by Sepp Rutz, found here.

We do not own any of the images found in this article.