Top 5 Winter Resorts in Europe and North America

What makes a good winter resort destination? For many it all comes down to the skiing or snowboarding. Fresh Powder, manicured slopes, plenty of trails; there are a lot of criteria that go into determining what a good location is. But what about the Après-ski? Are you looking for a vibrant nightlife, or do you want a nice hot spa to sooth the muscles so you can be ready to hit the slopes again the next day? VIP Upgrades has taken a look at some of the best winter resort destinations. Did your favourite spot not make the list? let us know what you think in the comments below, or by e-mailing us: contact@vipupgrades.com.

1. Whistler Blackcomb

Forbes ranks this the number 3 destination for skiing this year in North America, we tend to agree with their assessment that it should make the top 10 list. At 8,178 acres this two-mountain resort hosted events for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics and offers a multitude of slopes to explore for all skill levels.

2. Vail

A Colorado staple, Vail is set to offer the ultimate in skiing and luxury. Favourite among luxury vacation seekers, Vail Resorts seeks to ever further raise the bar in winter destination standards. Utilizing the latest in technology, and taking advantage of its parent company’s size Vail is one of the innovators in ski resorts.

3. Lech

Favourite among European Royalty, Lech is one of Europe’s prime ski resorts. Voted #1 by Condé Nast readers this resort offers world class accommodation and best-in-class skiing. There are a plethora of five-star hotels to choose from, leaving the discerning traveller plenty of options.

4. Zermatt

Boasting some of the highest altitude ski runs in Europe, Zermatt can offer the winter sport fanatic some excellent skiing well after other resorts start to wind down. Located in the beautiful Swiss Alps, the town lies at the foot of the famous Matterhorn and offers some of Europe’s finest Après-Ski hotspots.

5. Alta

Just outside of Salt Lake City, Utah, Alta is one of the US’ oldest ski resorts and has been a favourite among skiers ever since. Best for Intermediate skiers, the mountain offers a reasonably priced alternative to some of the larger resorts.