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The French ski scene is competitive, to say the least, from Mont-Blanc in Chamonix to Courchevel. But Val d’Isère is worth the spot on your bucket list for its traditional charm, 90 ski lifts, and seemingly endless off-piste options. Located in the French Alps near the border with Italy, this European resort has an experience for everyone, whether you’re bringing the whole family or looking for a romantic getaway, thanks to its over 186 miles of terrain. Among its many miles, Val d’Isère has plenty of dining options, such as Dick’s Tea Bar, as well as other fun experiences like ice skating and tobogganing.
Deer Valley, Utah
View of Deer Valley resort in Park City ski area during winter in the Wasatch Mountains near Salt Lake City, UtahRyan Tishken
Deer Valley has been a hit for every one of its 43 years of existence. Created explicitly to bring a more luxurious experience than the (then still mostly gnarly) ski-grom life, at Deer Valley, you don’t huck your skis across muddy parking lots on your shoulder: You hand them off to the smiling and well-dressed ski valets, who store them for you for free. And it’s all done without sacrificing anything in the way of stunning terrain.
Recently, though, the resort announced that they’d be taking over vast amounts of new, adjacent, skiable terrain, more than doubling its size—and the project is a year ahead of schedule, meaning that this year there are an additional 20 ski runs, six bubble lifts, and three chair lifts. Deer Valley East Village, as the new expansion is dubbed, also features a new base town. With all of this, the resort—similar to an upscale boutique in terms of terrain and service—has now become one of the largest in the country. One thing that isn’t changing, though? The meticulous quality (not to mention the immense quantity) of the snow—credit is due here to the specific Alpine terroir of Utah’s Wasatch Range—which ranks among the absolute best that can be found anywhere in the world: It’s flaky and fluffy while still managing to retain some substance. And it’s magic.
As for where to stay? The Stein Eriksen Lodge is the gold standard here—arguably the best ski hotel in the country, modeled after the grand ski lodges of Europe and encompassing everything from incredible food and wine, to an unforgettable spa (start with their signature Sea to Ski treatment), pools, child care, easy shuttles into Park City for more exploring, shopping, eating, and/or drinking.
St. Moritz, Switzerland
Francesco Meroni
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