Which country should I choose for my ski trip?

Where should I go skiing?!

"How do I choose which country to go skiing?" "I like this type of skiing...so where should I go?" "There are so many countries with amazing ski slopes, I just can't decide which one to visit!"Finding the right mountain is paramount for an awesome ski trip, but how do you find the right one for you? Well, you take our advice! (of course)

Jokes aside. Every skiing country is unique and it really can be hard to find the place for your needs. The information in this guide will give you a quick insight into finding the country that's best for your skiing skills. We provide insight about what to expect from a trip to a few of the world's most famous skiing nations.

Worlds best skiing countries

1) Switzerland

Switzerland is the best skiing country in the world. (Clearly no bias here).But seriously, Switzerland really is an amazing place to ski. It provides some of the highest skiing in Europe and guarantees some of the most reliable snow conditions in the world. In fact, the Swiss resort of Zermatt is the highest in Europe (3,899m).The Swiss ski resorts are vast and offer terrain that's suitable for skiers of all levels. Nobody will be disappointed with the epic views and buzzing mountain restaurants. The resort towns are lined with a combination of traditional chalets, luxury shops and apres-ski bars.No review of skiing in Switzerland would be complete without mentioning the food. Fondue, raclette, hot chocolate and hot wine. It's lucky you will be skiing all day because you will definitely be consuming far more calories than usual!Switzerland is renowned for being one of the most expensive skiing nations in the world. It's also one of the best, so I guess you get what you pay for! That's why we've worked so hard at Ski Hostel to bring you ski holidays in the world's best mountain nation for a price that's on par with many of the cheapest destinations in Europe!

2) Austria

Alpine skiing is the national sport of Austria. This pretty much tells you everything you need to know about how much this mountainous nation loves skiing!Skiing in Austria is very traditional. The small alpine towns have retained much of their traditional architecture and provide a great destination for families looking for more than just skiing.The picturesque country also has some excellent pistes. The off-piste skiing on offer in some of the larger resorts is excellent and there are plenty of slopes set-up for beginners and families.Austria is known for being more affordable than some of its European neighbors and makes it a great destination for a family ski trip. However, it's worth keeping in mind that many Austrian resorts sit much lower than other nations on this list, so they can be prone to less-ideal snow conditions.

3) France

Anyone looking for endless amounts of skiing will undoubtedly enjoy a trip to the French Alps. It's home to the 6 of the 10 biggest ski resorts in the world, including 'Les 4 Vallees' which boasts a whopping 600km of ski terrain.The lift systems in France are incredibly efficient and connect huge mountain ranges. The resorts tend to have excellent snow conditions thanks to their height and also offer some brilliant views of the surrounding valleys.

Most resorts are very busy and have plenty to offer families, beginners and experienced skiers. What tends to be missing in many of the resorts is tradition, with old chalets often being overshadowed by modern apartment blocks to house the huge influx of tourists.If you're looking to ski as many slopes as possible then France may be the place for you. However, those looking for a bit more culture may be left shortchanged.

5) Japan

Japan is the powder skiing capital of the world. It's a nation that's incredibly diverse, cultured, clean and polite. It's undoubtedly a once in a lifetime' place to go skiing.Japan houses more than 500 individual ski resorts. Most of them have only a handful of ski lifts but have amazing tree skiing and off-piste that means you never run out of fresh tracks.The remote location of many Japanese resorts can make them challenging for tourists to access - especially if you live in Europe! However, those making the long journey will be met with unrivalled powder, polite people, great food and a brilliant experience. Also, any trip to Japan should include a trip to the main island for some sight-seeing. You will certainly want to take the train around the main island to see some temples once your time on the slopes is complete.

6) North America

The USA and Canada are vast countries with a wide variety of ski slopes. Many of the West Coast mountains have exceptional powder skiing, while the East Coast tends to feature very cold temperatures and fast/icy slopes.The snow conditions in the US and Canada are remarkably consistent thanks to high resorts and cold winter temperatures - especially further north! You can visit local ski hills and ski with friendly locals who love to support family run hills, or choose to head to some of the most iconic slopes in the world and experience huge terrain parks, amazing off-piste and brilliant beginner slopes.Customer service is paramount in North American resorts and you can expect some great ski lessons if you're new to the sport. However, keep in mind that every aspect of the experience can be incredibly expensive - especially at the biggest resorts.The resort towns often have great hotels, but accommodation is also possible at the base of most mountains for those also hoping to experience North American city life. Keep in mind that apres-ski is more of a European event, so nightlife is often found in the city rather than the mountain!

Where should I ski if I am a beginner?

My advice is to avoid spending huge amounts of money on visiting the biggest resorts. There is no point in buying a super expensive lift pass for a huge ski area if you're only going to use a handful of slopes!

Sticking to smaller, quieter, more cost effective resorts is best for beginners. You want to avoid the overcrowded/dangerous beginner slopes of the 'fashionable' destinations.You also want to find a place that's easy! Learning to ski is incredibly energy intensive and you don't want to be worn out walking miles to the slopes every day.Beginners often have a fantastic experience visiting Ski Hostel! We provide transfers from the boot room to the ski slope every day so you don't need to make the long and tiring trudge. In addition, we provide you with meals, organise lift passes and take you to only the quietest slopes. I might be biased here, but I truly believe Ski Hostel offers a fantastic beginner experience at a superb price.Head over to the Ski Hostel Website and find out how you can join us on the slopes this winter!

Still can't decide where to ski?

Don't worry, we have got you covered! Feel free to hit the question button below and send us any questions you have about skiing in any of the world's top nations. Our ski team have experienced many of the world's most epic resorts and would be happy to help you find a skiing destination that suits your style.

We hope to see you on the slopes this winter! 🚠

Ski Hostel Team