The highest ski resorts in the world

When we think about the highest ski resorts in the world, it’s natural your mind would go to the Alps, the North American Rockies, AKA, the big ones! But while Europe, Canada, Japan, and the US all receive some of the highest snowfall levels in the world, you might be surprised to know that some of the highest peaks actually live outside the US and Europe.

From the mythic northern mountains of China to the highlands of Chile, from the plateaus of the Indian Himalayas, to the volcanic Russian Caucasus, these resorts aren’t on the beaten path, but they serve up the highest altitude terrain on the planet.

After some serious digging, we’ve rounded up the highest resorts from each country to give you an idea of where you can ride at the top of the world — so take a deep breath because the air’s about to get very thin around here! And if you need a warm ski jacket or a pair of ski pants to tackle these insane altitudes, check out our range of mountain-tested ski jackets and ski pants.

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Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, China

If you find yourself in the Yunnan Province of Northern China and have your skis or board with you, then venture out to the legendary Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. This towering Massif overlooks the town of Lijiang and is home to the highest ski resort in the world. 

It’s actually just a pair of tourist-focused gondolas that take you to viewing platforms. But still, getting to ride at 4,700 meters is likely to make you light-headed — literally – from a lack of oxygen.

From these platforms, it is possible to hop the chain (as you would at the Aiguille Du Midi on Mont Blanc) and ride down. However, conditions are variable, the snow ungroomed and unpatrolled, and the terrain treacherous. Still, some do, which makes this the highest resort in the world – official or not!

Gulmarg, India

Gulmarg Ski Resort in India is the highest ‘official’ resort in operation. It beats Breckenridge in Colorado to the punch by just 200 feet! Located on the high slopes of the massive Mt. Apharwat (4,124 meters) and offering up to 1,330 meters of vertical descent, Gulmarg boasts the title of the highest lift-accessible terrain in the world. 

The village is small, with just 730 residents, and it’s been a ski resort since 1927. Back then, it was established as a hill station for wealthy tourists and the British elite during their Indian occupation.

Now, it’s still a relatively compact resort with just three lifts, but they cover 1,300 meters vertically! And with the resort lying just 52 kilometers from Srinagar, Kashmir’s state capital, it’s fairly accessible. Well, sort of!

Breckenridge, USA

The highest ‘big’ resort on our list is the legendary Breck in Colorado, which stretches to a mighty 3,914 meters! Breckenridge is the highest Colorado resort and one of the most expansive. It covers nearly 3,000 acres, is serviced by 35 lifts, offers 187 marked trails, and has a vertical drop of 3,398 feet. All of this makes it a mecca for skiers and boarders alike.

Colorado is home to numerous tall resorts, all of which top 3,500 meters. Combine that with its geographical location and the fact that it gets over 30 feet of snow a year across many hills, and it’s no wonder it commands one of the best reputations for overall resort quality in the world.

While Breckenridge is certainly the ‘tallest’, it’s also very well known, and pretty busy! Make sure not to miss Keystone, Loveland, Arapahoe Basin, Telluride, Aspen Snowmass, and Copper for those high altitude thrills … or just hop across the state boarder and hit Taos or Santa Fé in New Mexico, both of which top 3,600 m at their peaks!

Zermatt, Switzerland

Zermatt in Switzerland is home to the Matterhorn, possibly the most famous peak on the planet, thanks to Toblerone! And the riding, of course. 

Part of the Breuil-Cervinia resort trio, the self-proclaimed ‘Europe’s Highest Resort’ features an extensive lift network, rideable area, and resort infrastructure. With 54 lifts, including gondolas, cable cars, a mountain railway, six, five, and four-person chairs, magic carpets, T-Bars, and buttons, getting around this snowy goliath is no problem.

The 322 kilometers of marked pistes will be enough to please anyone. Plus, with touring, heli-skiing, and plenty of freeride (and freestyle) opportunities, Zermatt is not only the ‘highest’ European resort but also one of the most comprehensive – and probably the best.

Tochal, Iran

Iran might not be the first place to come to mind when thinking about riding. Still, several resorts take advantage of the high altitudes offered by this Middle Eastern country. 

Located just outside Tehran (gondola accessed!), Tochal offers skiing from 1,900 meters up to 3,850 meters! With no snowmaking, you might think that coverage would be sparse, but thanks to the insane altitude, winter lasts seven months here. 

You’ll need to take a seven-kilometer gondola ride to reach the resort. Once there, you’ll only have access to two groomed runs. But if you know where to go, you can hike a little and then freeride to the valley bottom, linking in with the Dizin, Shemshak, or Darbandsar resorts thousands of meters below.

Mount Elbrus, Russia

Blisteringly cold and staggeringly tall, Mount Elbrus is actually the tallest mountain in Europe — sorry, Mont Blanc. Standing at 5,642 meters, riding is available here all year round via private snowcats. It practically takes you to the summit, making Mt. Elbrus the highest riding point – possibly in the entire world! 

However, the resort only offers lift access to a measly 3,847 meters. Offering just 16 kilometers of groomed runs, Mt Elbrus is known more for its freeriding and extensive backcountry terrain.

Situated in the Western Caucasus range, this dormant volcano is one of the world's Seven Summits.

Valle Nevado, Chile

Valle Nevado is not only one of the highest resorts in the world but also the largest ski resort in the southern hemisphere! With a season running from June to October, it gets a pretty respectable three to five meters of snow per year. This snow stays light, fluffy, and rideable longer than most Chilean resorts, thanks to the staggering altitude. 

Inspired by French ski resorts, Valle Nevado has a modern infrastructure with 10 lifts, 40 kilometers of groomed slopes, and an 810-meter vertical! The Andes are to thank for these big numbers, with the tallest peak (Aconcagua) stretching to 6,961 meters (22,838 feet!) – a full 2,000 vertical meters taller than Mont Blanc.

So, you’d have to take Val Thorens (Europe’s highest base station at 2,300 meters) and put that on top of the Alps’ tallest mountain just to reach the peak of the Andes.

Vallecitos, Argentina

Vallecitos may not be large or well known. Still, it’s the tallest ski resort in Argentina, coming just behind Valle Nevado with an even higher base elevation at 3,000 meters! Six lifts service just four kilometers of slopes. However, the altitude makes snow light and fluffy with a solid snowfall record. 

There’s not much in the way of infrastructure here. But, there’s plenty of freeriding for the intrepid explorer.

Located just outside Las Vegas, Argentina (yep, that’s correct!) and a little west of Mendoza, Vallecitos may not be worth the pilgrimage unless you’re already in the area. But that doesn’t make its stats any less exciting to behold!

Wrapping up

There you have it. The highest resorts in the world! Sadly, some spectacular ski destinations didn’t make the list here but once existed. 

These include Dagu Glacier in China, which had a rope tow running as high as 4,843 meters (15,889 feet); the mythical Maoke Mountains resort in Papua New Guinea, which had a couple of glacial rope tows at 4,800 meters (supposedly!); and the nose-bleed inducing Mérida resort in Venezuela, which closed down due to economic strife, getting you to a lofty 4,766 meters. All three would have beaten the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain for the crown.

This list also doesn’t include the dozens of Colorado and other US resorts that reach the upper limits of 3,000 meters. However, we wanted to include resorts from around the world to give an idea of what’s beyond the horizon. 

Of course, this list isn’t exhaustive, and who knows, maybe, as you read this, some nut-case is out there on the upper slopes of Annapurna with a snow shovel, digging in the footings for a rope tow. We can always dream!

Did we miss any resorts, or do you want to know more about any of the ones featured here? Let us know!

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