The Best Ski Resorts to Book in 2026

Hear ye, hear ye, the European ski season has officially opened. Thanks to an early dumping of snow and a spell of sub-zero temperatures, the pistes have been bashed, sculpted, and shaped, ready for the 2026 powder hounds. To help you navigate where you should ski, we’ve created a guide to the best resorts around the world. Be it slope-side ramen in Japan or a classic raclette in France, we’ve got your next skiing holiday sorted.

Gstaad, Switzerland

There is something inherently romantic about wintering in the mountains. The snow-capped peaks that appear to be dusted in icing sugar, the towering triangular trees protruding from the wintry mountainscape, could be straight out of an August Wilhelm Leu painting. Gstaad, the Swiss resort long-beloved by the ultra-glamorous and, of course, the ultra-wealthy, is a staple for any seasoned skier. High-end boutiques line the streets — think Loro Piana, Hermès and Moncler on the main promenade in town — as well as upscale food stores and European delis.

On the subject of food, the restaurants scene is second to none. There’s La Fromagerie at Gstaad Palace, which offers Chinese, Champagne and truffle fondues, Bergrestaurant Eggli up the mountain, which, alongside sensational views, offers a smorgasbord of regional plates, and Sommet, run out of The Alpina by Chef Martin Göschel, for Michelin-star gourmet French dining with an international flair. To stay, Le Grand Bellevue gets the SPHERE stamp of approval. This fairytale Wes Anderson-esque building houses not only suites framed with 100-year-old wooden beams and with panoramic views, but also all the bells and whistles you could imagine. These go beyond the standard in-house ski shop, spa, or cigar lounge. We’re talking padel courts, a private cinema, and even the option for yodelling lessons.

Big Sky, Montana, USA

Yellowstone fans will be well acquainted with Big Sky. And believe it or not, the national park, named for its expansive landscape and open plains, looks even better in the winter — even without Kevin Costner on a horse. One of the largest ski areas in the US, with over 5,800 acres of snow fields, sites like Old Faithful geyser, and herds of bison, Big Sky is a vast and cinematic wilderness.

In a coup for those with a taste for the finer things in life and a milestone for One & Only, Moonlight Basin marks the first US outpost for the luxury hotel group. Opened just recently, it’s a secluded space that offers a full immersion in nature while delivering the best quality service a guest could ask for. Bar taking your ski boots off for you, your assigned resort “host” will take care of your every need. We suggest staying in one of the glass-front freestanding cabins where you can watch the local wildlife swan by your room from the comfort of your own bed. Just a short trudge in the snow will also have you enjoying the culinary stylings from Michelin-starred Chef and ex-pro snowboarder Akira Back in his eponymous restaurant.

Tröllaskagi, Iceland

There’s more to Iceland than the Northern lights sightings, the Golden Circle, and the Blue Lagoon — although, admittedly, that’s quite a draw. It’s not an obvious choice for skiing because, despite the abundance of snow, there’s a significant lack of pistes and chair lifts. For the more adventurous among you, that should not be a deterrent. Enter the Spring Icelandic heli-skiing season.

At the very edge of the Arctic Circle on Iceland’s northern coast is Tröllaskagi — a peninsula isolated by rugged mountains, untouched rivers, and pounding surf. This is home to Deplar Farm, the 15th-century sheep farm restored as a luxury boutique lodge with living grass roofs and floor-to-ceiling windows framing the truly magnificent views of the Fljót Valley. Deplar Farm offers many adventurous expeditions, one of course being heli-skiing, where they arrange for guests to maximise the extended daylight hours by flying them to the top of the surrounding mountainous expanse and guiding them all the way down the valley. As Iceland is, after all, an island, this means you’ll be skiing from summit to sea – where else in the world can you say that is possible?

Cortina d'Ampezzo, The Dolomites

Those in the know will be well aware that much of this year’s Winter Olympics is to be hosted in the UNESCO-protected Italian Dolomites. Those also in the know will be well-acquainted with the fact that it’s home to one of the latest AMAN openings. Situated in Cortina d'Ampezzo, which featured in the 1981 James Bond, For Your Eyes Only, it’s a chic mountain outpost perfect for those who aspire to look like the Prada-clad Italians swirling spaghetti on their forks on a sunny terrace in the snow. Transformed from a family-run hotel, the AMAN Rosa Alpina retains the informal feeling of its origins, mixed with the typical elegance you can expect from an AMAN. The ski butler is a lovely and very useful touch, as are the fireplaces in every room. Standout features include the private cinemas to which you can directly order pizza and, of course, the two pools.

As expected, you’ll eat well on this particular ski trip. Technically in the Tyrol region, it’s an Austro-Italian culinary situation — Wiener Schnitzels and truffle pasta galore. SPHERE favourites include SanBrite, which only has a few tables and is elegantly decorated with recycled old wood, and Tivoli which sports a panoramic terrace and blends top-quality ingredients from the region with the freshest fish from nearby Venice and Chioggia.

Niseko, Japan

Perhaps less known in European circles, but Niseko is a world-renowned Japanese ski resort on Hokkaido island. Famed for its abundance of light and dry powder and the reason behind its nickname — Japow — Niseko is more than snow-sure, so make sure to pack your fat skis. It’s also an area known for its noodles, which is perfect, as there is nothing more comforting than coming in from the cold and being met with a comforting, brothy bowl of ramen. The best in the area can be found at Ramen Nakama, a local favourite of Rakuichi Soba, once the feature of Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations documentary. Kamimura, however, is the most desirable table in town with chef Yuichi Kamimura’s Michelin star serving as visiting foodies’ north star. The Japanese-French fusion is the epitome of umami indulgence and the tasting menu is second to none.

For your base, Higashiyama Niseko Village, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, is an obvious choice. Not only can you rent all your ski kit directly from the hotel — everything from gloves to jackets and salopettes. The rooms are each designed to reflect the surrounding natural beauty while remaining true to the typical extravagance of the Ritz. The spa is an absolute highlight and true to its name, Chasi, which translates from Niseko’s indigenous language to mean sanctuary. The private hot spring onsens give precisely the healing care you need after a long day’s ski.

Val d’Isère, France

We’re under no false pretences that Val d’Isère is a quaint little chocolate-box skiing town. As part of one of the largest ski areas in Europe, Le Trois Vallées, it certainly attracts a lot of people. And for good reason. Experienced skiers can expect an expanse of expertly carved slopes, as well as a decent off-piste offering  — the brave among you will thrive off the thrill Le Banane or Col Pers runs. But it’s the overall reliability of the area that is its big pull. For one, it’s totally snow-sure given both the altitude of the resort and the huge artificial snow infrastructure.  Also, and perhaps more important for the fair-weather skiers, the dining, nightlife, and hotel scene is excellent.

Les Barmes de L’Ours is situated slightly away from the main drag and given how popular the resort is, is no bad thing. The name translates literally to mean “the bear’s den”, which tells you exactly what you need to know about the hotel’s vibe. Decked out in proper alpine materials courtesy of cabinetmaker and poet (how French!) Christophe Mattis, it has the chalet feel while maintaining the decadence of a hotel. Three restaurants, covering everything from Michelin-starred Savoie cuisine to rotisserie comforts, those post-ski weary legs don’t need to travel far for a good meal.

Whistler, Canada

The snow in Whistler was once described by a friend as the “Champagne of snow”. I was quickly told thereafter that if you haven’t experienced it firsthand, you’ve never properly skied. As the best ski resort in North America, there is absolutely some truth in that. Not least because, as is sometimes the case in North America, everything is bigger. Bigger runs, bigger peaks, bigger wipeouts — though obviously not for our expert SPHERE skiers.

Staying in Whistler village itself is a must, and there’s nowhere better than the Four Seasons. Nestled at the base of Whistler Backcomb, it’s premised on the principles of wilderness and wellness. With some of the largest rooms in the village with some of the best views in all of British Columbia, you’ll be more than comfortable. Let’s not forget how good those Four Seasons beds are. The dedicated ski concierge also delivers the utmost comfort and will shuttle to and from the lifts so you’ll barely have to carry your own skis. 

Crans-Montana, Switzerland

Swiss skiing is so synonymous with Verbier, thanks to its nickname as the Sloane Square of the slopes. But its quieter cousin Crans-Montana is an equally good option, and one which has breathtaking views of Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn. With over 140 km of south-facing runs, it’s perfectly primed for many a blue-bird ski day. It also happens to be home to some of the best freestyle parks in Europe, so if you fancy dusting off your triple-double-back wheeler in the half pipe, here’s the place to do it.

For the ultimate convenience of ski-in and ski-out, just off the Chetzeron red slope sits the Six Senses Crans Montana. While its prime position is enough of a draw in and of itself, it’s the rooftop pool, Biohack Recovery Lounge, and on-call chef that will have you reaching to make the reservation. The rooms are designed to mimic traditional Swiss chalets — all natural materials and a light and airy feel — and each features a cloud-comfy bed built to restore tired limbs after a hard day on the piste.