We have climbed to great heights to show you the highest ski resorts in the world. Join us on this virtual tour in which we will show you the highest snow-capped mountains in the world that are equipped for the enjoyment of alpine skiing and snowboarding.
We will pass through Europe, Asia, North Africa, South Africa, Russia, the Middle East, South America and many other idyllic places where you can spend an unforgettable experience in the snow.
Ready to discover the tallest resorts in the world? Well let’s go!
Table of Contents
The highest ski resort in Europe
Val Thorens 2,300 m – 3,000 m
Val Thorens is the highest ski resort in France, but also in Europe. It belongs to the famous 3 Valleys ski area and is one of the most international and famous resorts in the world. Since its inception in 1972, it has always been committed to maintaining its leadership position.
Val Thorens has more than 25,000 tourist beds and 86 ski slopes. The 600 km of slopes of the 3 valleys connect the stations of Courchevel, Tania, Brides-les-Bains, Méribel, Saint-Martin, Les Menuires and crowning the entire domain, Val Thorens. A ski resort steeped in history, as you can see in the following video:
The French resort invests annually in modern equipment to meet the requirements of the most demanding skiers.
Not surprisingly, in 1982 the management company SETAM launched itself into the construction project of the largest cable car in the world at that time: the Caron summit cable car. This construction comfortably allows skiers to reach 3,200 meters of altitude. A colossus in the mountains that offers the general public one of the most formidable views of the French Alps.
The village of Val -Thorens is situated at an altitude of 2,300 meters, in the La Tarentaise valley. The effects of such altitude are noticeable, especially during the first night at the station.
The highest ski resort in North Africa
Oukaïmeden 2,600 m – 3,200 m
Oukaïmeden is the highest ski resort in Africa. It is located on the Ourika road, just over 50 kilometers from Marrakech. Here you can enjoy the Moroccan beaches and impressive slopes, offered by this ski resort located in the heart of the Atlas. You can ski from December to April, and the slopes are suitable for all l levels of skier.
As you can see in the image, the presence of donkeys pulling bales is common. Oukaïmeden is a ski resort with a rural touch that makes the difference and the experience.
The lack of infrastructure makes the Oukaïmeden ski resort an ideal destination to spend a day in the snow. From Marrakech it takes an hour’s journey by bus or private car. If you want to enjoy a stay in Oukaïmeden you can get a basic two-star accommodation in Imlil or Sidi Faress. Both towns are less than 70km from Oukaïmeden but you would have to invest 2 hours of travel just to get to the slopes.
The highest ski resort in South Africa
Tifindell 2,720 m – 2,900 m
Tifindell is one of the few ski resorts in South Africa. Few options are available to ski lovers in this “exotic” country where skiing is not necessarily the national sport. The time you have between safari excursions is enough to let you enjoy Tiffindell Station. Located at 2,720 meters above sea level, it is situated on one of the slopes of Ben McDhui Peak, which is the highest peak in the Eastern Cape province (3,001 meters).
Although the climate remains warm throughout the year and snowfall is relatively rare, skiing is possible thanks to the many snow cannons that guarantee snow on the days they’re needed.
Lastly, if you are going to ski in the southern hemisphere, it is preferable to book in advance for the months of June, July and August. The complex only has 150 tourist beds and is a destination that is growing in notoriety, in spite of its very limited infrastructure.
The highest ski resort in Russia
Elbrus 1,500 m – 5,642 m
Elbrus, is a ski resort located in southern Russia, in the Russian republic of Kabardino-Balkaria. Its peculiarity is that it is located in an inactive subduction volcano (like the Etna ski resort) with two peaks. Elbrus has many glaciers due to its high-altitude. This is the highest point of the Caucasus mountain range (6,533 meters), it is the highest mountain in Europe and far exceeds the altitude of the famous Mont Blanc. The base of the ski resort is located at 1,500 meters and its culminating point, reaches 5,633 m.
On a clear day Its location allows you to see the Caspian Sea. The flora and fauna are also exceptional, and it is not uncommon to see a few brown bears or lynxes.
The highest ski resort in the Middle East
Dizin 2,750 m – 3,600 m
Dizin is located in Iran and is an internationally recognized ski resort. The international notoriety is due to the excellent quality of its snow. This is brought on by the “North” orientation of its slopes and the favorable weather conditions presented by these enormous mountains. Located two hours from the capital Tehran, in the Alborz mountain range, it is the highest ski resort in the Middle East (2,750 meters).
The ski resort is part of one of the twenty highest tourist centers in the world. Dizin enjoys a very long season. You will find it normally opens from November to May.
The resort has 18 kilometers of ski slopes, offering its visitors the unique experience of skiing in Iran.
The highest ski resort in Asia
Jade Dragon Snow 3,358 m – 5,600 m
Hushangxuelong or Jade Dragon Snow is the highest altitude ski resort in all of Asia, with an altitude of 3358 meters. Its highest point is called Shanzidou and measures close to 5,600 meters. Thanks to its great height, snow is present in the station for eight months of the year (from November to May).
The ski resort is located in the Lijiang Valley, making it the southernmost ski resort in China and a prime tourist destination for the entire Asian public.
The highest ski resort in Oceania
Perisher 1,640 m – 2,054 m
Perisher Australia is the largest ski resort in Oceania. It has 48 ski lifts that cover the ski area. But that’s not all, it is also the highest station (1,640 meters above sea level at the base and 2,054 meters at the top). Perisher also has the largest chairlift in the country.
Located in New South Wales, just forty kilometers from the town of Jindabyn, the resort is open from late May to early October like most ski resorts in the southern hemisphere.
Australia is not only a country for surfing. Every winter, the accumulations of snow are abundant and winter sports have a lot of prominence in those latitudes.
The highest ski resort in South America
Vallecitos 2,900 m – 3,350 m
Located in the Argentine Andes, at the foot of the Cordón del Plata, the Vallecitos ski resort offers exceptional snow conditions less than 80 km from Mendoza. Considered one of the coldest stations in the world, Vallecitos rises up to 2,900 meters in altitude. Going up the Pan-American route you can arrive at the department of Luján. This area is widely used to acclimatize the body, before making the ascent of the colossal Aconcagua.
Despite its relatively small size, this ski resort allows for skiing and mountaineering with breathtaking panoramas and a spectacular quality of snow.
The highest ski resort in North America
Monarch 3,288 m – 3,650 m
The Monarch Ski Resort is located 3,288 meters above sea level. Located in the Rocky Mountain chain of Colorado. This ski resort offers exceptional snowfall from mid-November to early April (perfectly corresponding to the dates of the winter season). The village, Monarch Mountain Lodge which is located 5 kilometers from the resort was created in 1939 and has a one kilometer long ski slope.
With a ski area consisting of 54 slopes for all levels of skiers, Monarch offers many close-by amenities to its visitors, such as Gunnison, Buena Vista or Colorado Springs. The community also offers spectacular scenery.
Before finishing we wanted to bring up one last ski resort. Chacaltaya located in Bolivia, South America (Bolivia) was at 5,395 meters above sea level and was known as the highest ski resort in the world.
However, due to global warming, the glacier where it operated disappeared in 2009. This spectacular ski resort was built on a sacred mountain of the Incas. The weather there was very rough and the windy and cold conditions made it very difficult to practice skiing comfortably.
Remember that to reduce the effects of altitude, I LOVE SKI proposes a series of tips to follow when you spend the night in one or are going to do activity at more than 2,000 meters of altitude. To avoid suffering the effects of altitude sickness, it is better not to sleep at a difference of more than 400 meters between two consecutive nights.
