GettySave this storySave this storyFor our 39th annual Readers’ Choice Awards, survey voters weighed in on their favorite ski resorts in Europe. Swiss resorts earned four of the top five spots, with Verbier claiming the number one ranking for the second consecutive year. Italy’s Olympic spotlight helped it land an unprecedented five resorts on the list. The tiny ski resort of Gudauri in Georgia’s Caucasus Mountains made its debut in the rankings—proof that readers are venturing further afield for fresh tracks. Here are the ski resorts that you loved most, for both their diversity of terrain, excellent après ski scenes, and exceptional hotels.
PinterestGetty20. Gudauri — GeorgiaThe Caucasus Mountains may not have the cachet of the Alps or the Rockies, but there are plenty of reasons to make the journey to ski in Georgia. The ski passes are a bargain. The slopes are uncrowded. And the food rivals anything you’ll have in France or Italy. Gudauri, the country’s premier ski resort has just over 50 miles of groomed trails, plus freeriding opportunities. There’s a mom-and-pop vibe, with stalls at the base of the mountain selling wool-knit socks, and churchkhela, candle-like strings of nuts encased in a wax-like, grape juice. Travel Bar and La Suite are the main après ski spots (be warned, the local brandy, chacha, is like rocket fuel). Plan an early on-slope lunch at Cafe Vitamin, where you can dig into traditional dishes like khachapuri, molten cheese (often topped with an egg) baked into a shallow bread bowl.
Where to stay: Ski-in/ski-out Gudauri Lodge has 171 rooms across five categories and a sprawling open-air hot tub. Ati Ambavi is a boutique hotel with room decor inspired by cultural icons like Georgian-American ballet master George Balanchine and Georgian artist Niko Pirosmani. The Rooms Kazbegi hotel is a 40-minute drive from the ski resort but its mountain views, delicious Georgian restaurant, and hip vibe are worth the commute.
Stats: There are 14 lifts for nearly 50 miles of runs. One-day lift ticket from $27.
PinterestGetty19. Breuil-Cervinia, ItalyLocated on the Italian side of the Matterhorn massif, the high-altitude ski resort of Cervinia is linked with the Swiss resort of Zermatt. The combined terrain is vast, making it possible to log serious mileage without repeating a run all day. The majority of slopes are geared toward beginners and intermediates and the on-piste dining options are exceptional. Many skiers cross the border just to lunch on pasta all'Amatriciana and sip Bombardinos (an Italian riff on eggnog). Cervino The One is a new cableway project connecting Breuil-Cervinia with Plateau Rosa/Testa Grigia in just over 15 minutes. The modern two-section 3S gondola by Leitner includes a mid-station at Plan Maison.
Where to stay: Stylish apartments at Saint Hubertus Resort have modern kitchens, marble bathrooms, and stone living rooms with fireplaces. The team at five-star Hermitage Hotel & Spa can arrange adventures ranging from snowshoeing to heliskiing.
Stats: There are 19 lifts for 72 runs. One-day lift ticket from $52; on the Ikon pass.
PinterestGetty18. Courmayeur Mont Blanc, ItalyLocated on the sunnier, Italian side of Mont Blanc, Courmayeur attracts both dedicated skiers and unapologetic sybarites who prefer to sip Aperol spritzes on terraces by day and dine on gourmet meals at night. The Skyway Monte Bianco cable car whisks skiers across the Italian-French border where they can test their mettle on 11-plus miles of spectacular off-piste slopes, including the bucket-list glacial run of the Vallée Blanche in Chamonix. The resort’s modernized snowmaking system guarantees snow on over 8o percent of the slopes, every day of the season. After the pistes close, the Courmayeur Cable Car continues running until midnight so you can dine at mountain-top restaurants like LaChaumière. You can also experience the adventure of a snowmobile climb to reach fancy alpine huts like Rifugio Monte Bianco.