The world's 10 highest ski resorts may surprise you
Most people already know that the world's highest mountain is Mt. Everest; however, when it comes down to which ski resorts have the highest elevations, the answers aren't as well known.
(Image via pixabay)
Certain locations might not be as obvious as you think. Locations such as Venezuela and Indonesia made the cut for the world's highest ski resorts.
The higher you go, the better the snow; so here are the ten highest ski resorts in the world.
10. Aspen Snowmass, Colorado, USA
(AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)
Top lift height 2.37 miles / 12,510 ft
Mountains: Rocky Mountains
Ski Lifts: 43
According to Aspen Snowmass, you could spend your entire trip skiing and riding its terrain without covering the same ground twice. Aspen is in a remote area of the Rocky Mountains.
In 1950, Aspen hosted the United States’ first world skiing competition, which attracted more than 1,500 people and gave Aspen Mountain worldwide visibility.
9. Chamonix, France
(Nicolas Falquet/ PPR for Mammut via AP Images)
Top lift height 2.39 miles / 12,605 ft
Mountains: Alps
Ski Lifts: 49
Mont Blanc is a ski resort n the French Alps. The resort offers a wide variety of trails suitable for all levels of skiers and snowboarders.
8. Loveland Ski Area, Colorado, USA
(Image via pixabay)
Top lift height 2.41 miles / 12,700 ft
Mountains: Rocky Mountains
Ski Lifts: 10
Loveland Ski Area is a ski area in the western United States, located near the town of Georgetown, Colorado. Only 53 miles away from Denver, Loveland is the second oldest ski area in Colorado.
"Our elevation means our snowpack is a little better insulated against any warm spells that come through during the season. We are blessed with an average of 422 inches of snow each season and our elevation allows us to offer our guests a long season that stretches from mid-October through early-May," Marketing Director for Loveland Ski Area John Sellers said.
7. Zermatt, Switzerland
(Image pixabay)
Top lift height 2.42 miles / 12,792 ft
Mountains: Alps
Ski Lifts: 54
Zermatt is known for being a mountaineering and ski resort in the Swiss Alps along with its iconic, pyramid-shaped Matterhorn peak. There are also public outdoor rinks for ice-skating and curling.
6. Breckenridge, Colorado, USA
(Image via Abby Hein/Vail Resorts)
Top lift height: 2.43 miles / 12,840 ft
Mountains: Rocky Mountains
Ski Lifts: 23
Breckenridge Ski Resort is an alpine ski resort in the western United States, in Breckenridge, Colorado. Just west of the Continental Divide in Summit County, it is perennially one of the most visited ski resorts in the Western Hemisphere.
According to Breckenridge's Senior Communications Manager Sara Lococo, the elevation can affect people in different ways.
"Visitors should be mindful of the effects of altitude and make sure to always wear sunscreen, drink plenty of water and limit the consumption of alcohol and caffeine. If symptoms such as headache, nausea, lethargy or shortness of breath persist, visitors should seek medical attention," Lococo said.
The mountain first opened on Dec. 16, 1961, consisting of trails on Peak 8 serviced currently by the Colorado SuperChair. Now, Breckenridge has the world’s highest quad chair lift.
5. Gulmarg, India
(AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
Top lift height: 2.47 miles / 13,054 ft
Mountains: Himalayas
Ski Lifts: 3
Gulmarg is a town, a hill station and a popular skiing destination in the Baramula district of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. The town is situated in the Pirpanjal range in the western Himalayas.
Gulmarg lies in a cup-shaped valley in the Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas. Gulmarg is home to the world's highest and Asia's longest cable car, which has a height of 4,267 meters.
The natural meadows of Gulmarg, which are covered with snow in winter, allow the growth of wild flowers such as daisies, forget-me-nots and buttercups during spring and summer.
The meadows are interspersed by enclosed parks and small lakes and are surrounded by forests of green pine and fir. Skiing and other winter sports in Gulmarg are carried out on the slopes of Apharwat peak
4. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, China
(Image via pixabay)
Top lift height: 2.92 miles / 15,420 ft
Ski Lifts: 2
The snowy and fog-shrouded mountain supposedly looks like a giant jade dragon seen from Lijiang Old Town, hence the name ''Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.''
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is regarded as a holy mountain by Naxi people. The mountain is a sight to see with natural landscapes such as meadows, glaciers, canyons, waterfalls, blossoms, etc. It is also home to a number of rare animals and plants.
3. Mérida, Venezuela
(Image via pixabay)
Top lift height: 2.96 miles / 15,639 ft
Mountains: Andes
Ski Lifts: 4
Merida ski resort has the highest cable car in the world and the longest cable car distance in the world.
2. Maoke Mountains/Jaia
Top lift height 2.98 miles / 15,748 ft
Mountains: Maoke
Ski Lifts: 3
Maoke means "snow" in the local language, which is where its name originated from.
The Maoke Mountains is a mountain range in the province of Papua, Indonesia. It extends over 692 km and is composed of the Sudirman and Jayawijaya ranges. It is part of the larger New Guinea Highlands or Central Cordillera.
The slope first opened in 1979 with a rope tow and ski lodge. The ski resort was finally completed a couple of years later in 1982. There are 3.5 miles of groomed runs to enjoy skiing down.
1. Dagu Glacier, China
Top lift height 3.01 miles / 15,890 ft
Mountains: Himalayas
Ski Lifts: 1
"Da Gu," meaning glacier in Tibetan, is the largest and youngest glacier in the world. It was discovered by Japanese scientists using a satellite in 1992.
Tibet has been attracting extreme sports enthusiasts for many years, including touring skiers and snowboarders, who trek to the top of its majestic peaks before descending.
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