Mountains: Abroad

From the Alps to Japan, the trips worth crossing an ocean for.

These are the mountains abroad that I know best and recommend most, from the Alps to Japan, the kind of ski trip built around the full experience, not just the slopes. This is a personal list too, reflecting where I have the deepest experience and strongest connections, not every mountain destination worldwide. If you don't see what you're looking for, or want help narrowing it down, reach out and I'll build the right trip with you.

  • Resort 1,035m (3,396ft), skiing to 3,842m (12,605ft)

    Chamonix pairs legendary off-piste terrain with the drama of Mont Blanc. It suits confident, adventurous skiers more than first timers, since the terrain isn't connected and you'll ski a different area each day rather than one linked network. Stay at the Hotel Mont Blanc or a boutique chalet, and expect a livelier, local après scene at spots like Chambre Neuf. One hour from Geneva Airport; not ski-in/ski-out. Skiing runs well into spring here, and it's a striking summer hiking base too.

  • Resort 1,550m–1,850m (5,085–6,070ft), skiing to 2,738m (8,983ft)

    Courchevel is glamorous and high-end, with 600km of connected slopes across Les 3 Vallées. Courchevel 1850 is the luxury hub (Aman, Cheval Blanc, L'Apogée, Airelles, Le K2 Palace), 1650 is more family-friendly, and 1550 isn't recommended for luxury clients. Expect upscale dining and chic lounges like Le Tremplin. About two hours from Geneva, with direct private jet access.

  • Resort 1,027m (3,369ft), skiing to 2,350m (7,710ft)

    Megève is quieter and timeless, a picturesque village with designer boutiques and elegant bars like Bar des Alpes. It suits couples and families more than thrill-seekers. The Four Seasons, L'Alpaga, and Les Fermes de Marie are all excellent choices. An easy hour from Geneva, and a good fit for all levels when the snow cooperates.

  • Resort 1,850m (6,070ft), skiing to 3,456m (11,338ft)

    Val d'Isère suits groups and advanced skiers looking for a livelier scene: extensive, high-altitude terrain, including glacier skiing, and a bustling après scene anchored by La Folie Douce. Airelles and a handful of private chalets are the standout stays. Three hours from Geneva, or two from Chambéry. Best avoided in mid-February, when French school holidays crowd the slopes.

France

  • Resort 1,444m (4,738ft), skiing to 2,961m (9,715ft)

    Andermatt is the under-the-radar pick, quieter and smaller, with excellent snow and none of the crowds. The Chedi Andermatt is the reason to go, and it's a great fit for a weekend trip or a spa-focused add-on rather than a full week. About 90 minutes from Zurich by train or car.

  • Resort 1,500m (4,921ft), skiing to 2,927m (9,603ft)

    Sunny, gentle slopes make this a strong choice for families and beginner-to-intermediate skiers, plus summer golf for an off-season trip. Six Senses and a handful of other resorts anchor the luxury end, with a relaxed, upscale scene in the evenings. The slopes are north facing, so snow conditions can be inconsistent. Two hours from Geneva.

  • Resort 1,050m (3,445ft), skiing to 3,000m (9,842ft)

    Gstaad is more lifestyle destination than serious ski resort: gentle terrain, exclusive shopping, champagne bars, and Michelin-star dining. The Alpina Gstaad and the historic Gstaad Palace are the marquee stays, with Ultima Gstaad's eleven suites and dedicated butler service for clients who want total privacy. A great fit for couples or non-skiers who want the alpine setting without demanding runs. Two hours from Geneva.

  • Resort 1,179m (3,868ft), skiing to 2,844m (9,330ft)

    Klosters is the quieter, more understated alternative to Davos: a classic Swiss experience with a discerning clientele, low-key elegant lounges, and scenic, intermediate terrain. Luxury chalets and boutique hotels rather than big-name properties. Two hours from Zurich.

  • Resort 1,822m (5,978ft), skiing to 3,305m (10,843ft)

    St. Moritz is Switzerland's answer to Courchevel, the birthplace of alpine tourism and still the most exclusive address in the Alps. Badrutt's Palace, Kulm Hotel, the Carlton, and the Grand Hotel des Bains are all iconic, with a champagne-bar après scene (King's Club among them) to match. Three hours from Zurich, two from Milan.

  • Resort 1,500m (4,921ft), skiing to 3,330m (10,925ft)

    Verbier suits groups, younger travelers, and anyone who wants a genuinely dynamic après scene; Le Rouge and Farinet are the go-tos. Terrain is challenging, and accommodations lean toward chalets more than hotels. The Lodge is the standout. Two hours from Geneva.

  • Resort 1,620m (5,315ft), skiing to 3,883m (12,740ft)

    Zermatt is hard to beat for the Matterhorn views, and the terrain holds up year-round, genuinely one of the few places in the world you can ski in summer. It's car-free, so plan on a train transfer, about three hours from Zurich or Geneva. The slopes are north-facing, meaning colder temperatures and less sun. Mont Cervin, Cervo, the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof, and Omnia are the standout stays, with a refined but lively après scene at spots like Papperla Pub.

Switzerland

  • Resort 1,450m (4,757ft), skiing to 2,811m (9,222ft)

    Lech is posh but understated, linked to St. Anton's terrain without the party-town reputation. It suits luxury travelers who want a quieter ski week: refined bars, gourmet dining, ultra-luxury chalets and boutique hotels. Private jet access is available. About two hours from Zurich or Innsbruck.

  • Resort 1,304m (4,278ft), skiing to 2,811m (9,222ft)

    St. Anton suits serious skiers and serious partiers alike: legendary terrain paired with a wild, rustic après scene that's more about the experience than luxury polish. Good 4-5* hotels and chalets are available for clients who want comfort without giving up the energy. An hour from Innsbruck, 2.5 from Munich.

Austria

Italy, the Dolomites

  • Resort 1,550m (5,085ft), skiing to 2,500m (8,202ft)

    This side of the Dolomites leans toward relaxation and wellness rather than hard-charging terrain: beautifully groomed pistes, elegant but low-key dining, and standout wellness properties like the Lefay Resort & Spa Dolomiti. A good fit for families and couples looking to unwind. About 2.5 hours from Milan or Venice.

  • Resort 1,224m–1,568m (4,015ft–5,144ft), skiing to 3,269m (10,725ft)

    Glamorous, UNESCO-listed scenery with a livelier, more social Italian energy: chic lounges, great food, and the Sellaronda Circuit, a 40km ski route connecting several resorts, a fun day out for intermediate skiers. Part of the appeal is stopping at mountain rifugios along the way for lunch, a tradition that carries over just as well into a summer hiking safari. Como, Rosa Alpina, La Perla, and the Gardena Grödnerhof are all excellent stays. Cristallo is currently being reimagined as the Mandarin Oriental Cristallo Cortina, expected to reopen in 2027 after a multi-year renovation. Two hours from Venice, three from Milan.

Japan

  • Resort 760m (2,494ft), skiing to 1,831m (6,007ft)

    Hakuba is Japan's largest ski area, with more vertical and varied terrain than Niseko, and a newer wave of boutique luxury filling in behind it. It's less built-out than Niseko for now, part of the appeal for clients who want the powder without the crowds.

  • Resort 300m (985ft), skiing to 1,309m (4,295ft)

    Niseko is the reason "Japow" became a buzzword: reliable, deep powder and a well-developed luxury infrastructure that's rare for Japan, including a handful of Michelin Key-rated ski-in/ski-out hotels and modern takes on the traditional ryokan. It has become a serious rival to the Alps for clients chasing snow reliability over scene.