[Travel] The ranking of the 67 countries where it is possible to ski in the world in 2024
If you were asked what Kazakhstan, Morocco and Greenland have in common, you probably wouldn't answer: their ski infrastructure. And yet, these three destinations are among the 67 countries in the world where it's possible to ski! In this study, based on data compiled by consultant Laurent Vanat in his report “2022 International Report on Snow & Mountain Tourism”, we offer you an overview of ski destinations, some of which are sure to surprise you.
Expert advice
Alexandre Desoutter, editor-in-chief of HelloSafe in Canada:
"Canada, with its 280 ski resorts, is a major player on the world stage, not least because of the diversity of its mountain regions. However, compared with European countries such as France and Austria, Canada has fewer resorts with more than 5 lifts (73). The total number of lifts, 922, is also modest compared with nations like the USA or France, which have thousands of lifts. Despite these figures, Canada offers exceptional skiing conditions, and its ability to attract local and international clientele remains strong, supported by internationally renowned ski resorts.
Canada is the 8th country in the world with the most ski lifts
This ranking highlights the global disparities in infrastructure related to winter sports, particularly downhill skiing. Leading countries such as France, the USA and Austria, each with over 2,900 ski lifts, testify to a strong tradition of winter sports and massive investment in mountain tourism. The Alpine countries dominate, confirming the importance of this region as the world's heart of winter sports.
Beyond Europe and North America, Japan (5th) and China (12th) stand out in Asia, reflecting the growing power of these markets. On the other hand, countries such as Australia and South Korea, despite limited geographical conditions, feature thanks to an infrastructure focused on specific zones. Finally, the significant gap between the leaders and the bottom of the top 20 shows that winter sports remain a regionalized sector, favored by the geography and history of local tourism.
Source: Laurent Vanat - 2022 International Report on Snow & Mountain Tourism
The full ranking of the 67 countries offering ski resorts worldwide
This data highlights an unexpected diversity of ski destinations around the world, thanks in particular to countries less often associated with the sport. While giants such as France, the USA and China dominate in terms of the number of resorts and ski lifts, countries such as Turkey (60 resorts), Greece (22 resorts), and even Iran (22 resorts) are surprisingly present, revealing the existence of winter sports niches in regions with varied climates.
South Africa and Lesotho, with their handful of resorts, bear witness to the adaptation of skiing to the southern hemisphere, as does New Zealand, which combines spectacular mountains with a reverse season. Countries like Lebanon and Morocco, in the heart of the Middle East and North Africa, show that skiing can thrive even in regions perceived as hot or arid.
The appearance of emerging destinations such as Kazakhstan, Georgia and India also underlines a trend towards the internationalization of skiing, far beyond the traditional Alps. These places, often with fewer facilities but unique landscapes and cultures, could attract customers looking for new experiences. This table shows that skiing is no longer just a sport of the Alpine countries, but a booming leisure activity in a wide range of geographical contexts.
| Position | Country | Total number of resorts | Resorts with more than 5 lifts | Total number of lifts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 778 | 86 | 669 |
| 2 | Germany | 498 | 55 | 1,554 |
| 3 | Japan | 497 | 129 | 1,847 |
| 4 | United States | 470 | 353 | 2,970 |
| 5 | Russia | 354 | 57 | 611 |
| 6 | Italy | 349 | 216 | 2,127 |
| 7 | France | 317 | 235 | 3,113 |
| 8 | Canada | 280 | 73 | 922 |
| 9 | Poland | 264 | 34 | 704 |
| 10 | Austria | 253 | 200 | 2,930 |
| 11 | Sweden | 228 | 68 | 840 |
| 12 | Norway | 213 | 40 | 655 |
| 13 | Czech Republic | 191 | 53 | 765 |
| 14 | Switzerland | 181 | 81 | 1,364 |
| 15 | Slovakia | 107 | 39 | 456 |
| 16 | Finland | 76 | 30 | 374 |
| 17 | Turkey | 60 | 7 | 159 |
| 18 | Ukraine | 54 | 9 | 141 |
| 19 | Romania | 51 | 6 | 122 |
| 20 | Slovenia | 44 | 24 | 217 |
| 21 | Spain | 32 | 28 | 384 |
| 22 | Bulgaria | 32 | 7 | 110 |
| 23 | Serbia | 31 | 3 | 77 |
| 24 | Latvia | 26 | 5 | 77 |
| 25 | New Zealand | 23 | 9 | 109 |
| 26 | Argentina | 22 | 10 | 145 |
| 27 | Iran | 22 | 5 | 72 |
| 28 | Greece | 22 | 6 | 111 |
| 29 | Chile | 21 | 9 | 127 |
| 30 | Kazakhstan | 19 | 2 | 25 |
| 31 | Kyrgyzstan | 19 | 1 | 29 |
| 32 | Korea, South | 18 | 16 | 168 |
| 33 | Bosnia-Herzegovina | 18 | 4 | 50 |
| 34 | Hungary | 15 | 6 | 55 |
| 35 | India | 15 | 1 | 22 |
| 36 | Australia | 13 | 9 | 167 |
| 37 | Croatia | 13 | 1 | 25 |
| 38 | Iceland | 13 | 2 | 52 |
| 39 | Lithuania | 11 | 0 | 19 |
| 40 | United Kingdom | 10 | 5 | 126 |
| 41 | Albania | 10 | 0 | 1 |
| 42 | Estonia | 9 | 1 | 17 |
| 43 | Macedonia | 8 | 1 | 34 |
| 44 | Georgia | 8 | 2 | 42 |
| 45 | Belgium | 7 | 0 | 11 |
| 46 | Belarus | 6 | 0 | 11 |
| 47 | Lebanon | 6 | 4 | 46 |
| 48 | Morocco | 5 | 1 | 10 |
| 49 | Korea, North | 5 | 0 | 11 |
| 50 | Montenegro | 4 | 2 | 23 |
| 51 | Denmark | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| 52 | Armenia | 3 | 1 | 8 |
| 53 | Uzbekistan | 3 | 1 | 11 |
| 54 | Kosovo | 3 | 1 | 12 |
| 55 | Andorra | 3 | 3 | 140 |
| 56 | Greenland | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 57 | Pakistan | 2 | 0 | 8 |
| 58 | Azerbaijan | 2 | 1 | 16 |
| 59 | Israel | 1 | 1 | 10 |
| 60 | South Africa | 1 | 1 | 6 |
| 61 | Cyprus | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| 62 | Mongolia | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| 63 | Tajikistan | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 64 | Iraq | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 65 | Portugal | 1 | 1 | 29 |
| 66 | Liechtenstein | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| 67 | Lesotho | 1 | 0 | 3 |
Focus on 14 countries around the world that could one day have ski resorts
The study of ski destinations highlights often unexpected countries where skiing could develop in the years or decades to come. Although non-traditional, these regions have snow-capped mountains, glaciers or peaks that are subject to occasional snowfalls, offering untapped potential for skiing and winter tourism. While some of these destinations are still at a rudimentary stage, others are already planning resort projects, paving the way for a diversification of world skiing. The data presented below is taken from Laurent Vanat's 2022 International Report on Snow & Mountain Tourism:
| Geographic clusters | |
|---|---|
| Himalayas and Southeast Asia Bhutan, Indonesia and Myanmar | This region is home to snow-capped mountains such as those in Bhutan and on Myanmar's Himalayan border, where a ski resort project is currently underway. These areas are underdeveloped for skiing, but have great potential thanks to their spectacular landscapes and favorable winter conditions. |
| Central and East Africa DRC, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda | Africa surprises with snow-capped peaks and glaciers on high mountains, as in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. These areas remain little-known but could become unique destinations for adventure or niche skiing, capitalizing on their exoticism. |
| South and Central America Ecuador, Nicaragua, Peru, Venezuela | Tropical glaciers and snow-capped peaks, as in Peru and Ecuador, offer opportunities to diversify ski experiences in this region. With limited infrastructure, these countries could attract off-the-beaten-track ski enthusiasts. |
| Europe Moldavia | In Moldavia, poorly-equipped hills are evidence of local interest in skiing, but lack modern facilities. This country is a typical example of a region where small investments could boost the winter offer. |
| Middle East Syria | Before the civil war, Syria was planning a ski resort in its snow-capped mountains. This underlines the region's untapped potential to become a unique destination, combining history and snowy landscapes. |
The USA, Germany and China are the 3 countries in the world with the highest concentration of skiers
This data on the total number of skiers per country reveals a significant geographical diversity, transcending the boundaries of traditional mountain areas. The United States, with over 25 million skiers, and China, with 13 million, demonstrate the scale of the North American and Asian markets, driven by their vast populations and winter sports development initiatives. In Europe, Germany dominates with over 14 million skiers, despite a less favorable topography compared to countries like France and Austria.
Interestingly, nations without major mountain ranges such as the UK (6.34 million) and Belgium (1.25 million) also post high figures, illustrating the impact of travel to the Alps or other international resorts. Finally, countries such as Japan, South Korea and Russia confirm the worldwide interest in winter sports, even in regions less historically associated with this activity. This diversity underlines the universal appeal of skiing, and the importance of infrastructure and tourist access in developing the sport.
Source: Laurent Vanat - 2022 International Report on Snow & Mountain Tourism
Canada ranked 6th in the world for cumulative ski visits in 2022
These data offer a fascinating insight into skiing practices around the world, highlighting unexpected destinations and particular trends in skiers' habits. The USA and Austria dominate in terms of cumulative ski days, but it's countries like Andorra (92% foreign skiers) and Liechtenstein (50% foreign) that surprise us: these small nations attract massive numbers of visitors thanks to their strategic location and well-equipped resorts.
China, despite its efforts to develop winter sports, remains dominated by a local clientele (only 1% foreigners), while countries like Chile and Lebanon, although non-traditional, welcome a surprising number of international skiers, underlining their unique appeal. Lesotho, while having a low total volume (12,000 days), is remarkable for its exceptional proportion of foreign visitors (95%), demonstrating the exoticism of its slopes.
Finally, emerging regions such as Kazakhstan and Georgia, and even lesser-known skiing nations such as India and Morocco, bear witness to the sport's global expansion. The proportions of skiers per total population vary considerably, with very low figures in developing countries or atypical destinations, but this underlines the growth potential for markets that are still maturing.
| Rank | Country | Total annual number of cumulative ski days | Proportion of foreign skiers | Total annual number of cumulative ski days (foreigners) | Total number of skiers in the country | Proportion of skiers in the total population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | 55,492,000 | 6% | 3,329,520 | 25,017,000 | 7.48% |
| 2 | Austria | 43,580,000 | 66% | 28,762,800 | 2,960,000 | 33.41% |
| 3 | France | 40,656,000 | 27% | 10,977,120 | 8,574,000 | 12.64% |
| 4 | Italy | 22,320,000 | 35% | 7,812,000 | 7,266,000 | 12.26% |
| 5 | Switzerland | 21,967,000 | 35% | 7,688,450 | 2,959,000 | 33.64% |
| 6 | Canada | 18,466,000 | 12% | 2,215,920 | 4,307,000 | 11.16% |
| 7 | China | 17,862,000 | 1% | 179 | 13,050,000 | 0.92% |
| 8 | Russia | 9,467,000 | 5% | 473 | 4,275,000 | 3.02% |
| 9 | Sweden | 9,200,000 | 15% | 1,380,000 | 1,824,000 | 17.45% |
| 10 | Norway | 7,650,000 | 47% | 3,595,500 | 1,181,000 | 21.73% |
| 11 | Germany | 7,020,000 | 10% | 702 | 14,607,000 | 17.57% |
| 12 | Poland | 5,531,000 | 15% | 830 | 4,937,000 | 13.08% |
| 13 | Czech Republic | 4,960,000 | 30% | 1,488,000 | 2,236,000 | 20.89% |
| 14 | Spain | 4,528,000 | 10% | 453 | 2,329,000 | 4.91% |
| 15 | South Korea | 3,765,000 | 10% | 377 | 2,937,000 | 5.67% |
| 16 | Slovakia | 3,696,000 | 25% | 924 | 979 | 18.03% |
| 17 | Japan | 2,656,600 | 10% | 266 | 11,411,000 | 9.08% |
| 18 | Finland | 2,559,000 | 17% | 435 | 1,264,000 | 22.81% |
| 19 | Andorra | 1,985,000 | 92% | 1,826,200 | 15 | 18.99% |
| 20 | Australia | 1,813,000 | 2% | 36 | 1,002,000 | 3.83% |
| 21 | Romania | 1,695,000 | 5% | 85 | 686 | 3.22% |
| 22 | New Zealand | 1,577,000 | 36% | 568 | 306 | 5.89% |
| 23 | Argentina | 1,500,000 | 25% | 375 | 1,065,000 | 2.32% |
| 24 | Ukraine | 1,400,000 | 5% | 70 | 1,114,000 | 3.03% |
| 25 | Turkey | 1,200,000 | 15% | 180 | 807 | 0.95% |
| 26 | Bulgaria | 1,200,000 | 25% | 300 | 349 | 5.35% |
| 27 | Slovenia | 1,090,000 | 17% | 185 | 299 | 14.19% |
| 28 | Serbia | 800,000 | 20% | 160 | 211 | 3.12% |
| 29 | Latvia | 800,000 | 15% | 120 | 194 | 10.31% |
| 30 | Greece | 800,000 | 10% | 80 | 215 | 2.07% |
| 31 | Iran | 750,000 | 1% | 8 | 812 | 0.91% |
| 32 | Chile | 685,000 | 42% | 288 | 517 | 2.69% |
| 33 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 500,000 | 50% | 250 | 175 | 5.43% |
| 34 | Hungary | 400,000 | 10% | 40 | 587 | 6.09% |
| 35 | Georgia | 400,000 | 20% | 80 | 93 | 2.52% |
| 36 | Macedonia | 300,000 | 10% | 30 | 156 | 7.51% |
| 37 | Lebanon | 300,000 | 5% | 15 | 122 | 2.30% |
| 38 | Kazakhstan | 250,000 | 2% | 5 | 266 | 1.39% |
| 39 | Montenegro | 250,000 | 25% | 63 | 62 | 10.00% |
| 40 | Kyrgyzstan | 200,000 | 20% | 40 | 55 | 0.77% |
| 41 | India | 200,000 | 1% | 2 | 134 | 0.01% |
| 42 | Lithuania | 200,000 | 10% | 20 | 141 | 5.16% |
| 43 | Iceland | 159,000 | 5% | 8 | 63 | 16.80% |
| 44 | Croatia | 150,000 | 10% | 15 | 227 | 5.91% |
| 45 | Belarus | 150,000 | 25% | 38 | 190 | 2.00% |
| 46 | Estonia | 125,000 | 5% | 6 | 63 | 4.74% |
| 47 | Belgium | 100,000 | 40% | 40 | 1,253,000 | 10.69% |
| 48 | Morocco | 100,000 | 10% | 10 | 33 | 0.09% |
| 49 | Uzbekistan | 100,000 | 15% | 15 | 57 | 0.16% |
| 50 | Kosovo | 100,000 | 6% | 6 | 55 | 2.95% |
| 51 | Azerbaijan | 100,000 | 10% | 10 | 72 | 0.71% |
| 52 | Armenia | 90,000 | 2% | 2 | 59 | 2.11% |
| 53 | Liechtenstein | 90,000 | 50% | 45 | 14 | 35.00% |
| 54 | United Kingdom | 88,000 | 1% | 880 | 6,340,000 | 9.36% |
| 55 | Denmark | 50,000 | 0% | 0 | 667 | 11.24% |
| 56 | Portugal | 50,000 | 0% | 0 | 206 | 2.03% |
| 57 | Korea, North | 30,000 | 0% | 0 | 15 | 0.06% |
| 58 | Lesotho | 12,000 | 95% | 11 | 500 | 0.02% |
| 59 | Albania | 10,000 | 10% | 1 | 29 | 1.03% |
| 60 | Pakistan | 10,000 | 5% | 500 | 97 | 0.04% |
| Greenland | Data not available | Data not available | Data not available | Data not available | Data not available | |
| Israel | Data not available | Data not available | Data not available | Data not available | Data not available | |
| South Africa | Data not available | Data not available | Data not available | Data not available | Data not available | |
| Cyprus | Data not available | Data not available | Data not available | Data not available | Data not available | |
| Mongolia | Data not available | Data not available | Data not available | Data not available | Data not available | |
| Tajikistan | Data not available | Data not available | Data not available | Data not available | Data not available | |
| Iraq | Data not available | Data not available | Data not available | Data not available | Data not available |
Methodology
Aim of the study
The aim of this study is to explore the 67 countries where it is possible to ski, with particular emphasis on destinations that are less well known to the general public. The idea is to break away from the traditional circuits, often concentrated around the Alps or North American resorts, to highlight regions that receive little media coverage but offer unique skiing experiences.
Data collection
The data used comes from reliable and recognized sources in the field of winter sports, for the most part taken from Laurent Vanat - 2022 International Report on Snow & Mountain Tourism. Other sources, such as the International Ski Federation (FIS) and the International Ski Area Association (ISA), have also been used on a secondary basis.
Data analysis
The data analysis focuses on several areas. Firstly, it seeks to identify countries with significant infrastructures, such as ski resorts with more than five lifts. Secondly, we have compared the number of visitors to these resorts, distinguishing between local and foreign skiers, in order to assess the attractiveness of these destinations. Finally, we paid particular attention to the geographical, climatic and cultural specificities of lesser-known destinations.
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