13 historic ski towns every skier should visit

Ski vacations are very popular, with the 2021-2022 ski season recording around 61 million visits. If you're torn between whether to spend your winter vacation exploring historical landmarks or hitting the slopes, then you’ll be pleased to know it doesn't have to be one or the other.

Why not combine history with recreation in these historic ski towns and get the best of both worlds? Choose any one of these famed ski areas around the globe for your next winter getaway and experience mountain travel combined with rich culture.

1. Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy

Enjoy skiing in the Dolomites at Cortina, d'Ampezzo, in the Veneto region of Northern Italy. Cortina became a popular ski resort when it hosted the 1956 Winter Olympics, but its legacy stretches back much further. The town has been around for 1,000 years, and some believe it was settled by the ancient Romans. 

2. Zell am See-Kaprun, Austria

Located south of Salzburg, the town of Zell am See dates back to the 1300s, perhaps even further. Its architecture displays the span of centuries, with a historic city center, medieval tower and a Gothic church. Skiers looking for a getaway flock to the town to tackle the nearby glacier slopes of Kaprun.

3. Steamboat Springs, Colorado

Steamboat Springs is home to Howelsen Hill Ski Area, the oldest ski resort in North America You'll also enjoy hitting the slopes at Steamboat Ski Resort, one of Colorado's top skiing destinations. In your free time, explore the Downtown area, which boasts 19^th-century buildings and still retains much of its old-west feel.

4. St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria

The first trace of tourism in Arlberg is believed to date back to the 19th century. But it was the development of alpine skiing that gave this town its legendary reputation. Today, skiing enthusiasts from all over the world head to St. Anton am Arlberg for what is known as the biggest and best ski resort in the Alps. Take a break from the slopes and head to The Museum St. Anton am Arlberg to learn more about the towns’ fascinating ski history.

5. Gstaad, Switzerland

The area of Gstaad, Switzerland can trace its roots back to the Middle Ages, when the village was developed as part of the region of Saanen. The area rose to fame in the early 20th century when skiing became a dominant industry. Today it's best known as a luxury ski resort town with its striking mountains forming the Swiss Alps.

6. Rossland, British Columbia

Home to the oldest ski resorts in Western Canada, Rossland was originally settled by two prospectors during the 1890s and has rich roots in mining. When you're not tackling the vertical plunge down the slopes at The Red Mountain Ski Resort, brush up on your local history at the Rossland Museum and Discovery Centre.

7. Grindelwald, Switzerland

Grindelwald was one of the first tourist destinations in Switzerland. But with its first hotel built in 1818, its history dates back much further – a mention of the region first appears in 1146. Since then, it has become a major winter tourist destination, with slopes attracting all levels of skiers.

8. Lake Placid, New York

When you mention Lake Placid, winter sports immediately come to mind. Home to both the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics, Lake Placid anchored its place in history as a winter sports mecca. Today, Whiteface Mountain boasts a formidable challenge for skiers, with the greatest continuous vertical drop in the eastern U.S.

9. Megève, France

Situated in southeast France, Megève still retains its old-fashioned charm with a medieval town center, complete with a 14^th-century church. Since the 1920s, the town’s ski resort has been a major tourist attraction, enticing visitors with its striking mountains and unforgettable landscapes.

10. Zermatt, Switzerland

The first documentation of Zermatt’s existence dates to 1280. It remained in obscurity until the 1800s when mountaineering became a popular sport due in large part to the town’s proximity to the Matterhorn (the mountain on the Toblerone packaging). Today, Zermatt is considered one of Europe's top skiing destinations.

11. Stowe, Vermont

As home to Vermont's tallest mountain, Mount Mansfield, Stowe is a town with a storied ski past. By the 1930s, its mountainous terrain made it one of the area's best downhill skiing locales, and in 1938, it saw the birth of the U.S. Ski Patrol. Visitors still flock to this famed town for top-notch New England skiing.

12. Kitzbuhel, Austria

The town of Kitzbuhel, Austria was founded in 1250, and it boasts a long and prosperous history. But it wasn't until the 1800s that tourists came here to enjoy the winter sports season. Home to World Cup ski races, visitors flock to the town every winter to enjoy the mountainous terrain.

13. Courmayeur, Italy

Located in northwest Italy, at the foot of Mont Blanc, Courmayeur is a skier's paradise, offering around 62 miles of trails. The town rose to popularity in the late 18th century thanks to its renown as the capital of global mountaineering. By the 20th century, enthusiasm for skiing took over, resulting in an industry that's still booming today.

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