1 Revelstoke, 
British Columbia, 
Canada

It’s the ski story of the season: Revelstoke is a brand-new resort that will challenge Whistler for ski supremacy. Opened on Nov 27, the resort had established a 45cm snow base as early as mid-October, and boasts 1,800cm per season (compared to Whistler’s 1,000). Quite apart from allowing Europeans to leverage a strong euro against a relatively weak Canadian dollar, reliable snow is the ultimate arbiter of value, and that alone qualifies Revelstoke for the top spot. Situated by Mount MacKenzie (four and a half hours by car from Calgary, six hours from Vancouver, or direct from Calgary with airline Hawkair), Revelstoke has traditionally relied on heli-skiing, making it exclusive and expensive. A billion dollars later, and that’s all changed. Revelstoke boasts the longest lift-serviced vertical drop in North America, 1,713m, and, when it opens this season, Revelstoke will, it claims, be the only resort in the world offering lift-skiing, cat-skiing, and heli-skiing from the village base. While it may not have the astonishing gondola views of Whistler, Revelstoke is poised to unveil a new high-speed chairlift, opening up another 400ha of skiable terrain (that’s not counting the 200,000ha of backcountry heli-skiing). The Nelsen Lodge complex of luxury condos opens in January, offering spectacular views of the Columbia mountains and direct access to the slopes, and there are 16 other hotels in the village of Revelstoke itself. www.revelstokemountainresort.com

2 St Christoph/Lech, 
Arlberg, 
Austria

Vladimir Putin stayed in the tiny village of St Christoph, one of the highest resorts (1,800m) in the Arlberg region, and certainly one of its most exclusive; in another valley, the equally lofty Lech, is accessible only by ski lift. Both offer the most reliable snow in Austria. Apart from boasting an incredible range of runs, the region offers good value compared to France and Switzerland, and is not overcrowded. Only 14,000 tickets are issued a day, guaranteeing short lift lines. Accommodations are numerous but for our money try Hospiz Hotels. With properties in both St Christoph and Lech, you could do worse than split a stay between them. 
www.ski-arlberg.com; www.hospiz.com

3 Whistler Blackcomb, 
British Columbia, 
Canada

Talked about so much, Whistler may seem an odd inclusion if only because it can seem like a victim of its own success. Yet Whistler is one of the biggest and best ski resorts in North America and deserves its listing. It has one of the largest vertical drops in the world (1,609m), plus pro-level terrain, glaciers and wide alpine bowls, not to mention a great village. Europeans will find better value than at home, and despite 16,000 skiers a day in the peak season, the numerous runs make finding a deserted slope easy. The Fairmont Chateau Whistler, where every room comes with a hot tub, offers a five-night package in January, including a four-day lift pass, for €465 a person. www.whistlerblackcomb.com

4 Steamboat Springs Resort, Colorado, 
USA

A bit of a secret, Steamboat Springs is a homey, Old West town, with first-rate skiing on its doorstep. The Mountain Village is undergoing extensive renovation and boasts a luxury resort-in-the-making, One Steamboat Place, by Timbers Resorts. But focus on the skiing and you can’t go wrong: 1,200ha covering Mount Werner, Sunshine Peak, Storm Peak, Thunderhead Peak, and, beloved of snowboarders, Mavericks Superpipe – a freerider’s dream. No wonder the town has produced more Winter Olympians than any other – 69 and counting. Three hours from Denver by car, it is easy to get to, and the base elevation of 2,200m makes the Alps 
look small. www.steamboat.com

5 Courchevel, 
France

Courchevel is located within the Three Valleys of France, which also includes Méribel and Val Thorens, and claims to be the largest ski resort in the world. If this seems daunting, go by the altitude designation of each of the four main villages, and focus on Courchevel 1850, which at 1,850m is the highest, offering the most reliable snow, luxury and an Olympic ice-skating rink. There’s also night tobogganing and ice climbing. The area simply has everything and if you’re already in Europe it’s easy to get to – just two hours from Geneva airport, and Lyon Saint Exupéry, and 30 minutes from the railway station at Moûtiers Salins. www.courchevel.com

6 Jackson Hole, 
Wyoming, 
USA

True, there’s a danger that this wonderful place gets just too successful to be the secret it once was, but high costs are succeeding in keeping away the hoi polloi so far. The skiing is simply world class and features a lot of expert terrain, with very short lift queues. For accommodation try the Amangani hotel. Built into a hillside, it blends into the Western landscape while overlooking the Snake River Mountain Range. Direct flights to Jackson Hole from Los Angeles and Chicago make it relatively accessible for Europeans. www.jacksonhole.com

7 Squaw Valley, 
California,
USA

Host to the 1960 Winter Olympics, Tahoe’s Squaw Valley offers six separate peaks, views of Lake Tahoe and mild weather. Not to mention that nice, mellow, laid-back culture that one takes for granted in California. The Village at Squaw Valley has been transformed by Intrawest, the company behind Whistler Blackcomb, while the skiing is an perfect mix of intermediate and expert. For accommodation consider the excellent range of condominiums. Gamblers take note – Lake Tahoe is just 40 minutes from Reno by car. www.thevillageatsqaw.com

8 Cortina,
 Italy

Cortina d’Ampezzo is the most sophisticated resort in Italy, and while the late season is less reliable in these global warming times, the scenery is among the best in Europe, the slopes are deserted, especially during the week, and the food is to die for. With 52 lifts and over 140km of runs, make sure you visit The Cortina Adrenaline Center, which can arrange bobsledding, snow rafting and high-speed tobogganing. Try the Rosa Alpina Hotel, a Relais & Chateaux property, which offers 17th-century furniture, gourmet food and a spa. www.rosalpina.it

9 Niseko, 
Japan

The best powder in the world? Quite possibly, and although this single mountain with three villages located on Japan’s north island Hokkaido is relatively unknown, it’s worth the pilgrimage even with higher airfares. For accommodation try the four-star Northern Resort. www.skijapan.com

10 Ylläs, 
Finland

Last but by no means least, there’s much to be said for Nordic skiing, not least the deserted slopes. You may not yet have heard of Ylläs, but this large resort has 27 lifts, a vertical drop of 500m and plenty of beautifully clean self-catering apartments to choose from. www.yllas.fi