This U.S. Ski Resort Was Just Ranked the Most Climate-resilient in the World, According to a New Study

Skiing requires cold, snowy winters, two conditions climate change is steadily eroding. But as winters become less predictable, some ski areas are naturally more resilient to climate volatility.

The Vail Ski Resort in Colorado was ranked the most resilient mountain in the world, according to research from global real estate service company Savills. That’s thanks to its five-month-long season, high elevation, and consistent snow. In fact, the mountain is the largest ski resort in Colorado with more than 5,300 skiable acres and with a base altitude of 8,120 feet, it receives more than 350 inches of snowfall on average each year, according to the resort.

“The 2024–25 ski season underscored the growing importance of altitude, geographic positioning and snow retention capabilities in determining resilience,” Kelcie Sellers, the associate director of world research at Savills, said in a statement.

Beyond Vail, there were two ski areas in the Alps—Zermatt in Switzerland and Val d’Isère in France—that took the second and third spots on the list. That was followed by fellow Colorado ski area Aspen, which came in at No. 4.

Breuil-Cervinia in Italy, which was No. 1 last season, moved to the fifth spot this year, mainly due to decreased snowfall following last season’s record-breaking snow year.

“Each of these resorts is situated at higher elevations, where lower temperatures help preserve snowpack and extend the ski season,” Savills wrote in its report. “In an era of growing climate volatility, these characteristics are becoming increasingly relevant. The ability to maintain consistent snow coverage is no longer just desirable, it is a strategic necessity.”

When it comes to resorts at lower altitudes, like Furano in Japan, the report noted their long-term resilience remains a question mark. Even Whistler Blackcomb in Canada, which Savills said has experienced good snow conditions, may face issues like shorter seasons and reduced snow reliability in the future.

However, fellow Canadian resort Mont Tremblant rose 26 places on the list to No. 17 following a better than average snow year despite its “relatively modest altitude.” The report noted the success “underscores the potential for lower-altitude resorts to outperform expectations under the right conditions, though such outcomes are increasingly rare.”

Overall, virtually all ski areas around the United States are expected to see shortened ski seasons in the future, and by more than 50 percent by 2050 in some locations, according to a 2017 study by the Global Environmental Change scientific journal.