The World’s Highest Ski Resorts Are Built at Extreme Altitudes

Ski resorts are known for breathtaking views and challenging terrain, but some take things to another level entirely. Built at extreme altitudes, these destinations push the limits of how high skiing can go, offering thinner air, harsher conditions, and unforgettable scenery.

From towering peaks to remote mountain ranges, these resorts aren't just high—they're among the highest on Earth. Here's a look at the ski destinations that sit above all the rest and what makes them so unique.

A ski resort is a town or village near a skiing destination with amenities like hotels, shops, and lodging. A ski area is merely a place to ski that may be served by lifts but lacks the amenities of a resort. The Telluride Ski Resort is the highest ski resort in the world. The Lijiang Ski Resort was once considered the highest ski resort in the world but the area had very poor skiing opportunities and was shut down.

Lastly, the Breckenridge Ski Resort in Colorado, United States is the third-highest ski resort in the world. According to the resort's website, the highest lift height is 12,840 feet with a summit elevation of 12,998 feet.

The Gulmarg Ski Resort is located in India, and it's in the Himalayas Mountains. For reference, that's the same mountain range where Mt. Everest is located. The ski resort is home to the world's highest skiable gondola, topping out at 13,057 feet, the measure used as the utmost elevation for this mountain.

The Telluride Ski Resort is the highest ski resort in the world. Other ski areas have taller mountains, like Silverton Mountain, but they lack the elements that make a ski place a resort. Tucked away in the Rocky Mountains, the Telluride Ski Resort is a tall, picturesque resort. The base elevation of the resort is 8,725 feet, and the highest elevation is 13,150 feet. That makes this taller than Zermatt in Europe and other places as well.

At some point, the Lijiang Ski Resort was once considered the highest ski resort in the world. Located on the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, this resort reached an elevation of 15,419 feet or 4,700 meters. However, the area had very poor skiing opportunities with just 0.6 miles of a ski slope available to skiers.

Dagu Glacier was apparently one of the highest places to ski in the world. However, some sources indicate skiing is no longer allowed and that it's not much of a resort.

Little data is available on the Maoke Mountains in Indonesia, but there may be a ski resort in this area that could alter our list!

Another location with little information is Mérida, Venezuela. The ski resorts in this location may be one of the highest, but the exact numbers are not yet available.