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To ski, we need snow. And snowfall is completely out of our control. It’s why skiers talk about El Niño and La Niña on repeat, perform snow dances for Ullr, and scheme about taking sick days to chase pow.
Watch: How Protect Our Winters UK is Empowering Local Communities
Without snow, the fun ends. And according to NOAA’s Global Land and Ocean temperature rankings, released this past November, the period between December 2023 to November 2024 was the record warmest to date. Which makes the results of the Savills Ski Resilience Index all the more relevant.
The long-running Savills rankings evaluate ski resorts around the world for their capacity to weather climate change. For the 2024-’25 rankings, the Savills Ski Resilience Index reviewed 65 ski resorts, evaluating their weather-based components such as temperature, snowfall, and snowfall reliability along with their altitude and season length to determine which ski areas around the world have the most reliable winter conditions in the face of global warming. This is the 18th year that the report has been issued, and can be helpful for skiers planning trips well into the future.
Related: How to Be a More Sustainable Skier
Despite the fact that the second-most-resilient ski resort on the list is located in the U.S. (see below), only two U.S. ski areas and two Canadian ski areas made the 2024-’25 Savills rankings, with the latest report noting that overall, North American ski areas saw below-average snowfall and endured warmer temperatures across the board, causing their rankings to drop.
Most of the climate-resilient global ski areas are found in the Alps, including Breuil-Cervinia in Italy, which tops out at 12,740 feet and came in at No. 1. Other notable international resorts include Zermatt, which came in 5th thanks to its season length and altitude; Valle Nevado, 7th, and one of only two South American ski resorts on the list; and Japan’s Niseko, which landed in the 37th spot due in part to its low elevation.
According to the Savills Ski Resilience Index, here’s how resorts in North America will fare as the planet warms.
The Most Climate Change-Resilient Ski Areas in North America
No. 1: Vail, Colo. (No. 2 Overall)
- Best Metrics: Season Length, Altitude, Temperature
The Ski Resilience Index may be dominated by ski areas in the Alps, but Vail always manages to hold its own. The resort moved from the No. 6 position to the No. 2 spot in 2022 and hasn’t moved since.
In the latest ranking, the ski area retained its No. 2 position, falling behind Breuil-Cervinia when it comes to season length, altitude, and snowfall. (For context, the report notes that Breuil-Cervinia climbed four positions in this year’s report thanks to a longer-than-usual season and improved snowfall reliability.)
No. 2: Aspen Snowmass, Colo. (No. 4 Overall)
- Best Metrics: Season Length, Altitude, Snowfall
Aspen may be No. 4 in the most recent ranking, but it held the title of the world’s most resilient ski spot in the 2023 report, following high levels of snowfall the winter prior. Aspen now sits behind Breuil-Cervinia, Vail, and Val Thorens in the rankings.
No. 3: Whistler-Blackcomb, B.C. (No. 24 Overall)
- Best Metrics: Season Length, Snowfall, Temperature
Whistler Blackcomb and Mont Tremblant are the only Canadian resorts on the list, and historically, Whistler Blackcomb has always rated higher than Mont Tremblant in regard to climate resiliency. This year is no different, although Whistler’s drop to No. 24 from its previous spot at No. 14 the year prior is notable.
No. 4: Mont Tremblant, Que. (No. 39 Overall)
- Best Metrics: Season Length, Snowfall Reliability, Temperature
The fourth and final North American ski area to earn a spot on the Savills Ski Resilience Index is Quebec’s Mont Tremblant. The low-altitude resort doesn’t fare well when it comes to elevation and the ski area is coming off of a slow snow year, but its got cold temps in its corner. Tremblant beat out several resorts in the Alps, including Flims-Laax and Megève.
You can find the complete Savills Ski Resilience Index rankings here.
