9 ski resorts you can fly directly to

Skiing in the mountains often comes with long travel times, airport delays, and frustrating traffic. But what if there was a quicker, easier way?

Imagine if flying to your ski destination was effortless.

Some ski resorts make this a reality, and not just by offering helicopter transfers from the nearest international airport.

“Private jet travel for ski trips is about saving time and offering convenience, just as much as it is about luxury,” says PrivateFly CEO Adam Twidell.

Here are nine of the top ski resorts that you can reach directly, with airports located less than 10 miles from the ski lifts.

Courchevel, France

Courchevel is the pinnacle of ski resorts when it comes to flying straight to the slopes.

Europe's highest paved runway, located at 6,583 feet, is just a few yards from the slopes.

You can be skiing just minutes after landing.

The steep, 1,762-foot runway requires pilots to accelerate upon landing, which goes against the usual approach.

“If they miscalculate, the runway has to be closed while a tractor is brought in to tow the plane up,” says Richard Lumb, director of Kaluma Travel.

But once you’re off the runway, the vast Les Trois Vallées ski area – with 372 miles of terrain and 166 lifts, shared with Méribel, Val Thorens, and Les Menuires – is just a stone's throw away.

Courchevel boasts seven Michelin-starred restaurants, a collection of five-star hotels like Cheval Blanc and Les Airelles, and a range of ultra-luxury chalets.

Fun fact: In March 2016, Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge chose Courchevel for a four-day ski getaway.

Meribel, France

Meribel lies at the heart of the Three Valleys, nestled between the sophisticated Courchevel and the high-altitude Val Thorens, surrounded by scenic forests.

Meribel’s small airstrip, tucked among the pine trees, is only 1,332 feet long and caters exclusively to light aircraft for sightseeing.

The Meribel valley features 100 miles of ski slopes, reaching the towering Mont du Vallon at 9,685 feet, offering a variety of runs from easy to expert-level challenges like the Saulire couloirs, some of which link to Courchevel.

Meribel was established in the 1930s by British Colonel Peter Lindsay, who insisted that all construction blend harmoniously with the natural surroundings, resulting in the widespread use of wood and chalet-style buildings.

The only five-star hotel in the area is Le Kaila, home to the Michelin-starred restaurant L’Ekrin. Hotel Le Grand Coeur and Spa is also a long-standing favorite among affluent guests.

Fun fact: Meribel hosted the ice hockey events and the women’s downhill during the 1992 Albertville Winter Olympics.

Gstaad, Switzerland

Julie Andrews, star of The Sound of Music, is said to have called Gstaad, 'the last paradise in a crazy world.'

Arrive swiftly at Saanen private airfield, a VIP hub just three miles from the chic Gstaad, a town that balances its rustic farming roots with a touch of glamour, thanks to its blanket of snow.

This Swiss haven, perched on the northern edge of the Bernese Oberland, offers 136 miles of ski runs across five main ski areas.

For those seeking adventure, glacier skiing up to 1.86 miles is just a short drive around the valley above Les Diablerets.

Gstaad is home to five five-star hotels, including the majestic Gstaad Palace (which offers a Penthouse suite with a private tower sauna), Park Gstaad, and Alpina Gstaad.

Fun fact: Over the years, Gstaad has been a favorite of celebrities such as Louis Armstrong, Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly, Brigitte Bardot, Roger Moore, John Travolta, and Roger Federer.

Zell am See, Austria

Two miles is hardly enough time to apply sunscreen, but that’s the distance from Zell am See’s airport to the resort.

The nearest lift, Areitbahn, is conveniently located just across the road.

The charming medieval town of Zell am See is nestled on the western shore of Lake Zell, at the base of the horseshoe-shaped Schmittenhöhe mountain, offering 48 miles of ski runs.

The zellamseeXpress gondola, which opened in the winter of 2016/2017, connects to an old run into Glemmtal, with future plans to extend towards Saalbach-Hinterglemm.

The skiable area covers about 85 miles, including the Kitzsteinhorn glacier at 10,500 feet, which looms over Kaprun, as well as the family-friendly Maiskogel region.

The historic Grand Hotel Zell am See sits on a picturesque lakeside peninsula, while the nearby Salzburgerhof boasts a five-star superior rating.

Fun fact: Deins & Meins is ranked as Zell am See’s top restaurant on TripAdvisor, while Crazy Daisy is a favorite après-ski destination.

St. Moritz, Switzerland

The term “jet set” seems tailor-made for the glamorous crowd of St. Moritz.

Private jets arrive at Samedan airfield in the Engadin valley, just four miles from the birthplace of winter tourism, where aristocrats, celebrities, and international elites gather.

The Engadin valley offers 218 miles of ski runs and 58 lifts, with the Corviglia area in St. Moritz serving as the centerpiece, having hosted the Winter Olympics in 1928 and 1948.

The resort also served as the backdrop for the skiing scenes in the James Bond movie 'The Spy Who Loved Me.'

Notable five-star hotels include the historic 120-year-old Badrutt's Palace (featuring the Hans Badrutt suite, which spans nearly 2,000 square feet), the Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains, and the Kulm Hotel.

Fun fact: St. Moritz is home to the famous Cresta Run toboggan course, built in 1884, and the nearby Olympia bob run, the world’s only naturally refrigerated bobsleigh track. The town also hosts an annual polo match and the 'White Turf' horse race on the frozen lake.

Veysonnaz/Nendaz, Switzerland

There’s a secret entrance to Switzerland's renowned 4 Vallées ski area – the crown jewel being Verbier – and visitors can fly directly to the doorstep.

Sion airfield, located in the Rhone Valley, once served as a Swiss Air Force fighter jet base, but it now accommodates private jets if the pilots are trained for its challenging approach between towering 13,000-foot peaks.

Today, daily flights from London Heathrow are available, and there are also regular flights several times a week from Zurich, Porto, and London City.

Veysonnaz and Nendaz are charming traditional villages, situated 8 and 9 miles from the airport, respectively. They connect to the 4 Vallées, Switzerland’s largest ski area, offering 248 miles of runs and 93 lifts.

The highest point is Mont Fort, reaching 10,826 feet, offering breathtaking views of Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn.

Crans Montana, on the opposite side of the Rhone Valley, is just a 30-minute drive from Sion.

The Hidden Dragon chalet in Veysonnaz was designed with Shinto and feng shui principles to ensure the ideal placement of the plot.

Did you know? Verbier’s La Vache mountain restaurant is co-owned by singer James Blunt, former England rugby captain Lawrence Dallaglio, and former Superbike world champion Carl Fogarty.

Aspen, USA

Aspen, the Colorado mining town that struck silver, has evolved into a luxurious destination, attracting A-list celebrities and boasting some of the priciest real estate in the U.S.

Pitkin County Airport is conveniently located just a few miles from Aspen’s ski slopes.

The airfield, which connects to numerous U.S. cities, is only three miles from Aspen, surrounded by the Aspen Mountain (Ajax), Aspen Highlands, and Buttermilk ski areas.

Snowmass Village, another popular ski area, is just six miles from the airport. The Limelight Hotel Snowmass, a pet-friendly ski-in/ski-out hotel offering great access to the slopes and extras like dinner and a movie, recently opened its doors.

Aspen, immortalized in songs by local legend John Denver, features 319 miles of tree-lined trails through the Rocky Mountains, with plenty to offer off the slopes as well. This year, the Aspen Art Museum will mark three significant anniversaries.

Celebrities flock to upscale accommodations like the luxurious Little Nell, Hotel Jerome, and St. Regis in Aspen.

Did you know? Aspen's Buttermilk mountain is home to the Winter X Games and hosted the 2017 FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup finals.

Revelstoke, Canada, offers some of the most thrilling skiing experiences in the world.

Skiers are treated to a vertical drop of 5,620 feet—the largest in North America—and 64 runs through glades and high-altitude bowls on Mount Mackenzie.

Revelstoke is also a hotspot for heli-skiing enthusiasts seeking adventure off the beaten path.

At the exclusive Bighorn Lodge, step out and hop into a helicopter right outside, ready to whisk you from your doorstep to the powdery slopes in just minutes.

Did you know? Revelstoke is known for its abundant snowfall, with 40-60 feet of snow falling annually, so be sure to bring a snorkel!

Telluride, Colorado, is a renowned destination for both skiing and its picturesque mountain views.

Once a bustling mining town in the mid-1800s, Telluride was the site of Butch Cassidy’s infamous first bank robbery in 1889. Today, it has become one of North America’s premier ski destinations.

Telluride Regional Airport, perched on a high plateau six miles west of the town, offers scheduled flights via Great Lakes Airlines as well as private charter options.

With its convenient airport, you can easily fly into Telluride and be hitting the slopes of the San Juan mountains within just an hour.

Telluride’s charming downtown, only eight blocks wide and twelve blocks long, has preserved its Wild West heritage with quaint storefronts and beautiful Victorian homes.

Notable past residents include celebrities like Tom Cruise, Jerry Seinfeld, and Oprah Winfrey, adding to the town’s glamorous allure.

Spanning 2,000 acres, this ski area boasts 127 runs through aspen and spruce forests, with Palmyra Peak standing tall at 13,320 feet as the dominant feature.

The Revelation lift quickly takes skiers to a lofty elevation of 12,515 feet, offering stunning views over the Revelation bowl.