The best skiing is at higher elevations. It is colder, more extreme, and the snow is lighter and more prominent. The issue is that reaching these elevations can require mountaineering and long, intense hikes to complete a single run, which is not for everyone.
So which ski resorts have he highest lifted terrain in the world?
#10 Taos, New Mexico, USA
The Kachina Peak Lift reaches the Kachina Peak at 12,481 feet (3,804 meters). The new 2023 high-sped chair replaces the 2015 fixed grip chair to Kachina, which prior to 2015 was only accessible to those willing to hike. Now, everyone is lucky to be able to lap this behemoth of a mountain with the luxury of a lift. Known for massive powder dumps and steep grades, this spicy Southwest Mountain will leave you planning your next trip back to Taos.
#9 Snowmass, Colorado, USA
The Cirque T-Bar at Snowmass climbs to 12,510 feet (3,813 meters), making it the highest lift at Snowmass and one of the highest in Colorado. From its top terminal, skiers and riders access the resort’s steepest inbounds terrain: north-facing chutes, sustained fall lines, and wide-open alpine faces that often hold cold, chalky snow long after storms pass.
#8 Telluride, Colorado, USA
Revelation Lift at Telluride has a peak elevation of 12,570 feet (3,831 meters). This lift has a base elevation of 11,725 feet (3,574 meters), resulting in a vertical gain of 845 feet (255 meters). This is a fixed-grip quad and accesses the Revelation Bowl, which is not the highest terrain on the mountain. Palmyra Peak holds that title, accessible via Prospect Express and a short hike.
#7 Chamonix, France
This iconic European resort is home to not only the tallest mountain in the Alps — Mont Blanc — but also boasts the world’s highest cable car ascent. The Aiguille Du Midi has a peak elevation of 12,605 feet (3,842 meters) and a base elevation of 3,396 feet (1,035 meters). That gives it a spectacular vertical ascent of 9,209 feet (2,807 meters). The tram has a capacity of 66 people and has two stops along the 20-minute ride up.
#6 Mt. Elbrus, Russia
The tallest mountain in both Russia and Europe also has the second-highest gondola in Europe. This three-stage, eight-person gondola boasts an impressive peak elevation of 12,621 feet (3,847 meters). The first stage has a base elevation of 7,709 feet (2,350 meters), resulting in a total vertical ascent of 4,912 feet (1,497 meters). There are also plans to construct a fourth stage to this gondola at 13,287 feet (4,050 meters).
#5 Mount Tochal, Iran
I bet you don’t think of Iran when it comes to big mountains and ski resorts, but Mount Tochal boasts a very impressive 13,002 feet (3,963 meters) peak elevation. The Tochal Peak chair is a 3-person fixed-grip chair with a peak elevation of 12,656 feet (3,858 meters). It has a base elevation of 11,729 feet (3,575 meters), resulting in a vertical ascent of 927 feet (283 meters).
#4 Loveland, Colorado, USA
Loveland has the second-highest peak chairlift elevation in the United States. Lift 9, a fixed-grip quad chairlift, reaches a peak elevation of 12,700 feet (3,870 meters). With a base elevation of 11,432 feet, it has a vertical ascent of 1,268 feet. This chairlift accesses the ridge, which offers some of Loveland’s most advanced terrain.
#3 Zermatt, Switzerland
This already iconic mountain also boasts several of the highest lifts in Europe. Three cable cars reach the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise top station at 12,740 feet (3,883 meters), which in itself puts those three in third place. But from there, the Robba Gollin t-bar takes skiers and snowboarders to (12,792 feet) 3,899 meters on the glacier. With a base elevation of 5,315 feet (1,620 meters) for the village, Zermatt offers a staggering 7,425 feet (2,263 meters) of vertical for guests, making the resort so spectacular.
#2 Breckenridge, Colorado, USA
The highest lift access outside of Asia is located in Breckenridge. The Imperial Express chair is a fixed-grip quad chairlift, making it the world’s highest seated chairlift. It has a peak elevation of 12,841 feet (3,914 meters) and provides access to the Peak 8 terrain. It has a base elevation of 11,901 feet, giving it a vertical ascent of 1,097 feet.
#1 Gulmarg, India
This gondola is both the highest and second-longest in the world. It has an incredible peak elevation of 13,057 feet (3,980 meters) on the Kongdoori Mountain. It has a base elevation of 8,694 feet (2,650 meters), which results in a vertical ascent of 4,463 feet (1,360 meters). Gulmarg is known not only for skiing but also for the highest green golf course in the world, situated at an elevation of 8,690 feet (2,649 meters).
- Related: The 5 Scariest Lifts in the World
Fortunately, the highest ski lifts are not isolated to a few locations. This ranking spans six countries and three continents, allowing a vast array of people to enjoy the altitude. Now that you know where to go, get out there, rip up the cold smoke, and explore the high alpine with the world’s highest chairlifts.