I was surprised to note that only 3 of them were in Canada

http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/...action=Gallery

I'm not. Of the top ten I've only been to Flaine and I think it is a fair bit better than whistler. I like whistler a lot, but the two things that let it down are:-

1 - It's size. There are plenty of runs, but they are all compressed into quite a small area. You see a picture of whistler or blackcomb mountain and it's almost all used as piste.

2 - Lift capacity is too small for the number of runs they have. There are real bottlenecks at some of the major routes up the mountain and I can say I've never experienced delays like those at whistler anywhere else. Last season was better, but only because the number of visitors was down because of the olympics.

Oh, burn the witch - heresy

Actually, I agree with you, I can think of loads of european resorts that are better than Whistler.

Whistler does have some strong points, and I would go there again if living in canada, but I wouldn't fly there from the UK.

That's an extraordinary to ten though.

La Rosiere as the best in the world?

Andorra in top ten?

I don't think it claims to be an objective list. Looking at the top few picks it seems that the the facility to dump the kids while you go skiing is one of the key factors in the rankings.

I don't ski so I can't comment on the quality of the runs, or even the apres ski, but I expect familiarity has a lot to do with it. I imagine an American journalist would come up with a completely different list.

Yep, one of my favourite places (Tignes) didn't even make the cut.

Its a very odd list, whereever you are from.I think they set it up as obscure top 50. Actually I think they set it up based on adverstisers. Really of the 3 canadian resorts in top 50, Nakiska is one.

I'd put money on this makes the news here later.

I know I agree Alan..
Also Meribel ahead of Zermatt??? Zermatt is my all time fav and I have been 5 times...was Zermatt even on the list? I got bored at number 24 and stopped looking. (been to Meribel 3 times as well so qualified to compare and contrast!)

We are off on our last jolly around Europe the week after next and may drop by Tignes for a last blast

I agree. To include Nakiska, but not Sunshine or Lake Louise, is a little weird. Although, lack of accommodation close by may be an issue.

I have never skied in Europe so can't comment on those. But Chamonix is my idea of hell, at least from the perspective of a climber.

More than a little weird I'd say. I can't think what their criteria are ....

I don't care which ones are in the top 50, as long as some of them start getting some snow! Like NOW!!

I've only skied in France and the US but generally i don't like the French resorts, they are overcrowded and over priced. You end up waiting 30 mins just to get on a lift.

In the US I've skied quite a few of the smaller mountains in NY, NH, Maine etc and always found them much more enjoyable. Less impressive to look at and the runs are less challenging but never over crowded.

I guess its all down to what you personally enjoy that makes a good resort.

You need to avoid february if you go to france. Lots of french people ski in that month due to some holiday they all get or something.

Besides 30 mins ins't that bad. I've spent well over that many times at whistler. 45 minutes isn't unusual at the big red express on a saturday morning.

May just get a run in on sunny slope at clenshee on wednesday!!!!
Going by the weather forecast here !!!. First winter storm on the way.
Scotland before calgary?