6 Best All-Inclusive Ski Resorts

Depending on who you are, ski trips tend to look one of two ways: You’re the bargain-hunting type with a multi-pass who’s content couch-surfing while swilling cheap beer, or you tend to gravitate towards more expensive, luxurious takes on slopeside accommodations.

All-inclusive ski destinations tend to appeal to the latter crowd, but if you know where to look—particularly in South America—finding reasonably-priced lodging that covers everything from lift tickets to warm meals is possible.

That’s not to say that most all-inclusive ski experiences are cheap. They’re not. But there is a broader ecosystem here than you might’ve initially thought. And no matter how you slice it, the prospect of everything (or almost everything—it depends on which destination you choose) being covered from the get-go has a certain allure. While usually necessary, fretting over lift tickets and meals rarely adds to the ski trip experience.

From economical hostel-style weeklong stays at Portillo, Chile, to no-holds-barred heli-skiing missions in the Canadian backcountry, these are six of the best all-inclusive ski destinations.

1. Ski Portillo, Chile

Portillo looms large in the imaginations of North Hemisphere skiers. With 1235 acres of terrain, 192 inches of annual snowfall, and numerous varied runs, this place notches several boxes for intermediate and expert skiers alike.

Also, limited day ticket sales and lodging (Portillo’s slopeside lodging has a capacity of 450) mean the resort’s lines are often short. As is tradition at several other South American ski resorts, Portillo offers a range of stays that include lodging, four daily meals, unlimited lift access, and use of hotel amenities—all you have to do is get there. Rates for seven days of skiing can be surprisingly affordable, too.

While renting out one of Portillo’s Chalets for a full week will set you back over $10,000, rooms in the hostel-style Inca Lodge only cost around $2,000 per week during the high season. The latter’s value is tough to beat in the broader all-inclusive ski resort landscape.

2. Valle Nevado, Chile

Valle Nevado offers complete ski packages with tickets, two meals, and lodging, all included on the same bill. Its central hotels—Hotel Valle Nevado, Hotel Puerta Del Sol, Hotel Tres Puntas—are within walking (or skiing) distance of the slopes, making the ski morning calculus as simple as possible.

Valle Nevado’s terrain varies, ranging from wide open bowls (the entire resort is above treeline) to well-manicured freestyle parks. A heli-skiing service ups the ante with access to 310,000 acres of backcountry slopes. Unfortunately, helicopters aren’t included in day lodging rates, but if you’re in the mood to splurge—and probably do some of the best skiing of your life— heli trips cost $1,900 daily.

3. The Ranch at Rock Creek, Montana

The Ranch at Rock Creek isn’t a ski resort. Instead, it's an all-inclusive resort that, during the winter, offers trips to nearby Discovery Ski Area for snowsports-inclined guests. If you choose to hit the slopes during a stay at The Ranch (skiing is available between December 1 and March 31), the resort’s staff covers everything, including lunch, gear, and lift tickets. Skiing is only one of numerous wintertime activities available, though. Visitors can also go horseback riding, fly-fishing, or shooting, depending on their mood, before unwinding with a soak in the hot tub. Unlimited beer, wine, and spirits sweeten the deal. While winter is the down season at the Ranch, lodging rates still reflect the fact that it is, indeed, a luxury all-inclusive resort.

4. Club Med Tignes, France

Nestled on the flanks of Tignes, this Club Med outpost—it’s really a sprawling hotel with 430 guest rooms—makes ski trips as simple as possible. The Club Med selling point is that once you’re on vacation, you’re on vacation . With everything covered, you don’t have to stress about any of the nagging details, like where to buy a pass.

Group lessons with instructors are included, too, so visitors can spend a day each on the slopes with a guide familiar with Tignes’ terrain. Looking for the best intermediate cruiser runs? They’ll have you covered. Club Med Tignes offers yoga classes, a spa, and entertainment like live music and DJ sets off the slopes. Club Med’s massive reach extends beyond Tignes, too. The accommodation titan also has all-inclusive skiing-focused hotels in Japan, Switzerland, and Italy.

5. Canadian Mountain Holidays Bobbie Burns

Chairlifts aren’t a prerequisite for all-inclusive skiing experiences. From getting picked up at Calgary International Airport to shredding heli-assisted laps and lounging in the hot tub, trips to Canadian Mountain Holidays (CMH) Bobbie Burns Lodge are nearly all-inclusive from start to finish (massages and alcoholic beverages aren’t part of the sticker price, and you need to bring your own ski boots).

CMH staff provides an array of backcountry gear, including skis (the mega-fat K2 Pon2oon is one tempting option), poles, and safety equipment. While Bobbie Burns is an expert-focused lodge that caters to skiers who rip and train in advance of their annual heli excursions, there are other lodges across CMH’s 11 destination portfolio that accommodate a more laid-back crowd, like CMH Bugaboos.

6. Retallack Lodge Catskiing

More of a keep your boots on the snow type of skier? Give Retallack Lodge a look. Tucked away in the Selkirk Mountains, this British Columbian destination accesses deep, powdery backcountry lines with snowcats. The 11,000-square-foot lodge with a hot tub and sauna is the base camp for daily cat-assisted powder skiing excursions.

Guests normally notch between eight and 15 runs a day, and the longest run on offer at Retallack covers 4,200 vertical feet—that’s more vertical footage than a top-to-bottom excursion at Snowbird. Like CMH, Retallack doesn’t cover the beer and cocktails, but all daily meals are included. Guests without skis can choose from a rental fleet of Armada powder sticks.

Related: A Skier’s Glossary of Gear and Tech Terms

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