7 of the Most Remote Ski Areas in the World

Who doesn’t dream of epic lines, deep powder, and fewer crowds? With skiing becoming more popular, you may have to look further off the beaten path or major interstate. Here are seven unique remote ski areas to add to your bucket list.

Lost Trail, Montana

Lost Trail Ski Area is located in Sula Montana, just on the border of Montana and Idaho. It is about an hour and 45 minutes away from Missoula. Founded in 1938, Lost Trail features five double lifts and three rope tows that allow access to over 60 acres of terrain. The resort sees an average snowfall of about 168 inches a season.

Safed Dara, Tajikistan

Safed Dara ski resort is located just outside Dushanbe, in Tajikistan. Safed Dara, meaning white valley, as the resort sits among the snowy peaks of Tajikistan, is often overlooked by skiers and riders. Safed Dara is especially unique as visitors pay per lift ride. The area features two t-bars, and instead of charging a flat fee for a day pass, visitors must pay for each ride up. 

Mt Cain, Vancouver Island, Canada

Mt Cain is located on the far north end of Vancouver Island. It is one of only a few community-owned ski resorts in Canada (Shames Mountain, British Columbia, is another.) The Mount Cain Alpine Park Society operates it and features two t-bars and a rope tow. It is the second tallest resort peak in Canada, second to Whistler. At a base elevation of 4,301 ft, Mt Cain isn’t different than any other Canadian or Alaskan coastal ski area. Loads of untouched pow can be found here. The resort sees an average of upwards of 500 inches a season, and practically no lift lines can be found at this small resort. 

Mt. Hermon, Israel

Mt. Hermon may be the most unique ski area of them all. Located at the northernmost point of Israel, the ski area sits on the disputed Syrian-Israeli border. Part of the area is classified as a military zone. Because of this, special accommodations and permission have to be made ahead of your trip to ski here. From the resort, observation posts patrolled by Israel’s defense forces and closed minefields can be seen. The resort features 11 chairlifts and t-bars and sits at an elevation of over 6,000 ft. Visitors can also take a ride on the area’s alpine coaster or participate in other snow games. 

Oukaïmeden, Morocco

Oukaïmeden is located in Morocco, a subtropical North African country known for its arid desert. The area is about 49 miles (80 kilometers) and an hour and a half drive away from the town of Marrakech. However, its elevation results in snow accumulation among the mountains. Allowing the ski season to commence from December to mid-April. The resort features seven lifts, including a T-bar. A full day pass can be purchased for 100 MAD (about $10).

Antillanca, Chile

Antillanca Ski Resort is located in southern Chile. It is nestled on the slopes at the base of the Casablanca Volcano, surrounded by the Puyehue National Park. At 1,522ft of elevation, it has five lifts, one chair lift, and four tows that access its slopes. The resort is known for its challenging terrain, which is popular for freeskiing. 

Mt. Sima, Yukon, Canada

Mount Sima is located in the northwestern territory of Canada, the Yukon. The area is just 15 minutes outside Whitehorse, the territory’s capital. The ski area features a chair lift and a rope tow that accesses a variety of terrain, including multiple terrain parks. The resort also offers mountain biking in the summer and paragliding year-round, with various launch stations conveniently located around the mountain. A day pass for the area is about $52 for adults and $42 for those under 19.