Mayrhofen has a reputation that starts with one famously steep groomed run and ends with 548 kilometres of valley-wide terrain. Here's an honest breakdown of all six sectors, the lift system, pricing, and who this resort actually suits.
Alex Vittur, the manager behind Jannik Sinner's rise to world No. 1, has acquired a controlling stake in Kronplatz Holding AG - the company behind one of the Italian Dolomites' most significant ski destinations. The deal reportedly cost around €10 million and makes Vittur the largest individual shareholder among 589 stakeholders. It's a notable crossover between elite sport management and alpine tourism, and one that could shape the future direction of a resort with a lot at stake.
Mt. Bachelor in Oregon has launched a major modernisation project on its Northwest Express chairlift ahead of the 2026-27 season. Upgrades include a new electric motor, auxiliary power unit, control system overhaul, buried fibre lines, expanded operator shacks, and a night-drive system to combat ice buildup. The lift serves some of the mountain's most popular advanced terrain - and carries the seventh-largest vertical drop of any lift in North America at 2,336 feet.
While skiers queue at Chamonix and Cervinia, Monterosa Ski's three valleys offer 132km of largely intermediate terrain spread across an impressive 2,063 metres of vertical. It's not a household name, which is precisely the point.
Japan is about to get its first private ski resort. THE CLUB TOGARI opens at Togari Onsen near Nozawa Onsen in December 2026, offering members-only access to a dedicated ski zone, a private clubhouse, and ski-in ski-out real estate. Initial memberships are priced at JPY 20,400,000 (around $128,000 USD), capped at 400 members. It's a significant departure from the affordable, accessible skiing Japan has long been known for.
United Airlines has announced two new nonstop routes to Japan launching this northern autumn. A year-round Chicago to Tokyo Narita service starts October 24, with a seasonal San Francisco to Sapporo's New Chitose Airport route running December to March three times a week. Both airports serve as primary gateways to Japan's most popular ski regions - Nagano and Hokkaido respectively.
Mont Orford spreads 44 runs across three connected peaks in Quebec's Eastern Townships, offering 589 metres of vertical an hour from Montreal. The question is whether this multi-mountain layout delivers enough variety to compete with the Laurentians.
Mont Blanc offers 210 metres of vertical drop packed into a compact Laurentian footprint. With 55% of terrain rated advanced or expert and 3.5 metres of annual snowfall, this Quebec resort punches above its modest elevation.
Whitefish Mountain delivers 5.87 metres of annual snowfall and 717 vertical metres across genuinely challenging terrain, all within sight of Glacier National Park. Montana's alternative to the Colorado crowds comes with trade-offs worth understanding.
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