From sky to snow: Getting from the airport to the slopes can be a hassle, but not for these ski resorts. Here are nine of the best ski resorts with an airstrip less than 10 miles from the lifts.
Courchevel, France: Flying straight to the slopes isn't a problem here -- Courchevel is proud of having the highest tarmacked runway in Europe.
Courchevel, France: The private, steeply sloping runway is just yards from the piste, making it a challenging airport approach for pilots and nervous fliers.
Meribel, France: Meribel sits at the heart of the Three Valleys, a welcoming wooded buffer between chic Courchevel and high-altitude Val Thorens. It features a mini airstrip -- just 1,332 feet long -- among the firs.
Gstaad, Switzerland: Saanen private airfield is a VIP gateway to one of Switzerland's most celebrated skiing areas. The airfiled is just three miles from Gstaad and its famous 136 miles of runs.
Zell am See, Austria: Medieval Zell am See occupies a picturesque spot on the western shore of Lake Zell with 48 miles of runs. Zell am See's airport is only two miles from the winter resort.
St. Moritz, Switzerland: Samedan Airfield in the Engadin Valley is only four miles from the historic birthplace of winter tourism and a favorite alpine hangout for international aristocrats and superstars.
St. Moritz, Switzerland: The 120-year-old Badrutt's Palace is one of the five-star hotels in the valley.
Veysonnaz/Nendaz, Switzerland: The back door to Switzerland's famed 4 Vallees ski area can be flown to via Sion airfield.
Veysonnaz and Nendaz are traditional hamlets, eight and nine miles from the airport respectively, which connect into Switzerland's largest ski area with 248 miles of runs.
Aspen, USA: Everyone's heard of Aspen but not many know that Pitkin County Airport is just a few short miles from the slopes.
Aspen, USA: The airfield is surrounded by the ski area of Aspen Mountain (or Ajax), Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk. The area's an A-list favorite with some of the most expensive real estate in the United States.
Revelstoke, Canada: Whether you're flying in by a private charter ($10,700 return) or by one of the scheduled flights ($190) from Vancouver, Revelstoke has the highest vertical drop in North America at 5,620 feet as well as 64 runs.
Telluride, USA: A former mining town, Telluride is one of the hottest ski locations in the US. Home to famous residents including Tom Cruise, Jerry Seinfeld and Oprah Winfrey,
it's easily accessible through Telluride Regional Airport -- on a lofty plateau six miles west of town.
