WARWICK, R.I., Dec. 20, 2023 — A record number of travelers are expected this holiday season, and according to data from InsureMyTrip, they will be paying more than last year.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) predicts most travelers will take off on December 21, 2023 – with nearly 49,000 flights taking off on the Thursday before Christmas. So, where are they headed?
Top 5 Holiday Vacation Destinations:
United States
Mexico
Dominican Republic
United Kingdom
Costa Rica
Top 5 Holiday Cruise Destinations:
Bahamas
Mexico
Caribbean
Antarctica
United States
While travel costs are up across the board this year, travelers will find it’s cheapest to vacation domestically – unless you’re taking a cruise.
InsureMyTrip is breaking down the average travel costs for policyholders this holiday season.
Domestic Land Vacation Costs:
The average domestic land vacation is up just 1% over last year.
In 2022, the average cost was $4,303.
For 2023, a domestic trip will cost an average of $4,355.
Domestic Cruise Vacation Costs:
The average cost of a domestic cruise is up 34% over 2022.
In 2022, a domestic cruise cost $3,755.
For 2023, a domestic cruise will cost an average of $5,043.
International Land Vacation Costs:
The average cost of an international land vacation is up 26% this year.
In 2022 an international trip cost $5,876.
For 2023, an international land vacation will cost an average of $7,402.
International Cruise Vacation Costs:
The average cost of an international cruise vacation is up 20%.
In 2022, an international cruise cost $5,655.
For 2023, an international cruise will cost an average of $6,804.
Our travel insurance experts are available for interview regarding deeper insights, trend analysis, or to explore the best travel insurance options for your holiday plans.
*Methodology: InsureMyTrip analyzed travel insurance policies sold for trips departing between December 21, 2022 – January 1, 2023, and December 21, 2023 – January 1, 2024.
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Peak Thrills: A Guide to the World’s Best Ski Resorts
From the majestic peaks of the Alps to the pristine slopes of North America, join us as we traverse the globe, discovering the perfect blend of powder, panoramas, and après-ski delights. Whether you’re a seasoned skier seeking new challenges or a novice eager for the thrill of the slopes, we’ve found the best resorts for every level.
At InsureMyTrip we wanted to find out the best ski resort based on a variety of factors, such as how much a ski pass costs, how much snowfall there is annually, and how highly rated the hotels and bars are.
Best Ski Resorts
Rank
Resort / Country
Country
Overall
1
Les Portes du Soleil – Morzine,France
France
9.69
2
Kiroro,Japan
Japan
8.90
3
Les 3 Vallées – Val Thorens,France
France
8.54
4
Carezza,Italy
Italy
8.26
5
Racines-Giovo,Italy
Italy
8.16
6
Nozawa Onsen,Japan
Japan
8.05
7
Hakuba Iwatake Mountain Resort,Japan
Japan
8.03
8
Myoko Suginohara,Japan
Japan
7.92
9
Ischgl/Samnaun,Switzerland
Switzerland
7.90
10
Rosskopf,Italy
Italy
7.84
11
Niseko United,Japan
Japan
7.65
12
Obertauern,Austria
Austria
7.51
=13
Garmisch-Classic,Germany
Germany
7.45
=13
Whistler Blackcomb,Canada
Canada
7.45
15
Latemar – Carezza Ski,Italy
Italy
7.39
16
Zettersfeld,Austria
Austria
7.32
=17
Ladurns,Italy
Italy
7.30
=17
Madonna di Campiglio,Italy
Italy
7.30
19
Zillertal Arena,Austria
Austria
7.27
20
Fernie,Canada
Canada
7.23
=21
Hochoetz – Oetz,Austria
Austria
7.22
=21
Kitzbühel – Kirchberg,Austria
Austria
7.22
23
Serre Chevalier,France
France
7.21
24
Hohsaas – Saas-Grund,Switzerland
Switzerland
7.20
25
La Plagne,France
France
7.09
26
Tignes,France
France
7.05
27
Hörnerbahn,Germany
Germany
6.88
28
Almenwelt Lofer,Austria
Austria
6.84
29
Belpiano,Italy
Italy
6.82
30
Les 2 Alpes,France
France
6.81
31
Gitschberg Jochtal,Italy
Italy
6.79
32
Großglockner Resort Kals-Matrei,Austria
Austria
6.74
33
Söllereck,Germany
Germany
6.71
34
Valtournenche,Italy
Italy
6.70
35
Park City,USA
USA
6.69
36
Sillian,Austria
Austria
6.61
37
Mont-Sainte-Anne,Canada
Canada
6.60
38
Espace Diamant – Les Saisies,France
France
6.58
39
Fellhorn/Kanzelwand,Germany
Germany
6.53
40
Rusutsu,Japan
Japan
6.52
41
Via Lattea – Sestrière,France
France
6.50
42
Steinplatte Waidring,Germany
Germany
6.49
43
Nebelhorn,Germany
Germany
6.43
44
Alpe d’Huez,France
France
6.41
45
Saint-Lary-Soulan,France
France
6.40
46
Große Arber,Germany
Germany
6.39
47
Oberjoch,Germany
Germany
6.33
48
Spieljoch – Fügen,Austria
Austria
6.31
49
San Martino di Castrozza,Italy
Italy
6.30
50
Appi Kogen,Japan
Japan
6.23
51
Aletsch Arena,Switzerland
Switzerland
6.20
52
Pizol,Switzerland
Switzerland
6.15
53
Sahoro,Japan
Japan
6.14
54
Telluride,USA
USA
6.06
55
Snowmass,USA
USA
6.05
56
Big White,Canada
Canada
6.04
57
Bromont,Canada
Canada
6.03
58
Palisades Tahoe,USA
USA
5.94
59
Sudelfeld,Germany
Germany
5.93
=60
Axamer Lizum,Austria
Austria
5.91
=60
Elm im Sernftal,Switzerland
Switzerland
5.91
62
Deer Valley,USA
USA
5.89
63
Tremblant,Canada
Canada
5.82
64
Silver Star,Canada
Canada
5.81
65
Breckenridge,USA
USA
5.77
66
Vail,USA
USA
5.72
67
Wildhaus – Toggenburg,Switzerland
Switzerland
5.64
68
Flumserberg,Switzerland
Switzerland
5.63
=69
Kläppen,Sweden
Sweden
5.59
=69
Lake Louise,Canada
Canada
5.59
71
Furano,Japan
Japan
5.58
72
Grindelwald – Wengen,Switzerland
Switzerland
5.56
73
Stöten,Sweden
Sweden
5.39
74
Shigakogen Mountain Resort,Japan
Japan
5.27
75
Dundret Lapland,Sweden
Sweden
5.13
76
Åre,Sweden
Sweden
5.10
77
Lindvallen/Högfjället,Sweden
Sweden
4.90
78
Tandådalen/Hundfjället,Sweden
Sweden
4.88
79
Sun Peaks,Canada
Canada
4.81
80
Sunshine Village,Canada
Canada
4.65
=81
Hemavan,Sweden
Sweden
4.62
=81
Keystone,USA
USA
4.62
83
Beaver Creek,USA
USA
4.58
84
Mammouth Mountain,USA
USA
4.38
85
Vemdalen,Sweden
Sweden
4.36
86
Idre Fjäll,Sweden
Sweden
4.32
87
St. Moritz – Corviglia,Switzerland
Switzerland
4.05
88
Yabuli,China
China
3.48
At the top of our list is Morzine in the Portes du Soleil ski area of France. With an overall score of 9.69 with more than 1,100 feet of ski slopes and an average hotel rating of 9.34/10 Morzine scores highly across most metrics.
In second place is Kiroro, Japan, with an overall score of 8.9, it has the highest number of views on TikTok with more than 451 million views and the most snowfall at more than 780 inches a year on average. Although there are only 18 miles of ski slopes, Kiroro makes up for this with one of the lowest daily ski pass prices at $43.
The third best ski resort is Val Thorens in Les 3 Vallées, France. With an overall score of 8.54, this resort boasts the longest slopes with 1,220 feet across the resort. Val Thorens also offers affordable passes for the ski slopes - $79/day.
Best Country for Skiing
If you're interested in going to multiple ski resorts over the winter, but don't want to travel large distances we'd recommend heading to Japan. With four ski resorts ranking in the top 10, Japanese resorts boast high levels of snowfall and affordable daily pass prices. The top Japanese resorts are Kiroro with 8.9 overall, Nozawa (8.05), Hakuba Iwatake Mountain Resort (8.03), and Myoko Suginohara (7.92).
If the quality of where you're staying is the most important, we'd recommend heading to the Italian Alps. Italy has the four highest rated resorts for the quality of hotels; Rosskopf has an average hotel rating of 9.64/10, next is Racines-Giovo with an average hotel rating of 9.64/10, in third is Ladurns with an average hotel rating of 9.51/10, and in fourth is Carezza with an average hotel rating of 9.47/10.
Conclusion
For high-quality skiing, Morzine in the Portes du Soleil region of France is the best, with an overall score of 9.69 including 1,100 feet of slopes. Kiroro, Japan, secures second place with 8.9 overall, it has 451 million TikTok views, and an annual snowfall of 780 inches. Val Thorens in Les 3 Vallées, France, claims third with an 8.54 score including 1,200 feet of slopes.
Japan proves an ideal winter playground, boasting four of the top 10 resorts. Meanwhile, the Italian Alps shine for hotel luxury, with Rosskopf, Racines-Giovo, Ladurns, and Carezza securing the top spots.
Methodology
Each data point consists of the latest research available from reputable sources. All sources are destination-specific level data points. The data was standardized using minmax normalization. The minmax normalization value is multiplied by 10 to create a score (between 0-10). A score of 10 is always the best result, while a score of 0 is the worst. Each destination is then ranked on its overall rating across all ski-related data points, to find which resort destination is the best.
