These ski destinations are in trend in 2019

  • Ski resorts in Japan, China and the USA are particularly popular this year
  • Italy is booming: Lombardy and the Apennines register the largest increase in guests
  • This season also trendy: the regions Allgäu, Vorarlberg and Graubünden

Currently, large parts of Germany resemble a Winter Wonderland – snow and frosty temperatures make winter sports enthusiasts’ hearts beat faster. But other parts of the world are also enticing with spectacular pistes. For the winter sports season, Airbnb publishes the latest figures on which ski destinations are particularly trendy this season. Winter sports regions were considered which recorded the largest increase in guest numbers compared to the previous year*. Karuizawa in Japan, Zhangjiakou in China and the Great Smoky Mountains in the USA are particularly popular with travellers this winter*. Bella Italia”, with its picturesque mountain ranges – especially in Lombardy (186%) and the Apennines (170%) – is also trendy.

Within Germany, the Allgäu region (149%) and the Black Forest (146%) are increasingly attracting guests in this ski season*. In neighbouring Austria, the ski resort of Zell am See grew by 148 percent compared to the previous year. Also the Austrian Vorarlberg (145%) and the Kitzbuehler alps (133%) are particularly popular with guests this year. There is also an increased demand for accommodation this year in the ski regions of Graubünden (163%), Sankt Moritz (149%), the Bernese Oberland (149%) and Valais (145%).

Top 10 Trend ski destinations 2019*

  1. Karuizawa, Japan (444%)
  2. Zhangjiakou, China (217%)
  3. Great Smoky Mountains, TN, USA (207%)
  4. Lombardy, Italy (186%)
  5. San Carlos De Bariloche, Argentina (186%)
  6. Poconos, PA, USA (179%)
  7. Whitefish, MT, USA (171%)
  8. Apennin, Italy (170%)
  9. Eastern Townships, Canada (166%)
  10. Snowy Mountains, Australia (165%)

Winter discoveries on Airbnb

Those who prefer to experience the fresh snow without skis will find many winter discoveries on Airbnb. For example, over 350 guests** have already embarked on the exciting walk with sleddogs in the Austrian Mistelbach. Guests in Switzerland can also take part in a snowshoe tour with host René in Sarnen or learn how to prepare a ski slope in Alpthal.

*based on internal Airbnb data in year-on-year comparison of bookings in ski destinations for 2019 to 4 January 2019 versus bookings for 2018 to 4 January 2018. Ski destinations are defined as destinations with the most accommodations with the keyword “ski” in their description.
**Based on internal Airbnb data of the most booked discoveries on Airbnb in ski destinations since then.