Best Ski Resorts You May Never Have Heard Of

France

France remains a big favourite with British skiers but why not look at some of the lesser known resorts? Ardent in France is a good example. It really is a very small village of wooden chalets and only two lifts away from the better known Avoriaz. In effect you are able to access the huge Portes du Soleil but at the end of the day you could ski back to this village. Reberty 2000 in France is in the Three Valleys so has links to a huge ski area but is in itself a traditional style hamlet, very family friendly and has its own kindergarten.

Still in France check out Orelle, a really pretty resort in the Maurienne valley, made up of 10 hamlets of slate roofed stone houses. You are linked by lift to Val Thorens but will enjoy great off piste and much cheaper accommodation than if you were to stay in the Three Valleys. Serre Chevalier, compared to the others we have mentioned may be better known to you but we still think it is very underrated. It sits on the edge of the Ecrins national park and comprises of a number of villages. One of the main things it will give you is the most amazing restaurants that you dream of finding in a ski resort but rarely do. Restaurants with log fires, wood panelled rooms and excellent hearty food.

Austria

Austria used to be a favourite with the Brits and is starting to pick up again. Look at some of the lesser known resorts. St Johann, Tyrol is an example. It sits next door to Kitzbuhel but is cheaper although offers the same amazing medieval centre. It offers good skiing for beginners and intermediates, a good ski school and 43km of pistes.

Italy

Gressoney in Italy is a resort in the Aosta valley. It shares a ski area with Champoluc and Alagna. Gressoney has lovely cobbled streets, wooden chalets and is a great base to explore the Monterosa ski area which offers you 150km of pistes. This is a quiet resort which offers great food and no lift queues. La Villa is in the Sella Ronda circuit and is a really pretty little village. It offers a castle but also 310km of pistes. Great food and a good network of runs is also found here.

If Italy floats your boat then consider Madesimo a small resort close to the Swiss border and north of Lake Como. You will find 60km of piste a modern lift system but also fantastic food.

Andorra

Some are still a bit sniffy about Andorra as its reputation has been for cheap skiing. But that would be very short sighted. Take El Tarter in the Grandvalira area. Here you will find 193km of pistes along with Soldeu and Pas de la Casa. El Tarter is not known for its nightlife but you will find good skiing at a good price. Arinsal should also be considered. It’s in Western Andorra part of the Vallnord area. Your ski pass here is good value as it gives you access to the resorts of Arcalis and Pal. If you are skiing with children under 12 then they ski for free and it’s a great resort for families and beginners. So if you are tired of paying inflated prices for a cup of coffee or beer in the Alps then maybe you should swallow that pride and look at Andorra again.

By Will Smith