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Top 10 Alternative Ski Resorts

The advice from our experts is to take the piste less skied in order to maximise time on the slopes. We have put together our top tips for alternative ski resorts. These ski resorts guarantee great conditions, empty slopes and small lift queues. We recommend one of these alternative ski destinations if you are looking for something a bit different this winter.

1. Warth, Austria

WHY GO? A hidden gem with plenty of powder

This is one of our favourite alternative ski destinations. The little known village of Warth is thought to be the snowiest resort in the Alps. It has something for skiers of all abilities. There are plenty of slopes suitable for both beginners and intermediates. Whereas, advanced skiers and snowboarders will enjoy exploring the off-piste terrain. Over recent years, the village has become linked with the nearby LechZürs ski area. This has opened up a further 180km of pistes. The family-friendly village is very small, with a steepled church at its centre. Due to there being just 150 residents, many of the local businesses are family-run and owned.

Stay At:

Lux Alp Chalet is nestled in the quiet, sun-kissed village of Warth; a hidden gem at an altitude of 1500m and offering breath-taking views of the Biberkopf mountain.

Warth-Schröcken ski holidays

Madonna di Campiglio, Italy - Alternative ski resorts

2. Madonna di Campiglio, Italy

WHY GO?  Spectacular mountain scenery | Snow-sure | Excellent cuisine

Madonna di Campiglio has both a high altitude and snowy conditions, alongside world-class facilities. The snow-sure uncrowded slopes are best suited to intermediates. However, there’s plenty to do for all abilities across 150km of the best groomed pistes. The resort is connected to nearby Pinzolo and Folgarida-Marilleva. Advanced skiers will also enjoy the challenging black runs. On top of this, there are also plenty of off-piste areas. The traffic-free resort centre is situated in a picturesque wooded valley surrounded by the iconic peaks of the Dolomites. Madonna di Campiglio is one of our favourite alternative ski destinations.

Stay At:

Campiglio Bellavista in Madonna di Campiglio is an exclusive family run hotel perfect for keen skiers.

Madonna di Campiglio ski holidays

Madonna di Campiglio, Italy - Alternative ski resorts

3. Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada

WHY GO? Powder heavy | Heli-skiing | Longest run in North America

This powder heavy resort is one of Canada’s best-kept secrets. It features the longest skiable vertical in North America. The terrain in Revelstoke ski resort is vast with something to suit all abilities. For more adventurous skiers wanting to go off-piste, the resort also offers excellent heli-skiing and cat-skiing. Traditional buildings make up the charming mountain village. Developers are bringing more modern hotels to the resort, as it becomes more popular each year.

Stay At:

Five-star Chalet Bighorn in Revelstoke offers unrivalled luxury and exclusive access to a wilderness adventure like no other in British Columbia.

Revelstoke ski holidays

Revelstoke

4. Charlevoix, Canada

WHY GO? Great for all abilities | Breathtaking views | Great for Families

Only an hour away from Quebec, Charlevoix is a great alternative ski resort. There are stunning views of Saint Lawrence River on and off the slopes. There is 39km of slopes great for all abilities, with some great tree skiing available. The foot of the main lift is great for beginners to enjoy the basics. Advanced skiers will love the mogul fields and great off-piste opportunities. In addition, it is also the home of Club Med’s first all-inclusive Canadian resort.

Stay At:

Club Med Charlevoix in Quebec, Canada is Club Med’s first all-inclusive Canadian resort. Call today to speak to a Ski Solutions expert.

Charlevoix ski holidays

Charlevoix

5. St Martin de Belleville, France

Why Go? Has a traditional Alpine charm | Great access to Three Valleys Slopes | A peaceful alternative ski resort

A hidden gem of the Three Valleys, St Martin de Belleville is one of the best alternative ski resorts. The quiet village takes you away from the crowds but also give you access to 600km of pistes within minutes. The eight seater gondola will take you to nearby resorts Les Menuires and Meribel pretty quickly. The Val Thorens slopes are only a few lifts away too. In addition, there are great restaurants and bars to enjoy in the village after a day on the slopes. A great alternative ski destination for the Three Valleys.

Stay At:

Chalet Aphylla is situated in Villarabout, just above the village of St Martin de Belleville. It offers panoramic views of the mountains and down toward the village centre.

St Martin de Belleville ski holidays

St Martin de Belleville

6. Alpbach, Austria

Why go? Beautiful scenery | Friendly atmosphere | Fantastic for families

Just one hour away from Innsbruck Airport, Alpbach is a fantastic alternative ski resorts option. The scenery alone is superb, and it has real alpine mountain town charm. You can explore 109km of pistes in the area with great links to neighbouring ski resort Niederau. The ski resort has brilliant ski schools in the area and great childcare facilities too. As the resort isn’t big, it’s a great destination for families as it doesn’t feel as daunting as other major ski resorts in Europe.

Stay At:

The Böglerhof is Alpbach’s leading hotel. Furnished in elegant, Tyrolean style, it is steeped in history and offers friendly and superior service.

Alpbach ski holidays

Alternative ski resorts

7. Arinsal, Andorra

Why go? Value for money | Lively nightlife | Snow-sure slopes

Arinsal has a lively atmosphere with a great selection of bars to visit after a day on the slopes. The area is virtually tax-free, which means you do get value for money. You can ski 92km of slopes in the area with a brilliant lift system that connects to Pal and Ordino-Arcalis. The Andorran ski resort is near the border of Spain and has an altitude of 1,550m – 2,560m. Despite it having a lively nightlife the ski area is great for families because of the choice of ski schools, childcare and places to stay and eat.

Stay At:

The Diana Parc Hotel in Arinsal is the resorts only five-star hotel.

Arinsal ski holidays

Arinsal, Andorra

8. Alta, USA

Why go? Excellent snow record | Diverse terrain | Relaxed atmosphere

The snow record in Alta is very impressive with a lot of powder skiing throughout the season each year. The US resort has some fantastic diverse terrain to explore. If you buy a full lift pass you can explore 112km of slopes in the area. Whether you’re a first-time skier or an advanced skier looking for a challenge, Alta has something for everyone on the mountain. The nightlife is very low key but there are plenty of delicious restaurants to visit in the town.

Alta

9. Baqueira, Spain

Why go? Terrain for all levels | Brilliant off-piste | Stunning views

Baqueira is a great alternative ski resort to the big names in the Alps. Located in the Pyrenees, you can access 160km of slopes linking to neighbouring ski resorts Beret and Bonaigua. The Spanish ski resort has terrain suitable for all levels of skier or snowboarder. If you’re an advanced skier that loves powder skiing, here is great off-piste opportunities in the area. In addition, there is also a heli-ski service if you’re feeling adventurous with a local mountain guide.

Baqueira

10. Engelberg, Switzerland

Why go? Incredible off-piste | Snow-sure | Beautiful scenery

Considered one of the best off-piste destinations in Europe, Engelberg is a hidden gem of Switzerland. The snow record of the area is superb and has a high altitude of 1,050m-3,020m, guaranteeing great conditions during your stay. The views are truly stunning with a mixture of mountain and glacier backdrop. On piste, you can ski 89km of slopes with a good array of steepness. There are also superb restaurant choices on and off the mountain too.

Stay At:

Hotel Kempinski Palace is a luxury escape in Engelberg, with beautiful scenery and skiing.

Engelberg ski holidays

Engelberg

Call our ski experts to find out more about the best alternative ski resorts in Europe and North America.

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