The 15 best lesser-known ski resorts to try this winter

Courmayeur has the same cobbled streets and chic bars as more popular neighbouring resorts – but without the crowds - Simone Celeste/Moment RF

For many years, British skiers were obsessed with mileage and altitude. The bigger the resort, the better. But after a wallet-squeezing few years and an increasing desire to do more than just tear up the slopes, we are now increasingly looking for something different from our ski holidays.

As higher-altitude resorts become ever busier, many skiers are no longer choosing the same ski resorts year in, year out and instead seeking alternative resorts away from the tried-and-tested favourites.

Research from Club Med shows that more than half (55 per cent) of Britons are reconsidering their choice of destination. It’s a pattern backed up by many tour operators, who report a surge in bookings to Italy and Scandinavia, as skiers seek reliable snow, alternative experiences, value for money and fewer crowds. An increasing number of customers are requesting more cultural experiences and adventures on their holidays too.

Schladming-Dachstein is part of the Ski Amadé, which has 760km of pistes to explore - Claudia Ziegler

French specialist Peak Retreats has seen similar trends. “Over the past couple of seasons, clients who don’t already have a resort in mind are increasingly picking our ‘wildcard’ choices,” said managing director Alison Willis. And in recent years, Crystal Ski Holidays has introduced a host of new countries and destinations to its portfolio, including Spain, Sweden and the smaller Alpine resorts of Val Cenis and Valmeiner in France.

So, if you are tempted to ditch the old favourite and try something new, here’s our pick of 15 resorts that offer a great fresh perspective on your ski holiday.

1. Schladming-Dachstein, Austria

Alternative to Ischgl, Austria

Schladming-Dachstein is home to one of the largest bars in the Alps and the scene of legendary night skiing races (next hosted on January 27-28, 2026). Après starts with live bands in the mountain huts spread over Schladming’s 167km of pistes and often ends in the Hohenhaus Tenne, the enormous bar beside the Planai base station that turns into a nightclub as the evening wears on.

The enormous Hohenhaus Tenne bar is the epicentre of Schladming’s nightlife

The medieval town has a pedestrianised centre and plenty of shopping, and thanks to regular ski racing there has been heavy investment in the resort’s lift network, with a massive proportion of heated and covered chairlifts allowing skiers to travel in comfort and style. Schladming-Dachstein is also part of the Ski Amadé, which offers a hearty 760km of pistes.

Where to stay

2. Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy

Alternative to Courchevel, France

Set among the jagged peaks of the Dolomites, Cortina is one of the oldest and chicest ski resorts in Italy. Cobbled streets and gourmet restaurants are the order of the day in this upmarket destination that centres around a bell tower and designer shops.

The jagged peaks of the Dolomites frame Cortina’s cobbled streets and gourmet restaurants - EyesWideOpen/Getty Images Europe

The skiing is excellent and, unlike the French Les Trois Vallées, uncrowded – at least it should be after the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games this February. Cortina’s 120km of pistes are spread across three distinct ski areas – Faloria-Cristallo, Tofana-Socrepes and Cinque Torri-Lagazuoi – and are most suited to intermediates and experts. The off-piste is also noteworthy.

Where to stay

3. La Toussuire, France

Alternative to Morzine, France

Set on a sunny plateau at 1,750m, La Toussuire sits centrally in the Les Sybelles ski area. While little known on the British market, this area is the fourth largest in France, with 310km of slopes and the highest point a decent 2,620m. There are five other neighbouring villages in the area – Le Corbier, Saint-Sorlin-d’Arves, Les Bottières and Saint-Colomban des Villards – around which to plan each day’s skiing.

Le Corbier is one of five villages in the La Toussuire area

With a car-free main street, La Toussuire is great for families, too – there are two easy beginner slopes and magic carpets beside the village. Like the Portes du Soleil, the majority of Les Sybelles’ slopes are intermediate (217km) on wide, open mountainsides, with 71.3km for beginners and a dash (21.7km) for experts.

Where to stay

Peak Retreats offers a two-bedroom self-catered apartment in L’Alpaga, La Toussuire from £325, based on five sharing, including Eurotunnel crossing.

4. Engelberg, Switzerland

Alternative to Chamonix, France

With its towering jagged peaks, twelfth-century Benedictine Monastery, grand hotels, one of the longest ski seasons in Switzerland (October until May) and one of the biggest runs in the world (2,000m vertical), Engelberg gives Chamonix quite a run for its money.

Engelberg in Switzerland has towering jagged peaks and a long ski season - Engelberg Titlis Tourismus

While the mighty Titlis, at 3,238m, doesn’t quite rival the Aiguille du Midi (3,842m), Engelberg’s “Big Five” off-piste runs are legendary and a must-do for all self-respecting freeride skiers and snowboarders. It’s as easy to reach as Chamonix, too, just over an hour away from Zurich and one hour 40 minutes from Basel. Reliable Swiss trains take skiers directly into the village, where most accommodation is within easy walking distance.

There is limited skiing for intermediates but Engelberg has two areas for children and beginners: Schmugglis Winterland at Trübsee, and Globi’s Winterland in Brunni.

Where to stay

5. Baqueira-Beret, Spain

Alternative to Cervinia, Italy

A favourite resort of the Spanish Royal Family, Baqueira-Beret is set high in Catalonia in the Spanish Pyrenees, offering skiing with an authentic Spanish-French flavour. Sitting at 1,500m in the Aran Valley, the majority of its 160km of pistes are blues and reds, much like (smaller) Cervinia, and the transfer time is short if you fly into Toulouse, making it ideal for families.

The Spanish resort of Baqueira-Beret offers skiing with an authentic Spanish-French flavour

As a bonus, Spanish children don’t take a school break in February, so it’s the perfect spot for uncrowded half-term skiing – especially since the mountains bask in one daily hour of sunshine more than the Alps at the same time of year.

Where to stay

6. Kranjska Gora, Slovenia

Alternative to Bansko, Bulgaria

Slovenia’s number one resort, close to the borders of Italy and Austria, has, for the past couple of years, been named one of the top 10 destinations for a budget-friendly family ski holiday by the Post Office Travel Money Ski Resort Report.

Because of its proximity to the better-known ski destinations of Italy and Austria, the scenery and architecture in Kranjska Gora features rustic wooden huts and Alpine-friendly chocolate-box churches set among wooded hills. Your money goes further in Slovenia too, with high-quality accommodation that is better value than in its neighbouring counterparts.

Kranjska Gora has a familiar Alpine look to nearby Italy and Austria, but with better value accommodation - 24K-Production/iStockphoto

The resort sits at 807m, with skiing up to 1,282m over 20km of pistes – more than enough for first turns, especially as half of these runs are wide, gentle blues. There is also a brilliant kids area that includes a magic carpet and mini slalom course.

Unlike Bansko, the après vibe is quieter and more family orientated, with ice skating, a festive market and torchlit sledging. Cuisine has Austrian and Italian influences.

Where to stay

7. Warth-Schröcken, Austria

Alternative to St Anton, Austria

These two north-facing villages are the least known in Austria’s giant Arlberg ski area. While they were linked with Lech and St Anton in 2013 and 2016 respectively, they remain off the beaten track to most who ski and stay in the more popular areas.

Austrian resort Warth-Schröcken has a good choice of upmarket lodgings - Getty/iStock

The skiing is well suited to intermediates but experts would be foolish to overlook the powder: this side of the Arlberg receives the most snow in the Alps. Warth-Schröcken is tricky to reach – Zurich is two hours away, Friedrichshafen two hours and 15 minutes – but so are their better-known counterparts, and they’re worth the trip. Warth, the bigger village, has a good choice of upmarket lodgings.

Where to stay

8. Geilo, Norway

Alternative to La Plagne, France

One of Norway’s oldest ski resorts, Geilo is home to uncrowded, pristine slopes and is sandwiched between two national parks blanketed by awe-inspiring scenery. Thanks to its northerly latitude, Geilo offers consistent snow conditions all season from December to May, despite its altitude of 800m – 1,000m lower than La Plagne.

The Norwegian resort of Geilo is sandwiched between two national parks - Moment/Getty

Like its French counterpart, Geilo has a reputation for offering masses of family-friendly activities from dog sledding to ski-doo driving, fat biking and ice fishing. There are 40km of downhill slopes, and with another 220km, the cross-country skiing area is worth a try, too.

The downside? A long transfer. Bergen and Oslo airports are both more than three hours away by car – though that’s arguably no worse than the Tarentaise valley on a Saturday. The upside, however, is you can also go by train.

Where to stay

9. Big Sky, Montana

Alternative to Jackson Hole, Wyoming

This is a serious skier’s resort, with an abundance of powder (more than 10m per season) and two of the steepest inbound runs in the United States – Big and Little Couloir – served by the Lone Peak tram. Much like Corbett’s Couloir in Jackson Hole, Big Couloir is tightly patrolled – you can’t ski it alone and only two skiers are allowed to drop into its 60-degree entry point every 15 minutes.

Big Sky and Lone Peak are a playground for serious skiers, with two of the steepest inbound runs in the United States - Aerial_Views/E+

That aside, Montana is cowboy country, and on the doorstep of Yellowstone National Park, making this unique ski resort a once-in-a-lifetime visit for adventurous skiers and lovers of Westerns.

Where to stay

10. Serre Chevalier, France

Alternative to Saas-Fee, Switzerland

Some 80 per cent of this resort’s north-facing slopes sit above 2,000m, giving Serre Chevalier in the Southern French Alps a long, snow-sure season. The resort is often overlooked, since the valley and its villages sit at lower altitudes, between 1,200m (Briançon) and 1,500m (Le Monêtier).

However, the treeline here extends up to 2,200m, offering some great skiing during bad weather days. While it’s not glacial, Serre Chevalier is known for good conditions until the close of the season and, with more than 250km of slopes, it’s also more than double the size of Saas-Fee.

Serre Chevalier’s high, north-facing slopes ensure the resort has a long, snow-sure season - AGENCE ZOOM/Digital Vision

Parts of the main resort areas are modern, but, like its Swiss comparable, there are some older sections that offer plenty of character, including the Unesco-protected fortifications of Briançon – the highest town in France. Skiers in Serre Chevalier also benefit from a 25 per cent discount on a day ticket in nearby La Grave.

Where to stay

11. Obergurgl, Austria

Alternative to La Rosière, France

With Austria’s wallet-friendly prices, snow-sure slopes and warm welcomes, Obergurgl is a solid option for families who usually head to France. Its altitude (the resort sits at 1,800m, with a top ski-area height of 3,082m) makes for good late-season skiing.

Welcoming and budget-friendly Obergurgl is a great choice for family skiing - robertharding/Alamy

There are 110km of pistes, which is just a few less than La Rosière’s 154km, though the majority of runs are blues and reds, with excellent ski schools for kids. As a result, the off-piste runs for powder-hungry mums and dads are barely touched.

Obergurgl has accommodation to suit families on all budgets too, from five-star hotels to self-catering apartments, and much of it is ski-in/ski-out – a prerequisite for families. Off-snow entertainment includes ice skating, curling, horse riding and indoor golf (head to Hotel Riml to experience Europe’s largest indoor golf facility).

Where to stay

12. Gausta, Norway

Alternative to Hemesdal, Norway

Gausta was little known until recently, but it has now exploded onto the British ski scene and is offered by a number of mainstream operators. Its larger and more well-known cousin, Hemesdal, may be one of Scandinavia’s highest resorts at 1,450m, but Gausta reaches 1,880m, giving the area a decent 1,650m vertical drop.

Thanks to its northerly latitude, conditions are reliable all season (December to May) too, with an average 2.5m of snowfall each winter and cold temperatures that help to preserve it.

Gausta offers blissful quiet that cannot be found at more popular resorts like Hemesdal - Alf Jacob Nilsen/Alamy Stock Photo

Yes, Gausta has just 35km of pistes (9km fewer than Hemesdal’s 44km), but they are well maintained and blissfully quiet. It also has a unique selling point: Gausta was once used as a military base by Nato agents during the Cold War, and skiers can access the Gaustatoppen mountain area through heavy steel doors marked “top secret” before taking a funicular to the summit.

Where to stay

13. Courmayeur, Italy

Alternative to Megève, France

Located on the Italian side of Mont Blanc, this resort was once a popular weekend destination, but has been overtaken in recent years by the ultra-convenient Megève, which surged in popularity following its appearance on Emily in Paris.

The transfer from Geneva, at 90 minutes, is a little longer than its French counterpart’s 75, but Courmayeur has the same seductive car-free town feel, with cobbled streets laden with chic après skiers, celebrities, and superb dining spots.

Courmayeur has the same seductive car-free town feel as Megève - Lorenzo Belfrond

The ski area, at 100km, is modest, but there are plenty of off-snow activities for weekenders. Plus, Courmayeur’s altitude (the slopes are between 1,210m and 2,755m) means reliable snow. Being set in Italy, rather than France, heli-skiing is permitted on this side of Mont Blanc, too.

Where to stay

14. Selva, Val Gardena, Italy

Alternative to Méribel, France

The Sella Ronda circuit in Italy’s Unesco-protected Dolomites is considered one of the world’s greatest ski routes, with 27km of pistes that take around six hours to complete.

Selva is one of three good-sized resorts in Val Gardena (with 175km of pistes) that sits in the expansive 1,200km Dolomiti Superski area. Confused? Don’t be, just be reassured that there is life beyond Méribel and France’s mega Trois Vallées – and it comes with fine pasta, pizza and aperitivo. Belissimo!

Selva is ample, with plenty of challenging pistes - Paul Biris/Moment RF

Close to the border with Austria, of which it was a part of for many years, Selva retains a Tyrolean charm and German is still widely spoken here. It offers some challenging slopes of its own, but the Sella Ronda circuit also takes in the four Ladin valleys of Val Gardena, Val di Fassa, Arabba and Alta Badia – and the latter is known for its exquisite cuisine, too.

Where to stay

15. Nendaz, Switzerland

Alternative to Verbier, Switzerland

Despite being a major, modern resort, Nendaz is nowhere near as famous among Britons as its glitzy high-profile neighbour, Verbier. Yet it shares the same 410km-stretch of 4 Vallées and possibly superior views of the Rhone valley.

There are a lot of self-catering apartments here too, making Nendaz a cheaper option than Verbier, and its shared ski area with Veysonnaz is a more family-friendly option than its hard-core neighbour.

Nendaz shares access to the same 410km 4 Vallées area as some of Europe’s glitziest resorts - iStockphoto/NataliaNaberezhnaia

The Nendaz Printse lift pass offers access to more than 200km of slopes, many of which are north-facing, and some of the area’s outstanding itineraries comprise marked and controlled off-piste routes, including the legendary Tortin, which is considered to be one of the most challenging in the area. Also good: 4 Vallées passes and upgrades are available, too.

Where to stay

Unless stated otherwise prices are per person, for a week’s stay, half board, including flights and transfers, based on two sharing.

This article was first published in December 2023, and has been revised and updated.

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