We’re now approaching the point in the year where sunny European breaks are mostly off the table (other than these winter sun destinations). Beach season has been swapped out for its upmarket, colder sibling: ski season.
There are hundreds of gorgeous ski resorts on the continent, but a holiday on the slopes doesn’t come cheap, so you want to make sure that you’re booking somewhere worth your while. That’s where we can help.
Time Out has just released a list of the most underrated ski resorts in Europe, as chosen by skiing expert Laura Sanders. Laura has been to all the most famous resorts, but she’s also tried out all of the lesser-known ones, and ranked them in a list to help you choose where to head next.
Bruson, a skiing village in Switzerland, came in first place. There’s loads of options for skiers of all abilities – Laura notes the ‘26km of snow-sure pistes’ which are ‘mostly beginner-friendly’, and the ‘further 410km to explore in the 4 Valées’, now connected by a brand new gondola. But that’s not all there is to love.
Nearby you’ll find the ‘buzzing’ town of Verbier, the perfect place for a classic aprés ski party. Alternatively, ‘retreat gracefully to Bruson where locally renowned raclette cheese will warm your cockles’. Basically, whether you’re after a party or just a good meal, Bruson has you covered.
In terms of where to stay, Laura recommends the Hôtel A Lârze; ‘a small, family-run hotel… This cosy chalet-style bolthole is conveniently located near the shops, bars and ski lifts. Return after a day’s skiing to a traditional sauna and homemade cake’.
Annual passes are around 1449 CHF (roughly €1,570), but shorter passes, starting at three days for 146 CHF (€158), are more affordable.
In second place was Les Houches in France, ‘one of five resort towns making up the Mont Blanc ski area’, which is very close to the iconic Chamonix, but much less crowded. ‘St Anton’s calmer alter ego’, St Christoph in Austria, rounded out the top three.
Have a look at the rest of Time Out’s most underrated ski spots here.
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