Archives: Ski areas

The Pyrenees' biggest ski area, with lively Pas de la Casa at one end and family-friendly Soldeu and El Tarter at the other. Andorra is duty-free, ski schools are popular with British beginners, and overall costs usually undercut the Alps.

Austria's largest ski pass, covering five regions and dozens of resorts, from Schladming (home of the Nightrace) to the spa towns of Gastein. Salzburg airport is close, the skiing is mostly friendly intermediate terrain, and prices are good value by Alpine standards.

A huge cross-border circuit linking 12 French and Swiss resorts, and one of the quickest transfers from Geneva. Morzine and Les Gets suit families and mixed groups, Avoriaz is ski-in/ski-out and car-free, and the Swiss side is quieter and more traditional.

A huge cross-border area linking the 2006 Olympic resorts of Sestriere and Sansicario with lively Sauze d'Oulx and France's Montgenèvre. It's very good value for its size, and Turin airport is only around 90 minutes away.

A high, snow-sure valley close to the Swiss border, known for duty-free shopping, strong snow parks and good-value après. Two ski areas face each other across the valley, and the season runs from late November to early May.

One pass covers 12 ski areas among the UNESCO-listed Dolomite peaks, including the famous Sella Ronda circuit. Expect immaculate grooming, superb mountain huts and Italian food, with plenty for intermediates; book a base in Val Gardena or Alta Badia to ski the loop.

Ski from Switzerland into Italy beneath the Matterhorn, on an area reaching almost 3,900m with glacier skiing all year. Car-free Zermatt is the glamorous base; Cervinia, on the Italian side, is usually much cheaper and has long, gentle cruising runs.

A wide valley of separate ski areas, all covered by the Zillertal Superskipass and linked by free ski buses and a valley railway. Mayrhofen is the lively hub with the famous Harakiri run, and the Hintertux Glacier at the head of the valley offers skiing almost all year.

Austria's biggest linked ski area, joining St. Anton's famous après-ski with upmarket Lech and Zürs and snowy Warth-Schröcken. It's best for confident intermediates and experts, with some of the Alps' best off-piste, and St. Anton has its own railway station.

Two high, snow-sure resorts sharing one big ski area, with glacier skiing in Tignes and a long season from late November into May. Val d'Isère has the village atmosphere and the lively après; Tignes is more purpose-built and usually better value.