There are many resorts aimed a experienced skiierst
Fancy a challenging week on the slopes? Choosing the right ski resort is the first step for a memorable ski holiday for winter sports aficionados.
Here are our top 10 resorts for experienced skiers:
Alagna, Italy:
Located in a deep valley in Italy, framed by the mighty Monte Rosa, Alagna is an extreme-skiers paradise. With wild open mountains, steep terrain and powder-filled fields, mountain guides help you find your way down the vast 3000m drops. For adrenaline-junkies, heli-skiing is also on offer with the Monterosa guides.
St Anton, Austria:
Offering a vast range of skiing in the Arlberg region, St Anton has some real challenges for high-ability skiers. There are long routes down to small villages such as Stuben and Rausz or go on from there by ski bus to nearby Zurs and link into the Lech and Zurs ski area.
Jackson Hole, USA:
Situated in the Teton mountain range, Jackson is a real skiers resort. It has steep terrain, the famous Corbet’s Couloir and amazing tree skiing in the back country when there is powder – which there often is! Also it’s well worth paying a visit to neighbouring Grand Targhee ski resort, with regular bus services provided as well as Yellowstone National Park, if you have the time.
La Grave, France:
In the southern French Alps La Grave offers steep, off-piste mountain terrain to challenge even the best of skiers. The Ski Club has been taking groups of skiers to this area for many years and each time the groups find new exciting challenges under the peak of La Meije Mountain – a mountain for the fittest of skiers and boarders.
Silverton, USA:
Silverton – a tiny, remote ski resort (if you can call it that) is hidden in the Rockies, but if you want skiing at its most challenging and adventurous, this is it. Just one two-man chair lift opens up a vast off-piste area, only accessible with a mountain guide. You’ll be lucky to make four circuits in one day as each drop is around 2000m and not there’s not a groomed piste in sight! Pack your fat skis!
Val d’Isère/Tignes, France:
One of the most well-known ski areas in France, Val d’Isère and Tignes are huge neighbouring resortsoffering unlimited skiing and especially easy lift-accessed off-piste terrain. Head off with a local guide, such as the Ski Club’s equipment expert, Mark Jones, and discover amazing pistes you didn’t know existed, quiet areas at Le Fornet and fantastic off-piste terrain off the Pissaillas Glacier (mountain guide essential).
Verbier, Switzerland:
Host to the Red Bull Extreme, Freeride World Tour and many more adrenaline-packed events, Verbier is an old favourite of expert skiers and free-riders. Mont Gele, Tortin, Mont Fort and the infamous Bec des Rosses all offer steep, tough terrain to challenge even the best of skiers. The après ski is legendary too with the Farinet, Farm Club, Coco and more bars and clubs to entertain you after a day on the slopes (if you have any energy left!).
Zermatt, Switzerland:
Framed by the Matterhorn, Zermatt is a traditional alpine resort but is up there in the best resorts for advanced skiers and snowboarders, with huge mountains and four main areas of terrain. The area also links to Italian Cervinia where there are plenty of heli-ski opportunities under the Monte Rosa (4250m).
Revelstoke, Canada:
Once just a resort for heli-skiing, Revelstoke has been developing over the last few years to offer a more complete resort experience with new lifts and accommodation at the base of the slopes. Find Canada’s dry powder here. It’s worth the travel time just to experience the rawness of these majestic mountains.