Adventure • December 2014
Europe’s best satellite ski resorts
The world’s top ski resorts can come with vast crowds and hefty price tags. The alternative? Satellite resorts – smaller mountain villages that are linked to major resorts and offer a retreat from the masses. They are a fraction of the cost and still have great amenities. Ski writer Ben Clatworthy rounds up eight of the best that Europe has to offer
Vaujany, France
Links to: Alpe d’Huez
Distance: 55km from Grenoble
Large French resorts may boast endless skiing and efficient lifts, but their crowds and often dull architecture deter many. Eschew Alpe d’Huez and stay at the nearby picturesque resort of Vaujany, linked to the main area by a huge, two-stage cable car. You’ll benefit from the vast network of pistes during the day and the relaxing ambience of the village in the evening.
Pragelato, Italy
Links to: Sestriere
Distance: 85km from Turin
This charming Italian resort is the glitzy yet low-key neighbour of Sestriere. From here you can ski the extensive Franco-Italian Milky Way area, which includes the popular Sauze d’Oulx. Pragelato may be small, but it’s in the heart of the Piedmont region, known for its superb cuisine.
St Christoph, Austria
Links to: St Anton
Distance: 120km from Friedrichshafen
If you’re seeking adrenaline-fuelled skiing without the dance-all-night après-ski, make tracks for tiny St Christoph (above). With a cluster of elegant buildings and a handful of restaurants and bars, it’s one of the most picturesque hamlets in the Alps. A high-speed chairlift whisks you to the heart of the main ski area.
La Tania, France
Links to: Courchevel, Les 3 Vallées
Distance: 125km from Grenoble
La Tania was built for the 1992 Albertville Winter Olympics to accommodate journalists. Since then it has transformed into a small, happening resort, linked to upmarket Courchevel. A gondola whisks skiers up the mountain, from where they catch a chairlift on to either Courchevel or Méribel. The tree-lined home run is very pleasant at the end of the day.
Samnaun, Switzerland
Links to: Ischgl, Austria
Distance: 115km from Innsbruck
As it’s home to the raucous Father Christmas World Championships, you could be forgiven for thinking Samnaun is more Austrian than Swiss. But the village is tucked away in the corner of Switzerland, and so remote that it has duty-free status. You can ski directly to the Alps’ party capital, Ischgl, famed for star-studded opening and closing concerts each season.
Samoëns, France
Links to: Flaine
Distance: 60km from Geneva
Skiing in Samoëns (above) pre-dates the First World War, long before the blueprints for Flaine (which opened in 1969) had been drawn up. Many of the old stone buildings – now small artisan shops – have been preserved, and the French describe Samoëns as one of their monuments historiques. The skiing is epic: from the village you can access the vast Grand Massif area, consisting of five separate resorts.
Leogang, Austria
Links to: Saalbach-Hinterglemm
Distance: 80km from Salzburg
You can hear Euro pop throbbing in the resorts of Saalbach and Hinterglemm from mid-afternoon – and the party doesn’t let up until late. Keen skiers wanting to avoid the noise can stay in sleepy Leogang, from where they can hop on the lifts first thing and enjoy almost empty pistes until lunchtime.
Bruson, Switzerland
Links to: Verbier
Distance: 140km from Geneva
Until last winter, hardly anyone had heard of Bruson (above), a tiny village just a stone’s throw from Verbier. Then a gondola was installed, linking it to nearby La Châble, from where you can access the ‘4 Vallées’ area. Bruson has some small ski slopes, which are ideal for beginners, who can then progress to the main area.
This article has been tagged Adventure, Destination