Bored Of Courchevel? Here Are 4 Alternative Ski Resorts In The Alps

Zermatt, Courchevel and St Moritz still entice with dollops of charm – not to mention myriad well-appointed chalets and hotels – but if you’re seeking a ski escape that’s off the beaten track (or, rather, piste), you would be better to look for Alpine spots favoured by European locals. We asked top ski editors and travel insiders for their favourite lesser known ski spots in Europe. 

4 Alternative Ski Resorts To Visit In The Alps

Fieberbrunn

Fieberbrunn, Tyrol, Austria 

‘The charming little Tyrolean town of Fieberbrunn largely escaped the attention of international skiers until it was linked with the neighbouring resorts of Saalbach, Hinterglemm and Leogang, says Gabriella Le Breton, author of The Ultimate Ski Book, ‘joining the sprawling Ski Circus, it is now part of one of Austria’s largest linked ski areas.’
‘In addition to placing the 270km of diverse Ski Circus pistes on your doorstep, Fieberbrunn is home to the area’s highest peak and most challenging off-piste terrain – the world’s best skiers compete here each year on the Freeride World Tour.’ The once-quiet Tyrolean town retains its alpine charm and now boasts a strong environmental ethos. ‘It’s installing a repurposed chairlift bought from Ischgl,’ Le Breton adds, ‘and does its bit for the local environment with HVO-powered snow groomers, renewable energy powered lifts, and chemical-free artificial snow.’

Muttereralm, Tyrol, Austria

Just 15 minutes from Innsbruck Airport, the village of Mutters and its adjoining ski area, Muttereralm, are pretty Tyrolean postcard places. ‘It’s perfect for a quick ski trip,’ says Rob Stewart, presenter of The White Out podcast. With 16km of forested pistes – including the Götzen run, among Austria’s most beautiful forest descents – three toboggan runs and sweeping mountain views, it’s ideal for families and short breaks. Many base themselves in Innsbruck’s baroque old town, combining alpine adventure with a city escape. ‘It’s about a third of the price of a normal ski holiday,’ Stewart adds. ‘Two days skiing and one tobogganing – perfect for all ages.’ 

The Vallonnet glacier

Bonneval-sur-Arc, Haute Maurienne, France

‘Ten villages and six resorts line the narrow Haute Maurienne valley, between the Tarentaise (Val d’Isère) and Italian border, with a revelatory microclimate that guarantees good snow,’ says Katie Bamber, online editor at Fall Line Skiing. ‘Still little known beyond French families, it’s easily reached by direct train from Paris in four hours. A six-day lift pass covers them all: La Norma for first turns, Aussois for sun, Val Cenis to rival any big-name French resort, Bessans for idyllic Nordic skiing and winter walking trails. Deeper in, the valley grows more beautiful and secluded, reaching timeless Villaron, Bonneval-sur-Arc so picturesque it doubles as a film set and snowed-in L’Écot, only accessible on foot. Bonneval’s pistes are high (3,000m), long, steep and, incredibly, empty. And its off-piste, worldclass. Peace over party, it’s an authentic Alpine escape.’ Adventurous skiers can also join guided outings with ESF to the sublime Vallonnet glacier – a short ascent through wild, high-mountain scenery to the glittering blue ice of its terminal moraine.

A chalet in Cervinia

Breuil-Cervinia, Valle d’Aosta, Italy

At the foot of the Matterhorn, Breuil-Cervinia offers rare privacy alongside vast skiing. ‘There are really only four chalets,’ says Anna Sampson, founder of The Chalet Edit. ‘We work with Chalet La Fenice, perched at the top of the resort; with so few chalets around, it’s almost completely private.’ Linked to Zermatt, Breuil-Cervinia grants access to one of the Alps’ largest ski areas while retaining a relaxed Italian atmosphere (and thankfully, Italian food). ‘Zermatt is naturally hard to get to,’ Sampson notes, ‘but since 2023, an improved lift connection between Breuil-Cervinia and Zermatt opens up the possibility of flying to Milan and doing the bulk of your trip in Breuil-Cervinia – with an additional ski area that’s on the Ikon Pass.’