It’s one thing going on a skiing holiday, it’s entirely another to be surrounded by a mass of other people suited up to shimmy down the slopes. Here are 15 lesser-known and fantastic ski resorts that are off the beaten track.

Jahorina, Bosnia

The 1984 Winter Olympics hosted several events here, and it’s a reasonably well known site for ski enthusiasts from the Balkan countries. For the average Brit, however, it’s remained off the radar. Situated 28km from Sarajevo on the slopes of Bosnia’s highest mountain, it might not be particularly big – then again size doesn’t always matter, right? – but there’s a generous off-piste, it has night skiing, ski touring and a rather pleasant après ski. 

Bruson, Verbier, Switzerland

Many skiers have been put off by Verbier’s formidable reputation and high prices, but this year (2014) saw the opening of a new gondola which links the small resort of Bruson to Verbier’sMadran hub in 20 minutes, easing its previously complicated access. The locals have long considered the go-to resort for great snow, empty slopes, superb skiing on bad weather and tree runs, but now it’s easier accessibility means you can take advantage of it too.  

St Francois Longchamp, France

France is a top spot for British skiers, with a third heading there last season. That can mean finding a place that’s off the beaten track but still offers all the amenities you want is a bit tricky. St Francois Longchamp has direct access to Le Grand Domaine's 165km of piste and specialises in the gentler kind of skiing perfectly suited to families and beginners.  It may lack a certain charm, but the prices are affordable and the views are spectacular.

Sainte Foy, Tarentaise, France

This new pedestrianized ski village has opened this year, complete with a more traditional Alpine feel and architecture. Certainly a contrast from its bigger brother Tignes Val Claret, Sainte Foy has been slowly but surely cementing its credentials as the place to go for first-class accommodation and snow. One of the best-kept secrets of the Alps, Sainte Foy is the perfect combination of simplicity, no queues, and excellent access to the terrain of EspaceKilly.   

Pyha, Finland

There’s something for everyone here, whether you’re a more traditional skier or fancy glimpsing the Northern Lights. Located just north of the Arctic Circle in Finnish Lapland, Pyha’s slopes offer great skiing opportunities for beginners and intermediates.  It’s also ideal for those looking to get away for a spot of peace and quiet in their own winter wonderland. It usually offers a good package including traditional log cabin accommodation with private saunas. 

Le Grand Bornand, France

One of the country’s most beautiful and scenic resorts, le Grand Bornand is a charming, picturesque village where the cows still actually outnumber the people. It’s also home to Reblochon cheese. But those interesting tit-bits aside, the resort is suitable for all levels of skier and the area offers an impressive 60 miles of skiing, with an additional 80 miles in the rest of the Massif des Aravis which can be reached from the neighbouring La Clusaz.

Puy-Saint-Vincent, France

Situated in France’s Ecrins national park, Puy-Saint-Vincent is a quiet family spot which effectively combines the ancient village and modern station de ski. It’s good for families, beginners and intermediates, and has a dozen lifts which covers 46 miles of generally easy skiing combined with more challenging terrain at the 2,750m top of the ski area.

Sameons, France

Simeons is a large village in the huge French area of Grand Massif, linked to popular Flaine, and has an impressive 164 miles of piste suitable for all skiing abilities. One of the benefits of this resort is that it is a real French community, and has its own independent life beyond just tourism and skiing. There’s a great range of restaurants and the region is very reasonably priced. It’s also one of the closest resorts to Geneva airport. If there’s a downside it’s that you have to download by lift back to the resort rather than ski back down to it.  Great for skiers and anyone who generally likes to immerse themselves in French rural life.      

Madesimo, Italy

A short drive from Lake Como, Medisimo is a beautiful, unspoilt ski village close to the frontier with Switzerland and no more than two hours from Milan’s Linate airport. The famous Canalone run offers a real challenge for more advanced skiers and boarders, and the lifts go up 3,000m.And with low prices compared to the majority of other mainstream Italian resorts, Madesimo is the perfect location for skiers of all standards, foodies, weekenders and budget skiers.

Ortisei, Italy

Also known as St Ulrich, Ortisei is a pleasant, attractive little town in the heart of the Italian Gardena in the very heart of the Dolomites. The more popular resort for keen British skiers in this area is Selva, but there’s no question that Ortisei offers a lot more.  A great resort for high-mileage cruisers and families, you can enjoy skiing the ever-popular Sella Ronda, as well as having access to the more secluded, wildly beautiful Alpe di Siusi.  

Grimentz, Switzerland

Grimertz is tucked away in Switzerland’s remote Val d’Annivers, high above the Rhone Valley. The ski area covers 136 miles of primarily intermediate pistes in a magical setting packed with rustic charm. With chalets blackened over time, it’s reminiscent of a pre-commercialised Zermatt.  

Lenzerheide, Switzerland

A charming, pleasant family resort, Lenzerheide is less than two hours from Zurich and remains largely unknown outside its native Switzerland. Great for beginners, intermediate skiers and families, it’s served by 42 lifts and, with 135 miles of skiing, this makes it one of the largest linked areas in the country. And for fact fans, it might interest you to know that Lady Thatcher and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle were both huge fans of the region.   

Baqueira-Beret, Spain

Situated in the Val d’Aran in the Pyrenees, Baqueirs-Beret is a small resort with 72 miles of pistes. When it comes to a place that’s a magnet for Madrid and Barcelona’s see-and-be-seen elite crowd, this place is the reigning champion, and it attracts a serious number of hard-core skiers too. A resort that’s much loved by the Spanish royal family, Baqueira-Beret is great for beginner and intermediate skiers, as well as catering for the more discerning gourmets and dedicated party-goers.   

Warth-Schroeken, Austria   

There’s snow – and then there’s snow. A 42-mile ski area in the Vorarlberg region, Warth-Schroeken is located off the back of St Anton, the snowiest spot in the Alps. Last winter, a massive 11m of snow fell there. This year it’s also been linked, for the first time, by lift to Lech and Zuersto create an expanded circuit of 118 miles.

Flachau, Austria

An hour’s drive from Salzburg airport, Flachau is an essential part of the 217-mile Salzburg-Sportwelt region. It’s also one of the five areas covered by the massive 270-lift Ski Amade pass and has seemingly endless miles of satisfying intermediate skiing. It’s also perfect for those who like to soak in the true, genuine atmosphere of Austrian village life. 

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