Andorra

Arinsal
Arinsal might not be known as one of the great resorts in Europe, but we loved it. Its the friendliest place ever, has some excellent bars, cheap accommodation and lift passes, and the fact that 40 percent of visitors return says it all. Its packed with Brits, which has its good and bad points. Its generally better for beginners than experts, although the park is pretty good.

Information taken from Top 50 Ski & Snowboard Resorts in Europe 2007 a book by Pat Sharples and Vanessa Web. Click here for more information on this great book.

Pas de la Casa
Pas de la Casa is the biggest, and most well known, of the six resorts in Grandvalira (the others being Grau Roig, Soldeu, El Tarter, Canillo and Encamp). It is big and pretty ugly, but its very friendly and its very cheap, so the shopping is tremendous. Best buys include electrical gadgets, alcohol and perfume. The nightlife could be a plus or a minus point depending on how you look at it. Its a ëlads on a stag night kind of place and when night falls the urge comes over you to wave your hands around, shout ëWehey and drink until you drop. The dropping bit might not be completely your fault as Andorran drinks are as cheap as British pub prices and you get around a triple measure into the bargain.

Soldeu
The resort of Soldeu is set along the busy main road from Pas de la Casa through to Andorra la Vella. The buildings are far prettier than that of its neighbour, Pas de la Casa, although there are fewer amenities here. The general vibe of the resort is British, fun, friendly and cheap. There are some pretty cool pub-type bars (which are packed every Saturday with British footie fans), and good restaurants and hotels. Another great thing about the six resorts in Grandvalira (Pas de la Casa, Grau Roig, Soldeu, El Tarter, Canillo and Encamp) is that they are so close together that you can be in any one of them in half an hour. The mountains are also linked, making it one of the largest ski areas in Europe.

Austria

Bad Gastein
The Gastein valley is famous for its spas and wellness facilities the 17 thermal springs produce 5 million litres of radon-enriched water each day, which are used for their restorative qualities. Many of the hotels have superb facilities, and there are some huge health centres in the resort too.

There are a number of towns along the valley floor. Bad Gastein is the most well-known, but its not necessarily the best place to stay it depends completely on what you are looking for. Dorfgastein is the first stop. Its a lovely quiet village, with the disadvantage that the slopes are not connected to the valleys main network. Bad Hofgasteins slopes are connected to Bad Gastins and it has the major pull of the new Alpen Therme Gastein Europes most modern alpine health and leisure world. Bad Hofgastein is a genuine village, with a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere whereas Bad Gasteins buildings are regal and majestic. Although some of the interiors of the buildings in Bad Gastein could do with updating, it is impossible not to be impressed by the setting the whole resort is built on the sides of a steep gorge, with a massive waterfall roaring through the centre of town.

The furthest resort is Sportgastein, which you wouldnt want to stay in, but its a great place to visit if the snow is bad elsewhere. The restaurants and nightlife are somewhat lacking in the valley, so it is a better destination for relaxing spa and skiing weeks than for crazy nights of partying. A car is a good idea to ferry yourself around or you could always look into renting an electric quad bike from the tourist office!

Hintertux
The major pulling point of Hintertux is that it is probably the most snowsure resort in Austria, with a peak of 3250m. Snow is guaranteed all year round and the extent of the glacier is far less confining than that of many of the glaciers in Europe. Hintertux is at the end of the Tux valley and is accessible by car or bus from Mayrhofen and from the other towns in the Tux valley: Lanersbach and Vorderlanersbach. Hintertux itself is a compact hamlet with some lovely hotels and guest houses and a few amusing bars and clubs. Though small, it has a definite charm, as all of the buildings maintain a traditional, yet new and glossy feel. The lifts are a few minutes down the road from the village centre, where there are more hotels and one bar with a great aprËs ski vibe. Hintertux is most suited to those who consider guaranteed snow to be the primary requirement of a holiday, with the provision of bars and off-slope activities secondary.

Ischgl
If you like comfort and style, and return year after year to big-name resorts such as Val DIsËre, Zermatt, Verbier or St. Anton, you should give Ischgl some serious consideration. The hotels are just as glamorous and plush, the aprËs ski is as crazy as it gets, and the terrain is superb. You can also ride over to the duty-free Samnaun, pack your bags with cheap booze for the evening and clink your way back to Ischgl. The resort is compact and focused around a pedestrianised street. The most convenient place to stay is close to the Silvrettabahn lift in the centre of town. There is a moving walkway from town to the other two lifts, the Pardatschgratbahn and Fimbabahn, where there are also some really good aprËs ski bars.

Kitzb¸hel
Kitzb¸hels distinguishing feature is its fairytale pedestrianised centre with colourful buildings, sparkly lights and exclusive cocktail bars and shops. Reflected in this cosmopolitan atmosphere are the clientele, most of whom are elegant and sophisticated. Aside from all this, however, is a great aprËs ski scene, in which the less sophisticated Brits can revel. Its a shame that Kitzb¸hels charm and character does not extend far out of the square though you quickly reach far less attractive suburbs and congested roads.

Kitzb¸helss slopes are great for cruising, although altitude is a problem and you may have to go searching for good snow on higher peaks. The resort also has a seriously Old School attitude, hiding the snowboarders away on a separate mountain wherever possible. For the typical Kitzb¸hel skiers, the focus is definitely more on the pit stops than the powder.

Lech Lech
Lech Lech is a stunning resort. Every building has the traditional chalet look and a stream trickles through the town, adding to the relaxed ambience. The resorts planning and construction laws cleverly maintain not only the traditional look of the hotels and chalets, but also space in-between buildings, providing an open feel and the convenience of being able to ski back to many hotels. The R¸fikopf cable-car can be accessed from the main street and the Schlegelkopf chairlifts are just a short walk from here.

Oberlech is a small, traffic-free gathering of hotels just above Lech, only accessible by cable car. The cable car does stay open until 1am so you could sample some of the nightlife in Lech and then rush back up to your hotel, but we prefer it for a lunch stop rather than as a base for the holiday. Families might enjoy the seclusion though, and there is the ski-in ski-out option from any of the hotels there. Lech attracts the rich, famous and royal residents of Lech are proud that Princess Diana was a regular visitor, whose signed painting hangs proudly from the wall of the Hotel Arlberg. Despite the abundant prosperity, the resort is by no means pretentious or elitist, its friendly and welcoming.

Mayrhofen
Mayrhofen feels like a ski resort should feel; with a charming main street, traditional architecture, bars brimming with people from 4pm onwards, great nightlife and a snow park to rival the best in Europe. Mayrhofen has so much going for it that we can forgive it for having no runs back to town, and for the resulting queues for lifts. And if you need another reason to visit, prices are far more reasonable than at most of the top resorts.

Saalbach-Hinterglemm
Saalbach-Hinterglemm attracts a huge variety of clients: swanky bankers roll in from Munich for the weekend to visit one of Saalbachs swish hotels, families enjoy the charming village and quaint mountain huts, ardent skiers choose the ski-in ski-out benefits of Hinterglemm and the big drinkers of flock to dance on the table all night.
Saalbach is a charming, typically Austrian town, and pulls in the mid- to high end of the market. Prices arent cheap, but you certainly get what you pay for the quality of accommodation is superb. Hinterglemm is slightly less glam, with fewer top end hotels, but it still has charm, and has fantastic access to the Ski Circus. The mountains are great loads of terrain, perfect for the intermediate, but also with plenty of off-piste to keep freeriders happy. Freestylers shouldnt get too excited about the two parks they are OK for beginners, but not for the serious jibbers.

St. Anton
Our top resort for 2007, St. Anton is without a doubt one of the best resorts in Europe. For competent riders with an appetite for challenging mountains and non-stop nightlife there is no better place to be. Despite its infamous party scene, the resort retains its charm, with the long, pedestrianised main street full of attractive, traditional buildings. This street is the focus of the action; the best bars and clubs and most of the restaurants are located here, and the main lifts are only a minutes walk away.

Solden
Solden is a sprawling town, encompassing around a mile of shops and bars. The buildings are kept traditional and are mostly quite attractive, although the busy road is a drawback. The apres ski is absolutely mad and is the reason why some people flock to the place in droves, and others flee as fast as they can. Though far prettier, the general atmosphere of Soldens party mile isnt far off that of Blackpools golden mile, so make sure its your cup of tea before you book your ticket. The riding is superb for both intermediates and experts, with good on- and off-piste terrain, and an excellent park.

Zell am See
Zell am See is a small resort by the side of a lake, full of character and Austrian charm. Despite its size, there are a decent number of good shops, bars and clubs. The mountains are just as beautiful as the town, and perfect for cruising and taking in the views. The terrain is not extensive though, and the experienced rider will cover the mountain quickly.

France

Alpe dHuez
Alpe dHuez is a fantastic all-round resort. The mountain is extensive, and suits all standards of rider. The resort has great snow conditions and off-piste, and it also gets a lot of sun, which can take its toll on the piste, but is great when there is a big snowfall and bluebird skies follow the next day. We like the town, and find the locals really friendly, but this opinion is not universal; many people think that the resort is fairly ugly and has retained little of its traditional French charm. Alpe dHuez is less well known than the big resorts, but its starting to give them a run for their money, and the following of Brits who return year after year is steadily rising. It also helps that Alpe dHuez is only an hour from Grenoble airport.

Les Arcs
Les Arcs has four resorts at different levels: Arc 1600,Arc 1800, the beautiful new Arc 1950 and Arc 2000. Arc 1800 (containing the three hamlets of Charvet, Villards and Charmettoger) isnt beautiful, but its one of our favourite parts of Les Arcs. Charvet and Villards are centred round slightly claustrophobic open-air shopping centres and Charmettoger is prettier in the trees but its a 1015 minute walk to the bars in Villards. The brand new Arc 1950 is stunning. Its still in the final stages of being built (due to be completely finished in 2008) by the Canadian company Intrawest, and it has a certain Canadian feel to it. The apartments are spacious and modern and the buildings are colourful. A few more restaurants and shops popped up last year, and you can expect Arc 1950 to continue to grow over the next year or two.

Avoriaz
Avoriaz is completely unique. The design and architecture of the town is very 60s, but it was nevertheless well thought out and there is something spectacular and charming about its crazily angled structure, enhanced by its impressive setting on the edge of a cliff. One of the really exceptional features is that practically all the accommodation is ski-in ski-out.
As the village is car-free and very wide, everyone whacks on their equipment outside their apartment and cruises down to the lift a much preferable way to start the day than cumbersome bus journeys and long walks. The mountains are unquestionably superb, with Avoriaz being bang in the centre of the massive Portes de Soleil circuit that unites the slopes of France and Switzerland. If you are looking for luxurious accommodation think again there is only one hotel that could be described as such, Les Dromonts; most of the apartments are pretty cramped.

Chamonix
The first thing that hits you about Chamonix is the scenery; you cant possibly drive into the town without being impressed. Being at the foot of Mont Blanc, Chamonix was destined to be a popular resort from the start, nearly a century ago. Amazingly, Chamonix seems to have developed and matured into the perfect town, rather than being destroyed by ugly buildings and tourists like so many resorts. It has plenty of olde worlde charm, streets that you could wander round for days, a diversity of nationalities and more facilities than anyone could need. On top of this, the mountains are the best without a shadow of a doubt and the nightlife is incredible. The commute between the town and the mountains isnt ideal but its this fact that lets Chamonix maintain the feel of a real town, as opposed to a purpose-built resort, so well forgive this slight inconvenience.

Courchevel
Four different resorts come under the name of Courchevel: 1850, 1650, 1550 and 1300, also known as Le Praz, a traditional Savoyard village where the Olympic ski jump dominates the town. 1850 has a reputation for attracting the rich and famous and many a celeb has been spotted on the slopes. This brings with it inflated prices, Michelin starred restaurants, exclusive and well-hidden cocktail bars and plush chalets. If you have a fat wallet youll love it here, but if not, dont stop reading yet as there is another side to the resort that isnt as elitist and the mountains have so much to offer its worth spending an extra bob or two.
Courchevel 1650 is a great resort. It is less cosmopolitan than its Russian-favoured companion, 1850; people who come to 1650 tend to be attracted there by the friendly community, and convenient access to the slopes. Buses run frequently up to 1850 and also down to 1550 and 1300 (Le Praz).

Les Deux Alpes
Les Deux Alpes is situated where the Northern and Southern Alps meet, in the heart of the Oisans. The nearest town is Grenoble, 79km away. The town centre is focused along the main street, which is more than a kilometre long. Its not exceptionally beautiful but the mountains, slopes and the flawless snowpark more than make up for it. It also has a strong community atmosphere, as the resort is open year-round and has a large number of permanent residents.

La Grave
You shouldnt come here if...
you like cruising round between mountain restaurants.
the idea of a steep red run sets you panicking.
you place great importance on a resorts provision of late-night drinking holes.
you wont stay in hotels that have less than 4 stars.
you are a snow park junkie.
you cant fathom the thought of skiing on skis that are shorter than 195cm theyd call you a pussy.

And, to be honest, we hope that this includes most people because if you all came, youd spoil it. However, if you are still interested, youll have the most amazing time of your life on this mountain. It takes the mountains back to how they used to be, and how they should be, completely opposite to the crowded, motorway-style runs that shroud most resorts. You will not see lifts (apart from the one Old School bubble that takes you to 3200m); you will not see coloured poles marking nicely groomed runs (as there arent any), you will not see ski patrollers; you wont see anything to warn you about rocks, cliff drops or crevasses (of which there are many); you probably even wont see other skiers or boarders; you will simply see the majestic, imposing and commanding mountains and theyre all yours. With a vertical drop of 2150m from top to bottom, the devoted freerider will be in heaven. If you do come to La Grave you will need, without question, all the avalanche-safety gear (probe, shovel and transceiver) and enough money to invest in a guide, or know someone who knows the mountain well. Its not that its not safe to be without one its no different to anywhere else, you just wont have a clue where youre going and you will, for definite, get completely lost, which would be a shame as no ones there to come and find you. You also need to be in pretty good physical condition.

Meribel
Meribel is a friendly place, dominated by the Brits. Its a purpose-built resort but much more attractive than others such as Tignes, Les Arcs and Val Thorens as all the buildings are in chalet style. Meribel prides itself on being funky and trendy, with some really smart bars and a good atmosphere. It can feel like youre in a bar on the Kings Road, so your perception of Meribel will relate to whether you think this is a good or bad thing. Either way, the riding is fantastic, and Meribel should be especially praised for its two superb parks. Mottaret is not as charming, and has only a minimum of services. However, it does have good access to the slopes.

Morzine
Morzine is a fantastic example of how a French resort should be. You can certainly see why Morzine attracts so many of Britains leading boarders and skiers; you have access to the impressive Portes de Soleil circuit, including some of Europes best parks, a great night scene, a picturesque village, and easy accessibility from Geneva.

La Plagne
La Plagne consists of about ten villages, all of varying degrees of attractiveness, from the sleepy, quiet beauty of the small village resorts of Montchavin and Les Coches to the ugly, but functional and well-placed BellecÙte and Aime-la-Plagne. The resorts also have varying numbers of services (bars, restaurants, facilities, etc). Plagne-Centre is a functional resort that has great access to the slopes and attractive on-piste restaurants; however, the run-down indoor centre that contains the bars (all two of them), restaurants and shops needs a good face lift. BellecÙte is excellently placed for the half pipe but it is not aesthetically pleasing to say the least. Belle-Plagne is a favourite as it is very central in the Paradiski area (that consists of La Plagne and Les Arcs), its attractive and has a few good bars and the best club.

St. Foy
St Foy is a beautiful, traditional and authentic alpine resort. There are none of the big, ugly buildings that plague many of the big European resorts; all of the buildings are nestled amongst the trees, and built in the traditional chalet-style, using local wood and stone. Dont come here if you are looking for crazy nights out though, as it wont happen. If you take your riding seriously and want to explore, St Foy is the place to be, as it has some of the best freeriding terrain around.

Serre Chevalier
Serre Chevalier comprises four towns, on the main road from Gap to Grenoble, all of which have access to the massive ski area of Grand Serre Che. These towns combine traditional rustic French ambience, with new, purpose-built (and sometimes ugly) buildings. There are nine other smaller villages too but, whilst charming and pretty to look at, theres not much going on in most of them. From Grenoble, the first town you will get to is Le Montier, which is more beautiful, charming and quiet than the others, but far less convenient. Next are the two main towns, Villeneuve and Chantemerle, collectively referred to as ëLe Serre Che. Villeneuve is the hub, with some purpose-built architecture by the slopes, and a much more charming village centre. Chantemerle is a popular town and a good place to look for a cheap apartment.

BrianÁon is a very large town and the highest in France. The old town isnt convenient for the slopes, but its traditional and pleasant to walk around. The resorts are really spread out; the closest are the ëSerre Che resorts but these are still a half hour walk from each other. There is a free bus service within the resorts for those with a valid lift pass, but they stop running at night. A car is not essential but we think its worth it; there are some fantastic resorts nearby and the strange climate in this area means that if there is bad weather in Serre Che, it is more than possible that you will find decent snow within an hour of the resort. Les Deux Alpes is a good start or La Grave, one of our favourite spots in Europe for freeriding. Sestriere (Italy) and Risoul (France) are also under an hour away.

Tignes
There are loads of reasons to love Tignes, which is why we can forgive the unsightly architecture. The slopes are the main attraction; the Espace Killy is one of the best areas in Europe for all abilities. The nightlife is good too, and the people are friendly. The self-catering accommodation can leave a little to be desired, but its great for a cheap deal. There are a number of areas to Tignes which can be confusing at first. Initially you will see Tignes Le BrÈviËres (at 1550m), a traditional and peaceful town with a beautiful Baroque church. You will then arrive in Tignes Les Boisses (at 1850m). This area is quiet at present but it has the advantage of having a few pretty chalets (comparatively speaking) and you can ski to and from it fairly easily. The hub of Tignes is focused at 2100m, which is split into another three areas: Lavachet, Le Lac and Val Claret. Lavachet and Le Lac are next to each other and its easy to walk between them. Val Claret is a bus/car journey away from the other two. Both areas have quite a lot going on although Val Claret has better access to the slopes.

Val dIsËre
We love Val dIsËre; it definitely lives up to its hyped up reputation. For a big, busy resort its really quite attractive and full of sparkly fairy lights. The few not-so-pretty buildings are well hidden. The only slight niggle we have with this resort is us rowdy Brits. Its an awesome place to come with your mates for a week of hedonistic riding and partying (if youve got enough cash), but if you are after a romantic getaway or with your family there may be better places to go.

Val Thorens
Val Thorens is the highest resort in Europe at 2300m, making the snow as reliable as it can be. The blocks of ugly flats seriously damage the ëresort charm factor, but its not all ugly: the cluster of newer developments at the top of the resort contains much prettier, traditional chalets. Val Thorens is also very compact so many hotels and residences have the ski-in ski-out facility and you are never too far from the bars, restaurants and lively nightlife.

Italy

Alagna
Freeriding Paradise is written all over the lifts and town of Alagna, and for good reason. Alagna is one of the three valleys in the Monterosa area (with Champoluc and Gressoney), which encompasses a massive range of backcountry escapades. The jagged, striking mountains provide a stunning backdrop to your explorations of the surrounding peaks. If you should get bored of this magnificent area you can try heliskiing or a backcountry quest to Zermatt. Alagnas town is beautiful, centred round an eye-catching church. Beauty aside, theres not too much going on, although you can find a good glass of wine or bite to eat if you know where to look. Like its neighbouring Gressoney, Alagna is probably more suited to a weekend of intense riding, followed by a couple of relaxing evenings, than a weeks holiday.

Cervinia
Cervinia is a strange resort but regular visitors love it. The pedestrian centre is great; everythings really handy and within a few minutes walk, there are some top bars, decent restaurants and you can ride over to Zermatt without paying Zermatt prices. On the other hand, the buildings outside of the centre are mostly pretty ugly, and the slopes arent challenging for anyone above an intermediate level. But if youre not an expert, it will probably do you just fine.

Cortina dAmpezzo
This town is beautiful and quaint, and the Dolomite scenery some of the most dramatic and stunning in Europe. However, it has a different feel to many European resorts, and this is largely due to the Cortina regulars. If you feel at home in fur and dark Gucci glasses this town could be for you, whereas if you like jibbing around outside cafes in your baggy pants you might get looked down upon. On the other hand, if you are a keen rider, youëll pretty much have the slopes to yourself as the regulars fight it out for the best deckchair.

Courmayeur
Courmayeur is only 10 minutes away from the Mont Blanc Tunnel; a charming and picturesque village, with a maze of cobbled streets and some stylish and chic bars and restaurants. The slopes arent extensive but are good for cruising and posing. Its a great place for people-watching too; there are some fantastic outfits walking around and most seem to have no qualms about decking themselves from head to toe in fur. If you want to parade around in the latest designer clothes, sip cocktails in classy bars and dont need a massive challenge on the slopes, this could be the resort for you.

Gressoney
Gressoney, in the Monterosa ski area, is a beautiful, quiet and unspoilt village; many of the local families have lived here for over 500 years. Theres little to do in the evenings in this idyllic community, although this is probably for the best in order for you to keep your strength up for the next day on the mountain, as Gressoney has access to extensive backcountry terrain and some of the finest heliskiing in Europe. Like its neighbour, Alagna, Gressoney would not be the model resort for most. However, for the earnest skiers (Gressoney is less suitable for boarders) who value their time on the mountain more than in the pub, and would take pleasure in tranquil, yet spectacular surroundings, a long weekend of heliskiing and mountain exploration would be a first-rate trip. Gressoney consists of two separate villages. Gressoney La TrinitÈ is at the end of the valley where the lifts to the Monterosa ski area are located. Here you will find a number of convenient hotels, and a couple of local facilities. Gressoney St Jean is further from the main lifts but is larger and has more hotels, restaurants and facilities. Although the bus service isnt bad, we wouldnt come here without a car.

Selva in Val Gardena
Selva Gardena is just one of the villages within the Val Gardena valley. The alternative towns of Ortisei and S Cristina are just as charming, but Selva has the best access to the slopes and the best selection of restaurants and bars. The Dolomite landscape is absolutely breathtaking and the extent of the slopes is equally impressive. Intermediate cruisers will be in heaven with the far-reaching Sella Ronda circuit that takes you on a spectacular journey round the Gruppo Sella a magnificent limestone massif. At first you will probably be confused by the language, no matter how good your skills are, as many locals still speak the age old dialect of Ladin. Fortunately all speak Italian and German as well and English is also pretty widespread. Road signs are also often expressed in the local dialect so expect to see signs for Wolkenstein (Selva) and Grˆden (Val Gardena).

Norway

Hemsedal
Hemsedal is the best place for riding in Norway, but this still doesnt make it a real player in comparison to the resorts in France, Austria and Switzerland. The snow is really reliable but theres not a lot going on in the resort, with most visitors popping in for a weekend. The ski area is a few kilometres from the village centre but the free bus service isnt bad.

Oppdal
Oppdal, located between the Dovrefjell mountain plateau and the Trollheimen mountain range, isnt well known, but it is Norways largest downhill skiing area so deserves some credit. Norwegian resorts arent huge and, as such, Oppdal only has a handful of bars, restaurants and hotels. The aprËs ski and atmosphere is good at the weekends though. Heliskiing is another attraction.

Sweden

Are
Are is awesome. Its popular with everyone, from families and couples to groups of young party people. There arent too many Brits around but the Swedes are fun, speak good English and know how to party. The centre of town has a great atmosphere and its a charming and beautiful place, made up of stylish wooden buildings. Some awesome talent has originated in this area too, such as Jon Olsson, which gives the resort an even better profile and may be one of the reasons that many of the Scandinavian jetset head here for their holidays.

Riksgransen
Riksgransen is in Lapland, 300km north of the Arctic Circle and most visitors are there for the seemingly endless heliskiing. If you can, take your trip in May, when the sun never sets, and hit the mountain at midnight. The mountains are more majestic than most resorts in Scandinavia, with the jagged landscape you would expect to see in the Swiss or French Alps. Back in resort, there is simply the Riksgransen Hotel, which contains the shops, restaurants, bars and nightclub. This is the resort; there is nothing else. The famous ice hotel (and the worlds biggest igloo) is in Jukkasj‰rvi, about half an hour from Kiruna, the closest airport to Riksgransen. We definitely recommend a little stop off on the way there or the way back, for a quick drink in the Absolut Ice Bar, and maybe a night stop for the full experience.

Switzerland

Arosa
We had a superb time in Arosa; it has a certain charm that we really fell for. The town is quite pretty, but its the atmosphere that we loved: the people, the restaurants, the bars, everything. Most of the action is around the Obersee/Untersee area. Arosa attracts all sorts of people families, a few fur coats, some trendies and some party people (Arosa has a great night scene if you know where to look). The mountains not bad either; its a wide, open area, perfect for blue and red run riders but not challenging enough for the expert.

ChampËry
ChampÈry is an undiscovered gem. The resort itself is a charming place, full of ultra-friendly people. There are great places to stay, fantastic restaurants, good access to the Portes de Soleil circuit (the largest internationally connected ski area in the world), and one of the finest snowparks we have ever seen.

Crans Montana
The two resort centres of Crans and Montana have a definite charm about them; the town doesnt have the ëchocolate box feel of a number of Swiss resorts but the mountains are stunning, and the resort has a certain character and warmth. Crans is full of Paris style boutiques, and has some top-class restaurants and hotels. Most of the good bars and clubs are in Crans too, although there are a couple in Montana, as well as the massive Casino. Its not too British either; we make up only 3.5 per cent of visitors to Crans Montana giving it a cosmopolitan feel that many resorts lack. The slopes are dominated by fur-clad skiers searching for a nice restaurant before cruising back down to town for a massage. However, the area does have more to offer.

Davos
Theres no doubt about it, Davos is a bizarre place. On the plus side the mountains are incredible. There are five main mountains in the Davos-Klosters area which present stacks of opportunities for all sorts of riding, from unlimited on-piste opportunities to the best pipes around. Travelling from, to and between the mountains can be a bit of a laborious task though and you really have to make use of the mountains to make it worthwhile. You certainly wouldnt visit Davos to experience resort charm. Its not ugly, but its city feel doesnt create a particularly endearing atmosphere. There are loads of restaurants, bars and clubs as well as the kind of designer shops, museums and other facilities that you expect in a large town or city but its almost eerie in that its fairly rare to see people moseying around town.

Flims
The Flims-Laax-Falera mountains are fantastic. They are particularly perfect for the budding freestyler, and theres some good off-piste into the bargain that you can find with or without guidance. Its a little flat, but youll forgive that when you see the park. The town, however, is not for the fun-crazed freestyler; there are a couple of very cool aprËs ski bars but little to entertain you later on. The buildings are quite attractive but the resort is hugely disadvantaged by the endless traffic that runs through the centre of the town at all hours of the day. On top of this many of the interiors of hotels and restaurants look like they need bringing into the 21st century. If you want to ride these mountains we suggest you stay in Laax Murschetg; it has easier access to the park, and the best bars and places to stay.

Klosters
Klosters has a distinguished reputation as the choice of the rich, royal and famous. Whilst this is not an unfair statement, and it obviously attracts an opulent clientele, there are few signs of pretentiousness. The striking characteristic of Klosters is the returning population and although it can appear a bit cliquey, if you are willing to put in the effort you can infiltrate the scene pretty easily and a new world will open up. Klosters is also an ideal place for young families and the facilities are fantastic. In fact, the mountains have something for everyone; you are unlikely to be disappointed.

Laax Murschetg
Laax was relatively undiscovered by the Brits until the British Championships moved here in 2005, bringing it on to the map. Laax itself is a small town with several separate areas, and Laax Murschetg contains all of the important bits i.e. lifts, bars and clubs. Laax is a sanctuary for the avid freestyler: the park is second to none in Europe, you can stay here pretty cheaply (although drinks will set you back a fair bit) and the nightlife is cool (as long as you are). You should have second thoughts if you spend much of your time moseying around town (although Flims is a short bus ride if needs be) or if you get bored going to the same restaurants and bars every night. If these things dont bother you, you should definitely give Laax a whirl.

Saas-Fee
The village of Saas-Fee does not feel, as many do, like a functional resort built purely to support the winter sports; it is a magical place that you can easily fall in love with. The unique atmosphere is traditional and romantic, and the entire town is surrounded by 13 imposing, 4000-metre peaks, including the highest mountain in Switzerland, the Dom (4545 metres above sea level).The traffic-free town and the chalet-style buildings contribute to the relaxing pace of this charming glacier village. In the winter the village can be very cold; conditions are best for autumn or spring skiing when there is plenty of sun and snow. Saas-Fee is also the perfect resort for summer skiing on the glacier.

St. Moritz
St Moritz is absolutely fabulous: stunning mountains, fantastic freeriding and a striking resort. Set over the beautiful Lake San Murezzan, St Moritz Dorf is one of the most famous and exclusive resorts in Europe. The majority of the hotels are 5 and 4 star and are frequented by fur-clad guests and small poodles. And if you need more evidence of exclusivity than the Versace and Chanel shops, St Moritz is host to the Cartier Polo World Cup on Snow. It was the upper crust Brits who established the style of the resort, and theyre never too far away. Amazingly though, its not too pretentious; youd be mad not to love it.

Verbier
Verbier is a fantastically fashionable resort and has an equally fierce mountain. If youre a keen freeriding skier or boarder you wont get bored with the mountain or the nightlife, even if youre there for the season. You might tire of the prices though. Its a beautiful, but sprawling resort, with lots of cute chalets, but few people are moseying around enjoying the view everyones on a mission. Get lots of sleep before you arrive.

Zermatt
Zermatt is a beautiful resort. The 38 4000-metre peaks surrounding Zermatt, make for impressive views, not least due to the trademark of Zermatt the 4478m high Matterhorn. The terrain that these mountains provide is also superb. The town is car free, but there are loads of electric cars and buses whizzing round so its not quite as relaxed as you might imagine. There are plenty of hotels, restaurants and bars to suit all tastes. You will not be disappointed with this resort.