Hidden gem ski resorts to try on your area lift pass

If you’re staying in Saalbach or Hinterglemm, head over into the next valley to the small Tyrolean resort of Fieberbrunn. It’s a haven for beginners and families with its mellow blue runs and short lifts. It tends to be pretty uncrowded, making it the ideal place to practice your skills in peace. And there’s plenty of mountain eateries where you can refuel with hot chocolate and giant plates of apple strüdel. We’re sold.

But there are two sides to this resort. You see, Fieberbrunn is also a favourite among freeriding fans. Not only does it host the World Freeride Tour every year, it also has a top-class freeride park and tonnes of opportunities to get your off-piste powder fix. The best natural freeriding terrain can be found on Wildseeloder mountain, while the freestyle kickers, boxes and rails can be found on Lärchfilzkogel mountain. In keeping with the freeride vibe, the man-made obstacles are blended into the hillside to create the most natural experience possible.

There’s plenty of piste to keep you happy in Val d’Isère, but you’ll also love discovering the high-altitude runs of neighbouring Val Claret using the Espace-Killy ski pass. At 2100m, it’s the highest of the popular Tignes villages and is a great place to access the year-round snow of the Grande Motte Glacier.

Take the Val Claret funicular up the mountain to the dizzy heights of 3456m for spectacular 360° views of the snow-capped landscape and fantastic snow conditions. You’ll find everything from novice-friendly blues to challenging black runs and freeride terrain. This ski area at the top of the world is best enjoyed when conditions are clear, as the lack of trees can make visibility tricky on cloudy days. But don’t worry, if you find yourself having to retreat down the mountain, Val Claret has some kicking après-ski to put a smile back on your face!

Sauze d’Oulx's smaller sister, Sansicario, offers a laid-back alternative for those days when you fancy taking the pace down a notch. Whether you’re looking for quieter pistes or a relaxing evening, a visit to this traditional Italian resort is a real delight. Ski directly there during the day or take the ski bus if you’re checking out the delicious authentic restaurants in town.

The ski runs in Sansicario cater to all abilities and, since hosting some Olympic events in 2006, the lifts and snowmaking facilities are modern and effective. If you’re looking for a challenge, try the Olympic downhill run, which winds its way down to the resort from Mount Fraiteve. It’s also a top freeriding spot, with some beautiful off-piste to be found around Mount Bachetta. As always, take care when heading for fresh powder – you need the proper equipment, local avalanche knowledge and an expert guide (we know a few…).

Chilled-out Katschberg is already a firm favourite among families looking for uncrowded skiing and snowboarding, but it’s also worth mixing things up with a trip to Mauterndorf’s ‘Adventure Mountain’. Otherwise known as the Grosseck-Speireck ski area, this child-friendly mountain makes for an exciting family day trip using your Lungo ski pass. With runs as high as 2400m, you can reach the fun either via a free ski bus or by skiing down the red to St. Michael and hopping on a cable car.

Once on the mountain, you can enjoy a great variety of runs to suit all levels of experience. Beginners and intermediates will feel particularly at home, thanks to the quality of the wide, well-groomed blue and red runs on offer. The resort of Mauterndorf is also well worth a look, with its magnificent castle, historic steam trains and indoor play area guaranteed to keep the kids entertained.

Lively La Plagne and its neighbouring resort, Les Arcs, are known for their huge range of pistes and parties. And whilst visitors flock here for the snow and après, a day away from the action is never a bad thing, and is usually welcomed by aching legs! Enter, the tiny resort of Vallandry.

Situated halfway between these two bustling super resorts, Vallandry offers some peaceful respite to those in need of some downtime. From its cute alpine chalets and cosy bars to its pretty, tree-lined ski runs, Vallandry could be just the tonic you need.

You can reach Vallandry via the ‘Vanoise Express’ lift, hopping off to find yourself surrounded by picturesque mountain views and a lovely selection of runs for all abilities. Kick back on the beginner slopes or try some of the more challenging reds. Reward yourself with a beer and some pommes frites in a refreshingly quiet mountain restaurant before heading back to rejoin the masses.