Country: Andorra
Ski area size: 210km
Transfer time: 3 hours

A not-so-well-known gem in the Pyrénées. Soldeu and El Tarter play regular hosts to European and World Cup races as well as offering up some of the best cruisy skiing and boarding around.

Some of the best challenging runs are over towards Pas de la Casa in the Grau Roig area. Head to the Pic Blanc TSD6 chairlift and then head under it for a steepish but wide descent that really opens out at the end.

For something even more challenging, try the Espiolets area above El Tarter. The gradient is over 40 degrees but wide enough for sweeping freeride turns, changes in the slope gradient and even some small rocks to pop off. On a powder day, this is a dream, but get up early for first lifts!

You can always stay in a Neilson chalet or hotel and take advantage of the free Neilson Mountain Experts guiding and coaching service. They’ll help you develop your skills in a fun and safe group.

Country: France
Ski area size: 300km
Transfer time: 4 hours

Tignes and Val d’Isère form the world renowned 300km Tignes - Val d'Isère ski area. It’s a mecca for intermediate and advanced skiers and boarders as the terrain is challenging and seemingly endless with not one but two glaciers.

It’s tricky to single out a few runs as virtually the entire area is going to push your skills. The main ones to mention though are the area around the Eye of the Needle (or Aiguille Percée for its proper name), a natural rock formation above Tignes Le Lac that looks like its name. You can either take the wide yet steep red, or head under the lift for some excellent and relatively easy off-piste.

For more of an endurance challenge, try skiing or snowboarding both glaciers (one in Tignes, one in Val d’Isère) in a day. It’s a real leg burner, but great fun with some superb cruising runs along the way. Just don’t forget your camera as you can see Mont Blanc from the top of Tignes’ Grande Motte glacier on a clear day.

Country: Austria
Ski area size: 506km
Transfer time: 1 hour 20 minutes

With the 500+km Zillertal Arena at your feet, there’s plenty to keep you occupied and push your skills to the limit in Mayrhofen. The local ski area is split across two mountains: Penken and Ahorn. The latter is more for beginners and is where first timers meet for lessons.

The Penken area is where you want to head to test yourself. It’s also home to one of Europe’s best snowparks, the Vans Penken Park. If you want to learn to do jumps, boxes and rails, this is the place to do it.

If fun in the trees is your thing, take the 8SB Tappenalbahn lift and play around on the Lärchwald run. That whole area and up the other side of the valley, back towards the Penken lift will give you a good test of technique due to the gradients and trees.

For a true challenge though, run 34, the Harikiri is the steepest black run in Austria. It peaks at a crazy 78 degrees at its steepest point. Being north facing, it can be a bit icier than other runs just to add to the fun! It’s only a short run but it will definitely test your skills as well as your bravery!

Country: Italy
Ski area size: 400km
Transfer time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Sauze d’Oulx really is an intermediate paradise with over half of all runs being reds. It lies at the northern end of the stunning 400km Milky Way ski area so you’re not short of mileage if that’s your thing.

A fun challenge is to ski or snowboard to France for lunch. You’re not that far from Montgenèvre at the other end of the area and it’s a doable mission to get there and back in a day, just don’t have a long lazy lunch! Most runs in the area are tree-lined and you’ll find the best of them actually run right back down to Sauze itself.

To push yourself and your technique, neighbouring Sestrière is home to the Olympic downhill and slalom runs from to Turin Olympics in 2006. There’s also some excellent black runs at the top of Mt Motta and Mt Sises. Closer to home though, the top of Fraiteve will get the blood pumping, especially off the side of the piste.  

It’s definitely worth hiring a guide to see the area. Alternatively, stay at a Neilson Mountain Collection hotel or chalet in the area and take advantage of the free guiding and coaching from fully qualified instructors. That way, you’ll find the best runs at the beginning of your holiday, not the end!

Country: Italy
Ski area size: 115km
Transfer time: 2 hour 30 minutes

This is a superb area for cruising around and switching from on-piste to off-piste with ease. Livigno is a bit like North America where you can ski the whole area rather than being restricted to the pistes only. So don’t be put off by the 115km of runs, there’s so much more to the area for intermediates.

The best area of Livigno for intermediates is the Carosello 3000. There’s a great variety of runs with some steep tricky sections and wide cruisy bits too. Being up that high makes for some pretty amazing views as well. To really push yourself though, try the slopes of Monte Della Neve.

Livigno is an ideal choice if you’re wanting to do more in the snowpark. There’s a number of different lines through the superb Mottolino park suitable for the newbie right up to Olympic wannabe. It’s a fun place to head to regardless as you’ll see some truly impressive jumps as well as some epic fails too!

Don’t forget that Livigno is virtually tax-free, so your stay, shopping and après is that bit cheaper than the rest of Europe. Head to Marco’s Bar for a lively atmosphere and some really fun après!