ST ANTON
This Austrian party town is closer to Zurich and Innsbruck than people
realise. Possibly the best destination for a weekend of partying and hard
skiing, it provides nonstop on and off slope action. You will need serious
rest after a weekend here. Best for expert skiers; beginners should go
elsewhere. www.stantonamarlberg.com
FLAINE
Close to Geneva. Do not be put off by the French resort’s concrete
Bauhaus-style architecture. The ski area is fantastic, a number of more
appealing, chalet-style four and five-star properties are springing up and
you can always stay in prettier outlying villages such as Les Carroz or
Samoëns. www.flaine.com
MÉRIBEL
France’s Les Trois Vallées are almost ruled out for a quick getaway because of
the lengthy transfer from Geneva. But Méribel has an altiport and a plane
hop from Geneva can be cheaper than a taxi. See how many of the Trois
Vallées’ 630km of runs you can manage to squeeze in. And stay in a chalet –
this is chalet central. www.meribel.net
COURMAYEUR
This gem of a resort is a little further away but still reachable. Just
through the Mont Blanc tunnel in Italy, it is less than two hours from
Geneva and is fab for shopping. Top for people watching, particularly the
finely clad Milanese, who descend at weekends. Perfect for piste-bashing
intermediates. www.courmayeur-montblanc.com
VAL D’ISÈRE
Close to Chambéry, this French resort has some of the best skiing in the
world on its doorstep. L’Espace Killy lift passes cover Tignes too, in case
there is not enough to entertain you in Val for 48 hours: Tignes is also
more snowboard friendly. Val has fabulous off-piste but is also ideal for
cautious intermediates. www.valdisere.com
LA CLUSAZ
Very French and relatively undiscovered by Brits, La Clusaz is less than an
hour away from Geneva. It is also set in pretty countryside – the Aravis
mountains are softer and smaller than the jagged Mont Blanc massif and
dotted with gorgeous chalets. Lots of Gallic charm. The resort is great for
intermediates. www.laclusaz08.com
CHAMONIX
The French Alpine mecca is a bit of a push for a weekend but it is
nonnegotiable for the die-hard ski fanatic. Out of this world skiing and
off-piste make it well worth the journey. Stay up the valley in Argentière
to be really close to the Grands Montets – the best mountain in Cham. www.chamonix.com
ENGELBERG
This resort in Switzerland is strangely underrated. It is excellent for
off-piste hounds and good intermediates and, crucially, is close to Zurich.
A pretty, two-and-a-half-hour train ride (less by car) brings you to a
resort with awesome off-piste and one of the longest verticals in the Alps. www.engelberg.ch
ALPE D’HUEZ
There is skiing and boarding for everybody at this French resort, close to
both Grenoble and Lyons, although it is particularly good for beginners. Not
a classically charming resort but it is in the big league, offering a giant
variety of slopes. It is also blessed with plenty of sunshine. www.alpedhueznet.com
ZELL AM SEE
This Austrian destination is extraordinarily pretty, located beside a lake and
very close to Salzburg. Kaprun is just up the road, with its glacier
offering snow-sure skiing and more slopes. Zell, itself, is slightly
limited, certainly for the adventurous expert. www.zellamsee-kaprun.com
