Ski resorts come in all shapes and sizes. For some skiers, it’s all about being up early for first lifts and getting fresh tracks on the pristine corduroy; the resort is simply a convenient dormitory. For others, après is just as important as the snow and these people will be looking out for legendary drinking establishments such as La Folie Douce, Cocoricos and the Krazy Kanguruh. Others look out for ski-in/ski-out properties, non-skiing activities for the kids and the availability of tables at the local must-visit Michelin star restaurant.
For some, the long love affair with the most famous resorts has evolved into an exploration of less-explored, traditional villages in more recent years. The cost of accommodation, the price of lunch on the mountain and the occasional crankiness of the locals (overwhelmed by the seasonal invasion of tourists) at the most well-known resorts, are all good reasons to look more off the beaten ski run.
Skiers ‘in the know’ often return year after year to small, traditional village resorts that you may have never even heard of! So, if you are looking for a breath of fresh mountain air, here are nine traditional village resorts, perfect for your family ski holiday 2022.
Samoëns, France
The French proudly describe Samoëns as one of their monuments historiques, that just happens to have a great ski area nearby. Only an hour drive from Geneva airport, this ancient village, famed for its stonemasons, is part of the Grand Massif ski domain and is connected to high-altitude, snowsure Flaine. The centre of Samoëns is traffic-free, and has a beautiful square dominated by a magnificent lime tree.
Consisting of five resorts – Flaine, Samoëns, Morillon, Sixt and Les Carroz. The Grand Massif offers 265km of piste; 80 per cent of the slopes are north-facing and so hold the snow well, and the majority of the clientele is French.
Image © Christian-Martelet
La Villa, Italy
Similar to other ski villages in the Dolomites, La Villa has some serious history – the church in the centre of the village was built in 1516 and dedicated to Saint Maria. There’s also the castle to marvel at, not to mention the men’s Alpine Ski World Cup event on the Gran Risa piste at the end of December.
There are 130km of pistes connected by 53 lifts and cable cars. Access to the area between the three neighbouring villages of Corvara, Colfosco and San Cassiano and the further Alta Badia ski area is via the Piz La Ila cable car.
Image © Freddy Planinschek
Montgenevre, France
The village is perched on a sunny slope at 1,850m. It is traditional yet becoming more modern in recent years with a number of new accommodations offering fabulous access to the slopes. The resort is situated 2km from the Italian border and connected with one of the largest ski areas in Italy – The Milky Way ski circuit – offering 400km of runs and incorporating the well-known resorts of Sauze d’Oulx and Sestriere.
Image via Shutterstock
Valloire, France
Valloire is a pretty and authentic resort in the Maurienne valley of the French Alps. The resort contains historical treasures including 17 chapels, as well as the beautiful 17th century church. The resort is suited well to beginners and intermediates with a good mix of runs across the mountains – ideal skiing for families. Valloire has a reputation for being one of the best-kept skiing secrets of the French Alps!
Les Carroz, France
The village of Les Carroz sits at 1200m and features traditional Savoie style timber buildings surrounded by glorious mountainscapes and pine-tree-lined ski slopes. It’s one of the closer ski resorts to Geneva airport so the transfers are swift – around an hour and a half door-to-door.
Les Carroz enjoys a serene location in the Grand Massif ski area and is a popular resort with French families (meaning it’s good!), and is a real up and coming resort for British skiers looking for a fun, friendly, family ski resort with lots of variety.
Vaujany, France
Vaujany is a cute and quiet mountain village with surprisingly excellent facilities for family ski holidays and access to the slopes at neighbouring Alpe d’Huez. It’s often considered to be a secret-spot in the region, offering one-lift access to an amazing 248km ski area, whilst retaining a truly traditional and quintessential alpine atmosphere in the historic village.
Vaujany is linked to the Alpe d’Huez ski area via its own 160 person cable car. This means 248km of skiing awaits, featuring 120 slopes of mostly intermediate standard. This includes the world’s longest pisted black run – the 16km Sarenne, and Le Tunnel – often considered one of the best ski runs in the world.
Image via Shutterstock
Serre Chevalier, France
Serre Chevalier is not like any other French ski resort. It is based on a number of old villages strung out along a valley, with a sizeable ski area of mainly wooded slopes rising above the southern side of the road. The rural old villages have narrow cobbled streets and the main ones are lined with small shops, bars and restaurants. The whole area has a rustic and relaxed feel.
It’s split up into four sectors and makes a perfect area for intermediates of all standards. The resort says it has 410 hectares of pistes, including the uphill areas used for lifts.
Skiing the steeps in Serre Chevalier
Chatel, France
Chatel is nestled in a scenic wooded valley and is exactly what you might imagine from a traditional French ski resort – historic architecture, chapels, churches and a town steeped in ski history. The resort has grown to become part of the massive Portes du Soleil ski area with the likes of Avoriaz and Les Gets.
A family ski resort, with a good variety of non-ski activities from sledging and bowling to paragliding and a laser show, the links to the wider ski area (650km of pistes!) are rapid and the village is located on the border with Switzerland, allowing you to ski both countries in a day.
Chatel Ski Resort
Corvara, Italy
The lively and family-friendly village of Corvara, along with neighbouring Colfosco, is situated at the crossroads of two huge intermediate playgrounds. The local 130km Alta Badia ski area gives easy access to the Sella Ronda circuit, and both are rich in cruisy, confidence-boosting red runs that are usually well-groomed. In total there are 500km of linked pistes to explore, and they’re also home to some delightful mountain restaurants.
At sunset, the cliffs of the Dolomites turn a vibrant shade of pink. The panorama is so stunning that eyes are perpetually drawn to the skyline, and sometimes it’s hard to concentrate on the snow underfoot.
Image © IDM Südtirol – Alex-Filz
Hopefully one of these nine fabulous, picturesque and traditional villages will whet an appetite for your next family ski holiday. You can always click the links to read more about each resort, and if you can’t decide between two or three then why not give one of our Ski Specialists a call on 0330 102 8004 and they’ll help you decide…
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