If the busier, louder resorts don’t appeal, there are plenty of smaller ones to choose from for your ski property purchase. From Austria to Spain, these five quaint mountain resorts offer brilliant skiing and picture-perfect surroundings.
Serre Chevalier, France
Serre Chevalier is made up of four separate villages linked by a ski circuit. With pretty, tree-lined runs, great restaurants and 250km of pistes, many say that this the most underrated ski resort in the French Alps.
Large parts of the ski area in Serre Chevalier are north-facing, meaning that they tend to hold the snow and stay cooler for longer. There are plenty of slopes to suit all abilities and the resort is great for families, with English speaking ski schools and childcare options.
The four villages that make up the resort are beautiful and historic, one being a UNESCO world heritage site. Although the nightlife is quieter than other resorts, there is still a wide variety of bars and restaurants to choose from. You’ll also find spa facilities in the village of Monetier.
Serre Chevalier is a 1 hour and 50-minute drive from Grenoble Airport.
The Cristal Lodge allows you to relish the charm of mountain life in a warm contemporary atmosphere.
Arabba, Italy
Lying in the heart of the Dolomites, the village of Arabba has character in abundance. It sits at the foot of the Marmolada glacier, considered the ‘Queen of the Dolomites’, and is usually perfect for skiing not only in the winter but also in the summer months. Head to the higher slopes first thing in the morning for the best conditions.
You’ll find an excellent choice of mountain bars and restaurants. It’s a fairly quiet resort but does offer some options for après ski and a very traditional Italian feel.
There are several ways to get to Arabba, but the quickest is to fly to Bolzano airport and drive from there, which takes just under 2 hours.
Alpine style character home in sunny Arabba, in the heart of one of the most sought-after South Tyrol holiday places in the Dolomites, Italy.
Warth, Austria
With a reputation for being the ‘snowiest ski area in the Alps’, Warth is the northernmost ski area in the Arlberg ski region. It is north-facing and has plenty of runs for intermediate skiers, as well as brilliant off-piste skiing due to the steady supply of fresh powder. A ski lift now connects Warth to the busier resort of Lech, so there is a wide variety of slopes for all abilities.
The village itself has a small range of shops and some mid-sized hotels. Other winter sports are on offer, including winter walking, cross-country skiing, dog sledging, snowshoeing and tobogganing.
Warth is a 3-hour bus ride from Stuttgart Airport, or you can fly into Munich and get the train.
A 3 bedroom ski in ski out apartment with views onto the mountains and village.
Baqueira, Spain
A long-time favourite with Spanish locals, Baqueira has a brilliant snow record, 35 lifts and 150km of slopes. The Spanish royal family even have a residency here!
The slopes are mainly catered for intermediate skiers, but there is still a choice of beginner and black runs. Off-piste and heli-skiing are also popular here.
If you love Spanish cuisine, you won’t be disappointed – there’s an abundance of tapas restaurants serving traditional dishes and a few bars. For relaxing after a day on the slopes, you can visit a spa, as well as the ice rink, sports centre, gym and sauna.
The nearest airport is Toulouse, only a 2-hour drive away.
Grimentz, Switzerland
A picture-postcard mountain village and relatively undiscovered in comparison to other Swiss resorts, Grimentz has ski slopes for all ages and abilities. The village has brilliant snowmaking facilities, meaning that the slopes are kept in good condition throughout the season.
Although the village is relatively quiet, there are good restaurant and dining options on offer. There is also a public swimming pool, an ice rink and plenty of opportunities to go paragliding, which is very popular here.
Grimentz is easily reached from Geneva by train or road.
This is a spaciously designed 3 bedroom apartment, created and finished to Swiss high standards combining the best of local traditions with contemporary mountain living.
Start looking for your ski property today
To get the process of buying your ski property underway, why not take a look at our handy ski property buying guides? They lay out the buying journey step by step to make the process as smooth and hassle-free as possible.
Jan 15, 2024
