Secret Slopes: 7 Underrated Ski Resorts Brits Should Discover
For many UK skiers, the annual pilgrimage heads straight to the big-name Alpine resorts—Val d’Isère, Méribel, or St. Anton. They’re popular for a reason, but with popularity comes crowds, inflated prices, and sometimes queues longer than the M25 at rush hour.
If you’re after uncrowded pistes, charming mountain villages, and a more authentic experience (not to mention better value), it’s time to consider these hidden skiing gems—all tried and tested favourites for clued-in powder hounds looking to avoid the beaten piste.
1. La Grave, France
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Ideal For: Expert skiers seeking adventure
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What Makes It Special: A single lift to an off-piste paradise
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British Angle: Easy access via Grenoble or Lyon flights, but virtually unknown to most holidaymakers
This is as far from a typical ski resort as you can get. La Grave is a freeride legend, offering 2,000m of unpisted descent with no marked runs. There are no ski schools, no tartiflette huts, and definitely no groomed blues—just glaciated terrain for serious skiers (and a guide is strongly recommended). If you're more about adrenaline than après, this one’s for you.
2. Mad River Glen, Vermont, USA
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Ideal For: Die-hard skiers with a taste for retro charm
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What Makes It Special: One of the last ski-only resorts in North America
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British Angle: Pair it with a New England city break—Boston is less than 4 hours away
If you're planning a stateside ski trip, skip the Colorado crowds and head to Vermont's quirky Mad River Glen. The slogan "Ski It If You Can" isn’t a joke—this is old-school skiing at its most authentic, with a legendary single-chair lift and challenging terrain. No snowboards allowed, and no apologies either.
3. Myoko Kogen, Japan
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Ideal For: Powder seekers and culture lovers
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What Makes It Special: Deep snow and traditional Japanese hospitality
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British Angle: Japan's JR Rail Pass makes it easy from Tokyo, and cheaper than you'd think with good planning
While Niseko gets all the attention (and Instagram posts), Myoko remains blissfully low-key. Located in Honshu, it’s a cluster of smaller resorts, each with their own character and plenty of powder. Think sushi for lunch, hot springs at night, and more snowfall than you’ll know what to do with.
4. Cerro Catedral, Argentina
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Ideal For: Adventurers craving summer skiing
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What Makes It Special: Largest ski resort in the Southern Hemisphere
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British Angle: Perfect for a July-August ski fix when Europe is baking
Bariloche’s ski resort might not be top of mind for most British skiers, but it should be. Come for the high-altitude Andean skiing, stay for the Patagonian steak and Malbec. It’s far, yes—but if you time it with a South America trip, it’s a brilliant winter escape in the middle of a UK summer.
5. Engelberg, Switzerland
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Ideal For: Big terrain and fewer tourists
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What Makes It Special: Steep descents, glaciers, and deep powder
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British Angle: A train ride from Zurich airport—no car hire needed
Engelberg flies under the radar compared to the Swiss resort titans, but it’s beloved by freeride skiers in the know. The off-piste is legendary (especially the Laub face), the scenery is stunning, and there’s a quiet, authentic charm to the village that’s hard to find elsewhere in Switzerland.
6. Gulmarg, India
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Ideal For: Intrepid travellers with a sense of adventure
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What Makes It Special: Himalayan powder and one of the world’s highest lifts
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British Angle: English is widely spoken and Kashmir has deep cultural links with the UK
It may sound unlikely, but Gulmarg is a true bucket-list destination. You’ll find deep snow, wild terrain, and a ski culture like nowhere else. It’s not polished, but the views of the Himalayas, the local hospitality, and the thrill of skiing in one of the world’s most unexpected places make it a journey worth taking.
7. Red Mountain, British Columbia, Canada
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Ideal For: Skiers wanting serious terrain without mega-resort prices
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What Makes It Special: Independent, expansive, and untouched
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British Angle: Fly into Spokane (USA) or Kelowna (Canada) for access—and yes, they do serve pints
Red Mountain in the Kootenays is what Whistler was 30 years ago—massive vertical, varied terrain, and a genuine ski-town atmosphere. There’s even a resort-run hostel at the base, giving solo travellers or small groups an affordable way to ski Canada’s deep interior powder.
Hidden resorts aren’t just about empty slopes—they’re about discovering the soul of skiing. Whether you’re sipping sake after face shots in Japan or tucking into rosti in Engelberg, these lesser-known gems deliver more than just snow—they offer stories worth telling.