If you’re looking to buy a ski home this year, you may wish to choose somewhere with all the charm of a smaller resort and the conveniences that a larger resort offers. So, we’ve chosen four small resorts with larger resorts on their doorsteps.
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.
Tignes, France
Tignes is open for around eight months of the year thanks to skiing on the Grande Motte glacier, which includes 20km of pistes during the summer months, as well as a snow park.
If you’re still feeling energetic in the afternoon, Tignes offers a variety of brilliant water sports, such as white-water rafting, canyoning and kayaking. There is also a bike park and other sports on offer such as tennis and archery. If you’d prefer to relax, the variety of bars and restaurants has you covered.
The larger resort of Val d'Isère is nearby with plenty of amenities including shops, restaurants and spas.
Looking to buy a ski home in France?
Download Property Guides’ France Buying Guide.
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.
There are 50km of slopes in Grimentz but visit neighbouring St Luc and Zinal and you have another 145km of slopes at your disposal. Your lift pass should be valid for these nearby areas and there is a cable car linking Grimentz and Zinal.
Although the village is relatively quiet, there are good restaurant and dining options on offer.
St Martin De Belleville, France
St Martin de Belleville is a pretty mountain village at the foot of the Three Valleys. This traditional and homely resort offers quiet skiing with lengthy blue runs, perfect for beginners.
For those who seek more challenging skiing, you are just a chairlift or gondola away from the main Three Valley ski areas. The ski lift drops you at the top of Tougnete, from which you will have easy access to Meribel, Courchevel and Les Menuires.
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.
Mar 22, 2024
