By ERIN DEBORAH WAKS, TRAVEL WRITER
Picture this: you’re skiing down the slopes feeling as free as a bird. But waking you from your reverie is a large group of fellow skiers blocking up the slopes.
Rather than gliding down the mountain peacefully, you’re now navigating hoardes of people as you head downwards.
It’s the thing most skiers are keen to avoid – piles of tourists and other skiers clogging up the runs.
If you’re looking for a more serene ski experience, experts from OnTheSnow have now revealed the quiet resorts to visit this winter.
Here’s a rundown of where to go for an undisturbed ski break…
Monterosa, Italy
Monterosa ski resort is known for its powder snow, and is a freeride haven
Monterosa ski resort is known for its powder snow, and is a freeride haven as a result of its many off-piste routes.
Located in the Valle d’Aosta region, it stretches across 29km of pistes with 18 runs and 10 lifts.
The slopes are pretty quiet during the week.
OnTheSnow says the village of Alagna is popular among off-piste fanatics, while villages Champoluc and Gressoney are more accessible for a wider range of skiers.
Krippenstein, Austria
+9
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At 1,972 metres up the Dachstein Mountain range, this Austrian snow world is largely unknown among British skiers
At 1,972 metres up the Dachstein Mountain range, this Austrian snow world is largely unknown among British skiers.
But that’s a mistake.
With ski runs both on and off piste, freeride training, snow camps, showshoeing, paragliding and more, there’s so much on offer here.
Dachstein Krippenstein is in the UNESCO World Heritage region Hallstatt-Dachstein/ Salzkammergut – and yet still has quieter slopes for uninterrupted ski.
Leogang, Austria
+9
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Another Austrian location on this list is Leogang, where you can visit the Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn and enjoy runs galore
Another Austrian location on this list is Leogang, where you can visit the Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn and enjoy runs galore.
The typical Austrian town has 270km of pistes, 70 modern lifts, 60 cosy huts and numerous attractions to see.
It has a reputation for being a more relaxed resort in comparison to better-known alternatives, making it perfect for new skiers too.
Pra Loup, France
+9
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But while many of the more famous resorts can be overcrowded during the peak season, Pra Loup offers a quieter, more relaxing experience
France is often the first place many people think of when considering a ski trip, and for good reason.
But while many of the more famous resorts can be overcrowded during the peak season, Pra Loup offers a quieter, more relaxing experience.
Situated in the Ubaye Valley, it has impressive landscapes and offers a classic mountain experience.
Melchsee-Frutt, Switzerland
+9
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The Melchsee-Frutt ski area is a relatively unheard-of destination to tourists and skiers from abroad
The Melchsee-Frutt ski area is a relatively unheard-of destination to tourists and skiers from abroad.
Given how snow-sure it is, and with one of the longest toboggan runs in Swizterland, that’s pretty surprising.
So don’t miss out on the quiet skiing opportunity, perfect for nature lovers and winter sports fans.
Monterosa ski resort is known for its powder snow, and is a freeride haven as a result of its many off-piste routes.
Located in the Valle d’Aosta region, it stretches across 29km of pistes with 18 runs and 10 lifts.
The slopes are pretty quiet during the week.
OnTheSnow says the village of Alagna is popular among off-piste fanatics, while villages Champoluc and Gressoney are more accessible for a wider range of skiers.
Krippenstein, Austria
+9
View gallery
At 1,972 metres up the Dachstein Mountain range, this Austrian snow world is largely unknown among British skiers
At 1,972 metres up the Dachstein Mountain range, this Austrian snow world is largely unknown among British skiers.
But that’s a mistake.
With ski runs both on and off piste, freeride training, snow camps, showshoeing, paragliding and more, there’s so much on offer here.
Dachstein Krippenstein is in the UNESCO World Heritage region Hallstatt-Dachstein/ Salzkammergut – and yet still has quieter slopes for uninterrupted ski.
Leogang, Austria
Another Austrian location on this list is Leogang, where you can visit the Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn and enjoy runs galore
Another Austrian location on this list is Leogang, where you can visit the Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn and enjoy runs galore.
The typical Austrian town has 270km of pistes, 70 modern lifts, 60 cosy huts and numerous attractions to see.
It has a reputation for being a more relaxed resort in comparison to better-known alternatives, making it perfect for new skiers too.
Pra Loup, France
But while many of the more famous resorts can be overcrowded during the peak season, Pra Loup offers a quieter, more relaxing experience
France is often the first place many people think of when considering a ski trip, and for good reason.
But while many of the more famous resorts can be overcrowded during the peak season, Pra Loup offers a quieter, more relaxing experience.
Situated in the Ubaye Valley, it has impressive landscapes and offers a classic mountain experience.
Melchsee-Frutt, Switzerland
The Melchsee-Frutt ski area is a relatively unheard-of destination to tourists and skiers from abroad
The Melchsee-Frutt ski area is a relatively unheard-of destination to tourists and skiers from abroad.
Given how snow-sure it is, and with one of the longest toboggan runs in Swizterland, that’s pretty surprising.
So don’t miss out on the quiet skiing opportunity, perfect for nature lovers and winter sports fans.