James Wallman runs through a personal selection of Europe’s finest slopes
MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO, ITALY
Since it became a resort in the 19th century, the pretty village of Trentino has hosted VIPs such as Emperor Franz Josef, who waltzed rather than skied, and Ferrari’s champion driver. The Schumacher Streif is named after him. Linked with Marilleva and Folgarida in Val di Sole, the 1,550m-high Italian Alps resort has a total of 120km of pistes. The one you have to ski? The Canalone Miramonti, used for the slalom World Cup and floodlit for night skiing. www.campiglio.to, www.trentino.to
ST ANTON AM ARLBERG, AUSTRIA
One of the world’s original ski resorts – the first races were held here in 1903, the Arlberg region in Tyrol is still recognised as one the best. It has a total of 480km of runs and the bravest head for the stomach-tightening, off-piste gullies at the top of Valluga, the highest mountain in St Anton. The Valluga north face towards Zürs is the steepest and deepest. An après-ski highlight is a glass of Heisse Witwe – ‘hot widow’, a warm plum schnapps topped with cream – in the Mooserwirt piste-side bar. www.stantonamarlberg.com
VERBIER, SWITZERLAND
Snow-sure Verbier – many of the runs at this high-altitude resort are higher than the top runs at many lesser resorts – has come a long way since the first ski lift opened in 1946. Today its 410 kilometres of pistes, its easily accessible ski itineraries – offpiste routes that are patrolled but not groomed – and legendary après-ski has attracted skiing celebrities such as Hugh Grant, Prince Harry and, most recently, James Blunt. www.verbinet.com
CHAMONIX, FRANCE
Dominated by 4,808m Mont Blanc, the highest peak west of Russia, Chamonix was the birthplace of mountain climbing over 200 years ago (it was first climbed in August, 1786). It also hosted the first Winter Olympics, in 1924. Today the 20km valley, from Argentière in the east to Les Houches in the west, has grown up to be one of the world’s off-piste meccas. There is nightlife in the town, but the focus is always on the mountains. They are some of the highest, steepest and most challenging in the Alps.
SERRE CHEVALIER, FRANCE
Serre Che, as aficionados of this southerly French resort call it, offers the ski range and extras of a mega-resort yet retains a provincial small-town feel. That’s because the skiing is along one vast ridge and you stay along the valley, in one of 13 villages. So after a day hurtling round its 250km of pistes visitors come back to a typical Alpine town and all it that has to offer in terms of rest and relaxation options. www.serre-chevalier.com
OBERTAUERN, AUSTRIA
You could be heading up the hill faster than you go down it at this Austrian resort – with just 120km of pistes, Obertauren is a compact resort. It’s also home to one of Europe’s best schools of snowkiting, the winter version of kitesurfing. For après-ski, begin at the Edwelweisshütte with a Jagertee – Austrian ‘Hunter’s Tea’ made with aromatic rum Stroh – before sliding down to the Lurzeralm, a cute wooden hut packed to its rafters by 6pm with more than 1,000 partying people from across the globe. www.obertauern.com
