Where to Ski Safely Without the Crowds This Winter

When planning your ski holiday, one factor that often gets overlooked is how busy and crowded the best ski resorts can become in peak season.

This year, amongst the chaos of Covid-19, it’s even more unlikely that you’ll want to be tripping over other skiers on the slopes or battling for space at the après ski bars and restaurants. Luckily, it’s possible to find safe and quieter top ski resorts in Europe a little off the beaten track.

It’s knowing where to find them that’s the problem…

We’ve put together a guide on where to ski safely without the crowds this winter ski season, so you can plan a relaxing holiday and make the most of your time on the slopes.

Best Ski Resorts for Beginners and Intermediates

At these Alpine ski resorts, you can feel safe in the knowledge you won’t be bombarded by herds of skiers on the mountain.

At these Alpine mountain resorts, you can feel safe in the knowledge you won’t be bombarded by herds of skiers and snowboarders when hitting the slopes.

Les Menuires, France

Les Menuires is one of the lesser-known ski resorts in the Three Valleys. But, it’s not one to be overlooked, particularly for those hoping to escape the crowds!

• While the Three Valleys are known for providing some of the best skiing in Europe, and the resorts of Val Thorens and Méribel attract big crowds, Les Menuires tends to be the quietest option in the area.
• 160km of long, wide slopes make it a good bet for beginners and intermediates and the nursery slope has recently been updated.
• Six moving carpet lifts provide a safe and comfortable way for new skiers to make it up the mountain without having to negotiate precarious drag lifts.
• Another good thing about Les Menuires being left out of the guidebooks is that it’s kinder on the budget!
• Les Menuires’ handy location an hour and a half from Chambéry airport also means ski transfers don’t take an age.
• Some people aren’t too keen on the 1960s Bauhaus style architecture in the village, but if it’s uncrowded slopes and an expansive ski area you’re after, Les Menuires is the place to be.

Les Menuires Covid Safety Measures & Requirements

• The wearing of masks is compulsory from the age of 11 on ski lifts, in buildings and in all queues, even outside.
• Hand sanitiser is available for your use in closed ski lift buildings and sales outlets.
• All employees are trained in health risks and protective measures.
• Contact surfaces will be cleaned daily and ski lift queues will be organised to ensure social distancing rules can be respected.

Leogang, Austria

Leogang in Austria is often left in the shadow of the larger, better known Saalbach resort.

This means that although both resorts share the same ski area, Leogang is left to its own devices and has quieter slopes.

The Alpine ski resort’s long, gentle runs make it a good choice for beginners and those learning to ski. Make the most of great skiing conditions and value for money while this resort remains under the radar.

Leogang Covid Safety Measures & Requirements

• From 15th November 2021, a valid 2G proof (vaccinated or recovered) is required to use the ski lifts and access the ski area.
• Signposts and information points outline the Code of Conduct in the lift areas.
• The wearing of a FFP2 face mask is obligatory in the appropriately marked areas.
• Organised queuing areas ensure clusters of people are avoided as much as possible.
• Hand disinfection facilities are available in the lift stations.
• Disinfection measures: (e.g. in sanitary facilities) are carried out regularly.
• Employees are largely vaccinated or ordered to take covid tests regularly.

Best Ski Resorts for Advanced Skiers

Crowd-free slopes don’t mean you have to compromise on high adrenaline skiing.

Saas-Fee, Switzerland

Thanks to its famous neighbour, Zermatt, Saas-Fee enjoys uncrowded slopes and a laid back vibe.

• That’s not to say it’s not for serious, expert skiers. The fact Saas-Fee holds many exciting, adrenaline-fuelled winter events gives an inkling of the kind of skiing on offer.
• Perched on the highest part of the Alps with a lift line of 3600 metres at its highest point, Saas-Fee provides hair-raising descents.
• There’s also a freestyle park for pro skiers to practice their tricks and let their creative juices flow.
• In terms of getting there, an airport transfer from Geneva airport is probably your best bet as it offers more flights than the closer airports.

Swiss Covid Safety Measures & Requirements

• A certificate is required for all Swiss ski resorts as recognition of third-country vaccinations for CHF 30. The national and electronic solution for converting foreign vaccination certificates (guests from third countries outside EU/EFTA/Schengen) into a downloadable Swiss Covid certificate has been in service since October 2021.
• Access to all interior rooms: hotels, restaurants, mountain huts, bars, fitness centres etc with a Covid certificate is possible without any problems.
• Masks are compulsory in all mountain railways and cable cars.
• In indoor areas, a general obligation to wear a mask still applies.
• Regular hand washing or disinfection is still recommended.

Sainte Foy, France

The delightful village of Sainte Foy contains a cluster of idyllic, traditional chalets with a few shops and bars. It may not be party central, but it has tranquil slopes and enough variety to entertain even the most accomplished of skiers.

• Because of the decision to limit the building to four lifts, the resort has seen a significant drop in visitors. However, this has resulted in minimal waiting times so skiers can make the most of the off-piste runs.
• Sainte Foy is home to the exhilarating ‘Crystal Dark’ drop, a dizzying descent from the peak. Not for the faint-hearted.
• The resort is easily accessible from the Bourg St Maurice train station.

Sainte Foy Covid Safety Measures & Requirements

• You must be double vaccinated to travel to France for a holiday.
• Children over the age of 12 who are unvaccinated but are travelling with vaccinated adults need to have a negative PCR test taken 24 hours before they travel.
• Across France, since August, it has been a legal requirement to show a ‘pass sanitaire’ (health pass) or NHS vaccination certificate to enter all restaurants, cafés and bars, however, it has been recently announced a health pass is now not required to use lifts.
• Visitors may also be asked to wear a mask unless seated at a table. In ski resorts over the summer, lift opening times were extended to avoid large crowds at peak times and masks have been compulsory when in shops and on public transport.

You may also like: Which Alps Resorts are Reopening This Season?

Best Ski Resorts for Families

Calm slopes are even more important for families with young children trying out their skis for the first time.

Obergurgl, Austria

Obergurgl is a compact, traditional resort with a car-free centre and a mellow atmosphere.

• The ski area is perfect for beginners however, there are more challenging routes nearby covered by the Obergurgl ski pass.
• The big draw for families is the collection of ski schools accepting children from the age of three. English speaking ski instructors and lots of indoor and outdoor activities mean little ones are kept entertained all day. And not forgetting the family lift pass ski deals.
• Many of the resort hotels, self-catered and catered chalets also offer childcare, so parents can relax at the spa.
• The resort is close to Innsbruck airport, making your private transfer a breeze.

Obergurgl Covid Safety Measures & Requirements

• The “Must have rule” (recovered or vaccinated) is required for access to indoor facilities 12 years and up.
• There is a five-step model of Covid safety measures throughout Austria. The basis for tightening or easing safety measures is the bed occupancy rate of intensive care units.
• The resort offers maximum skiing space per piste user.
• TOP mountain lift capacity.
• Generous gastronomy with TOP space, distance and service – table service only.
• TOP hygiene standards with stringent disinfection and ventilation procedures.
• Rigorous control and implementation of all safety measures.

Wengen, Switzerland

Friendly locals and a wealth of activities for non-skiers make Wengen a fantastic place for a relaxing family break.

• Trundle up the mountain on the quaint cog railway to the highest railway station in Europe for a stunning view of the Aletsch Glacier, a UNESCO world heritage site.
• Visitors from the UK will feel right at home at the village cinema which shows films in English and the kindergartens have lots of experience looking after British children.
• Reach Wengen via private or shared transfer from Zurich airport in under two hours.

Swiss Covid Safety Measures & Requirements

• A certificate is required for all Swiss ski resorts as recognition of third-country vaccinations for CHF 30. The national and electronic solution for converting foreign vaccination certificates into a downloadable Swiss Covid certificate has been in service since October 2021.
• Access to all interior rooms: hotels, restaurants, mountain huts, bars, fitness centres etc with a Covid certificate is possible without any problems.
• Masks are compulsory in all mountain railways and cable cars.
• In indoor areas, a general obligation to wear a mask still applies.

Champoluc, Italy

Champoluc is a hidden gem in the Monterosa ski area that boasts breathtaking alpine scenery and skiing options for all levels.

• What makes Champoluc suitable for families is the nursery run by British childminders and a good ski school teaching children from the age of four.
• Explore cross-country trails or visit the outdoor ice rink if your family gets tired of skiing.
• Champoluc is easily reachable from Turin airport.

Best Luxury Ski Resorts

Not all luxury ski resorts are full of fashionistas posing on the pistes.

Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy

Cortina d’Ampezzo is strangely quiet on the slopes considering it’s famous for being one of the most fashionable, upmarket resorts in Italy.

Perhaps it’s because the majority of the elegant crowds are busy shopping in designer boutiques and sipping cocktails in the fine restaurants in town.

• This means the 140 kilometres of slopes and varied terrain make for a pleasant, peaceful ride for all abilities.
• Although quiet by day, the resort thrums with life at night when everyone comes out to party at the exclusive nightclubs.
• Fly to Venice Marco Polo airport and take a quick and easy transfer to the resort.

Italian Covid Safety Measures & Requirements

• A Green Pass is mandatory in order to use ski lifts: Skiers aged 12 and over must carry the new ‘green pass’ to show they have been fully vaccinated, recently tested negative, or recently recovered from an infection. The certification must be shown at the access turnstiles of cable cars, chairlifts or ski lifts. This rule applies to everyone, except for children under the age of 12.
• It will be mandatory to wear masks when using the facilities and in the common access areas.
• Electronic payments are required.
• All resort staff must be fully vaccinated and wear surgical standard masks. Open-air lifts can run at full capacity, enclosed lifts at 80%.

Here at Alps2Alps, we’re dedicated to making your ski trip as convenient and affordable as possible.

Now we’ve shared our insider knowledge with you, it’s time to start planning your ski holiday at one of these underrated resorts. Don’t forget to book your reliable, safe, low-cost ski transfer before you travel for a blissfully fuss-free holiday. And to put your mind at ease, find out all about our safe travel, here.