Our Preferred Off The Beaten Path Resorts.
When you ask Google or ChatGPT where the best off the beaten path ski resorts are, you will find many places with great reviews. As I haven’t visited most of them, there’s not much point in trying to tell you which ones are the best and why you should pick X instead of Y. However, through the years, I have ended up in some locations that fall into the category of off the beaten path ski resorts, so I’ll give you an honest review about those – what I liked and what I didn't.
Andermatt, Switzerland.
I ended up spending a week in Andermatt last year when we did our campaign shoot with Db. To be fair, I didn’t know what to expect and how Andermatt even looks. But after a week there, it became one of my favorite places that mixes high-end amenities and skiing.
Andermatt is a small village surrounded by mountains. It feels like there aren’t too many people there, and it’s a good mix of new and old vibes. If you are looking for an old-time feel, you’ll find it. And if you are looking for fancier restaurants and newly built apartments, you’ll find that too. But they achieved this without overdoing it – keeping it cozy and not too flashy.
And the terrain for skiing is amazing. Lots of off-piste and touring possibilities, with not many people around. It’s expensive, as you can expect of ski resorts in Switzerland, but if that’s not an issue for you, I would definitely recommend it.
Morzine, France.
Another small village that is not too overcrowded and rich in French culture is Morzine. If you are not looking for crazy off-piste terrain but are more of the person who likes to not rush to the ski slopes, have a few rounds on a nice lift, and then go for an Aperol and cheese fondue, that’s the place for you. It offers lots of comfort while keeping the French vibes close to its heart. And if you are bringing someone with you who has never skied before, this is a great place to accommodate a friend or family group with all ski levels.
Obertauern, Austria.
Obertauern brings a lot of nostalgia to me, as I spent lots of time there with my friend and his family when I was younger. It might be more popular than a few years ago, but it still has its charm of family-friendly vibes combined with some professional off-piste terrain. If you are looking for a place where you can wake up, and literally ski from the hotel front door, and end the day with hot chocolate with a nice view, then that’s the place for you.
Kronplatz, Italy.
Italy is Italy. I don’t know if there’s anyone who doesn't like Italy. Food, language, art, and the art of mixing slow life with just the right amount of hecticness. And that’s what you will find in most of the Italian resorts too. There’s many to pick from, but I’ve visited Kronplatz recently, which is a mix of Italy with Austria. You get the best of both worlds. If you are looking for Italian cuisine while skiing on well-organized slopes with not too many people, and for the break, you can visit Zaha Hadid’s masterpiece on top of the mountain, look no further.
Stay Off the Beaten Path.
Overall, when it comes to well-known ski resorts, many are, in my opinion, a bit overrated and too crowded. So, try to find something that is a bit more hidden and where the experience might be even more delightful.
Have fun!