Best resort towns for off-piste skiing

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When you’re just learning the ropes of skiing, cross country and alpine skiing are  enough to raise your adrenaline levels through the roof. But as you get better, your appetite for skiing will probably change, and you will find yourself looking for something a bit more adventurous.

Off-piste skiing (also known as backcountry skiing) is the perfect mix of freedom, exhilaration, untouched snow and wild scenery. It involves more effort than regular skiing, not only because you’re completely on your own (no supervision or maintenance crews), and sometimes no mechanized access to the slopes. So if this is the thing for you, here are the best resort towns for off-piste skiing.

Chamonix, France

Chamonix is quite a famous resort, and any skier of any level can find the perfect slope for his or her ability. However, no matter how good the regular slopes are, the true value of Chamonix lies in its potantial for off-piste. The Mont Blanc Massif, the most intimidating mountain in France, have vast areas that draw hundreds of experienced off-piste skiers.

The most challenging piste is the Vallée Blanche, a 17 km trail that begins at 3812 meters on the Aiguille du Midi, and finished at either Chamonix itself, or the Montenvers mountain rail station.

Verbier, Switserland

Verbier, in the canton of Valais, has one of the most extensive ski areas in Switzerland. There are 400 kilometers of runs, and the off piste area is even larger (though not by much). Verbier has a very good lift system, so the areas are easy to access and quite popular (some say it is the cradle of the freeski movement).

Mont Fort, between Verbier and Nendaz, is the highest mountain in the Quatre Vallées region, and from the top you can see even the peaks of Mont Blanc and Matterhorn.

Valdez, Alaska

Valdez has the double advantage of having a considerable annual snow fall (over 1000 inches), and a remarkably contorted landscape, which makes it just perfect for all sorts of ski acrobatics.

The couloirs, powder bowls, scenic glaciers make for some really exciting runs, and besides, they create an amazing landscape. Ski scenes in Hollywood productions are often filmed at Valdez.

Craigieburn, New Zealand

Craigieburn is somewhat of an exclusive resort, in that if you’re not an experienced skier, there’s not much for you to do there. There are no regular runs here, only a vast number of off-piste terrain. The main advantage of Craigieburn is that is it fairly secluded, and it usually doesn’t draw a crowd, so you’ll be free to tackle the slopes pretty much without spectators.

Whistler-Blackcomb, Canada

Whistler-Blackcomb is a great ski resort in the traditional sense, and its season lasts from November to June. In addition to the regular slopes, there is a wide variety of off-piste terrains. Whistler mountain is great when it comes to bowls, and Blackcomb has lots of exciting couloirs.

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Comments on Best resort towns for off-piste skiing

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Peter wrote on February 11, 2011:

If you’re one of the lazy type of people, you should definitely try it It’s tough, but because you are rather quick with your skins, it’s very fun and you’ll be surprised how fast you can get up a mountain…

Angie wrote on February 15, 2011:

Our town might not be one of the best listed but we have some amazing hills around here. Hiking up a huge hill with all your gear only to ski down for a few seconds is tough though. Some of the best powder around and so peaceful. Our typical downhill skiing family location offers many added extras that just cant be beat.

 

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