Gems amongst the Giants

While the world converges on the most popular ski areas, insiders prefer these cleverly chosen, quieter options amidst Paradiski and the 3 Valleys. These small resorts and traditional villages offer a more special holiday experience, away from overpriced concrete jungles.  

For those craving adventure, Sainte Foy or nearby provides the perfect base to access a variety of slopes. It’s ideal for snowy days with tree-lined slopes for better visibility and sunny days with abundant skiing opportunities within half an hour of the Alps’ largest resorts, accessible via the ‘back door’—Les Arcs (Paradiski), Tignes (Espace Killy), and La Rosiere (Espace San Bernardo), including skiing into Italy, are irresistible for avid skiers. 

Saint Martin de Belleville is the other ultimate choice for an exceptional 3 Valleys stay. Nestled in this sprawling winter paradise, it offers an authentic Alpine village experience with cobbled streets, ancient stone buildings, and a warm ambience. It strikes a perfect balance between cultural charm and access to one of the world’s largest ski domains. Providing a peaceful escape from bustling resorts nearby, it offers easy access to Les Menuires and Val Thorens, ensuring a delightful and picturesque winter getaway. 

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Sainte Foy Tarentaise

Sainte Foy is a resort with a delightfully split personality – it offers two entirely different vibes. For the family or group looking to share that cosy “small ski resort” feeling, you could not do better. Traditional stone and wood chalets and the friendliest of atmospheres in a quiet, child safe environment. There is a loyal UK based following here and as such it can feel like a home from home. Those learning can progress from easy blues right through to safe patrolled off-piste and onward to guided trips. For this experience you really want to stay slope-side and we have some great options for this. 

Paradiski - Les Arcs & Les Plagne

Two large areas rolled into one. Plenty of KM to ski and varied character right across the area. 

Espace San Bernardo - La Rosiere & Le Thuile

Containing an international border, this resort gives you a taste of the French and Italian Alps. 

Espace Killy - Tigne & Val D'Isere

The classic skier’s resort in France. A great mix of easier blues and some proper tough pisted skiing. 

Bourg-Saint-Maurice

Bourg-Saint-Maurice and the surrounding countryside / village make great bases to use to explore this cluster. The prices are lower than on the piste and the choice of where to ski is huge. 

St Martin de Belville

Unlike the bustling concrete jungles found in larger resorts, Saint Martin de Belleville maintains an intimate and peaceful ambiance, making it a peaceful escape for visitors looking to immerse themselves in Alpine culture and tradition. From this base, you can effortlessly explore the surrounding smaller villages in the 3 Valleys, each offering unique charm and character.  The smaller villages of as Les Allues and Meribel Village in the Meribel valley offer another option, providing a diverse and memorable winter experience. 

Champagny en Vanoise

The charming village of Champagny allows lift access to the huge Paradiski area, or local lift prices for a smaller area. Then just a half hour bus or car ride away there is a backdoor into the immense 3 valleys. 

What makes Gems amongst the Giants Unique?

Access to the most enormous ski resorts without having to be in the crowds

Morte famous names and KM of skiing than you can imagine and all of it accessible through back doors and from quieter more budget friendly bases.

Amazing off piste options

With the amount of piste skiing in this area it is no surprise that there is a massive amount of off piste as well. The real joy is that the small resorts over deliver in this department with St Foy usually topping the charts as the best powder ski resort in europe.

Small resort friendliness particularly for families and mixed ability

Amongst the mega resorts there are areas that can take advantage of the scale of the infrastructure, but still offer small ski resort friendliness and access to great ski instruction, but not in the center of the huge resorts. By selecting well the beginners can ski quieter slopes with great instruction whilst the seasoned skiers can stretch out into the wonderful chaos of the worlds largest ski resorts.

Apartments

Located across the cluster, apartments give you the flexibility to choose where you would like to be based; from the centre of town to somewhere more remote. Our hand-picked apartments are a great solution for individuals or groups.

Chalets

Often associated with the Alpine region, traditional chalets are recognised for their sloping roofs and wide, overhanging eaves. More spacious than a hotel, a chalet provides great accommodation for small groups looking for a scenic hideaway. With in-depth local knowledge, our team can help you choose your perfect chalet for your next adventure.

Residences

Flexible and convenient, Ski Residences are typically located close to ski resorts making them ideal option for ski enthusiats. From ski-in/ski-out access to easy access to pistes and lifts, our team can help you choose the perfect residence for your next trip.

Hotels

From simple stays to luxury accommodation, hotels provide a diverse range of options to choose from. Whether you’re looking for bed and breakfast or all-inclusive, we can find you the perfect hotel for your break.

Ready to plan your next adventure?

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Clusters

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Grimentz - Zinal

About

Picturesque and charming mountain villages, uncrowded slopes and oodles of local charm make this ‘end of the road’ cluster a true hidden gem.

The Jewels centre around the Val D’Anniviers valley, which culminates in Zinal where 3 glaciers meet in spectacular fashion, beyond this lie the views and the mountains that make up the crown. The skiing in this area is excellent, varied and at altitude snow sure. The resorts remain small and slightly disjointed due to the natural geography of the area. This in turn keeps the crowds away and so the villages have kept their charm, the slopes are less skied out and you are in a perfect place for whatever holiday you are after.

Those in the know rate the snow quality in these resorts as second to none in Switzerland. These are the true hidden gems of Swiss skiing.

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Defining features

  • Extensive off piste area
  • 1326 vertical metre Chamois Black Run

Non-skiing activities

  • Grimentz natural ice rink
  • Grimentz public swimming pool
  • Snow shoes walk under the Zinal Glacier
  • Paragliding above Zinal

Accommodation

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Ayer

About

Half way between the main ski resorts Grimentz and St Luc the small sleepy rustic town of Ayer offers a great base for those with an eye to explore.

Armed with a car you can visit a different resort every day.

We have a catered chalet, available as a whole or by the room and two self cater chalets, one for up to 10 and the other for up to four.

Defining features

  • Trecuit black run

Non-skiing activities

  • 35km Snowshoe and winter hiking trails
  • Sledging
  • Natural ice rink
  • Winter garden

Accommodation

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St Luc - Chandolin

About

St Luc and Chandolin are a pair of small resorts located high above the Val d’Anniviers floor, the small windy road opens up these quality high altitude gems offering beautiful views and seriously good skiing. We have some very stylish hotels in these villages. 

Together they are the sunniest resorts in Val d’Anniviers. The villages are at altitude and combine the rickety rural charm of the area with a grand Victorian vibe, from the early grand tour hotels built here. The views from the top are breathtaking and there is plenty of skiing here. The best slopes are accessible only by surface lifts. Of particular note is the long red from Bella Tola at 3026 down to the fabulous bar Le Prilet, a fine way to end the day.

 

 

View piste maps

Defining features

  • 35 Km marked ski touring trail
  • Many treeline runs for poor visibility days

Non-skiing activities

  • Excellent spa at Hotel Bella Tola
  • Sledging and snowhoeing
  • Observatory and museum
  • Hangliding and paragliding

Accommodation

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