Where is it? Uri, Switzerland Why go? Old-fashioned resort with great off piste
Little old Andermatt was left behind in the mega-resort boom of the 1960s and ’70s. It plans to catch up with a new development of luxury hotels and apartments. But for now it’s sleepy and great value. The local Gemsstock mountain is steep, often covered in deep powder, deserted and is best for experts. More info www.andermatt.ch
Squaw Valley
“What was it bears do in the woods?” Claire wonders
and sliding down the piste to town in the dark. The bars in town are
intermediate cruising than there is in St Anton.
Party capital of the Alps The bars in St Anton rock from mid-afternoon until the early hours. Après starts in some bars on the slopes above the village where the Krazy Kanguruh and Mooserwirt fill up with revellers as soon as lunch is over. The latter also has new luxury accommodation for the 2011/12 season. The Heustadl and Sennhütte are also lively. All this is followed by putting your skis or board back on
in full swing by 4pm, too. Sophisticates looking for a quieter time are less well provided for but Jacksy’s, tucked away in a side street, is good. Underground on the Piste has a great party atmosphere and Base Camp is a lot of fun and popular with instructors. Later on, Piccadilly and Bar Cuba are popular clubs. And there are plenty more, including Scotty’s in Mark Warner’s chalethotel Rosanna, Kandahar (with sport on TV and live bands) and, in the suburb of Nasserein, the Fang House.
HOW WE RATE IT Extent Fast lifts Queues Snow Expert Intermediate Beginner Resort charm Convenience Scenery
FAST FACTS Resort
1305m
Alberg region Slopes 1075m-2650m Lifts
84 Pistes Snowmaking 280km
40% 48% 12% 60%
Six-day lift pass €219
Attractive town It’s commercialised and sprawling, but St Anton has character and its traffic-free main street is lined by traditional-style buildings. It also has a splendid leisure centre (Arlberg-well.com) with pools and saunas.
But… > Slopes don’t suit beginners or timid intermediates.
> Pistes can get crowded – some dangerously so.
Where is it? California, USA Why go? Pleasant village beneath steep slopes
The lightly wooded slopes are best for experts and beginners. Intermediates will find the groomed blue terrain limited. A car-free village built at the base a few years ago by ski resort specialist Intrawest (developer of Whistler in Canada, Arc 1950 in France and several other resorts) make it a much more attractive base for a week’s stay. More info www.squaw.com
Essentials
PAUL MORRISON, DANIIEL BAYER, KURT FLUNGER, NATHAN KENDALL