1. Pragelato, Italy
Thanks to the 2006 Winter Olympics, during which Pragelato hosted crosscountry and ski-jumping events, a new gondola whisks skiers from the resort on an eight-minute journey to Sestriere, and the vast Milky Way ski area with its 400km of pistes stretching over the border to Montgenevre in France. Don't miss the opportunity to tackle the Olympic Ski Jump in complete safety, attached to a zip wire. Pragelato is also in Val Troncea, a protected park that is home to ibex, wild boar and golden eagles.
Pragelato Tourist Office: 00 39 01 22 741 728;
www.comune.pragelato.to.it
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2. Täsch, Switzerland
Zermatt is renowned for its spectacular scenery (with unrivalled views of the Matterhorn), the world’s biggest lift-served vertical and year-round skiing on Europe’s highest slopes. It can be a tad expensive, too; if that’s an issue, consider staying in Täsch, two miles down the valley. Connected to Zermatt’s centre and the ski lifts by a shuttle train that departs every 20 minutes and runs right through until 2am, it offers a quieter and more traditional Valais lifestyle with access to superb skiing and nightlife.
Täsch Tourism: 00 41 27 967 16 89;
www.taesch.ch
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3. Quebec, City Canada
Hardly a secret destination, but the fact that you can enjoy a break in North America’s only fortified city – which is just beginning a year-long 400th birthday party – and ski three excellent areas just a (free) short shuttle bus ride from your hotel, all on one lift ticket, is less widely known. Mont Ste-Anne is the largest and shares spectacular views of the mighty St Lawrence River with neighbouring Le Massif. The third option is Stoneham, which is marketed as a party resort, popular with freestylers.
Ski Quebec Region: 0800 051 7055;
www.skisnowquebeccity.com
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4. Leogang, Austria
Cosy and traditional, Leogang opens a back door into the giant Saalbach-Hinterglemm ski circus, the country’s second most popular destination after Vienna. The local skiing is dominated by the Greater Astiz mountain, accessed in 12 minutes by a new gondola, the base of which is located five minutes from the village centre. From here, the lifts extend for 16km as the crowflies, opening up 200km of runs. Football fans looking for a team to fix on for Euro 2008 – now that all Home Nations teams are out –may find inspiration from the fact that the Russian team, who qualified at England’s expense, will be based in Leogang.
Leogang Saalfelden Tourist Office: 00 43 658 270 660;
www.leogang-saalfelden.at
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5. Morillon, France
Flaine is in renaissance thanks to a new resort development by Whistler owners Intrawest; but four smaller, traditional villages share its Grand Massif region. This is celebrated for its deep snow, thanks in part to the proximity of the Mont Blanc range. It’s also just over an hour’s drive from Geneva, making it one of the most easily accessible of France’s alpine ski regions. Morillon has a compact altitude base at 1,100m, reached by road or gondola fromthe original village; a high-speed quad takes you on up into the Grand Massif.
Morillon Tourism: 00 33 4 50 90 15 76;
www.ot-morillon.fr
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2 February 2008, Chosen by Patrick Thorne
