Best Ski Resorts for Off Piste

If you want powder and excitement, our top 10 best ski resorts for off piste slopes and conditions are listed below. With champagne powder, back country drifts and some great terrain away from the prepared slopes, check out our list of the ones to book with now - you won't regret it!

The Best Off Piste Ski Resorts

Whether you're an intermediate skier or boarder or an expert, the best off piste ski resorts offer new challenges and of course, for the early birds after a fresh dump, powder that you are the first to touch! So the following ski resorts are ones we've researched and been recommended as some of the best places to go - our top 10 - if you like!

** These are not in any particular order

Val D'Isere, France 

Read our Full review of Val D'Isere

Intermediate and advanced skiers and boarders will love the steep challenging runs, huge moguls and amazing off piste in the Espace Killy. With over 10,000 hectares of virgin powder (when it comes!) there's something for everyone - even if it's your first time! There is also the 1992 Olympic downhill ski run when you do come back on piste!

Chamonix, France 

Read our Full Review of Chamonix

Home to Mont Blanc, as well as being one of the most snowsure resorts in the world, it has some of the most amazing (and extreme) off piste areas too. Up on the glacier, you will need an experienced guide to ensure the pwder doesn't turn to crevasse, but this is one big playground for off piste lovers. Chamonix is well known for its fantastic off trail skiing and snowboarding opportunities.

Kicking Horse, Canada 

Read our Full review of Kicking Horse

One of North America's newest resorts it currently offers nearly 3000 acres of pristine terrain and boasts an annual snowfall of 10m+ a year! It is best suited for advanced skiers and boarders, the mountain is awesome! Untracked powder in the numerous bowls and glades flanking the steep ridges provides testing terrain. For real adrenaline junkies there is a 4000 foot ski out, the second largest in Canada.

St Anton, Austria 

Read our Full review of St Anton

St Anton probably has the best terrain in Austria, what really sets it apart is the 180km of marked off piste runs. With steeps, deep powder and trees on all sides of the mountain slopes its hard to beat. The village itself has a traditional feel to it with cobbled streets and plenty of expensive hotels and great bars!

Engelberg, Switzerland 

Read our Full Review of Engelberg

Despite being situated an hour away from Lucerne and one of the easiest to reach ski areas in Switzerland this resort is still not that well known. Its off piste is truly amazing. It has the first revolving gondola that takes you to the top of Titlis a 3,020 metre peak that faces north to hold its snow. Here there are great off piste opportunities most notably the Laub route that has a vertical drop of 1000m.

Jackson Hole, USA 

Read our Full review of Jackson Hole

Jackson Hole is to North America what Chamonix is to Europe.It offers one of North Americas biggest vertical drops, endless backcountry skiing, great snow and great advanced skiing and boarding. The town of Jackson,a 5 minute shuttle ride from the resort is like stepping onto the set of a western, its frontier architecture giving it incredible character.

Verbier, Switzerland 

Read our Full Review of Verbier

Located high in the Swiss alps, 2 hours from Geneva airport, Verbier has first rate skiing and snowboarding terrain. With 400km of terrain spread across 4 valleys, the off piste skiing offers wide powder fields and naturally rolling terrain with oft superb snow conditions. Fashionable and lively the resort has a top notch nightlife.

La Grave, France 

Read our Full Review of La Grave

Situated only 77km from Grenoble, it's a fearsomely beautiful and wild ski area. Its vast snowfields, huge glaciers, giant seracs, morriane fields and menacing coloirs bring true exhilaration and also danger, with crevasses and avalanches always a threat. To quote the resort itself 'you need a good dose of humility and respect to ski here'.

Andermatt, Switzerland 

Read our Full Review of Andermatt

Just 140km from Zurich this resort is easily accessible and is a pretty, traditional village with narrow cobbled streets and a good selection of bars and restaurants. The skiing is challenging and fantastic for off piste so much so the Swiss army train here.It is a dream destination for hardcore skiers and boarders who want accessible backcountry, great snow and an uncrowded laid back atmosphere.