Break the routine on the slopes of the Alps' most under-the-radar ski resorts! Puy Saint Vincent, Les Karellis, Arêches Beaufort… These little-known gems are all open until early April, or even mid-April. Rush to their chairlifts before the season ends — and above all, before the hype catches up (for now, you never wait long at the bottom of their lifts… but for how long?).
1. Puy Saint Vincent (Hautes Alpes)
Perched on the heights of the Vallouise valley, a stone's throw from the Écrins National Park and its majestic glaciers, this village resort where you never queue for the lifts is well worth making a detour from your usual holiday spot.
⛷️ The Puy Saint Vincent ski area, in brief:
75 km of slopes for all levels winding from the Pendine ridge (2700 m) down to the heart of the resort across three levels (1400 m, 1600 m and 1800 m), 7 red and black runs (aptly named « Jour de Peuf ») left ungroomed after snowfall, a north-west aspect favouring good snow cover through to spring, a snowpark, a boardercross, marked ski touring and Nordic skiing trails (popular with seasoned cross-country skiers), and beautiful off-piste lines among the larch trees, accessible straight from the top of the lifts (no hiking required!).
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The locals' tip: « A real hidden gem? It's Narreyroux »
The Narreyroux valley is that sector so discreet you might miss it if you glance too quickly at the winter walks map. Look more closely: there, far to the right, that yellow dotted line playing the lone ranger on the edge of the ski area. According to the locals, it's THE gem not to be missed!
A hidden hamlet, sleeping chalets, not a sound but the crunch crunch of snow underfoot… Pack a picnic and bring some sunscreen: you may well want to linger in this enchanted bubble for quite a while.
2. Les Karellis (Savoie)
This human-scale gem from the Maurienne valley, nestled in a larch forest at 1600 m altitude, is known for its friendly, welcoming atmosphere… and its prices far more affordable than those charged by the big Savoyard resorts beloved by the media.
⛷️ The Les Karellis ski area, in brief:
60 km of slopes for all levels (70% above 2000 m altitude), a north-northwest aspect ideal for skiing through to April, a boardercross, and beautiful off-piste areas among the larch trees for fans of forest bathing.
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The locals' tip: the combo « Mur des Enfers » + « Combe des Agneaux » (for confident skiers only!)
It's steep, it's technical, it's wild — in short, it's a delight for fans of demanding black runs deemed « unrideable » (= impossible to ride) by the average skier!
From the top of the Tête d'Albiez chairlift (2472 m), bear right and plunge straight into the wall of the Enfers black run; then at the junction, bear right again towards the Côte des Agneaux black piste. There's no one here. Just you and the forest. Magic…
3. Aussois (Savoie)
Another discreet village resort that doesn't give away its secrets! The only resort in the Maurienne valley perched on the sunny side, Aussois is paradise for skiers who are still finding their feet and having fun on a playful, non-intimidating terrain.
⛷️ The Aussois ski area, in brief:
55 km of slopes for all levels mostly south-facing (hello vitamin D!) between 2700 m and 1500 m altitude, a boardercross, a snowpark, a slalom stadium, 9 Nordic skiing loops (easy to very difficult levels) and a marked and secured ski touring route winding through the forest.
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The locals' tip: take a walk around the Forts de l'Esseillon!
Snow-covered chalets? You'll find those just about anywhere, whatever resort you pick for your latest winter getaway… They make lovely photos for Instagram, but it's not exactly « groundbreaking » as our British friends would say.
For something different, head to Aussois and follow the marked trail leading to the impressive Marie Christine and Victor Emmanuel forts !
Built over two centuries ago to protect the former Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia from French invasions, these military fortifications are now listed as « Historic Monuments ». And unlike the traditional chalets mentioned above, you can explore their inner chambers in the footsteps of the Italian and French soldiers who lived there for decades (and even scout out the arrow slits from which four via ferrata routes set off in summer).
4. Arêches Beaufort (Savoie)
Had you ruled out mid- and low-altitude ski resorts because you were worried about the lack of snow? It’s time to take Arêches-Beaufort off your blacklist! The village of Arêches (1,080 m) and its two connected ski areas (Le Grand-Mont and Le Planay) benefit from a favorable microclimate that ensures reliable snowfall despite the resort’s relatively “modest” altitude (highest point: 2,320 m). A bailiff even came twice to officially certify the snow depth!
⛷️ Arêches Beaufort ski area at a glance:
50 km of slopes for all skill levels, mostly north-facing and reaching up to 2,320 m at the Col de la Forclaz, a snow-friendly microclimate loved by freeriders, a boardercross, a snowpark, 15 km of Nordic ski trails, and 4 marked and secured ski touring routes (from easy to very difficult) — perfect for warming up before taking on the legendary Pierra Menta race (dreaming is always allowed!).
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Local tip: a first stop at the cheese cooperative… and a second one at Chez Dédé!
We know you spend your weekends in the mountains as much for the skiing as for the cheese. So fully embrace your love for fondue and generous charcuterie boards — and choose a getaway where one of the finest and most iconic cheeses is made: Beaufort!
Good news: the Coopérative Laitière du Beaufortain is open every day, all year round, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. That gives you plenty of time to explore the 400 m² exhibition dedicated to Beaufort cheese for free. Then follow the guide down to the famous aging cellars, where thousands of cheese wheels patiently mature with irresistible aromas (at least, we’re completely obsessed with them). And of course, don’t leave without stopping by the shop to bring some freshly cut Beaufort back home.
Are your suitcases full of cheese yet? Before heading home, make one last stop at Chez Dédé! This cozy retro-style bar has been bringing together locals and visitors of all ages for… probably forever. Great beers, delicious crêpes, and a warm atmosphere — just as essential as the cooperative itself.
Two bonus resorts worth the detour:
5. Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise (Savoie)
Perched at 1550 m altitude in the Haute Tarentaise valley, the youngest ski resort in the French Alps has nothing to envy its big neighbours (Tignes, Val d'Isère, Les Arcs, La Rosière…). Don't be fooled by the charming traditional chalets with their smoking chimneys: the resort turns decidedly rock'n roll on powder days, when well-informed freeriders from the valley come flooding in…
⛷️ The Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise ski area, in brief:
25 slopes for all levels served by four chairlifts (where you never queue), varied skiing between high mountain landscapes(highest point: the Col de l'Aiguille at 2622 m) and larch forest, but above all an incredible off-piste terrain that even draws skiers from the larger neighbouring resorts on powder days (shhh, it's a secret!).
6. Les Orres (Southern Alps)
Perched on a natural balcony overlooking the Durance valley, the heavily forested Les Orres resort offers a spectacular panorama over the jagged ridges of the Parpaillon massif, the Embrun valley and the iconic peaks of the Écrins massif. Bonus: that characteristic southern climate of the Southern Alps that makes you feel doubly on holiday!
⛷️ The Les Orres ski area, in brief:
100 km of wide, rolling slopes for all levels with a north-west aspect from the resort's highest point (2720 m) down to the three villages (Les Orres 1800, Les Orres 1650 and Les Orres 1550 — we'll spare you the altitude maths…), a snowpark, a marked ski touring route for a cardio workout, and some breathtaking panoramic views over the Écrins National Park and Lac de Serre-Ponçon.
