Nendaz

Where? Nendaz is never mentioned when talking about the worlds best resorts, but take a look at the Verbier piste map and you’ll see a little village to its left. Sitting at 1400 meters Nendaz is right at the heart of the 4 Vallees ski area, which has 96 lifts and over 250 miles of piste. It's a short drive, or a few lifts to the areas highest point, Mont Fort 3300 meters where you can find oodles and oodles of off piste.

It’s not cheap, but you’ll save a packet staying here rather than Verbier and you will get to access the same mountain range and amazing off piste terrain. Freeriders will be pleasantly surprised when they arrive and see what this area has to offer, both on and off-piste. Advanced and old school riders will find a weeks stay an absolute pleasure and thrill seekers can test themselves to the limits. They have installed snowmaking facilities all the way from the top back to the base station if snow is scarce, if not Nendaz also offers Heli-boarding with passenger collection and mountain guides.

You can fly to the heart of the Rosablanche glacier and ride major backcountry powder but if the snows good you won’t have too as there’s plenty of off piste serviced by the modern lifts. If you want to ride Verbiers pistes but don’t want to pay the dollars then Nendaz is for you.