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Mar, 14 - 2025 - 7 mins

The Rise of the Underdogs: Are These 5 Ski Destinations the Future of European Skiing?

While it’s easy to stay in the cushty comfort zone of French, Swiss, Italian and Austrian ski resorts, more and more ‘underdog’ resorts are upping their game in terms of lift infrastructure, affordability and intrigue. Below, we’ve considered five alternative destinations that, thanks to their uncrowded slopes, tax-free shopping, untouched powder and unique cultural experiences, might just be the future of European skiing. After all, doesn’t it defy what snowsports are all about to remain in your comfort zone?

Bulgaria

Bulgaria has long been an underrated gem in the European ski scene, but it’s quickly gaining traction as a budget-friendly, snow-sure, and adventure-packed alternative to the Alps. With modern ski resorts, affordable prices, and a lively après scene, it’s no surprise that more skiers and snowboarders are starting to take notice.

Borovets, Pamporovo and Bansko are all options when it comes to a ski trip to Bulgaria, but Bansko is the biggest and most modern of the three, offering 75 km of pistes, a lively après-ski scene, and high-altitude snow reliability. The town is charming, with historic streets and fantastic local cuisine. Other perks of Bankso include:

• Cheap accommodation, lift passes, food & drink and lessons
• Snowmaking systems ensure snow reliability
• A lively après ski scene means you won’t miss the boot stomping of the Alps

Real skier review of Bansko, Bulgaria

“I’ve been to Bansko 4 years running now. It’s a great resort and extremely cost friendly! The bars are great and a few hidden gems for food too! The gondola is always moving well and I've never had to queue long to get to the mountain. The slopes are well maintained!” - Luke, Jan 2025

Andorra

Situated only a few hours from the Med, it’s understandable that the notion of skiing in Andorra is met with grumbles about snow reliability. However, as someone who has been to the Grandvalira ski area in both late February and late March, I can personally confirm that it’s a perfect destination for quiet, cruisey slopes, a thriving party scene, great shopping and delicious food.

The Grandvalira area is made up of seven different sectors as a result of a previous merger between two earlier ski areas. These are Encamp, Canillo, El Tarter, Soldeu, Grau Roig and Pas de La Casa. Encamp is the lowest at 1300m, where the longest funitel in Europe, funicamp takes riders straight to the heart of the ski area at 2502m. The highest sector, Pas de la Casa at 2100m is a somewhat unsightly cluster of concrete and billboards, but don’t let that put you off - you can score endless duty-free bargains, enjoy international cuisine and choose from a wide range of places to stay. The main advantages of a ski trip to Grandvalira are:

• Reasonable lift pass, accommodation & food and drink costs
• High altitude ensures good conditions
• Duty-free shopping
• Cheap ‘Andbus’ transfers from Barcelona & Toulouse airports
• Huge ski area of 210km to explore

Spain

Imagine affordable yet good quality skiing with abundant sunshine, cheap beer and Spanish tapas. Well, don’t tell too many people but this exists in Baqueira-Beret. Tucked away in the Spanish Pyrenees, Baqueira is one of Europe’s best-kept ski secrets. Often overlooked in favour of the Alps, it offers 165 km of varied terrain, fantastic snow quality, and a touch of luxury (there’s a Möet champagne lounge) —making it a serious underdog with growing appeal.

Aside from slopeside sunbathing, here’s why Baqueira makes the grade:

• Spanish après ski means cheap beer, amazing tapas and guaranteed sunshine
• Varied terrain spread over 165km
• Good public transport links and choice of places to stay
• It hosts a segment of the Freeride World Tour, so you know the off-piste is next level when the conditions are right.

Real Skier review of Baqueira Beret, Spain

“Baqueira has a special place in my heart as it's where I did my first ski season, it has a great vibe and was I spoilt with tapas on the mountain, heli skiing and more powder days than I've had in any other resort. This place is a real Hidden gem, perfect for short trips or even a week, the food is next level, Arties, is a great spot for restaurants or even down in the main town Vielha there's ample of restaurants and on some days you can do a tapas bar crawl which is fantastic, If it's your thing, there's a Moet bar on the slopes, brilliant for apres and for some reason it doesn't have the mountain price tag in restaurants or bars. There's a huge free car park in resort with a train that takes you to the main lift so you don't need to stay in resort. This resort doesn't particularly get busy even in peak weeks and is easy to get to from either Toulouse or Barcelona.” - James, Dec 2024

Georgia

Whatever springs to your mind when you think of Georgia, it’s probably not the fact that the mammoth Caucus Mountains cover 60% of the country’s total land mass, dwarfing the Alps and promising pillowy powder that remains untouched for days. The country is home to several mountain resorts, but Gudauri is the largest, highest and most popular. With 35km of slopes and altitudes reaching up to 3276m, it’s little wonder that more and more people are putting up with the seven-hour flight time (from London) to get the goods for less.

For some perspective, while the travel day to get there may be long, the difference in lift pass cost is somewhat worth it. A six-day adult lift pass costs around €115 in Gudauri, compared to €240 in Sainte Foy, for roughly the same amount of skiable terrain. What’s more is the unique culture - authentic Georgian gastronomy is the ideal accompaniment for sore ski muscles - think cheese bread, meat bread, succulent meat dishes and a range of local wines. Why would we go here? There are a few advantages that offset the long journey:

• Quiet slopes
• Up-and-coming, luxurious accommodation to rival the Alps, take a look at the Gudauri Lodge
• Cheap food, drink and lift passes
• Modern lift infrastructure

Real Skier review of Gudauri, Georgia

“Gudauri is one of the best ski resorts, that is still not over priced or over crowded. Set in the beautiful Caucus mountains, it's easy to get to from the capital city. Great accommodation and restaurant with the best cuisine in the world! I have been 5 times and the snow has always been great!” - Connor, Jan 2025

Scandanavia

As the Alps begin to bear their bald spots, it’s no surprise that snow seekers are heading North - much further North, in fact. Scandinavian ski resorts are beginning to turn the heads of all skiers and snowboarders thanks to their mystical appeal, near-unmanageable snow dumps, night sky euphoria and extensive Nordic spas.

Sweden’s Riksgransen is one of these resorts, with a reputation for acres of untouched powder fields, late-spring shredding beneath the Midnight Sun and spellbinding shows from the elusive Northern Lights. While it’s not quite as simple as jetting to Geneva - you’re heading way above the Arctic Circle, the four-hour flight to Kiruna from Stockholm, and further two-hour transfer is easily swallowed up in a travel day. Here’s why it’s a favourite:

• Legendary heli-skiing
• Incredible off-piste and powder
• The once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience unique solar activity like the Midnight Sun & Northern Lights
• Nobody does spa quite like the Nordics

Real Skier review of Riksgransen, Sweden

“This place is 250km north of the Arctic Circle so we had 18hrs of sunlight in late April. The resort is not very big, but there are so many features off piste that you can ski a different line every time. It felt like a playground. Accommodation was limited with a hotel or hostel to choose from. There is also heli skiing on offer, but at a price, so make sure the guide knows your level as you don't want to splash out and be taken on too easy terrain.” - Mat, Nov 2024