Over the last five years, we have skied in some incredibly unique places. We are proud newbies and willing to ski just about anywhere that has enough ski to hit the slopes. For us, skiing is part of our general adventure travel, not about being the best out there. The best part about being willing to ski in unique places is that the prices are almost always more reasonable that the well known resorts, and lift lines are almost non-existent. This is our running list of off-the-beaten-path ski destinations, organized by region. They are labeled as [We’ve been there] for our personal recommendations and [On our list] for the ones we are actively planning for future trips.
Europe (but outside the Alps)
Métabief, Jura Mountains, France [We’ve been there] Métabief was our first dedicated ski trip as a family, and we spent five days there over New Year’s which felt like a real commitment at the time and turned out to be completely worth it. We stayed outside of town and drove about 15 minutes to the slopes each day, which was easy and kept accommodation costs down. The group ski lessons were incredibly affordable, and even private lessons came in at around 40 euros per hour, which is unheard of compared to anything in the Alps. The mountain has 26 runs with a longest descent of 4.2 kilometres from the summit, and on a clear day you can see all the way across to Mont Blanc. The slopes opened right around Christmas and we were there the following week, so the snow was fresh and the mountain was not yet crowded. For families based in Germany, Switzerland, or eastern France, this is an easy drive and a really compelling alternative to crossing into the Alps.
Feldberg, Black Forest, Germany [We’ve been there] Feldberg is the highest peak in the Black Forest and I was surprised with how much skiing there actually is. We stayed in an Airbnb style place about 15 minutes from the slopes, which was very affordable and allowed us to have a kitchen for the week. The ski school accepts children from age three, and four full days of lessons for four hours a day came in at under 300 euros, which was incredibly affordable compared to other places. The terrain here runs from simple greens all the way to black slopes. The connecting lifts were our favorite part, and while it wasn’t as intricate as the Alps, it was fun being able to put together an adventure across the mountain rather than lapping the same run all day. For families living in Germany or Switzerland, this is underrated and much closer than people think.
Kranjska Gora, Slovenia [On our list] Kranjska Gora sits in a valley right on the Italian and Austrian borders, which makes it an easy add-on to a Central European road trip. It has a Tyrolean chalet-style feel that looks charming, and everything we have read suggests it is well suited to families with mixed skill levels. The prices are significantly lower than comparable Austrian resorts just across the border.
Bansko, Bulgaria [On our list] Bansko is one of the best value ski destinations in Europe, period. The lift passes are a fraction of what you would pay in the Alps, the old town looks charming with cobblestone streets and traditional taverns, and the terrain seems reasonable for intermediate skiers. For a family based in Europe that wants to try something different without spending Alpine prices, this seems like a great adventure.
Zakopane, Poland [On our list] Zakopane is known as the winter capital of Poland, and has been recommended to us by friends as a budget friendly ski destination. It sits in the Tatra Mountains and covers more than 60 kilometres of runs across multiple ski areas, all accessible on a single lift pass. The prices for accommodation, food and lift tickets are all significantly lower than anything comparable in Western Europe. Not to mention that there are also some great options right over the border in Slovakia, and both qualify as road trip material from Germany (with an America road trip mindset).
Gudauri, Georgia [On our list] Georgia sits in a bit of a geographical grey zone depending on who you ask, but the skiing at Gudauri is compelling enough that we are including it here. It is only two hours from Tbilisi, and the ski pass looks like one of the cheapest in Europe or anywhere nearby. We would love to pair it with a Tbilisi city trip to make a full adventure out of flying to this destination.
Scandinavia
Rovaniemi, Finland [We’ve been there] We skied near Rovaniemi as part of our bigger Lapland trip, and it was a really fun ski experience for the whole family. The runs are lit up and open late into the evening. Skiing under the lights in the middle of a winter wonderland with your kids was really magical. The slopes are mostly blue and green, which was great for where we were in our ski journey at the time, and combining it with the rest of a Lapland itinerary rounded out our winter wonderland trip perfectly.
Africa
Afriski Mountain Resort, Lesotho [We’ve been there] Afriski is where our ski story actually started 5 years ago, which still feels a little surreal to say. It is the only ski resort in Lesotho, sitting at 3,050 metres up in the Maluti Mountains, and it is small in the way that is actually perfect for complete beginners who do not need an audience while they figure out the basics. The drive through Lesotho is an adventure of its own, and the novelty of skiing in Southern Africa never quite wore off for us even after we had done it. If you find yourself in Southern Africa in the winter (remember, that’s June-August), this is too fun to pass up a short escape.
Oukaïmeden, Morocco [On our list] Oukaïmeden is the highest ski resort in Africa, and sits in the Atlas Mountains above Marrakech. The location makes it easy to combine with a non-ski trip to Morocco, which is our favorite way to pick up a new ski country. This is exactly the kind of add-on ski trip we are always looking for, and makes the top of our must-ski list.
Asia
Nozawa Onsen, Nagano, Japan [On our list] Nozawa Onsen combines skiing with a traditional Japanese village and natural hot spring baths. We have researched this one over the years and it seems to have a very authentic feel (more so than some of the bigger and more internationally known Japanese resorts have). It looks perfect for a ski trip add on that incorporates local adventure and cultural experiences. Plus, can you imagine the combination of skiing and sushi?
Yongpyong, South Korea [On our list] Yongpyong hosted events at the 2018 Winter Olympics, but is still fairly under the radar for many international tourists. It looks family-friendly and well set up for beginner and intermediate skiers. We would love to add this ski destination onto a larger South Korea trip that could include Seoul and other must-see spots in the area.
Gulmarg, India [On our list] Gulmarg sits in Kashmir in the Himalayas, which makes it a much more dramatic setting than others on our list. We have seen it increase in popularity over recent years, but is still very much off the beaten path. The prices are very affordable by international standards, and the scenery looks unmatched. I’m not sure we will get here anytime soon, but we would love to make it a reality.
Southern USA
Cataloochee Ski Area, North Carolina [We’ve been there] Cataloochee was the first place we ever skied in America, and looking back it was exactly the right choice for a family of beginners. We went with friends, stayed in Asheville about 40 minutes away, and drove up each morning, which worked really well. Our two oldest, who were four and six at the time, both had ski lessons and did beautifully on the mountain. It was actually on this trip that our six-year-old decided to switch from skis to a snowboard, and the coaches helped him make this switch seamlessly. North Carolina skiing means there is usually brown grass on either side of the runs, but honestly that just means you can’t get lost. Cataloochee is also part of the Indy Pass, which is worth knowing if you are building a season around multiple mountains.
Beech Mountain Resort, North Carolina [We’ve been there] Beech Mountain is the highest ski resort in the eastern United States. We drove up from Atlanta for a long weekend and it did not disappoint. The slopes work really well for a family at mixed skill levels, the lift tickets are reasonable, and the little alpine village at the base is charming. Our youngest spent hours on the tubing track at the bottom while his older brothers had lessons on the mountain, which made the whole day work for everyone at the same time.
Snowshoe Mountain, West Virginia [On our list] Snowshoe is the biggest resort in the mid-Atlantic and Southern region and keeps coming up every time we research options for families driving from Charlotte, Atlanta, or the DC area. It has more terrain variety than most Southern options, which makes it appealing as your skills start to grow beyond the beginner slopes. We have not made it there yet, but it is high on the list for our next East Coast family visit, particularly because it seems substantial enough to feel like a real ski trip rather than just a ski day.
Northern USA
Granite Peak, Wisconsin [On our list] Granite Peak keeps coming up every time we research affordable Midwest skiing, and it looks like one of the best-priced lift tickets in the northern US. It is the largest ski area in Wisconsin and has a family-friendly reputation. For anyone living in or planning to make a winter trip to the Midwest, this would be a nice escape for gaining ski experience or refreshing old skills.
Mad River Glen, Vermont [On our list] Mad River Glen is famously old school, cooperatively owned and just the kind of place we would love to check out. Note that it does not allow snowboarders. We’ve scoured reviews and they all suggest the old school vibe creates an atmosphere that feels different from every other resort in New England. The lift tickets are surprisingly affordable, and the beginner terrain is apparently excellent. It is very much on our list for a New England trip.
Belleayre Mountain, New York [On our list] Belleayre is state-run, which means the lift ticket prices are kept reasonable. It sits in the Catskills, which gives it a shorter season than the Vermont or New Hampshire options, but for a family visiting the New York area in winter it seems like a really smart add-on to an existing trip. The beginner and intermediate terrain looks well-suited to a family that is still building confidence, and the fact that it is consistently recommended as a budget option in the Northeast is reason enough to keep it on the radar.
Elk Mountain, Pennsylvania [On our list] Elk Mountain has been family-owned for decades. Pennsylvania skiing has a reputation for being icy and limited, and sometimes that is fair, but Elk Mountain sits at a higher elevation than most PA resorts and it seems the snowmaking capabilities are better. It keeps coming up when researching affordable Northeast options that we could not choose between it and Belleayre, so we kept both on our final must-ski list.
Showdown Ski Area, Montana [On our list] Showdown is about as remote and unpretentious as ski areas get, and the lift ticket prices reflect that in the best possible way. It sits in the middle of Montana with wide open terrain. We have not made it to Montana yet as a family, but when we do, Showdown is the kind of place we would choose over the better-known options without hesitation. It is almost tempting enough to break our ski rules and book a flight there just to ski.
This list is constantly growing and we are always adding to it. If you have skied somewhere unexpected and loved it, drop it in the comments below!
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