I love off piste skiing

Off-piste skiing has become increasingly popular in recent years I have picked out some of my favourite resorts to experience the thrill.

Zermatt is a firm favourite amongst daredevil skiers - it has an extensive off-piste terrain, although some are some distance away from the pistes. Zermatt’s high altitude, many off-piste areas and north facing slopes mean off-piste skiers are likely to be able to find fresh powder days after a snowfall. All three of Zermatt’s ski areas soar to at least 3100m which ensures excellent snow conditions and long runs with one of the longest winter seasons in the Alps. Zermatt has a fantastic range of luxury ski chalets for you off piste ski holiday which fits nicely in one of the most picturesque villages in the Alps. In Zermatt there are a lot of glacier skiing areas and crevasses are a threat so it is best to go off-piste skiing with a guide who knows the area well and can make sure the area is safe.

Chamonix offers some of the world’s most challenging off-piste resorts which is notoriously steep and is a great place for intermediates to take a course in skiing powder. It is home to the world’s top off-piste ski mountain, the Grands Montets, which draws skiers from around the globe. There are plenty of off-piste opportunities in the Chamonix Valley which are in easy reach of the piste. However, the resort’s true potential can only be reached by the adventurous off-pister. The resort offers some of the world’s most challenging terrain and centrals on the Mont-Blanc Massif which has a peak of 4,810m and also a vertical drop of 2100m. It has everything from Glacier skiing to tight tree bashing and wide open bowls alongside some stunning scenery. Chamonix is conveniently located an hour from Geneva airport which makes it easy to organise a last minute getaway or even if a long weekend break.

Whistler earned its place as one of the best off-piste ski resorts because of its remarkably diverse terrain which features wide bowls, narrow chutes and challenging mogul fields to contend with. Whistler Blackcomb borders almost half-a-million acres of backcountry terrain with access to the backcountry being available to experienced skiers and boarders. There are plenty of options on Blackcomb Mountain – although they are not all visible from the glacier. The most popular areas with the locals are Million Dollar Ridge and Khyber’s Pass. Whistler offers a huge array of terrain, longer runs, fast lifts, a vibrant community and excellent snow reliability with the average snow fall being 402 inches a year.

St Anton has plenty of off-piste opportunities where you can ski ungroomed snow on either side of Schindlerkar and Mattun. It has some of the best and most extensive off-piste skiing you will find anywhere although you have to be quick off the mark to get some fresh tracks as St Anton is famous around the world for its off-piste skiing. You can also practise your off-piste techniques between the pistes without engaging in the big adventures further afield. St Anton has 180km of marked off-piste runs which are made up of steep runs, deep powder and trees on all sides of the mountain making St Anton a hard resort to beat when it comes to off-piste skiing. St Anton boasts some fantastic catered ski chalets where you relax after a day exploring its great terrain.

This resort in mid-west America is another unmissable off-piste location. There are two main peaks in Jackson Hole, its signature peak, Rendezvous Mountain and Cody Peak which makes some of Jackson’s tougher in-bounds trails look like blue runs. Even the most expert skiers will find a challenge here, especially those looking for challenging back-country tours.  Jackson Hole was one of the first resorts in the USA to reverse the trend of discouraging skies and snowboarders for venturing outside the ski areas boundaries and there are now 5,000 acres of challenging and varied terrain to explore and they provide an excellent guiding service. The snow is fantastic, with wonderful powder and provides a truly unique advanced skiing experience.