Skiing in St Anton

Some ski resorts defy criticism with perfect pistes, awesome après-ski and a large dose of the X-factor. If you ski them only once in your life, it'll be worth it.

Whistler, Chamonix, Jackson Hole, St Anton, Zermatt/Verbier. these are the classic, regal resorts of the world. Here's the inside info on the Famous Five.

JACKSON HOLE, WYOMING

Jackson Hole is like a magnet for the hard core. Officially 50% of Jackson terrain is rated expert, and the 10% classed as beginner terrain is probably an exaggeration. High-alpine bowls rise above tree-lined, rocky ridges, hiding some of the most challenging terrain on the planet. The most infamous in-bounds descent is Corbet's Couloir, a steep, rock-lined gash plunging through the cliffs below where you might have to jump as much as 25ft before making your first turn. Although it's not all this scary, Jackson isn't a resort for skiers looking for perfect pistes.

Insider tip

Want to build up to the big stuff slowly? Head for Gros Ventre, a long run that steadily drops 2,700ft and is one of the best intermediate runs in North America.

CHAMONIX

Chamonix is the extreme skiing centre of the world. And, in the shadow of Mont Blanc, the scenery is equally extreme.

If you're an expert skier looking for a challenge, you'll love it. The possibilities are enormous (so is the 2808m vertical drop) and you'll find scores of pros making their home here. If you're a novice you may be less enamoured, because apart from anything else, the lift queues can be huge.

People come here to live and breathe the mountains. It is the birthplace of mountaineering and its residents have come here to be part of it and to push the boundaries further.

Insider tip

On sunny days intermediates should head straight for south-facing Le Brévet, where the snow seems to turn to corn and the views of the Mont Blanc massif are the best.

WHISTLER, CANADA

Whistler-Blackcomb is a ski area of superlatives. The biggest ski area in North America (boasting more than 7,000 acres of skiable terrain), the most efficient lift system and, an accolade it receives with amazing regularity from the voting public, the 'best ski resort in the world'.

It's not hard to see why. Only two hours from Vancouver, Whistler is everything to everyone. The skiing is great for all abilities, from pro to beginner, and the off-piste with couloirs and bowls provides some of the best powder around.

The town buzzes with an international atmosphere and has facilities that knock the socks off most other resorts - world-class restaurants, lively nightlife and every kind of accommodation from five star luxury (like the impressive Fairmont Chateau Whistler) to budget bunkhouse.

Insider tip

If you like steep couloirs head for Blackcomb; if you prefer powder bowls, make tracks for Whistler Mountain. If you fancy a taste of the backcountry without having to worry about safety, drop into Flute Bowl, which is patrolled but not pisted.

ST ANTON, AUSTRIA

Known as much for its nightlife as its terrain, St Anton has a youthful, party atmosphere.

St Anton gets more snow than pretty much anywhere else in the Alps. The off-piste there is limitless, with wide-open bowls, steep chutes, long runs and consistently fabulous snow. The area is huge - 85 lifts and 250 miles of marked runs. Unmarked runs account for even more. Ski touring is also popular here and if you're ready to hike into the mountains, the possibilities are endless.

Insider tip

After a storm, hire a guide and head straight for the untracked summit of Valluga. It's the crown jewel of St Anton and is all above the tree line, offering everything from vast mogul fields to steep powder runs.

ZERMATT, SWITZERLAND

It may not have the extreme terrain of Jackson Hole or Chamonix, but Zermatt is one of the most perfect, complete ski resorts, all wrapped up in chocolate-boxpretty packaging.

Completely car-free, Zermatt oozes charm, has amazing mountain restaurants, a cosmopolitan crowd, excellent nightlife and very varied skiing (394km of pistes). In short, Zermatt has something for everyone, which makes it one of the most perfect all-round resorts.

Insider tip

If you're a gourmet, head for Le Corbeau d'Or for the best food in town.


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