The key to getting value for money, particularly in Switzerland, is to get away from high-profile, fashionable resorts. In this respect, it’s hard to beat the four resorts of Grimentz, Zinal, St Luc and Chandolin in the Val d’Anniviers valley.
Prices here are about 25 per cent lower than in the big, better-known resorts. There are cheaper places in Switzerland, but most people on a week-long snow sports trip will find Val d’Anniviers delivers more.
Crucially, the two ski areas – Grimentz-Zinal on one side of the valley, St Luc-Chandolin on the other – deliver the quantity and variety of pistes you’re likely to want to keep you occupied for the duration of your holiday. The villages are traditional and small-scale, and Grimentz and St Luc in particular have charming old-fashioned town centres.
Where to stay
The 19th century Hotel Bella Tola in the centre of sleepy St Luc is charmingly traditional, but with a stylish modern spa and excellent food. From £1,225, Inntravel (inntravel.co.uk).
Alternatives
Engelberg (engelberg.ch) has something of a cult following locally, but has quite a low profile internationally, and three-star hotels outnumber four-stars eight to one. Local prices are about as low as Swiss resort prices go. Andermatt (andermatt.ch) has undergone a lot of change of late with upmarket new developments, but the original old village still offers modest hotels and on-the-spot prices.
Fast facts
Resorts 1,340m to 2,000m
Slopes 1,340m to 3,000m
Lifts 43
Pistes 220km, 36% blue, 52% red, 12% black
Snowmaking 14%
Six-day lift pass CHF280
More info valdanniviers.ch