Concerned about lack of snow this season? We hear you, which is why we’re concentrating on the higher ground. Read on for resorts at altitude with a responsible attitude to climate change and where great big dumps of snow are par for the course.

Switzerland

The Swiss have plenty of high-altitude resorts to choose from, including Zermatt, towered over by the mighty Matterhorn (Switzerland’s most iconic mountain) and officially the highest resort in the Alps at 3,830m. Stay in this idyllic spot and you’re pretty much guaranteed great conditions to explore the 360km of slopes via 52 lifts (did we mention it’s one of the largest ski areas in Europe?).

Not far behind is Saas-Fee, which sits at the foot of another one of Switzerland’s highest mountains, the Dom. There’s snow year-round thanks to its glacier, where skiing is possible up to a heady 3,600m. Stay at Waldhotel Fletschhorn, a fairy-tale boutique retreat set in a remote car-free village.

France

France has several altitude favourites, including Val Thorens, which at 2,300m is one of the highest ski resorts in the country. But what’s it like? Well, it’s cool (literally and figuratively) and purpose-built, so there’s lots of ski-in, ski-out accommodation (check out new five-star Hotel Koh-I Nor), and efficient lifts to the soaring skiable glaciers Péclet and Thorens. 

Verbier (Verbs if you’re a regular) is an extremely pretty resort with the advantage of high elevation (around 1,500m) in a vast, natural bowl, meaning skiers have access to 410km of slopes, 80 lifts and summits scaling 3300m at Mont-Fort. Off-pisters love it here as there’s no need for expensive heli-skiing.

Also take a look at Les 2 Alpes, which attracts visitors from around the world thanks to its high-altitude glacial ski area (at 3,600m, it is France’s highest) and family-friendly vibe.

Italy

Heard of Champoluc? Probably not, but it’s worth hunting out as this 3500m high resort in the Aosta Valley is gold when it comes to snow. Apparently it’s a popular spot for Turin-dwellers in-the-know, but there doesn’t tend to be gaggles of tourists, meaning no lengthy lift queues and plenty of glorious space on the 42kms of pistes.

Gressoney is a lofty resort in the Monterosa ski area, matching Champoluc at 3500m, so you’re not going to be worried about a lack of snowflakes here either. It’s ideal for intermediates and experts, with great off-piste and heli-skiing if that’s your bag – Muddy prefers a blue run followed by a hearty carb-laden lunch, but it takes all sorts.

Austria

You can’t beat Obergurgl for a snow-sure ski holiday in the Tyrol. The fact it’s also really pretty is a bonus, with enough traditional Alpine architecture to keep Heidi fans happy. A cable car links you to Hochgurgl and Untergurgl ski areas with plenty of racy runs back to base.

Sölden is a safe bet too, and it’s not just the snow and skiing that’s high end, it’s also home to IceQ restaurant, the highest fine dining in the Alps! Two glaciers and an enormous ski area beneath means fun on the run from October to May.