(CNN) — European ski resorts are legion and often legendary. But are there some alpine aces we've all missed? Are there any secret treasures out there, quietly delivering the goods while the spotlight falls elsewhere?
The trouble is, one person's hidden gem is another's back yard. And if it's still hidden now, in 2017, can it really be much of a gem?
Only one way to find out -- get on the road and explore. Or two, if you count reading our guide to 10 of the best European resorts you may not have heard of.
1. Val d'Anniviers (Switzerland)
Why? Quiet valley, traditional villages, famous high mountains, extended ski area.
The pretty Valais village of Zinal (1,670 meters) is hemmed in at the head of the valley by what's known as the Imperial Crown -- legendary peaks such as the Matterhorn, Weisshorn, Zinalrothorn, Obergabelhorn and Dent Blanche, all towering over 4,000 meters. Grimentz, five miles down the hill, is an old-school charmer with blackened wooden chalets and traditional barns (raccards) and cowsheds.The separate, but linked, villages of St-Luc and Chandolin offer a further 60 kilometers of skiing, but no one's coming here to break the odometer.
What else? Like a Swiss cheese riddled with holes, the Zinal glacier has caves and grottoes aplenty and visitors can strap on some snow shoes and take a hike right into its icy depths.
2. Champoluc (Italy)
Why? Unsung Italian charm, access to Alagna's revered backcountry, Matterhorn views, cheap.
Champoluc's ideal-for-intermediates ski area links over to Gressoney and Alagna, where the experts go to ride the Indren lift up to 3,275 meters for extensive off-piste runs on the southern flanks of the Monte Rosa massif, western Europe's second highest range.
Champoluc's a quiet sort of place, ideal for making your own fun in the smattering of honest local joints. And it's cheap -- 1 euro ($1) for a coffee anyone?
3. Warth-Schrocken (Austria)
Why? Time-warped village, quiet slopes, bumper snowfall, links into Arlberg ski area.
This unheralded, traditional village -- first settled in the 11th century by Walser people from the Swiss canton Wallis (or Valais) -- offers good value for money and quiet slopes away from the rat runs of the Arlberg. The genius part is the two-kilometer Auenfeldjet gondola which now links time-warped Warth with luxurious Lech.
What else? A new lift connecting Zurs to Stuben opened for the 2016/2017 season to finally complete the Arlberg circuit, making for 305 kilometers of linked runs and 88 lifts, adding further luster to Warth's growing appeal.
4. Sainte Foy (France)
Why? A haven from mega-resort madness, family-friendly, off-piste mecca.
The ski area rises from 1,550 meters to 2,620 meters and only has four lifts, but the characterful runs offer family-friendly fun. And the off-piste is still fabled.
Befriend a guide and take a heart-pounding plunge down the pristine powder fields of La Foglietta or brave a leg-jellying descent to the historic hamlet of Le Monal for a memorable big day. Those missing the thump of a disco or the push-and-shove of a good French lift line, "Val," Tignes, Les Arcs and La Plagne are just up/down the road.
That's a lot of cheese.
5. Hochkoenig (Austria)
Why? Extensive cruising, tree-lined skiing, Austrian atmosphere, choice of villages, sweeping views.
Draped across the corrugated crumples from charming Maria Alm to Mulhbach, via the hamlets of Hinterthal and Dienten, lies 120 kilometers of perfect pottering on largely tree-lined slopes, handy for those can't-see-the-end-of-my-nose, which-way-is-down days.
For enthusiasts looking to log some miles -- the Konigstour is a 32-kilometer romp over five summits and features 6,700 meters of ups and downs.
Ski huts ranging from rustic to trendy are all keen to peddle local produce and specialties. Mmm, roast pork with dumplings and sauerkraut followed by Kaiserschmarrn pancakes with stewed plums, please.
6. Andermatt (Switzerland)
Why? Old-school favorite with a facelift, new lift connections planned, off-piste paradise.
Those who did come -- Scandinavians, mostly -- were drawn by the fabled Gemsstock mountain, 2,961 meters of north-facing fun and an adventurous skier's dream. But Andermatt is undergoing a $1.8 billion facelift by Egyptian property developer Samih Sawiris.
The proposed linking of the Natschen ski area with Sedrun across the Oberalp Pass will stretch the pistes to 120 kilometers. The little red train up the hill -- the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn -- is almost a selling point in itself.
What else? Skiers can follow in the trails of Andermatt's finest son and take the 4.3-kilometer run named after 1972 Olympic downhill champion Bernhard Russi from Gemsstock via the Gurschen glacier to the Gurschenalp, nearly 1,000 meters below.
The Chedi Andermatt, a GHM hotel, Gotthardstrasse 4, Andermatt 6490 Switzerland
7. Pralognan-la-Vanoise (France)
Why? Authentic village, rich mountain culture, high alpine splendor, modern agenda.
The compact ski area rises from 1,410 meters to 2,355 meters and offers 26 kilometers of groomed slopes and 12 lifts. For the energetic, Pralognan is prime Nordic and ski touring territory onto the Glaciers de la Vanoise. Budding skips and sweepers can try out the curling venue from the 1992 Albertville Winter Olympics.
8. Serfaus (Austria)
Why? Under-rated ski area, traffic-free town, Tyrolean charm.
Serfaus is largely traffic-free thanks to the Dorfbahn, an air-cushioned underground railway that runs from one end of town to the main cable-car station at the other. It's as Austrian as they come and visitors are unlikely to bump into anyone from their hometown.
What else? Worried skiing is a bit too, well, ground-based? It's possible to get airborne and reach speeds of 65 kph over the heads of skiers on the Serfauser Sauser, a zip-wire that travels for 2,000 meters and plunges 400 meters.
9. Baqueira-Beret (Spain)
Why? Spanish skiing's El Dorado, surprising snow, good value accommodation, royal connections, tapas on tap.
10. Riksgransen (Sweden)
Why? Midnight sun, northern lights, bumper snowfall, world's most northerly ski resort.
Those making the trek -- a four-hour flight from Stockholm to Kiruna, plus two hours in car, bus or train -- will find six lifts, 29 runs and a whole big bunch of off-piste butting up to the Norwegian border. The backcountry is what has regenerated Riksgransen, with 60 peaks in excess of 1,200 meters and 1 million acres of heli-skiing.
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