Where the pros are skiing this winter

Where does a famous ski jumper who’s had a movie made about him or a skiing instructor living at the foot of a piste go on a skiing holiday? What about someone who writes about ski destinations for a living, or a sports commentator who covers every big ski race through the winter — do they even find time to get to the slopes? We interview five ski pros to see where they’re heading this winter, and with the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics set to take place during February 2026, all eyes are turning to the Italian Alps. But to get away from it all, destinations such as Norway, Japan, India and British Columbia are on their wish lists too, along with smaller resorts in Austria, Switzerland and France that remain just off the beaten track.

Chemmy Alcott

BBC Ski Sunday Presenter & CDC ski coach

After covering the Winter Olympics for the BBC, I’ll head to Sainte Foy. It’s a French resort that looks tiny on paper, but it offers the opportunity to ski a huge amount of vast, unspoiled terrain, empty pistes and heavenly backcountry. It also has a charming village atmosphere and a great apres-ski bar at the bottom of the slopes. It’s a hidden gem I always look forward to returning to.

Eddie 'The Eagle' Edwards

Olympic ski jumper

I'll be leading a group in the French Pyrenees with tour operator Miloby in March, and I also normally host guests of SkiWeekends, often in Les Gets in the Rhône-Alpes. I'd love to go back to Japan. I visited in the late 1980s when I ski jumped for a TV show, but I never went skiing. But if I had to go back anywhere, it would be Kicking Horse in Canada — my best-ever skiing experience.

Wendy Holdener

Swiss Olympic & World Cup ski racer

Although I travel all over Europe and North America to compete in the World Cup, my favourite place to ski is Hoch-Ybrig [pictured]. Its slopes are right next to my home in Unteriberg, in the heart of the central Swiss Alps. I’m so close to the action here, I can even see the pistes from my living room. There are mellow runs where I can do my warm-ups, but there are also spicier, trickier ones that I use to train for all disciplines — from slalom to downhill. I love living in my hometown resort; I can even ski before breakfast.

Lucy Aspden-Kean

Senior travel & ski editor, The Telegraph

As it’s an Olympic winter, I’ll look to the host nation of Italy. Perhaps Livigno [pictured], for its snow-sure slopes, low prices and duty-free status. If Cortina feels too crowded, I’d consider Three Zinnen Dolomites, just 45 minutes away. The new Falkensteiner hotel in Bolzano, gateway to the Dolomites, and Aman’s first super-luxe mountain hotel in San Cassiano will both be big draws, along with superb food and that perfect Hugo spritz-fuelled apres-ski.

Scott Hammond

Ski instructor & IASI trainer

As an educator that trains ski instructors at IASI (the Irish Association of Snowsports Instructors), I travel a lot. But there’s no place like Norway, my home. Kvitfjell is my favourite resort. With its quiet pistes, incredible snow, cosy restaurants and traditional mountain cabins, it’s very special. I live in Hafjell, a larger ski area with a huge variety of slopes and great night skiing, especially when the Northern Lights dazzle. The Italian Dolomites are a very attractive alternative.

Ed Drake

Olympian, broadcaster & commentator for TNT Alpine Ski Racing

I’m busy commentating on skiing, but I’m planning a trip to Leogang in Austria. I raced there in the past but didn’t get a chance to ski. I love the Austrians, plus the apres is great. Madonna di Campiglio in Italy is on the radar, the culture is amazing and the night slalom is the jewel in the Italian racing crown. India’s Himalayas are on my list, too.