We persuaded our backcountry guru Andy Malton – from thegemsstock – to put together his top recommendations for places to stay well off the beaten track. Backcountry huts, refuges, retreats… whatever you want to call them here are the best:

Spending a few nights in a backcountry hut is a great way to disconnect from the normal world and become immersed in the mountains. Plus it’s the best way to guarantee fresh tracks and access that zone you’ve always looked out at from the resort. Some of these huts are pretty basic and require you to take your own cooking and sleeping equipment, some are more like backcountry hotels and provide a fully catered and comfortable experience. So next time it feels like you’re spending more time in lift queues than sinking pow turns, grab your splitboard and snow shoes and get in deep.