Around the world, there are some great long pistes to enjoy, with varied terrain. Whether you want a long cruise down the mountain or a real thigh burner there are some great on and off-piste routes to enjoy. Our ski experts have created a guide to the longest ski runs in Europe and the rest of the world.
The Vallee Blanche, Chamonix, France
The Vallee Blanche, in Chamonix, is for the thrill-seekers on a ski holiday to France who love an off-piste challenge. The route is a whopping 23km and is easily one of the longest ski runs in Europe. There’s an incredible 2,700 vertical metres, which is almost double the amount of lift-served vertical in Whistler Blackcomb. This is definitely for advanced skiers with off-piste experience. You will also need a local mountain to assess the avalanche risks and crevasses on the terrain. Once you’re on the run though it truly is a fantastic skiing experience.
Stay At:
Chalet Ardoise in Chamonix is a luxurious, bright and spacious chalet.
Klein Matterhorn to Valtournenche, Zermatt-Cervina, Switzerland and Italy
The route from the Klein Matterhorn to Valtournenche is the longest red ski run in the world. It is 22km long and goes across the Swiss-Italian border from Zermatt to Cervinia. It starts from the top of the Klein Matterhorn Glacier where you can admire incredible views of the iconic Matterhorn mountain. There’s one chairlift you have to take to complete the distance but apart from that, it’s a non-stop ski experience with a drop of 2,359m from top to bottom. This is a good cruise with beautiful views to enjoy on a ski holiday to Switzerland.
Stay At:
One of the leading hotels in the Alps, Zermatt’s Mont Cervin Palace is located near the Gornergrat station in the centre of town.
Les Cascades, Flaine, France
Les Cascades is a great run for intermediate to beginner skiers. It is one of the longest blue runs in Europe and has fantastic views. The run is 14km long and starts 2,480m high with an incredible view of Mont Blanc to soak in. There are plenty of places to stop for rest and you can get to know the Grand Massif ski area. You’ll ski through the Sixt-Passy nature reserve, past frozen waterfalls and through lovely, snow-topped trees. It is often a quiet run and you can easily feel safe to practise your technique on the way down. The run ends up finishing in the village of Sixt and there you can enjoy a well deserved hot chocolate.
Stay At:
The RockyPop Hotel Flaine in France is a fabulous pop-inspired hotel, located at the bottom of the slopes with ski-in ski-out access.
Schwarze Schneid, Sölden, Austria
The Schwarze Schneid starts at a high altitude of 3,250m on the top of the Rettenbach Glacier in Sölden. From this vantage point you can admire the beautiful Ötztal Valley and even see the iconic Italian Dolomites, so save time for photographs at the top. This route is 15km of linked slopes where you can choose to reasonably easy blue or reds or level up on the FIS Alpine World Cup race piste. It is one of the longest ski runs in Austria and there’s so much terrain to pick and chose from, many skiers can enjoy the experience on their Austrian skiing holiday.
Stay At:
Hotel Das Central in Sölden has a fantastic location and offers a free shuttle bus to the ski lifts.
Sarenne, Alpe d’Huez, France
Sarenne is considered one of the longest black ski runs in the world. This 16km slope is all on piste but is a challenge with more than 2,000m of vertical drop to ski. The top is mostly smooth but it can get chopped up towards the middle of the slope. Alpe d’Huez has installed floodlights next to the slope so you can enjoy this run on night skiing evenings. This is definitely one of the most legendary ski runs in France you can try. One of the longest ski runs in Europe.
Stay At:
Hotel Pic Blanc is located in the Bergers area of Alpe d’Huez with skiing to the doorstep and brilliant views.
Peak to Creek, Whistler, Canada
The Peak to Creek blue run is best enjoyed in the morning when the terrain is not chopped up. It is 11km long and has stunning views of both Whistler and Blackcomb from the top of the descent. If you love moguls, however, then you can try this later in the day for a real leg-burning experience during your skiing holiday to Canada. Dusty’s Bar & BBQ is located at the bottom of the slope so you can enjoy a well-deserved drink or food after your long ski down the mountain.
Stay At:
The Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel offers 81 spacious suites complete with kitchenettes, fireplaces and balconies in every suite.
Panorama, Saas Fee, Switzerland
Saas Fee is a popular ski resort in Switzerland, especially with freestyle skiers. Nicknamed ‘the pearl of the Alps’, Saas Fee is home to one of the highest ski elevations in Europe. The ski resort is nestled amongst several 4,000m peaks and has incredible dramatic scenery. Head to Mittelallalin Felskinn at 3,500m, the highest destination in Saas Fee, for breathtaking views. Once you’re ready to tackle the Panorama run, descend from the peak and cruise all the way down to 1,800m and complete the 14km run.
Stay At:
Walliserhof Grand Hotel & Spa is a stunning five-star hotel in the heart of Saas Fee. The hotel is home to several gourmet restaurants, satisfying all tastes.
The Last Spike, Revelstoke, Canada
Located in the hidden gem that is Revelstoke, the last spike is one of the longest ski runs in the world with 15km of terrain. It is one of the longest lift-served slopes in North America and is suitable for all levels of skier. It zig-zags down the mountain through the many snow-topped trees in the area. A great slope for those who aren’t keen on the extensive off-piste opportunities in the ski area. It is also relatively quiet throughout the season, so it’s easy to enjoy at your own pace.
Stay At:
Five-star Chalet Bighorn in Revelstoke offers unrivalled luxury and exclusive access to a wilderness adventure like no other in British Columbia.
Rendezvous Peak, Jackson Hole, USA
Jackson Hole has some of the most vertical drops in the when skiing in the USA, with a 11km route from Rendezvous Peak through the Rendezvous Bowl. It offers the most lift-served continuous vertical drop in the USA and is a fantastic run to enjoy if you love off-piste terrain. Get those freeride skis out when it’s a powder day and enjoy deep turns down to the bottom of the mountain.
Stay At:
Hotel Amangani in Jackson Hole has a unique location with stunning panoramic views of the mountains.
Eleven, Ischgl, Austria
Ischgl is one of the most impressive ski resorts in Austria. It is located in the Tyrol region of the country and boasts terrific skiing. The snow record is reliable and the terrain is perfectly varied. For a fantastic long slope, experience piste Eleven, aptly named after its length in kilometres. To access the slope, travel to the highest point in Ischgl, Greitspitze at 2,872m. The piste consists of red and black terrain, the perfect challenge for any intermediate. Skiers who take on the length descent will experience a 1,000m vertical difference, ending in Ischgl at 1,400m.
Stay At:
Hotel Fliana is conveniently located next to two cable cars in the centre of Ischgl. Make the most of the south-facing position from the rooftop pool.
To find out more about the longest ski runs in the world, please call our ski experts on 0207 471 7700.
