Ski circuits
08 November 2022
7 must-see ski circuits in the Alps
There is no shortage of beautiful ski circuits in the Alps. More and more ski resorts feature one or more fantastic ski circuits. They either tell a remarkable story from the past or show you the region's most beautiful spots. There are short circuits that even less experienced skiers can participate in and kilometre-long circuits for advanced winter sports enthusiasts. Picking the most beautiful ski circuits in the Alps is no easy task, but the ten in this blog are ones you will want to have skied at least once!
Ski circuits in the Alps
Ski circuiting is the ideal way to explore a ski area. The routes often show you the best spots. You get to all corners, see all the highlights and often do not ski any slopes twice. The ski circuits are usually clearly marked, making the route easy to follow. Do look carefully in advance at the number of kilometres of pistes and the level. Only some ski circuits are suitable for beginners. Other ski circuits in the Alps require you to ski hard to complete the entire round in time. Below are ten must-do ski circuits!
1. KitzSkiWelt Tour - Austria
Two ski areas, 88 km and 17232 altimeters. Those are the impressive figures of the KitzSkiWelt Circuit. At this length, it is one of the most extended ski circuits in the world, so no wonder it sits number one on the list. The KitzSkiWelt Circuit takes you across the slopes of SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser - Brixental and KitzSki. Along the way, you pass several highlights and great mountain lodges. However, you'll need to keep going to complete all those kilometres!
2. Sellaronda - Italy
My favourite is number two on this list of the Alps' most beautiful ski circuits. If you are in Val Gardena, Alta Badia, Arabba-Marmolada or Val di Fassa, don't miss out on the Sellaronda. This ski circuit is over 40 km long (26 km of slopes) and takes you around the imposing Sella massif through four valleys and three provinces. Along the way, you will enjoy some of the most stunning views of the Dolomites.
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BONUS TIP: If you're staying in Val Gardena, don't skip the Val Gardena Ronda either! Less extended but at least as beautiful.
3. Giro della Grande Guerra - Italy
The Giro della Grande Guerra takes you back to World War I. Not many people know that the Dolomites were, at the time, the scene of a bitter battle between the Austrian Kaiserjäger, the German Alpine Corps and the Italian Alpini. Many remnants of this battle remain to this day, and you will pass a lot of them on this ski circuit, also called the First World War ski circuit. The route is 82.5 km long, including 31 km of slopes. You can start from the ski areas of Civetta, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Alta Badia and Arabba-Marmolada.
4. THE CHALLENGE - Austria
THE CHALLENGE is a ski circuit not for the faint of heart. With a length of 65 km and over 12,000 altimeters, this is one of Austria's most challenging ski circuits. The route takes you along the pistes of the Skicircus through the villages of Saalbach, Hinterglemm, Leogang and Fieberbrunn. Taking long breaks along the way is out of the question. You will have to ski hard to complete the entire circuit in one ski day.
5. Königscircuit - Austria
When you are on winter sports in Hochkönig, the Königscircuit is not to be missed. This beautiful ski circuit is 32 km long and takes you through the entire ski area. Along the way, you ski over six mountain peaks and bridge an altitude difference of 6,700 metres. Stunning views along the way are guaranteed, and if your legs are ready for a break, there is always a cosy mountain lodge at hand. Tip: you pass several scenic viewpoints. So pause to snap a few shots!
6. Panorama Tour - Italy
Another excellent Dolomite ski circuit is the Panorama Circuit or Skicircuit Panorama in Val di Fassa. It is a great example of a ski circuit that allows you to explore many beautiful spots on the first day. The Panorama Circuit gives you a foretaste of Val di Fassa. It is a lovely warm-up for the Sellaronda the following day. The route comes in two variants. The red one is 13.05 km long, and the yellow one is 14.8 km long.
7. Gletscher Panorama Tour - Switzerland
At around 20 km long, the Aletsch Glacier is the longest in the Alps. During a winter sports holiday in the Aletsch Arena, you can enjoy the views of the glacier to the fullest while skiing the 25 km-long Glacier Panorama Circuit. Although there is fantastic skiing in the ski area, it is mainly the views that highlight this circuit. The route takes half a ski day but can easily be extended.
8. Run of Fame Arlberg - Austria
The Run of Fame, Arlberg also boasts some impressive numbers. For that reason alone, this ski circuit deserves a place in the top 10 most beautiful ski circuits in the Alps. The Run of Fame, Arlberg is 85 km long, and you cover 18,000 altimeters on the way. You ski through the entire Ski Arlberg ski area and pass several highlights. Set aside a full ski day for it. You have quite a few kilometres to cover.
9. De Tauernrunde - Austria
Once part of the setting for The Beatles' film 'Help', the Tauernrunde is a fantastic ski circuit today. During this circuit, you can discover the most beautiful spots of the Obertauern ski area in 12 kilometres. The route can easily be extended with an additional piste along the way and takes from a few hours to a whole ski day. After skiing the Tauernrunde, the next challenge awaits, the Super 7. During this ski circuit, you will reach the ski area's seven highest mountain stations.
10. De Schmuggler Circuit - Austria
Not one, but three ski circuits! The Schmuggler Circuit in Silvretta Arena Ischgl - Samnaun comes in three variants: bronze, silver and gold. The Schmuggler Runde is another ski circuit with a remarkable story. There used to be a lot of smuggling between Austrian Ischgl and Swiss Samnaun. The ski circuit was developed to commemorate this history. You follow the route of the smugglers of the past. Depending on the variant, the ski circuit is 61.8 km, 41.4 km or 40.2 km long.
More beautiful ski circuits
Besides these ten great ski circuits, the Alps offer many more great routes. Are you curious as to which other ones you shouldn't skip? More tips can be found here.
About Nina Jan
I grew up in Slovenia, close to the Julian Alps. Early on, my parents put me on skis and skates, and the winter sports enthusiasm hasn't left me since. I also enjoy cross-country skiing and have been a keen snowboarder for the past 20 years.