Endless skiing on long pistes
Those endless ski lift queues in high season are something to be avoided at all costs, and we can’t think of a better way to do that than by choosing longer pistes and valley runs. By stringing together more kilometres, you’ll reduce the number of times you need to jump on a lift. Pure skiing or snowboarding with no need for stopping – it’s heaven! From a valley run in the shadow of the Matterhorn, to a piste that was featured in a James Bond film, the Alps offer plenty of opportunities to skip the lift queues and focus on what you value most: the skiing! Here are six pistes that will give you a run for your money.
A 2190m vertical drop await skiers and snowboarders who venture up the Klein Matterhorn. The starting point for this valley run is 3820m above sea level. In fact, it’s Europe’s highest cable car station, located in Zermatt in the Valais Alps. Approximately 15 kilometres on a hodgepodge of different slopes will take you all the way down into the valley. The major draw? Skiing in the shadow of the legendary Matterhorn, a view which makes this one of the most beautiful ski pistes in the world.
Highest cable car station in the Alps © Zermatt
With a change in elevation of 2288m (it starts at 3568m), the descent from Dome de la Lauze to the small village of Mont de Lans measures a record-breaking 17km of groomed slopes. Nestled in France’s Ecrins massif, this well-known slope at Les Deux Alpes incorporates gentle glacier pistes and panoramic views on its way down to the valley.
You might recognise the scenery here from Spectre, the James Bond flick. The ski resort of Sölden-Hochsölden in the Ötztal valley was the scene of an action-packed chase involving an airplane and a glacier road. During ski season, this very road forms part of the longest piste in Austria: the Schwarze Schneid. A red piste all the way down, it leads directly from the Rettenbach Glacier to the Gaislachkogelbahn in the heart of Sölden. The Schwarze Schneid measures about 15km and incorporates an elevation loss of 1970m.
James Bond at © Sölden
Quaint Valluga in the Ski Arlberg resort offers a unique panorama from its peak. From the top, a groomed intermediate-friendly slope takes skiers and snowboarders to St. Anton am Arlberg. It’s 12km of skiing and almost a 1500m loss in elevation, with no need for lifts in between. This is also the site of the White Thrill, an annual race where 555 skiers, snowboarders and telemarkers compete against each other.
Zillertal Arena's Höhen Fresser Tour, literally “Height Devouring Tour”, measures about 10km and has a vertical drop of 1930m, the biggest in Austria. Now, thanks to state-of-the-art LED technology, the slopes are floodlit from dusk so skiers and snowboarders can arrive safely in the valley.
Höhen Fresser Tour at © Zillertal Arena
La Sarenne is infamous for being the longest black piste in the Alps. Located in Alpe d'Huez, France, it offers a true challenge and is recommended only for experienced skiers. Starting from the summit of the Pic Blanc (3330m), La Sarenne measures a cool 16km and you’ll find no reprieve, nary a lift nor a mountain hut in sight until you reach the valley. All the more reason to drink in the panoramic views and wallow in the sense of accomplishment.
You also have the option of heading off-piste for longer lines. Bona-fide experts will appreciate the freeriding area on the Dachstein Krippenstein, which is home to the longest off-piste downhill in Austria at 11km. Too lazy to hike up? The glacier descent from France’s Aiguille du Midi through the Vallée Blanche to Chamonix is considered the longest gondola-accessed off-piste route in the world, with an estimated length of as much as 22km! Remember, if you are planning to venture off-piste, prepare yourself by bringing appropriate avalanche equipment and knowing how to use it. It’s advisable to hire a local guide if you’re unfamiliar with the terrain.
Endless skiing on long pistes
Those endless ski lift queues in high season are something to be avoided at all costs, and we can’t think of a better way to do that than by choosing longer pistes and valley runs. By stringing together more kilometres, you’ll reduce the number of times you need to jump on a lift. Pure skiing or snowboarding with no need for stopping – it’s heaven! From a valley run in the shadow of the Matterhorn, to a piste that was featured in a James Bond film, the Alps offer plenty of opportunities to skip the lift queues and focus on what you value most: the skiing! Here are six pistes that will give you a run for your money.
A 2190m vertical drop await skiers and snowboarders who venture up the Klein Matterhorn. The starting point for this valley run is 3820m above sea level. In fact, it’s Europe’s highest cable car station, located in Zermatt in the Valais Alps. Approximately 15 kilometres on a hodgepodge of different slopes will take you all the way down into the valley. The major draw? Skiing in the shadow of the legendary Matterhorn, a view which makes this one of the most beautiful ski pistes in the world.
Highest cable car station in the Alps © Zermatt
With a change in elevation of 2288m (it starts at 3568m), the descent from Dome de la Lauze to the small village of Mont de Lans measures a record-breaking 17km of groomed slopes. Nestled in France’s Ecrins massif, this well-known slope at Les Deux Alpes incorporates gentle glacier pistes and panoramic views on its way down to the valley.
You might recognise the scenery here from Spectre, the James Bond flick. The ski resort of Sölden-Hochsölden in the Ötztal valley was the scene of an action-packed chase involving an airplane and a glacier road. During ski season, this very road forms part of the longest piste in Austria: the Schwarze Schneid. A red piste all the way down, it leads directly from the Rettenbach Glacier to the Gaislachkogelbahn in the heart of Sölden. The Schwarze Schneid measures about 15km and incorporates an elevation loss of 1970m.
James Bond at © Sölden
Quaint Valluga in the Ski Arlberg resort offers a unique panorama from its peak. From the top, a groomed intermediate-friendly slope takes skiers and snowboarders to St. Anton am Arlberg. It’s 12km of skiing and almost a 1500m loss in elevation, with no need for lifts in between. This is also the site of the White Thrill, an annual race where 555 skiers, snowboarders and telemarkers compete against each other.
Zillertal Arena's Höhen Fresser Tour, literally “Height Devouring Tour”, measures about 10km and has a vertical drop of 1930m, the biggest in Austria. Now, thanks to state-of-the-art LED technology, the slopes are floodlit from dusk so skiers and snowboarders can arrive safely in the valley.
Höhen Fresser Tour at © Zillertal Arena
La Sarenne is infamous for being the longest black piste in the Alps. Located in Alpe d'Huez, France, it offers a true challenge and is recommended only for experienced skiers. Starting from the summit of the Pic Blanc (3330m), La Sarenne measures a cool 16km and you’ll find no reprieve, nary a lift nor a mountain hut in sight until you reach the valley. All the more reason to drink in the panoramic views and wallow in the sense of accomplishment.
You also have the option of heading off-piste for longer lines. Bona-fide experts will appreciate the freeriding area on the Dachstein Krippenstein, which is home to the longest off-piste downhill in Austria at 11km. Too lazy to hike up? The glacier descent from France’s Aiguille du Midi through the Vallée Blanche to Chamonix is considered the longest gondola-accessed off-piste route in the world, with an estimated length of as much as 22km! Remember, if you are planning to venture off-piste, prepare yourself by bringing appropriate avalanche equipment and knowing how to use it. It’s advisable to hire a local guide if you’re unfamiliar with the terrain.
Born and raised in the ski paradise of Vancouver, Canada, I learned to ski before I can remember, balancing precariously on my parents’ skis as they sailed down the hill. I started snowboarding in my teens and am now delighted to be exploring everything Europe’s ski scene has to offer!
