Going on a skiing holiday should be on everybody’s bucket list. Whether you have skied before, or haven’t stepped foot on snow before, once you hit those slopes, you will definitely be hooked for life.
These resorts have the biggest ski areas in the world, offering the visitors miles of ski runs, and so many paths and trails you most definitely will need to come back again and again to see them.
Quick Jump
Les 3 Vallees
Les 3 Vallees is the top dog when it comes to big ski areas. With over 600 km of ski runs, spread over three of the most impressive resorts in the world, spreading through Courchevel, Meribel, and Val Thorens.
The three resorts that makeup Les 3 Vallees all have their own unique offerings. There are many boutique stores, as well as 11 restaurants that have 19 Michelin Stars between them, making the entire area a lap of luxury.
The ski area covers 105 square kilometers, which is as big as Paris. The are has 328 runs, 166 high-performance lifts and 2200 snow machines covering 49% of the pistes.
Portes du Soleil
Portes du Soleil, France, spans 12 resorts. Starting at Mont Blanc in France, the area spreads all the way across to Lake Geneva in Switzerland. The only thing that makes it smaller than Les 3 Vallees, are the gaps in the lift systems.
The large ski area has a variety of different terrains that offers skiers, backcountry skiers, and snowboarders, a unique experience no matter where you are in the area. Circumnavigating the entire ski area is an activity every visitor should do at least once.
Sella Ronda
Sella Ronda, found in Italy’s Dolomites, could be even bigger than they advertise. Sella Ronda itself has about 26 km of ski trails that allow people to navigate the area clockwise and anti-clockwise.
Radiating out of this loop are many valleys with linked ski areas, that make up the Dolomiti Superski region. This region has 1200 km of fragmented ski trails. Many resorts within Sella Ronda advertise about 500 km of linked slopes.
Paradiski
Paradiski was formed in 2003 when the double-decker Vanoise Express cable car opened and connected Les Arcs and Les Plagne, forming the massive area now known as Paradiski. The size of the skiable terrain at Paradiski now sits at 425 km with 160 lifts.
La Plagne is absolutely ideal for beginner and intermediate skiers, and experts can test their skills high up on the north slopes. Les Arcs has a wide variety of slopes and trails and is suitable for all skiing levels and capabilities.
4 Vallees
The 4 Vallees is the biggest ski area in Switzerland, and the ultra-luxurious resort of Verbier is the heart of this glorious 412 km stretch of beautiful ski runs. The area also encompasses many smaller resorts if Verbier isn’t for you.
One of the main attractions of the lift system is the highpoint of Mont Fort. At 3330m high, it offers visitors incredible views of the Matterhorn, Grand Combin, and the world famous Mont Blanc.
Milky Way
The Milky Way, much like the galaxy it is named after, is an incredibly beautiful ski area that stretches across 400 km and straddles between the French and Italian border. With many interlinked resorts, you can party, relax, have some family fun, or enjoy an exciting day of skiing.
The highest lift goes up 2823 m and almost gets you to the top of Mount Motta. Once you are up there, you can enjoy the incredible views of Sestriere, which is a stopping point for the World Cup downhill circuit.
Matterhorn Ski Paradise
Found on the slopes of the world-famous Matterhorn, the Matterhorn Ski Paradise links the ski areas of Zermatt in Switzerland and Cervinia, which is found in the Aosta Valley in Italy. Zermatt offers 200 km of trail, while Cervinia has 160 km on the Italian side.
On the Zermatt side, you can explore the Matterhorn glacier paradise which goes up to 3889 m. You can also enjoy the sight of some of the highest peaks in the Alps, Monte Rosa (4634 m), the Weisshorn (4506 m) and the Dent Blanche (4357 m).
Arlberg Ski Area
As one of the most well-known ski areas by skiers and snow lovers worldwide, the Arlberg Ski Area took its game to the next level when it installed a new lift, making it the largest ski area in Austria.
The flash Flexenbahn gondola joined Struben with Zurs, to form a gorgeous 305 km stretch of beautiful slopes. The link runs from Lech to Zurs, through St Christoph, and then into St Anton.
Val d’Isere and Tignes
The Val d’Isere and Tignes ski area, formerly known as Espace Killy, form a ski area with just over 300 km of skiing runs and trails. Known for their incredible views and extremely well-groomed slopes, the name may have changed, but the incredible slopes haven’t.
Val d’Isere requires no introduction as it has been a familiar favorite for skiers from all over the globe for many years. Tignes, with its amazing glacier you can ski, holds the same esteem amongst snow-sport lovers.
Alp d’Huez Les Deux Alpes
Even though this ski area isn’t nearly as big as the others we have listed, if everything goes to plan, these two world famous ski areas will join to form an area of over 475 km, making it one of the biggest in the world.
Val d’Isere already has 250 km of varied pistes, that are specially made for beginner and expert skiers alike. On the other hand, Les Deux Alpes sits at 3864 m high, with skiing on the glacier that is snow covered all year round.
Every one of these ski areas is unique and beautiful in its own way, what they all have in common though, is that they are absolutely enormous. Kilometer after kilometer of some of the best skiing runs and trails you will ever come across.
Not only do they have the spectacular paths and slopes, but they are all fitted with resorts that scream luxury, meaning living like royalty is the order of the day after a long day on the slopes.
