Quick picks: the longest ski runs worth knowing
- Best for beginners: Les Cascades, Flaine — 14km blue, gentle gradient, ends in the village of Sixt
- Best for intermediates: Klein Matterhorn to Valtournenche, Zermatt/Cervinia — 22km red, longest marked piste in the world
- Best for advanced skiers: Sarenne, Alpe d’Huez — 16km black, 2,000m+ vertical drop
- Best for all abilities: The Last Spike, Revelstoke — 15km, lift-served, suitable for all levels
- Guide required: Vallée Blanche, Chamonix — 23km off-piste glacier, not suitable for independents
- Longest run in the world: Vallée Blanche — 23km, 2,700m vertical drop
- Longest marked piste: Klein Matterhorn to Valtournenche — 22km red
Some days you just want to point your skis downhill and go. Not a quick blast to the bottom and back on the lift, but a proper descent that takes time, covers ground and gives your legs something to remember. These are the runs that do exactly that. From glacial off-piste routes in the Alps to lift-served cruises through old-growth forest in Canada, here are the longest ski runs in the world and what you need to know before you ski them.
The Vallee Blanche, Chamonix, France
Length: 23km | Vertical drop: 2,700m | Difficulty: Off-piste | Best for: Advanced skiers with off-piste experience
The Vallée Blanche is the longest off-piste descent in Europe and one of the most iconic ski routes in the world. Starting from the Aiguille du Midi at 3,842m, the route descends 2,700m, almost double the lift-served vertical at Whistler Blackcomb, finishing in the Chamonix valley.
The terrain is glacial. There are crevasses, changing conditions and sections that vary enormously depending on the season. Early winter typically offers the most straightforward descent; spring snow is faster and the glacial hazards more complex. A qualified mountain guide is not optional here. Most groups allow a full day.
Who it suits: Advanced skiers with off-piste experience, accompanied by a guide. This is not a run to attempt independently.
Practical Notes: Most groups allow a full day for the descent, typically 4-6 hours on the mountain including the cable car ascent.
Stay At:
Chalet Ardoise in Chamonix is a luxurious, bright and spacious chalet.
Klein Matterhorn to Valtournenche, Zermatt-Cervina, Switzerland and Italy
Length: 22km | Vertical drop: 2,359m | Difficulty: Red | Best for: Confident intermediates and above
This is the longest marked red run in the world, and it is as good as that sounds. Starting at 3,883m on the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, the route crosses the Swiss/Italian border and descends 2,359m to Valtournenche, with one short chairlift section along the way. The Matterhorn is in view for much of it.
The skiing itself is mostly well-groomed and wide, with the gradient easing as you drop into the Italian side above Cervinia. You will need a lift pass that covers both resorts, and the high-altitude link between them can close in poor visibility or high winds, so check conditions before you commit to the full descent. The high-altitude glacier environment means conditions can change quickly. Check the MeteoSwiss forecast for current Alpine weather before setting off.
Who it suits: Confident intermediates and above. The upper glacier sections can be icy, so the ability to hold an edge matters.
Practical notes: Allow 2-3 hours for the full descent, plus additional time to navigate the lift connection between the Swiss and Italian sides.
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
Length: 14km | Vertical drop: 680m | Difficulty: Blue | Best for: Beginners and lower intermediates
Les Cascades earns its place on this list not through difficulty but through character. Starting at 2,480m with Mont Blanc visible on the horizon, the piste winds through the Sixt-Passy nature reserve, past frozen waterfalls and through pine forest before finishing in the village of Sixt at the valley floor. At 14km it is one of the longest blue runs in Europe.
The modest vertical drop of 680m keeps the gradient gentle throughout, which makes this an excellent run for building confidence and practising technique over distance rather than fighting terrain.
Who it suits: Beginners moving on to longer runs and lower intermediates. Not a challenge for experienced skiers, but a lovely way to spend a morning.
Practical notes: The Sixt valley endpoint is a long transfer back to Flaine, so plan transport in advance or allow extra time. The gentle gradient means most skiers take 2-3 hours to complete the full 14km, including stops along the way.
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
Length: 15km | Vertical drop: 1,650m | Difficulty: Blue/Red/Black | Best for: All abilities
One of the great things about Schwarze Schneid is that it genuinely works for a wide range of skiers. Starting at 3,250m on the Rettenbach Glacier, there is a blue line, a red line and a black line to choose from as you work down through 1,650m of the Ötztal Valley. From the top, on a clear day, you can see as far as the Italian Dolomites.
The route also passes the Fédération Internationale de Ski (FIS) Alpine World Cup race piste used for the Sölden season-opener each October. Outside race periods it is open to ski, and it is well worth the detour.
Who it suits: Genuinely accessible to most abilities. Blue skiers take the easier line; those who want more take the red or black.
Practical notes: Get on the glacier early. The snow softens quickly on sunny days and the run is at its best in the morning. The full descent takes approximately 1.5-2 hours at a comfortable pace.
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
Length: 16km | Vertical drop: 2,000m+ | Difficulty: Black | Best for: Advanced skiers
At 16km with more than 2,000m of vertical, Sarenne is the longest black run in the Alps. It starts from the Col de Sarenne at around 2,450m on a wide, well-groomed piste that gives you a false sense of comfort. By the middle of the mountain, particularly later in the day, the moguls arrive and the legs earn their keep.
Alpe d’Huez has installed floodlights beside sections of the run, making Sarenne one of the few long black pistes in the Alps you can ski after dark on selected evenings. Check the Alpe d’Huez night skiing calendar before you travel if that appeals.
Who it suits: Advanced skiers. The sustained descent and lower-mountain moguls make this a properly demanding day out.
Practical notes: Get on it early when the piste is freshly groomed. By afternoon, conditions on the lower mountain change considerably. The full descent typically takes 1-2 hours depending on ability and how quickly conditions on the lower mountain develop.
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
Length: 11km | Vertical drop: 1,530m | Difficulty: Blue | Best for: All abilities
Peak to Creek is the run most Whistler regulars quietly love. It descends from the summit of Whistler Mountain at 2,182m to Creekside base at 652m and is best tackled first thing, when the grooming is fresh and you have the piste to yourself. Leave it until after lunch and the moguls will have built up on the steeper pitches, changing the character of the run entirely.
Whistler Blackcomb covers 8,171 acres with more than 200 marked runs and averages 11.4m of snowfall annually. Dusty’s Bar and BBQ at the Creekside base is the natural endpoint.
Who it suits: Blue skiers and above in the morning. The afternoon moguls suit more confident intermediates.
Practical notes: Allow 1-1.5 hours in the morning on groomed snow. If moguls have developed later in the day, factor in extra time.
Stay At:
The Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel offers 81 spacious suites complete with kitchenettes, fireplaces and balconies in every suite.
Panorama, Saas Fee, Switzerland
Length: 14km | Vertical drop: 1,700m | Difficulty: Red | Best for: Intermediates
Saas Fee sits in a bowl of 18 peaks over 4,000m, and the Panorama run makes the most of that setting. Starting at Mittelallalin at 3,500m, the highest point in the resort, it descends 1,700m to the base at 1,800m on a red that is long and rewarding rather than technically demanding.
The glacial ski area means the season runs from late October through to early May, making Saas Fee one of the most reliably open destinations in Switzerland. On a clear day the views from the top are among the best in the Alps. Snow reliability across the glacier is consistently strong. For current conditions and forecasts, MeteoSwiss covers the Swiss Alps in detail.
Who it suits: Intermediates and above. Confident blue skiers will manage it, but the upper sections require some composure.
Practical notes: The descent from Mittelallalin to the resort base typically takes 1.5-2 hours.
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
Length: 15km | Vertical drop: 1,713m | Difficulty: Blue/Green | Best for: All abilities
Revelstoke is best known for its expert terrain and enormous vertical, which makes The Last Spike something of a surprise. At 15km it is one of the longest lift-served runs in North America, and it is one of the few on this list that a blue skier can genuinely enjoy. The route winds through old-growth forest from the summit at 2,225m down to the base village, with Revelstoke’s average 10m annual snowfall keeping it in good condition throughout the season.
If you are travelling with mixed abilities, this is the run that brings everyone together at the bottom.
Who it suits: All abilities. Particularly good for less experienced skiers who want to cover serious ground without the pressure of difficult terrain.
Practical notes: Allow 1.5-2 hours to complete the full 15km at a relaxed 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
Length: 11km | Vertical drop: 1,261m | Difficulty: Black | Best for: Advanced skiers
The descent from Rendezvous Peak through Rendezvous Bowl offers the greatest lift-served continuous vertical drop of any ski run in the USA. According to Jackson Hole mountain statistics, the resort covers 2,500 acres with a vertical drop of 1,261m and averages 11.5m of snowfall annually. The terrain is predominantly ungroomed and includes off-piste options through the bowl.
Jackson Hole averages 11.5m of snowfall annually. The inbounds terrain is some of the most challenging in North America.
Who it suits: Advanced and expert skiers. Confident intermediates can manage it in good conditions but this is not a groomed piste.
Practical notes: The descent typically takes 1-2 hours depending on snow conditions and how much of the off-piste terrain you choose to explore.
Stay At:
Hotel Amangani in Jackson Hole has a unique location with stunning panoramic views of the mountains.
Eleven, Ischgl, Austria
Length: 11km | Vertical drop: 1,000m | Difficulty: Red/Black | Best for: Intermediates
Named simply after its length, Piste 11 starts from Greitspitze, the highest point in Ischgl at 2,872m, and drops 1,000m to the resort base at 1,400m through a mix of red and black terrain. Ischgl sits within the Silvretta ski area, which links to Samnaun in Switzerland and covers 239km of marked pistes in total. The snow record is reliable and the season runs from late November to early May.
Who it suits: Intermediates comfortable on red terrain. The black sections add spice but are not sustained enough to put off a confident intermediate.
Practical notes: The full 11km descent takes approximately 1-1.5 hours depending on how often you stop.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the longest ski run in the world? The Vallée Blanche in Chamonix, France, at 23km, is widely considered the longest skiable descent in the world. It is an off-piste glacial route, not a marked piste, and requires a guide.
What is the longest marked ski piste in the world? The Klein Matterhorn to Valtournenche run between Zermatt and Cervinia, at 22km, is the longest marked red run in the world.
What is the longest ski run suitable for beginners? Les Cascades in Flaine at 14km is one of the longest blue runs in Europe. The Last Spike in Revelstoke at 15km is the longest on this list accessible to all abilities.
Do I need a guide for the Vallée Blanche? Yes. The route crosses glacial terrain with crevasse risk. Book through the Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix.
Which long runs are best for intermediates? Zermatt/Cervinia (22km red), Sölden (15km, mixed), Saas Fee (14km red) and Ischgl (11km red/black) are all excellent choices.
To find out more about the longest ski runs in the world, please call our ski experts on 0207 471 7700.
A Quick Guide To Ski Terminology
Blue run: A marked, groomed piste graded for beginner and lower intermediate skiers. The easiest category of marked run in Europe.
Red run: A marked, groomed piste graded for confident intermediate skiers. Steeper than blue, less demanding than black.
Black run: A marked piste graded for advanced skiers. Steep, often mogulled and not always groomed.
Off-piste: Terrain outside marked and groomed ski runs. Uncontrolled, often untracked and subject to avalanche risk. A guide is strongly recommended.
Lift-served: Accessible via ski lift from the resort base, meaning you do not need to hike or use specialist access to reach the top.
Glacier: A high-altitude body of ice that forms the skiable terrain on some of the runs on this list. Glacial terrain carries specific risks including crevasses and rapidly changing conditions.
Crevasse: A crack or fissure in a glacier. Crevasses can be hidden beneath surface snow and are one of the primary reasons a guide is essential on glacial routes such as the Vallée Blanche.
Vertical drop: The difference in altitude between the top and bottom of a ski run, measured in metres. A useful indicator of how much descending a run actually involves.
Marked piste: A ski run that is officially designated, signposted and typically groomed by the resort. Piste grades (blue, red, black) apply to marked runs only.
