There is no better feeling than the long-run rush: skiing down the mountain non-stop, avoiding lift queues, tackling varied terrain and reaching top speeds as you go! The longest ski runs are much discussed, but where are they and which ones really are the longest?
We’ve rounded up the top 10 longest ski runs in Europe to cater for all ski levels. These bucket-list-worthy pisted runs range from green to black in difficulty and span up to 22km in length and over 2,000m in vertical descent!
Longest Ski Runs in the Alps:
1. Cervinia – Klein Matterhorn – 22km
From the top of the Klein Matterhorn glacier (the highest cable car station in Europe), you can ski down 22km of piste all the way to Valtournenche. Stretching between two countries, this lengthy red run is situated in the shadow of the Matterhorn. Not only is it the longest on-piste run in Europe, but it can also be skied all year round. But be warned, this route can take around three hours to complete – with no stops!
2. Zermatt – Klein Matterhorn – 16km
Alternatively, you can ski back down from Klein Matterhorn to Zermatt on the Swiss side of the mountain – another long run to tick off the list! This 16km route has the biggest vertical drop in the Alps descending from 3,883m to 1,620m and offers stunning vistas of the Matterhorn on the way down.
3. Jandri, Les Deux Alpes – 16km
Home to one of Europe’s largest skiable glaciers, Les Deux Alpes sits high up in the Oisans region, with a ski area ranging from 1,300m to 3,600m altitude. The Jandri is a lengthy 16km blue run that starts at 3,200m and ends in the resort (1,650m), which allows beginners to ski almost the entire vertical descent from the top of the glacier all the way back to the village.
4. La Sarenne, Alpe d’Huez – 16km
The Sarenne piste stretches from Pic Blanc at 3,330m to Alpe d’Huez at 1,860m. At 16km, it is the longest black run in Europe. The testing run offers rewarding views with famous peaks such as Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn and the Meije all in sight.
5. Schwarze Schneid, Sölden – 15km
The 15km Schwarze Schneid slope is the longest ski run in Austria. The run starts at the top of Sölden’s Rettenbach glacier (3,250m). This is the highest point you can reach by gondola in the Ötztal Valley and offers an impressive view over the Italian Dolomites. The descent ends down in the valley at Gaislachkoglbahn, covering almost 2,000m altitude.
6. Panorama, Saas Fee – 14km
Saas Fee has one of the highest ski resort altitudes with the majority of skiing sitting between 2500m-3500m. The Panorama run is the longest in the resort and starts at the 3,500m high “Mittelallalin Felskinn” then descends all the way to Saas-Fee at 1,800m. The run has an elevation difference of 1773m.
7. Les Cascades, Flaine – 14km
The Cascades piste is renowned for being the longest blue run in Europe. Starting at the top of Les Grandes Platières in Flaine, at 2,500 metres, you can ski all the way down to Sixt. The 1,800-metre vertical descent offers spectacular scenery along the way and there isn’t a ski lift in sight!
8. Eleven, Ishgl – 11km
Aptly named, the ‘Eleven’ piste is an 11-kilometre-long ski run stretching from the Greitspitze at 2,872m, the highest skiable point in the Tyrol, down to Ischgl at 1,400m. The challenging run is the longest run of the Silvretta Arena and consists of red and black slopes that will be sure to leave your legs aching!
9. L’Escargo, Val Cenis – 10km
L’Escargo is a 10km long winding run through scenic pine forests down to 1,398m. The run is accessible via the La Ramasse chair lift and starts at 2,100m. This easy green is beginner-friendly and is named ‘the snail’ for a reason – we wouldn’t recommend this one for snowboarders as there are a few flat sections!
10. Aguille Rouge, Les Arcs – 8km
The Aguille Rouge run starts at the highest peak in the Paradiski ski area, at the top of the Aiguille Rouge cable car (Red Needle) at 3,226m. From here, the run descends all the way down to Villaroger at 1,200m. This 8km ski run begins as a black then transitions into red then blue lower down, offering a variety of terrain, and has a vertical descent of over 2,000m.
Embrace the Adventure: The Longest Ski Runs in Europe Await You!
Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned skier looking to push your limits, tackling the longest ski runs in Europe will be an experience like no other. The thrill of descending from the highest peaks, the breathtaking views and the sheer endurance required make it a truly unforgettable adventure. So, why wait? The slopes are calling, and our expert instructors are waiting to help you tackle them!
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If you are looking for even more of a challenge, check out the toughest ski slopes in Europe!
