Sometimes it is the altitude that counts, at least when it comes to skiing. High-altitude ski slopes mean guaranteed snow and fantastic views of the mountains in the Alps. In some of these ski resorts, skiers and snowboarders can even enjoy skiing on the slopes all year round. Tourism Review compiled top 10 Alpine ski resorts with slopes over 3,000 meters above sea level.
If you want to ski in the highest ski area in Europe, you have to go to the Swiss ski resort of Matterhorn-Zermatt. Here, high-altitude lovers can expect a true ski Eldorado with slopes up to 3,899 meters above sea level in the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. On over 360 kilometers of varied slopes, advanced and professional skiers, in particular, will feel at home surrounded by 38 four-thousand-meter peaks! The ski region is home to three glaciers, numerous gourmet huts and the five ski areas Rothorn, Gornergrat, Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, Breuil Cervinia and Valtournenche. A 6-day ski pass costs €315.
The highest ski area in Austria is the Pitztal Glacier ski area with its slopes at an altitude of up to 3,440 meters. The approximately 20 km of slopes are considered snow-sure from November to May and are mostly of moderate level. Especially free riders, ski tourers, and carving fans get their money's worth on the glacier ski slopes during their ski vacation. However, cross country skiing and ice-climbing is also possible. A popular attraction here is also the highest café in Tyrol, the "3.440". A 6-day ski pass costs €239.
High altitudes can also be found in France's Les Deux Alpes 3600 ski resort, which, as the name suggests, offers 226 km of slopes at an altitude of almost 3,600 meters. Here the skiers will also find a glacier that can even be skied on in summer. But it is not only advanced skiers and snowboarders who can get a taste of high-altitude air. There are also plenty of green and blue ski slopes for beginners. The après-ski activities and entertainment are also guaranteed. A 6-day ski pass costs €262.
Back in Austria, a total of 145 kilometers of slopes in the Sölden ski area is available for beginners as well as advanced skiers. With three three-thousand-meter peaks, also known as the "BIG 3" ski mountains, and two glaciers, skiers and snowboarders can enjoy a ski vacation at altitudes of up to 3,340 meters. Who dares to take a look over the Alps from the Tiefenbachkogl viewing platform? The après-ski offer is also rich. Numerous restaurants, huts, bars, concerts, shows and international events such as the Electric Mountain Festival crown every day of skiing in Sölden. An event tip is also the prelude to Ski World Cup, which stops in Sölden every October. A 6-day ski pass costs €288 (if purchased online).
Saas-Fee ski resort should not be excluded from the list, the reason being that it features the world's highest revolving restaurant below the Allalin. The main town of Saas-Fee is car-free and lies at the foot of the Dom mountain (4,545 m) below the Fee glacier. A free ski bus takes skiers quickly and environmentally friendly to the mountain railways in the surrounding ski areas of Saas-Fee, Saas-Grund & Saas-Almagell. Some of the 100 km of slopes reach up to 3,500 meters above sea level and offer a superlative skiing area for beginners and pros alike. A 6-day ski pass costs €343.
Small but mighty! Only 9 kilometers of slopes are offered by the Stelvio ski resort, yet it has earned a place in the list. It is the only ski resort that is opened exclusively in summer, from May to November, and it offers skiing at an altitude of up to 3,450 meters. Why only in summer? Because in winter there is simply too much snow blocking the drive to the ski area. The surrounding region forms the Stilfser Joch National Park - one of the largest nature reserves in Europe. A 6-day ski pass costs €218.
If you're spending your ski vacation in the Mayrhofen ski area and the snow just doesn't want to fall right, you can switch to the Hintertux Glacier ski area without much trouble. In Austria's only all-year-round skiable area, you can be sure of snow on almost 60 km of blue, red and black slopes at an altitude of up to 3,250 m, even in summer. For this reason, many ski racing professionals are preparing for the Ski World Cup on the Hintertux Glacier. Moreover, there are also lots of attractions for non-skiers, including two fun parks: the Familypark and the Betterpark Hintertux. A 6-day ski pass costs €266.
Ski and Austria fans must also be free of giddiness at the Stubai Glacier ski resort. Because skiing and snowboarding are possible here on 40 km of slopes at an altitude of up to 3,210 meters. It is the largest ski area in Austria. The summit platform "Top of Tyrol" offers a fantastic panoramic view of the entire ski area of the Stubai Glacier as far as the Ötztal valley to Sölden. The glacier is also very popular with freestylers and deep snow lovers. The area is perfect for families that may visit the Snowpark Stubai Zoo or the Big family ski camp, children's restaurant, ski kindergarten for kids from 3 years. A 6-day ski pass costs €249.
The French ski resort of Espace Killy, also known as Val d'Isère & Tignes, is most popular for its almost endless white winter wonderland. The ski area bears this name in honor of the French ski racer Jean-Claude Killy, the three-time Olympic champion. World-renowned ski slopes, extra-long runs, top snow parks, heli-skiing and extreme deep snow descents offer a true ski cosmos of superlatives in Espace Killy with 300 km of slopes at up to 3,456 meters above sea level. It is perfect for advanced skiers. Even in summer, the ski area opens for a few weeks. A 6-day ski pass costs €315.
The four valleys of Switzerland's largest ski area, Les Quatre Vallées, together offer an incredible 412 kilometers of slopes at an altitude of up to 3,330 meters. Thereby, all slopes are accessible from every ski resort. The sophisticated and high-priced Verbier is the pulsating center of the Les 4 Vallées ski area - après-ski hustle and bustle included. Veysonnaz and Nendaz are particularly suitable for families with children thanks to their numerous facilities. Extremely persistent skiers and snowboarders will find many exciting downhill runs of up to 15 km in length and some glacier runs, which in most cases are very challenging. A 6-day ski pass costs €330.