If you're looking for a snow-sure winter sports destination, ski resorts with many slopes above 2,000 metres are the right choice. Especially if you go on a skiing holiday early or late in the season. These high-altitude ski resorts often benefit from an extra-long ski season, and even if temperatures are still very autumnal or spring-like, the higher slopes remain good for much longer. Good skiing conditions and stunning views, and you have the perfect ingredients for a wonderful winter holiday. In this article, we introduce 13 ski resorts with lots of slopes above 2,000 metres.
Snow is an essential factor for a successful winter sports holiday, so for many skiers, a high-altitude ski resort is an important criterion when booking. The more pistes above 2,000 metres, the longer you can keep on skiing! Especially in spring when temperatures are shooting up again. In the Alps, you can find numerous ski resorts with many slopes above 2,000 metres. There are even destinations where almost all or even all the slopes are above that altitude. Wondering which ones?
Would you like to try skiing in two countries during your winter holiday? This is possible in Silvretta Arena Ischgl - Samnaun. From Austrian Ischgl and Swiss Samnaun, you can access a ski area with 239 km of slopes. The Silvretta Arena definitely belongs on this list of ski areas with many slopes above 2,000 metres. As many as 90% of all slopes are above that altitude, so you can be sure to have excellent snow conditions from late November to early May. If you're looking for an outstanding and versatile ski destination, this is the place to be! You can count on well-groomed slopes, the amazing Smuggler's Run ski circuits, cosy après-ski and many good mountain huts.
Nauders is a beautiful village and a ski resort located close to the border triangle of Austria, Switzerland and Italy, so you can easily make trips to other countries as well. It boasts a very sunny location and more than 75 kilometres of pistes, of which most are above 2,000 metres. When you get off the cable car or chairlift at 2,200 metres, you can continue even further up and explore the rest of the ski area via various lifts. It is possible to ski all day above 2,000 metres! You can take the valley descent to Nauders at the end of the day. Fun fact: Nauders is part of the Zwei Länder Skiarena. If you buy that ski pass, you can also access the slopes of Schöneben-Haideralm, Watles, Trafoi and Sulden.
Are you looking for a child-friendly ski resort with many slopes above 2,000 metres? Then the Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis ski area is something for you. Whether you come with young children or teenagers - there will be plenty for them and you to do! The ski resort has 214 km of slopes, reaching a maximum altitude of 2,828 metres. While the little ones have fun in the extensive children's areas, such as the Kinderschneealm in Serfaus and Berta's Kinderland in Fiss, you can try out the wonderful ski circuits. Especially on the Ladis and Serfaus sides, there are many slopes above 2,000 metres.
Isola 2000 is one of the southernmost ski resorts in the Alps. It boasts regular sunshine and excellent snow conditions - a consequence of a unique microclimate. This French ski resort has around 120 km of slopes. They are all above 1,800 metres, and most are even above 2,000 metres. As there are many blue runs, Isola 2000 is perfect for beginners. Fun fact: from the highest point of the ski resort, the Cime de Sistron, you have great views of the Mediterranean and the Ecrins mountain massif.
The car-free Saas-Fee is located in the Saas valley at an altitude of 1,800 metres. From the village, you can access a ski area with over 100 km of slopes, with the highest point at 3,600 metres. Except for a few months, you can ski here almost all year round. Even in summer! The runs are nice and long, and there are plenty of fine restaurants along the pistes. Few ski resorts offer so many unique activities, so if you feel like it, you can put some ticks on your bucket list. For example, how about a glacier tour, ice climbing or a visit to an ice cave? Moreover, you can visit an actual après-ski mile here.
At the end of the Stubai Valley lies the Stubai Glacier, also known as Austria's largest glacier ski area. Except for piste 27 (connection valley station Gamsgarten I with 3S Eisgrat I) and ski routes 26 and 14, all pistes are above 2,300 metres. This ski resort is suitable for winter enthusiasts of all levels and ages. You can also visit lovely mountain huts and engage in many other activities. Tip: You can enjoy an impressive mountain panorama from the Top of Tyrol observation deck at 3,110 metres.
Another cross-border ski area with many slopes above 2,000 metres is the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. From the Swiss village of Zermatt and the Italian villages of Valtournence and Breuil-Cervinia, you can access more than 350 km of pistes. While skiing, you can enjoy the views of the iconic Matterhorn and many other impressive three- and four-thousanders. As this ski resort is based on a glacier, skiing is possible all year round. Few pistes are below 2,000 metres, while on the Breuil-Cervinia side, all runs are above 2,000 metres. This ski area offers beautiful ski circuits, many long runs and an abundance of lovely mountain huts.
Austria's largest interconnected ski area also belongs in this list of ski resorts with many slopes above 2,000 metres. Ski Arlberg has more than 300 km of slopes reaching up to 2,800 metres. The ski area is incredibly snow-sure thanks to its altitude and natural location. You can try various ski circuits here, including The White Ring and the Run of Fame. There are also many cosy mountain huts and possibilities for après-ski. Accommodation is available in several villages, such as Stuben, Lech and St. Anton am Arlberg.
Two glaciers and several three-thousanders make Sölden a very snow-sure winter sports destination. Apart from a few downhill runs, almost all the slopes are above 2,000 metres. The ski area has over 150 km of slopes, and when conditions allow, the first lifts open as early as the beginning of September. Skiing is usually possible until early May. Sölden has several highlights. You can try out the longest downhill runs in Austria, visit the James Bond cinematic installation, and the après-ski is always fun. Moreover, experienced skiers should not miss the BIG3 Rally ski tour.
Are you looking for a snow-sure ski destination? Then Les Deux Alpes is the right place for you. Next to skiing on a glacier, most of the slopes are above 2,000 metres. The lifts and slopes are usually open from the end of November to the end of April, as well as a few weeks in the summer months. The Les Deux Alpes ski area is incredibly versatile and offers something for everyone. Most of the runs are blue and perfect for beginners. There is also a world-class snow park and many great off-piste possibilities.
Kilometre-eaters looking for ski resorts with lots of pistes above 2,000 metres are in the right place in Les Trois Vallées. This French ski area has more than 600 kilometres of pistes, making it one of the largest ski areas in the world. The slopes are located between 1,300 and 3,200 metres, while many are above 2,000 metres. There are many green and blue slopes for beginners. Advanced skiers can venture out on scenic day trips. You will also find many lovely huts and plenty to do off-piste, from fun activities to an evening of partying in the après-ski. Accommodation is available in villages such as Val Thorens, Méribel, Courchevel and Les Menuires.
Located at the end of the Ötztal valley, Gurgl is incredibly snow-sure. The ski area does not have a glacier but does reach a snow-sure altitude of 3,082 metres. For this reason, it is one of the first non-glacier ski areas to open every year, and the ski season usually lasts from November to late April/early May. Gurgl is formed by the villages of Obergurgl and Hochgurgl. Each has its own ski mountain while they are connected by the Top-Xpress. The Gurgl ski area has over 100 km of slopes, of which most are above 2,000 metres. When there, don't miss a chance to visit the Top Mountain Star restaurant at 3,082 metres, which boasts a magnificent view.
The Italian village of Livigno was once completely isolated from the outside world in winter. This changed in the mid-20th century with the tunnel to Switzerland and the road to Bormio. Livigno is an elongated village situated at an altitude of 1,816 metres, with a ski area on each side. On one side lies Carosello, and on the other, Mottolino. Together they form about 115 km of slopes accessible with the same ski pass. Most of the slopes are above 2,000 metres, so this ski resort is usually open from late November to early May. There are also many cosy huts, great possibilities for freeriding and even heliskiing. And there's plenty to do outside skiing, too - from tax-free shopping to sumptuous dining or drinks in the après-ski.
I grew up in Slovenia, close to the Julian Alps. Early on, my parents put me on skis and skates, and the winter sports enthusiasm hasn't left me since. I also enjoy cross-country skiing and have been a keen snowboarder for the past 20 years.
