The Best Advanced Ski & Snowboard Resorts
There are some very tidy skiers out there who quite rightly and understandably want to be challenged by the best the mountain has to offer.
For some, off piste is the only way forward and they delight in getting off the beaten track, they ski for powder days! Others just want it steep, perhaps even mogulled as well. Naturally some resorts are better than others for providing advanced skiers with the terrain they desire. The following list highlights the resorts all advanced skiers should head for.
Top 5 Advanced Ski & Snowboard Resorts
Tignes
High, snow sure, and forming the Espace Killy ski region (300 kms of slopes) with...
Tignes Info
Zermatt
With high snow sure slopes and scenery dominated by the mightily impressive Matterhorn, Zermatt is...
Zermatt Info
Chamonix
Standing in the shadow of Mont Blanc, Chamonix is one of the world’s great ski...
Chamonix Info
Val d'Isere
Great skiing, great snow, great atmosphere and great nightlife – what more could you want...
Val d'Isere Info
Tignes
(Resort height - 1550m - 3550m)
Tignes in France really has all a keen skier or snowboarder is looking for. It is high, snow sure and because it is part of the Espace Killy region, it offer 300 kms of slopes by being linked with Val d’Isere.
Great for...
Snow sure| ★★★ | Beginner |
| ★★★★★ | Intermediate |
| ★★★★★ | Advanced |
| ★★★★★ | Off-Piste |
Extensive area| ★★★★★ | Snowboarding |
| ★★★★★ | Snow Reliability |
| ★★★ | Apres-Ski |
| ★★★★★ | Extent |
Intermediates| ★★★ | Mountain Restaurants |
| ★★★ | Scenery |
| ★★ | Village Charm |
| ★★★ | Non-Skiers |
WHY IT’S GREAT FOR ADVANCED
Advanced skiers or boarders will love this region. Tignes is comprised of a number of satellite villages from where you can access all types of terrain. The lifts from Val Claret take you in all directions, there is also the snowpark if you are searching for a different type of fun.
The Grand Motte glacier is well worth a visit and it tends to have the best snow in the region. The Grand Motte cable car takes you up to the top of the glacier, which has mainly red runs and the odd black, there is also the wonderful red double M run where you can cruise all the way back down the Val Claret. Val d’Isere can be accessed from the Val Claret base if you are looking for more adventurous challenging runs.
Tignes Le Lac accesses some wonderful slopes in the L’Aiguille Percee sector including the long black runs of Silene and Sache via the Aiguille Percee chairlift. These runs lead down to the satellite villages of Tignes les Boisses and Tignes les Brevieres.
Zermatt
(Resort height - 1620m - 3883m)
Zermatt in Switzerland is a stunning ski and snowboard resort dominated by the mightily impressive Matterhorn. If you are a keen skier or boarder then this is a must visit resort as it has an extensive range of slopes to explore and is linked to the neighbouring resort of Cervinia in Italy, opening up 360kms of terrain.
Great for...
Off-piste| ★★ | Beginner |
| ★★★★★ | Intermediate |
| ★★★★★ | Advanced |
| ★★★★★ | Off-Piste |
Intermediates| ★★★★ | Snowboarding |
| ★★★★ | Snow Reliability |
| ★★★★★ | Apres-Ski |
| ★★★★ | Extent |
Advanced| ★★★★★ | Mountain Restaurants |
| ★★★★★ | Scenery |
| ★★★★ | Village Charm |
| ★★★ | Non-Skiers |
WHY IT’S GREAT FOR ADVANCED
Zermatt is known as a challenging resort and is perfect for those more advanced skiers. The link to Cervinia does offer less challenging pistes so a balance can be found. Split in to 4 areas the slopes are reached by lifts from the village.
Rothorn has some long red runs that go back down to the village but also some long unpisted slopes called itineraires if you are looking for more of a challenge. Gornergrat has a variety of terrain with some long red runs that lead down to Rifflealp.
Schwarzsee can be reached via the Matterhorn express gondola and again this area is full of red runs. Above Schwarzsee, Trockener Steg accesses the glacier and this area can be reached via a gondola or via a cable car from further down the mountain. Access to Cervina in Italy is also made here opening up even more terrain.
Verbier
(Resort height - 1500m - 3330m)
Verbier in Switzerland is part of the 4 Valleys network with a skiable area of 410kms so is perfect for mile hungry enthusiasts and also those of a more advanced ability seeking a challenge and off piste options.
Great for...
Apres-ski| ★★ | Beginner |
| ★★★★ | Intermediate |
| ★★★★★ | Advanced |
| ★★★★★ | Off-Piste |
Off-piste| ★★★★ | Snowboarding |
| ★★★★ | Snow Reliability |
| ★★★★★ | Apres-Ski |
| ★★★★ | Extent |
Advanced| ★★★ | Mountain Restaurants |
| ★★★★ | Scenery |
| ★★★ | Village Charm |
| ★★★ | Non-Skiers |
WHY IT’S GREAT FOR ADVANCED
Being high and snow sure, Verbier offers a range of challenging terrain both on and off piste and has 3 main areas.
The Savoleyres area tends to be quiet and under used and if you are looking for a bit more of a challenge try the long red runs that take you down to La Tzoumaz. The Bruson area is also underused and well worth making an effort to get to with wonderful tree skiing. Les Runettes is the heart of Verbier’s main area with a variety of terrain available, you can get back to the village from here or access the La Chaux or Attelas areas too.
If you are looking for a real challenge then make sure you go up to Mont-Fort where you will discover a long steep, mogulled black run. Attelas has a variety of runs but the main event here is to get up to Mont-Gele to access the itineraries, which tend to be off piste areas that aren’t patrolled.
Chamonix
(Resort height - 1040m - 3842m)
Standing in the shadow of Mont Blanc and surrounded by some of the most magnificent scenery in the Alps, Chamonix in France is one of the world’s greatest ski and snowboard resorts and has a reliable snow record with access to over 760 km of terrain.
Great for...
Off-piste| ★★ | Beginner |
| ★★ | Intermediate |
| ★★★★★ | Advanced |
| ★★★★★ | Off-Piste |
Advanced| ★★★★★ | Snowboarding |
| ★★★★ | Snow Reliability |
| ★★★★ | Apres-Ski |
| ★★★ | Extent |
Scenic| ★★★ | Mountain Restaurants |
| ★★★★★ | Scenery |
| ★★★★ | Village Charm |
| ★★★★ | Non-Skiers |
WHY IT’S GREAT FOR ADVANCED
Chamonix is ideal for advanced skiers and boarders looking for something to stretch them – whether searching for off-piste powder or a hair raising on-piste challenge.
The slopes are split over several areas, many of which are perfect for experts. Don’t miss taking the cable car up to Aiguille du Midi – the start of the world famous 24km Valley Blanche run.
Le Brevent is well worth visiting particularly for the tricky black run from the top, Flegere has less challenging terrain but it’s certainly not easy cruisey runs by any standards. The area of Grand Montets has mainly red or black slopes and the steepness here has real appeal, you can also access off piste terrain from this area.
Val d'Isere
(Resort height - 1550m - 3550m)
Val d’Isere in France has it all, great snow, access to 300 kms of slopes, and a glacier that opens up summer skiing. Set in the Tarentaise Valley, Val d’Isere is linked to Tignes and forms the Espace Killy ski area, ideal for advanced skiers and boarders.
Great for...
Off-piste| ★★★ | Beginner |
| ★★★★★ | Intermediate |
| ★★★★★ | Advanced |
| ★★★★★ | Off-Piste |
Intermediates| ★★★★★ | Snowboarding |
| ★★★★★ | Snow Reliability |
| ★★★★ | Apres-Ski |
| ★★★★★ | Extent |
Advanced| ★★★ | Mountain Restaurants |
| ★★★★ | Scenery |
| ★★★ | Village Charm |
| ★★★ | Non-Skiers |
WHY IT’S GREAT FOR ADVANCED
Some of Val d’Isere’s slopes are under classified with regards to difficulty so this resort, whilst suitable for all abilities, really does favour the expert.
The 3 main areas are all accessed from the village. Solaise has a variety of terrain and confident intermediates should certainly try Arcelle, which has a challenging steep finish. Experts should definitely give the black 3000 run a go with its heavily mogulled piste. The Col de L’Iseran area has easier terrain with access to the glacier, the runs back down the the village though are well worth trying though.
Bellvarde is the most varied of the three areas and has a number of challenging slopes taking you down to La Daille. If you’re looking for even more of a challenge then you’ve got to try the famous 1992 Winter Olympic downhill course, the Face Olympique de Bellvarde. This long black run is very often mogulled and leads back to the village. There is also a slalom run and terrain park at Bellvarde including a number of kickers, jumps and rails.
Advanced Ski & Snowboard Resorts
Alpe d’Huez
Alpe d’Huez is a big league resort rivalling the best the Alps has to offer,...
Alpe d’Huez Info
Chamonix
Standing in the shadow of Mont Blanc, Chamonix is one of the world’s great ski...
Chamonix Info
Cortina d’Ampezzo
Set amongst some of the most stunning scenery you will ever see, Cortina d’Ampezzo has...
Cortina d’Ampezzo Info
Courchevel
Courchevel is one of the most glamorous alpine skiing resorts with stunning hotels, restaurants and...
Courchevel Info
Courmayeur
An Italian resort that’s full of character and great for intermediate skiers. Situated on the...
Courmayeur Info
Davos
Davos’ slopes (which it shares with Klosters) not only provide extensive skiing but also a...
Davos Info
Flaine
Flaine is one of France’s premier resorts because of its excellent skiing facilities rather than...
Flaine Info
Grindelwald
With beautiful scenery, 3 decent sized ski areas, (2 of which are shared with Wengen)...
Grindelwald Info
Kitzbuhel
Think of Kitzbuhel and the one thing that often comes to mind is the annual...
Kitzbuhel Info
Klosters
Klosters shares its slopes with Davos and provides a huge and expansive ski area to...
Klosters Info
La Thuile
La Thuile is a small village with a decent sized skiing area with the added...
La Thuile Info
Les Arcs
One of the most popular alpine resorts, Les Arcs scores highly in all areas and...
Les Arcs Info
Les Deux Alpes
Les Deux Alpes is one of France’s best and most well known resorts. It has...
Les Deux Alpes Info
Livigno
Set in an isolated bleak valley Livigno may not be everyone’s first choice on their...
Livigno Info
Madonna di Campiglio
With reasonably snow sure slopes, some lovely long intermediate terrain, and new lifts linking the...
Madonna di Campiglio Info
Mayrhofen
Mayrhofen is a popular favourite with the British mainly due to its reasonable accommodation prices...
Mayrhofen Info
Morzine
Morzine is a picturesque village that shares its slopes with Les Gets and is linked...
Morzine Info
Saalbach Hinterglemm
Saalbach-Hinterglemm is a ski area in a valley that is comprised of 2 villages (Saalbach...
Saalbach Hinterglemm Info
Saas Fee
With spectacular scenery, a charming traffic free village, snow sure skiing, an impressive vertical, and...
Saas Fee Info
Sauze d’Oulx
Sauze d’Oulx is a large and well known resort that forms part of the vast...
Sauze d’Oulx Info
Schladming
Set over 4 mountains, Schladming is one of Austria’s most well known resorts which has...
Schladming Info
Selva Val Gardena
Part of the huge world famous Sella Ronda circuit (offering 1200 kms of slopes) and...
Selva Val Gardena Info
Serre Chevalier
Serre Chevalier’s slopes are located above villages from which the 4 main areas can be...
Serre Chevalier Info
Sestriere
Part of the huge Milky Way circuit (offering 400 kms of slopes), Sestriere is a...
Sestriere Info
Solden
Solden with its 2 glaciers, close proximity to Obergurgl, guaranteed snow from November and jolly...
Solden Info
St Anton
Located in the Arlberg region and sharing its lift pass with neighbouring Lech, Zurs, St...
St Anton Info
St Moritz
Surrounded by stunning scenery and runs spread over 3 distinct ski areas (totalling 350kms of...
St Moritz Info
Tignes
High, snow sure, and forming the Espace Killy ski region (300 kms of slopes) with...
Tignes Info
Val d’Isere
Great skiing, great snow, great atmosphere and great nightlife – what more could you want...
Val d’Isere Info
Val Thorens
Val Thorens is a major league resort and part of the famous linked Three Valleys...
Val Thorens Info
Wengen
Set in the Junfrau region of Switzerland, Wengen is situated in an absolutely wonderful area...
Wengen Info
Zermatt
With high snow sure slopes and scenery dominated by the mightily impressive Matterhorn, Zermatt is...
Zermatt Info
Other Skiing Resorts by Ability
Best Beginner Resorts
Whether you have never been on a set of skis before or you are just progressing from the nursery slopes the last thing a beginner wants is to be dumped onto a slope that is too difficult for them. Not...
Best Intermediate Resorts
Not all intermediate skiers are the same – fact! Some intermediates are just off the beginner slopes and understandably nervous or timid of any blue runs. Other intermediates may be totally confident on all blue and red runs and have...
Best Mixed Ability Resorts
When in a big group there is nothing worse than when beginners are forced onto difficult slopes as there are a lack of easy pistes for them to progress on to. Likewise it’s not much fun for advanced skiers to...