In the past two years, I have found that more and more "snow friends" around me, ski resorts, skis, cable cars and other keywords frequently linger in my ears, and I often hear arguments about "the best ski resort", "the longest ski path", "the most powder snow" and other issues. Self-awareness is also counted as understanding one or two, then hatched the idea of sorting out the "TOP10 ski resort" series.
As a new person in the "snow circle", the author is very lucky to have frequent contact with the big coffee and old guns in the circle, and have full communication (mainly learning); As a professional networker, I am keen to find out all kinds of information about skiing and ski resorts. Almost without any hesitation, the author decided on the idea of a "TOP 10" series of topics for ski resorts. The first issue was shared as "TOP10 Top 10 Ski Resorts".
The focus of this year's TOP 10 is on "big", that is, size. Usually, there are many criteria to measure the size of the ski area (ski resort, ski resort) : the ski area, the total length of the pistes, the number of lifts, the number of accommodation beds, and so on. As a snow friend, the author is most concerned about "how big is the place where you can enjoy skiing", check down the ski area and the total length of the piste. Furthermore, since there are a large number of off-piste areas in the ski resorts of Europe, the center of the ski world, the ski area is generally not counted, only the total length of the pistes. After comprehensive consideration, the author decided to choose the total length of piste as the comparison scale.
Secondly, the main body of the comparison is the Ski Resort, including the so-called "Ski Area, Ski resort/village, Ski Region". Ski areas refer to multiple ski areas connected by ropeways or pistes, such as the three Valleys in France (3 Valleys), KitzSki in Austria (KitzSki), and Yabuli in China.
Using data to speak, after comparison, we found that the top 10 ski resorts are all located in Europe, and Alpine ski resorts live up to their reputation.
1. Three Valleys / 3 Valleys/Les 3 Vallees - the world's largest ski area Location: France Total length of runs: 600km Number of lifts: 159 Elevation: 1,100-3,230 m Vertical height difference: 2,130 m Resorts: 8
"Three Gorges" is the domestic snow friends of this super ski region more customary name, but also the first time the author was shocked by the ski region. The region consists of three valleys: Saint-Bon, Allues, and Belleville. There are 8 ski resorts in the area, including the famous Courchevel, Les Menuires, Meribel, Val Thorens and so on. Rankings of the world's largest ski areas vary slightly by rating agency and individual, but the top spot is almost always the Three canyons.
The vast, snowy Courchevel of Three Valleys is famous for its high-end, luxury resorts, attracting celebrities including Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Saudi royal family, the Prince of Morocco, the Beckhams, George Clooney, Abramovich and many others. There are four resort groups in Courchevel, named Courchevel 1300, Courchevel 1550, Courchevel 1650 and Courchevel 1850 according to altitude, of which "1850" is the core group of the entire resort. Interestingly, the center of Courchevel 1850 is not at altitude 1850, so named to compete with another ski resort in France, Val d 'Isere. Today, both resorts are managed by the French CDA Group.
The Cheval-Blanc Hotel Meribel in Courchevel was originally founded in 1938 by an English ski enthusiast, Peter Lindsay, who built the first ropeway in the same year. Meribel is the geographical centre of the entire three canyons, with Courchevel and La Tania to the east and Val Thorens to the west. Meribel has beautiful "Chalet" style buildings surrounded by woods and a very festive atmosphere within the resort. Val Thorens is the highest ski area in the three valleys and the altitude range of 2300 to 3200 ensures good snow in Val Thorens from November to May. Val Thorens also has the highest proportion of foreign visitors of any major ski resort in France, at 70%. In November 2016, Val Thorens won the World Ski Awards for "Best Ski Resort in the World 2016", which I was lucky enough to witness at the time, which also proves the extent of its worldwide popularity.
2. Portes du Soleil
Location: France/Switzerland Total length of pistes: 600 km Number of cableways: 196 Altitude range: 1000~2466 m Vertical height difference: 1466 m Number of resorts: 12
The Portes du Soleil ski area has a declared total length of 650 km, but several third-party measurements have put the number at less than three valleys. The entire ski region spans France and Switzerland, stretching over a vast area of more than 1,000 square kilometers in 14 valleys, all of which are connected by pistes and ropeways. The area can be skied clockwise and counterclockwise through most of the resort, and you can ski all day without taking off your skis. Compared to other Alpine ski areas, the Puerta del Sol has a lower altitude and, of course, a milder climate.
The most well-known ski resort in the country for snow friends is Avoriaz in France, which is also the most advanced resort for skiing and accommodation in the region. The 130 km of trails are suitable for skiers of all levels. Avoriaz is one of the largest Purpose-built ski resorts in the world, with more than 14,000 beds. Avoriaz is also one of the world's top snowboarding resorts. There are no motor vehicles in the entire resort, which is all about skiing. Of course, the author's friendly tip: if you are really tired, there is also a horse sled to help. The summer resort is also wonderful, golf, paragliding, mountain biking, rock climbing, mountaineering everything.
The Car-free Avoriaz
3. Ski paradise Paradiski
Location: France Total length of pistes: 425 km Number of cableways: 196 Altitude range: 1000~2466 m Vertical height difference: 2026 m Number of resorts: 3
In December 2003, the CDA Group invested in the 3S gondola Vanoise Express, which connects La Plagne and Les Arcs across the valley, creating a new ski region, Paradiski. Vanoise Express has two large boxes, each with a capacity of 200 people, and the total length of the line is 1,800 meters, which takes 7-8 minutes to get from one end to the other. Vanoise Express has also become a symbol of ski paradise.
Each car can accommodate 200 people on the Vanoise Express ropeway
La Plagne is the "giant" of ski resorts, with an average of 2.5 million ski trips each winter. Modern resort facilities, 92 cable cars, a total of 225 km of pistes to cater for all levels of skiing, La Plani has 11 groups, the entire area a total of more than 53,000 beds. In addition, La Planade has plenty of wild snow areas to roam. La Planade was also an important venue for the 1992 Albertville Winter Olympics. I have seen an interesting video about La Prato pinch two snow friends to grab mobile phones, very interesting.
Night view of La Planade Resort
Les Arcs Resort consists of 4 fully planned resort groups with a large number of apartments. This is different from traditional ski resorts in Europe, and more like North American, even domestic, "built" resorts. With a vertical elevation difference of more than 2000 meters, Resak has a large number of steep slopes, forest pistes, and of course a considerable proportion of primary and intermediate pistes.
4. Les Quatre Vallees / 4 Valleys
Location: Switzerland Total length of pistes: 410 km Number of cableways: 93 Altitude range: 821~3330 m Vertical height difference: 2509 m Number of resorts: 6
The 4 Valleys is the largest ski region in Switzerland, with 6 interconnected and unique ski resorts (Verbier, Bruson, La Tzoumaz, Nendaz, Veysonnaz, Thyon), 67 ropeways, more than 410 km of trails, Together they make up this giant. Plans for the Four Valleys Ski area were hatched in the mid-1970s, and the dream became a reality in 1983 with the completion of the Mont Fort gondola.
Spectacular view of the four valleys
Verbier is the centre of the four valleys and one of the most famous ski resorts in Switzerland. Verbier has everything you need for a top ski resort: quality mountains and valleys, plenty of snow, just the right altitude, beautiful Alpine views and resorts, a wealth of Apres activities... Verbier is known for his Off-piste and Itinerary runs. In addition, Verbier is also a paradise for extreme sports fans, due to the extremely challenging steep slopes, the exciting Xtreme Verbier(Freeride World Tour final) is held here, and is one of the ski races I want to see. Just over 2 hours' drive from Geneva also makes Verbier significantly more accessible than other famous Alpine resorts.
The thrilling Xtreme Verbier Challenge
5. Galaxy Ski Region Via Lattea/Milky way
Location: Italy/France Total length of pistes: 400km Number of cableways: 69 Elevation range: 1372~ 2729m Vertical height difference: 1377m Number of resorts: 6
The Milky Way (Via Lattea) stretches along the border of Italy and France in the Alpine region, It consists of five ski resorts in Piedmont, Italy (Claviere, Sansicario, Sauze d'Oulx, Pragelato, Sestriere) and Montgenevre in France. The Galaxy was also the site of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, where most of the snow events (alpine skiing, freestyle skiing, snowmobiling) took place. The Olympic Games also accelerated the upgrading of infrastructure and equipment in the region, especially the ropeway, snow making system, and today the Galaxy is a very modern and comfortable skiing area.
It is distributed in the Galactic ski region of Italy and France
Claviere is the oldest ski resort in Italy and the most popular resort in the region for beginner and intermediate skiers. With 84% of the region's blue and red trails (corresponding to European beginner and intermediate pistes respectively), the combination of high-quality natural snow and snow-making systems, comfortable hotels and restaurants, bars, and views from the top of Colle Bercia make Claviere an excellent destination for relaxation.
Claviere Resort view
Montgenevre is the only ski resort in the region located in France and has the best natural snow. The elevations of 1850 to 2700 ensure that the nursery slopes of Montgenevre maintain high levels of snow throughout the snow season, while enjoying warm sunshine. Montgenevre's pistes are best for intermediate skiers, with a variety of runs and plenty of wooded runs. In addition, after skiing entertainment (Apres-Ski) is also very colorful.
Montgenevre's world of powder snow
6. Matterhorn ski paradise
Location: Switzerland/Italy Total length of pistes: 360 km Number of cableways: 54 Elevation range: 1620~3899 m Vertical height difference: 2279 m Number of resorts: 3
Located on the border between Switzerland and Italy, close to the Swiss town of Zermatt and the Italian town of Breuil-Cervinia, the Matterhorn peaks stand majestically between them, attracting worldwide attention and being a symbol of the Alps. Matterhorn ski paradise, centered on the Matterhorn Peak, is the highest ski region in Europe, with a maximum elevation of 3,883 meters by ropeway, overlooking the Alps. Matterhorn Ski Paradise is made up of two resorts, Zermatter-Matterhorn in Switzerland and Aosta Valley in Italy.
The ski region centered on the Matterhorn
Zermatt is one of the Swiss ski resorts that Chinese snow lovers are most familiar with, and its beautiful natural scenery and idyllic town are all intoxicants. Due to the altitude, Zermatt has a large glacier skiing area, which can also be skiing in the summer, 365 days a year. In December 2008, Zermatt held the "Infinity Downhill Race" skiing competition, from the Matterhorn glacier area at an altitude of 3,800 meters to the town of Zermatt, with a total length of 20 kilometers and a vertical height difference of 2,200 meters.
Zermatt at the foot of the Matterhorn
The Italian part of Cervinia was founded in 1936 as Breuil, but was renamed Cervinia(formerly Breuil is a French word) by Italian dictator Benito Mussolini before World War II. Cervinia is the most guaranteed snow in Italy, the most stable snow season chemistry and length. The whole area is divided into two large valleys, the longest of which is 22 km. Breuil-Cervinia is part of the Aosta Valley, which has 19 ski resorts and is the largest ski area in Italy.
The snow in Cervinia is impeccable
7. Les Sybelles
Location: France Total length of pistes: 310km Number of cableways: 64 Altitude range: 1100~ 2620m vertical height difference: 1520m Number of resorts: 6
8. St. Anton
Location: Austria Total length of pistes: 304 km Number of cableways: 88 Elevation range: 1270~2811 m vertical height difference: 1541 m Number of resorts: 2
9. Killy Ski Area Espace Killy
Location: France Total length of pistes: 300km Number of cableways: 78 Elevation range: 1550~3456 m Vertical height difference: 1,906 m Number of resorts: 2
10. SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser
Location: Austria Total length of pistes: 284 km Number of cableways: 90 Elevation range: 620~1057 m Vertical height difference: 1337 m Number of resorts: 1
