What started as a means of transport through the barren but snow-laden mountain terrains soon became an outdoor playground for winter sports. With a majestic backdrop and vast and varied terrain, skiing in the Alps is an experience unlike any other.

The Alps span seven Alpine nations from the west to the east, stretching across France, Switzerland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany and Slovenia. Though ‘the best’ can always be subjective, several factors go into what makes for a dramatic backdrop of skiing in the Alps. That includes the famed peaks and valleys, diverse, interconnected terrains, deep valleys and steep slopes and a particularly ideal snow quality owing to consistent snow depth giving way to create the unique skiing experience it is known around the world for. Skiing in the Alps offers a multitude of factors that make it a truly memorable experience. Here are several reasons why.

Off-piste in the Alps

Off-piste simply means setting out to explore off the marked trail; through the ungroomed ski or snowboard runs, the skiers find their natural course. Nothing quite matches the experience of gliding down the uncharted, snow-engulfed vistas of the Alps, which, despite the lower elevation as compared to, say the Himalayas, reach well above the tree line. However, travellers must keep in mind that off-piste skiing requires certain advanced skiing abilities. They should have experience skiing in different types of snow conditions, and possess good control and technique. The extensive off-piste skiing also necessitates a proper knowledge of the local terrains and specialised equipment.

Well-marked routes

Skiing routes in the Alps are well-marked with safety signs and symbols. While on the trail, travellers will encounter colour-coded markers that indicate the difficulty level of a ski run or slope. The colour codes commonly used in the Alps are:

Green: Easy slopes for beginners

Blue: Moderate slopes for intermediate skiers

Red: Difficult slopes for advanced skiers

Black: Very difficult slopes for expert skiers

The Alpine routes are also defined with directional signs that provide the destination of specific ski runs or areas or indicate the name of a ski run, as well as with danger symbols to warn skiers about potential hazards or dangers ahead.

Exploring Alpine vistas

Zermatt, Switzerland

Situated in southwestern Switzerland, close to the Italian border, Zermatt features some of the highest skiing areas in the Alps. In fact, each of its three main ski slopes is above 3,000 metres. The quaint little village of Zermatt has over 357 km of ski runs spread across four different ski regions and surrounded by the highest mountains in the Alps, including the famous Matterhorn.

Chamonix, France

While Chamonix, one of the most northernmost French alpine areas, has some of the most challenging on and off-piste skiing and snowboarding globally, just as beautiful are its dramatic and skiing vistas. With a vertical drop of 2,800 m, it has some of the Alps’ steepest and deepest descents. Chamonix has six different ski areas for all skiing levels. Over 100 km of ski runs through the town which served as the site of the first-ever Winter Olympic Games held back in 1924.

Kitzbühel, Austria

A winter wonderland, Kitzbühel in Austria is known to host many World Cup events. Among many factors that make Kitzbühel a popular favourite are its perfectly groomed slopes, 232 km of skiing terrains in addition to a modern lift system and, not to mention the picturesque snow expanse. Despite being known for its dangerous racing piste, Kitz offers a variety of slopes that are mostly suited for beginner and intermediate skiers. Kitzbühel receives an average annual snowfall of 208 cm of snow per year, with an average of 26 annual snowfall days, that makes up for perfect snow conditions.

Parsenn, Switzerland

Located in the Swiss Alps, is renowned as a premier skiing destination known for its diversity of terrains. Connecting the towns of Davos and Klosters is an area of over 100 km of slopes, constituting one of the largest ski areas in Switzerland, Parsenn.

Davos is one of five separate ski areas and one of the first ski resorts in the world whereas Parsenn, the classic mountain, is regarded as the origin of Swiss skiing. Surrounded with a modern and efficient infrastructure for skiing with well-maintained ski lifts and gondolas, Davos is also notable for hosting the annual World Economic Forum every year against a background of stunning alpine scenery.

Courmayeur, Italy 

Situated in the picturesque Aosta Valley at the foot of Mont Blanc, Courmayeur is the highest peak in the Alps. From panoramic views of snow-covered peaks to deep valleys and quaint alpine communities in the mountains nearby, Courmayeur’s natural beauty enhances the skiing experience. The area offers diverse ski terrain suitable for skiers of all levels and is particularly known for extensive off-piste and backcountry skiing. Its thermal springs are renowned for being the ideal complement to a day on the slopes.