Dan Lever
Apr, 2 - 2025 - 10 mins
The Top 10 Largest Ski Areas in Europe
For skiers who want to clock up some serious kilometres or cross country borders between pistes, opting for a resort that sits within a large ski area is usually a good idea. While beginners won’t tend to benefit from colossal skiable terrain, the good news is that you can usually buy a ‘local’ pass which only covers the slopes in and around your resort and is a bit cheaper, too.
Below, we’ve rounded up 10 of the largest ski areas in Europe by lift pass coverage. If you want to get some serious bang for your buck and shred from the first lift to the very last, these are the areas for you. In order to qualify for this list, these ski areas do not have to be fully interconnected but it needs to be possible to easily access all the resorts in the area, such as by a short bus ride.
10. Tignes / Val d'Isère
Countries in area: France
Total km of skiable terrain: 300km
Altitude range: 1550 - 3456m
Formerly known as the Espace Killy, Tignes / Val d'Isère offers 300 km of slopes and legendary off-piste terrain. Tignes is known for its high-altitude skiing (glacier skiing at 3456m) and vibrant nightlife, while Val d’Isère oozes luxe French charm with its chic village and gourmet dining. The area’s reliable snow cover and the glacier ensure a long season, usually running from November to May, although summer skiing is available on the glacier too. Skiers can tackle the infamous Face de Bellevarde Olympic black run down into Val d’Isère or enjoy wide cruisers with stunning views - Palafour in Tignes le Lac is a firm favourite. The two resorts are well-linked, making skiing between the two enjoyable. If you happen to après a little too hard, there’s also a bus that runs between the two.
With world-class ski schools, the impressive DC Terrain Park, and classic French ambience, it’s an enjoyable, snow-sure choice.
9. Ski Arlberg
Countries in area: Austria. Total km of skiable terrain: 305km. Altitude range: 1304 - 2811m
Austria’s largest interconnected ski area, Ski Arlberg spans St. Anton, Lech-Zürs, Warth, and Stuben. Known for steep slopes and legendary après-ski, St. Anton is a magnet for advanced skiers and those looking to let loose at world-renowned après spots like Krazy Kangaruh and Mooserwirt. Lech and Zürs are slightly quieter options, offering refined luxury and laidback vibes favoured by families, celebrities and socialites. Warth is possibly the quietest choice, where powder hounds can get acquainted with its untouched backcountry.
The region boasts 305 km of pistes, deep powder bowls, and scenic tree runs. There’s something for everyone here, from partying hard to waist-deep pow.
8. Les Sybelles
Countries in area: France
Total km of skiable terrain: 310km
Altitude range: 1100 - 2620m
One of Europe’s top ten and the fourth largest in France, it would be a cardinal sin to not give Les Sybelles a mention in this lineup.
A sprawling ski area in the French Alps, Les Sybelles covers the resorts of St Sorlin d’Arves, La Toussuire, Le Corbier, Saint Jean d’Arves, Les Bottières and St Colomban des Villards. The Snomad community comments on ‘not queueing for a lift once’ during holidays in this area and a generally undiscovered vibe with plenty of off-piste, as only St Sorlin d’Arves and La Toussuire tend to be well-known amongst the wider skiing and snowboarding community. Links from these two resorts into the wider area are good, however you may be disappointed if you’re looking for a thumping après scene - things tend to be on the quieter family-friendly side here.
The area is known as being great for famllies as well as its wide, cruisey pistes varying in steepness, a fantastic snowpark, untouched off-piste and the L’Ouillon to St Colomban run, a 7.8 km blue slope with stunning views.
7. Zermatt-Cervinia
Countries in area: Switzerland, Italy
Total km of skiable terrain: 360km
Altitude range: 1524 - 3883m
Also known as the Matterhorn Paradise area, Zermatt-Cervinia straddles the Swiss-Italian border and blends Swiss indulgence with Italian cuisine. On the Italian side, Cervinia is known for long, gentle slopes and sun-drenched pistes including the longest in Europe, a 22km red run from Klein Matterhorn to Valtournenche. Zermatt is known throughout Europe as being an elegant ski destination with the scenery (and price tag) to match.
The glacier ensures year-round skiing, while the extensive terrain is perfect for cruisers and powder seekers alike. Enjoy fondue on the Swiss side or sip aperitivos in Cervinia. The scenic runs and alpine scenery make this area a bucket-list destination.
6. Via Lattea
Countries in area: France, Italy
Total km of skiable terrain: 400km
Altitude range: 1372 - 2789m
The Via Lattea (Milky Way) boasts an impressive 400km of slopes and links popular Italian resorts like Sestrière, Sauze d’Oulx, and Claviere with Montgenèvre in France.
Sestrière, a former Olympic village, offers reliable snow and modern facilities. Sauze d’Oulx is famous for its lively après-ski, while Montgenèvre charms with its family-friendly vibe. Claviere is the quietest option, but with that comes older, slower ski lifts and trickier linking to the other resorts in the area. The après scene throughout all resorts is somewhat muted, so this is perhaps not the area for those looking to party hard. Overall though, the Milky Way is loved for its pretty wooded slopes, open bowls, scenic mountain huts and the ability to cater to all levels. The cross-border skiing and laid-back Italian flair make it a hidden gem.
5. Les 4 Vallées
Countries in area: Switzerland
Total km of skiable terrain: 412km
Altitude range: 1250 - 3330m
Switzerland’s largest ski area, Les 4 Vallées, offers 410 km of slopes, connecting Verbier, Nendaz, Veysonnaz, and Thyon. Verbier is the crown jewel, famed for its steep off-piste terrain, lively nightlife and chic clientele. Nendaz offers family-friendly slopes and stunning Rhône Valley views, while Veysonnaz sits opposite, just over the river and is somewhat of a hidden gem.
Freeriders flock to the challenging Mont Fort, while intermediates enjoy cruisy blue runs - favourites include L’Alpage and Etiertses. The area’s scenic beauty, upscale chalets, and epic powder make it a firm favourite for adventurers and luxury seekers alike.
4. Paradiski
Countries in area: France
Total km of skiable terrain: 425km
Altitude range: 1200 - 3250m
Linking Les Arcs, La Plagne, and Peisey-Vallandry, Paradiski offers 425 km of slopes. Les Arcs attracts intermediate and advanced skiers with its sweeping red and black runs. La Plagne is family-friendly with gentle terrain and wide pistes. The Vanoise Express cable car connects the two seamlessly. People return to Peisey-Vallandry year after year for its easy layout and picturesque tree runs - and a quieter experience than Les Arcs and La Plagne but with access to all the perks (you can ski down from après at Folie Douce on the blue Foret run.)
Powder enthusiasts head off-piste for tree runs near Montchavin and Champagny, while freestyle fans enjoy the snow parks - Rider’s Nation at the top of the Colorado lift in La Plagne always has a range of fun features. Paradiski is the area for you if you want a variety of terrain, beautiful tree-lined pistes and the option to stay in a quieter corner while still having access to hustle and bustle.
3. Portes du Soleil
Countries in area: France, Switzerland
Total km of skiable terrain: 580km
Altitude range: 900 - 2466m
A sprawling 580km playground, Portes du Soleil covers an impressive 12 resorts, including Morzine, Avoriaz, Les Gets, and Champéry.
Avoriaz offers high-altitude skiing and freestyle parks, while Morzine’s village charm and lively après-ski scene draw British crowds. Les Gets is family-friendly with tree-lined slopes, and Champéry offers breathtaking Swiss scenery. With cross-border skiing, powder fields, and mountain eateries serving fondue and vin chaud, it’s an epic destination for all levels. It also boasts convenient proximity to Geneva Airport with a transfer to Morzine only taking around 1.5 hours.
2. Les 3 Vallées
Countries in area: France
Total km of skiable terrain: 600km
Altitude range: 1100 - 3230m
The world’s largest ski area, Les 3 Vallées offers 600 km of interconnected slopes. It links Courchevel, Méribel, and Val Thorens together with the smaller resorts of Les Menuires and Orelle.
Courchevel exudes luxury with Michelin-starred dining and chic chalets. Méribel’s charming village vibe attracts families and intermediates. Val Thorens, Europe’s highest resort, guarantees snow-sure skiing and lively après-ski that bounces between Bar 360, Folie Douce and Cafe Snesko. Les Menuires is a great, quieter option with effortless linking to Val Thorens and Meribel.
With enough terrain to occupy you for well over a week, Les 3 Vallées is the area for you if you don’t want to ski the same piste twice and crave the luxury conveniences of a world-class French ski resort.
1. Dolomiti Superski
Countries in area: Italy
Total km of skiable terrain: 1,200km
Altitude range: 800 - 3269m
The Dolomiti Superski is a vast 1,200 km network of slopes in the Italian Alps. It spans 12 resorts with some of the most well-known being Cortina d’Ampezzo, Val Gardena, and Alta Badia. Cortina dazzles with chic boutiques and Olympic slopes, while Val Gardena offers scenic runs and cozy mountain huts. Alta Badia is known as a beginner-skiers paradise with picturesque runs and a large network of enjoyable views up behind Corvara. That said, the overall linking of the area can be challenging, and you might find yourself needing to take buses between resorts - it’s little wonder when you look at the size of the area.
The Sella Ronda circuit is a must-ski, 42km route with seriously stunning views and a choice of itineraries which you can tailor to include leisurely lunch stops - although if you do want to rise for first lifts and have it all under your belt well before après, that’s possible too. With sunny slopes, delicious Italian cuisine, and charming villages, it’s a dream destination for both skiers and sightseers.
An Honourary Mention - Skicircus
Countries in area: Austria
Total km of skiable terrain: 270km
Altitude range: 830 - 2096m
The Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn is a picturesque winter playground with 270 km of pistes. A triangular tangle of several villages (hence the long-winded name,) the area is known for its lively après-ski scene. Saalbach and Hinterglemm draw party lovers, while Leogang offers a quieter, family-friendly vibe. Fieberbrunn is famous for freeriding, attracting powder hounds. The extensive lift network makes it easy to explore all four resorts in a day. Expect charming Alpine villages, epic tree-lined descents, and modern facilities. Off-piste adventures and mountain huts serving schnitzel and glühwein provide a glimpse into authentic Austrian culture.
Be sure to try ‘The Challenge’ during your stay, a 65-kilometre circular of groomed runs and 12,400 vertical meters. It’s essentially a whistle-stop tour of the entire area and takes around 7 hours with no breaks - it’s not called The Challenge for nothing!
