It is the crowning moment of a day on skis: the last slope that leads down into the valley. At best, you can take your skis or snowboard and go right down to the sun terrace where you end your day with a drink. SnowTrex shows where you can enjoy the longest valley runs in the Alps.
1. Davos (Switzerland)
A ski classic: the Parsenn slope from Weissfluh peak (2,844 m) down to Küblis (814 m) is one of the longest valley runs in the region surrounding Davos. The piste has a length of 12 km. This makes the Parsenn slope one of the legends in the Alpine region. It was found in 1895 when four English tourists got lost on the peak and found themselves down in Küblis after their descent.
2. Schruns/Montafon (Austria)
With a length of 12 km the Hochjoch-Totale at Grasjoch is the longest valley run in Vorarlberg. It leads from the highest point of Silvretta Montafon, the Alpinagrat (2,430 m) down to Schruns (690 m). The Tourist information also organises sunrise skiing on Hochjoch-Totale: you can enter the freshly prepared piste at about 7 o’clock in the morning.
3. Chamonix (France)
It may not be a classic valley run, but the descent in Vallée Blanche should still be mentioned here. The 20 km slope from Aiguille du Midi (3,720 m) down to Chamonix (1,035 m) is one of the most popular deep powder snow runs in the world – and one of the longest downhill runs in the Alps, even if it is not a prepared piste.
4. Sölden (Austria)
From “BIG 3 Platform Schwarze Schneid” (3,340 m) down to the valley (1,370 m) leads the longest piste in the whole Sölden ski area: The slope has a full length of 15 km. Winter sports enthusiasts overcome a total difference in altitude of 1,900 m. Endurance is definitely required!
5. Reit im Winkl (Austria)
The local ski area of Reit im Winkl, Winklmoosalm-Steinplatte, has a 12 km piste from Steinplatte (1,860 m) down to Seegatterl (750 m). A real highlight during your skiing holiday in Upper Bavaria.
6. Crans Montana (Switzerland)
The valley run in the Crans Montana ski area starts at Plaine Morte Glacier (2,927 m) via the famous “Piste Nationale” down to Barzettes-Violettes (1,515 m) With a length of 12 km it is one of the longest pistes in the entire region.
7. Aschau (Austria)
According to the lift operators it is the longest valley run in Zillertal that can be covered with artificial snow: Starting at Öfelerjoch (2,144 m) or the fancy Kristall hut in the Hochfügen-Hochzillertal ski area, it leads down to Aschau (600 m). The last section is marked as a ski route.
8. Matrei (Austria)
Down to Matrei (975 m) leads a 11.3 km valley run. It starts at an altitude of 2,612 m in Großglockner Resort and is the longest valley run in East Tyrol.
9. Klösterle (Austria)
It is known to be a real challenge: the Vermalen piste from Glattingrat (2,300 m) to Klösterle valley station (1,075 m) is 11 km long. The piste can be found in the Sonnenkopf ski area, which is part of the interconnected ski areas “Ski Arlberg“.
10. Ischgl (Austria)
“Eleven” – in Ischgl, the name of the piste says it all. 11 km is the length of the well signposted ski route from the highest point of the ski area, Greitspitz (2,871 m), down to the resort centre of Ischgl (1,377 m). Black and red pistes connect to one of the longest runs in Austria.
11. Neustift (Austria)
A total of 10 km length – this is the valley run that starts at the “Wildspitz” chairlift’s mountain station (3,210 m) at Stubai Glacier and leads down to the Mutterberg (1,695 m). In parts, the valley run in Neustift leads over a prepared piste. The lower section is the ski route “Wilde Grub’n”.
12. Bramberg (Austria)
The valley run to Bramberg is a total 9.7 km long. The entire track in the Wildkogel Arena ski area can be covered with artificial snow, and it leads from 2,101 m down to the Smaragdbahn lift’s valley station (819 m).
13. Brixen (Italy)
The Trametsch run at Plose in Brixen is not only the longest valley run, but the longest descent in South Tyrol in general – it boasts a length of 9 km. The starting point of Trametsch can be found at “Schutzhaus Plose” on an altitude of 2,466 m. It is not only the location of the piste that is attractive, the view in the upper section is also beautiful: before entering a piece of forest, winter sports enthusiasts can enjoy the view of one of the most beautiful groups in the Dolomites: the Geisler peaks.
14. Spittal an der Drau (Austria)
This valley run has it all: the 8.5 km run at Goldeck is known to be the longest black valley run in the Alps. A 1,600 m difference of altitude has to be overcome at “Sportberg” – however, only advanced winter sport enthusiasts should venture here. The starting point is at 2,142 m above sea level and the valley station is on an altitude of 547 m.
15. Oberstdorf (Germany)
In the highest ski area of the Allgäu, the Ski Oberstdorf Klein Walsertal ski area, is Germany’s longest valley run that can be covered with artificial snow, at least according to the ski area operators. The 7.5 km valley run that can be covered with artificial snow over its whole length leads down from Nebelhorn. Its starting point is the Höfatsblick station at 1,932 m.
