Our top 10 best ski touring resorts in Switzerland
Switzerland is a must-see destination for safe ski touring. It offers a thousand and one opportunities to make your mark or follow trails dedicated to snow sports. Ski touring is particularly popular. AYAQ has researched and compiled a selection of 10 ski resorts in Switzerland that are opening dedicated ski touring areas.
TOP 1: Verbier : 7 secure routes!
Located at an altitude of 1,500m, the Verbier resort offers a modern resort with the charm of an Alpine village. Accessible to beginners, it will delight more experienced skiers with direct access to the ski area.
kiable des 4 vallées . The area now offers 7 secure trails for ski tourers. Among them, our favorite route is the Barmasse route towards the Cabane Brunet via Taillon, Tongne and Au Neuve. The start of the route takes place in a magnificent forest then leads you into a small clearing before reaching the cabin with a magnificent view!
TOP 2 : Leysin : Ski and Sun!
Leysin will delight skiers seeking winter sun with its south-facing slopes. This small resort, located between 1,336 m and 2,198 m above sea level, is ideal for short but intensely enjoyable stays. For safe ski touring, the Leysin resort offers 5 marked trails . For example, the Fers trail, 8 km long and offering a 430-meter vertical drop. The route begins with a pleasant climb through forests and pastures leading to the Fers restaurant. We guarantee beautiful views of the surrounding peaks: Mont d'Or, Pic Chaussy, and the entire Diablerets massif.
TOP 3 Les Marécottes : Ski touring for everyone!
Located in the Trient Valley at an altitude of 1,100 meters, the Marécottes ski area is ideal for family vacations and offers a wide range of activities for young and old. It is one of the pioneering resorts to have introduced safe ski touring trails. You can choose from nine routes available around the resort. One of them is approximately 11 km long with an elevation gain of 1,173 meters. The total duration is estimated at 3 hours.
TOP 4 Crans-Montana : 8000 meters of pleasure!
Unique in the world, Crans-Montana offers a hiking park with 15 routes spanning over 40 km of safe, marked trails. From blue to black to red, you'll find hikes for all levels. From beginner trails to more extreme ones, with a total cumulative elevation gain of 8,000 meters... your Everest on skis!
TOP 5 Morgins : The beauty of Valais on ski touring…
Morgins, or Les Portes du Soleil, is a ski resort located in the canton of Valais at an altitude of 1,350 meters. This resort offers a perfect mix of alpine skiers and ski tourers. Itineraries for the whole family and breathtaking scenery are guaranteed. Trails can last from 1.5 to 2.45 hours.
TOP 6 Val d'Anniviers : Surrounded by 4000!
The Val d'Anniviers is a beautiful valley in the Sierre district of Valais. It is surrounded by peaks often reaching over 4,000 meters above sea level. It offers a hiking park, a true paradise for sealskin enthusiasts. You can enjoy yourself in complete safety thanks to 10 different trails. In total, there are more than 30 km of marked hikes, with an elevation gain of over 4,000 m! The hiking park is suitable for all levels thanks to its trails of varying difficulty. The trail in Chandolin, in the hiking park named Tsapé, is a good first approach for beginners with a 2.8 km climb.
TOP 7 Kiental : A little altitude!
Kiental is a village and valley in the Bernese Oberland. The valley is known for its diverse ski touring trails. Our suggested route is : Kiental -> Griesalp -> Murren or Kiental -> Chanzel -> Griesalp. For these trails, it is strongly recommended to be accompanied by a guide.
TOP 8 Saas Fee : Glacial Beauty
The unbeatable glacier, located in the canton of Valais, offers excellent ski mountaineering. These Valais mountains rise up in a magnificent relief with a Himalayan feel! We recommend wearing merino wool base layers for your expeditions because the area quickly becomes shaded and the cold can be noticeable, especially before March.
TOP 9 Val Bedretto : Getting closer to Italy…
Bedretto is a municipality in the canton of Ticino, but it's also known as the Mediterranean soul of Switzerland because it's not far from our neighbor, Italy. Find trails for all levels that wind through beautiful larch forests.
TOP 10: Champex : Gentle ski touring
Champex-Lac is located in the commune of Orsières . Ski touring is a widely practiced activity, for example, the climb to the Col des Ecandies in the magnificent Vallon d'Arpette. It's an ideal route for enthusiasts who want to progress without taking too many risks.
Don't forget to go with someone and all the necessary equipment to ensure your safety. A DVA device, a headlamp, a shovel, a helmet, a probe, and your cell phone are recommended items for hiking.