The longest downhill runs & ski slopes

The Lenzerheide winter sports area’s most challenging piste hugs the steep slopes above Parpan. It is named in honour of local skiing expert Silvano Beltrametti. This route is the steepest women's World Cup downhill anywhere in the world.

This delightfully long downhill run in the Saas-Grund area is set against a backdrop of high-Alpine scenery. Starting at the Hohsaas cableway top station, it first crosses spacious slopes before taking you down to the village in the valley.

The legendary Parsenn Downhill Run is one of the classics of Switzerland. There is virtually unlimited fun in store for seasoned skiers. The track starts at the top of the Weissfluh and runs a full 12 kilometres before ending 2,000 metres lower in Kublis.

Located on the slopes of Moléson, this is the largest ski area in the Fribourg Alps. It offers a wide variety of slopes. The lower part is also suitable for beginners. This icontrasts with the descent from the summit, which is considered to be very difficult and demanding.

The downhill run on this highest slope in the Thyon ski area is a special treat for seasoned skiers who are looking for a real challenge. The views down to the Rhone Valley, the Dent Blanche and the Grande Dixence, Europe’s greatest dam, are quite stunning.

The piste from the Schilthorn to Lauterbrunnen is almost 15 km long, making it one of the longest in Switzerland. At the end of January each year, a hellish racing spectacle is enacted here. The descent is open to experienced skiers all winter.

The pleasure-packed Gifthittli to Furi piste consists of sun-spoilt carving slopes with fantastic views of the Matterhorn and plenty of mountain restaurants to top it!

Views at the start of this sunny piste extend over ten Swiss lakes and vertically down to the Rütli meadow; spectacular to say the least, with the majority of wide and easy slopes also offering a glimpse of the Mythen mountain range as you make your way down.

The Videmanette Piste is the longest run in the Gstaad ski region – the descent to Rougemont is a whopping 10 km long. The piste has several great carving areas with some more level sections in between.

Families get as much a run for their money on the Horneggli as do skilled skiers. The Mike von Grünigen Run is the pride of this piste network. Here, as they go through their entire repertoire, passionate carvers can follow in the footsteps of this native-born giant slalom world champion.

One of the most popular of the World Cup races is staged at Chuenisbärgli in Adelboden each winter. The slope is universally regarded as the most difficult giant slalom course. It is also open to demanding amateurs throughout the ski season.

The Allalin area in Saas-Fee is a place of superlatives – one of the longest ski runs in the Alps leads directly into the village from the world’s highest revolving restaurant at 3,500m. The ski area is suitable for pleasure skiers and connoisseurs alike.

The Obersaxon winter sports area above the Vorderrhein Valley includes four beautiful skiing mountains. For the most part, the wide slopes range from easy to intermediate. The Carlo Janka Piste from Stein to Kartitscha is a real treat for ambitious skiers.

Weissfluhjoch to Wolfgang and guaranteed adrenalin kicks. The Weissfluhjoch piste on Parsenn as far as Wolfgang Pass is your best bet for pure winter fun with a special kick! A piste-start at 2844 meters above sea level, leading over roughly 7 kilometers down to the Wolfgang Pass at 1631 meters.

The descent from the Eggishorn to the Heimatt combines spectacular views with a varied range of pistes covering wide slopes and short steep sections. The highlight is the valley run to Fiesch.

Of all the pistes in the versatile Val d'Anniviers network, the Lona Piste is considered to be one of the most challenging. It offers an exciting mix of leisurely and rapid passages. You start out at the foot of the Becs de Bosson and end up near the village of Grimentz.

Even today, the Olympia Piste reminds one of the 1948 Olympic Winter Games in St. Moritz. Back then the Corviglia Chantarella downhill run placed extreme demands on skiers. Connoisseurs still regard the original route as an insider tip.

The Lötschental valley offers convenient skiing fun far from the hustle and bustle. However, do not underestimate the great variety of pistes here. Lower down, the terrain is moderately steep while higher up, in the area around Gandegg, there are some quite demanding slopes.

The ski pistes at the two car-free villages of Bettmeralp and Riederalp afford unobstructed views of the highest mountains in Switzerland. The Aletsch Arena also enjoys a sun-drenched setting. This area’s most striking downhill run takes you from the Bettmerhorn to the Riederalp.

The Dream Piste downhill run is everything you could wish for. The incomparably beautiful piste takes you through the heart of the Lower Engadin mountains, far away from the annoying drone of the ski lifts.