🏂 Ski pass, altitudes and snow parks: choosing a resort in the Alps

A winter vacation in the Alps starts with choosing a resort. Some slopes are made for experienced skiers, others for families with kids, and still others for snowboarders. Getting it wrong is costly, because travel, lodging, and a ski pass all cost money.

The longest run in this selection stretches for 22 km (Zermatt data), and in February 2026 the Italian resort of Livigno hosted Olympic snowboarding events. Six resorts in Switzerland, Austria, Italy, and France differ in elevation, total trail length, and overall vibe.

Below we break down what makes each resort different, who it's for, and where to look for lodging. A quick summary is right under the first heading.

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Comparing the six resorts

💡 In short:

Long runs and big vertical drops await you in Zermatt and St. Anton.
Gentle slopes for beginners and families are concentrated in Kronplatz.
Snow parks and halfpipes can be found in Livigno and Les Arcs.

Resort	Country	Trails, km	Elevation, m	Who it's for
Zermatt	Switzerland	up to 360	1620-3899	experienced skiers
St. Anton	Austria	over 300	1300-2811	skiers and groups
Kronplatz	Italy	105	935-2275	families and beginners
Livigno	Italy	115	village at 1816	snowboarders
Avoriaz	France	150	1100-2277	intermediate level
Les Arcs	France	200	from 1200	snowboarders

Trail lengths and elevations are from the resorts' official websites as of 09/2026: Zermatt, Ski Arlberg, Kronplatz, Livigno, Avoriaz, Les Arcs.

1. Zermatt: nearly 360 km of trails at the Matterhorn

Zermatt at dusk with the snow-covered Matterhorn

Zermatt sits at an altitude of 1,608 m at the foot of the Matterhorn. The Matterhorn's summit rises to 4,478 m, and around the village there are 33 peaks above 4,000 m, including the Dufourspitze. The ski area starts at 1,620 m and reaches 3,899 m (resort data).

There are 62 lifts and 11 cable cars. Marked runs stretch for nearly 360 km together with Italy's Cervinia, and the longest descent reaches 22 km (as of 09/2026, official website). Most of the terrain is aimed at intermediate and advanced levels, which is why Zermatt is considered a resort for experienced skiers.

Beyond skiing, the village is known for its restaurants and bars, some of which hold Michelin stars. That combination makes Zermatt one of the most expensive resorts in Switzerland.

Runs and altitude: 1,620-3,899 m, nearly 360 km, 62 lifts, 22 km descent.
Who it's for: experienced skiers and snowboarders who value long runs.
Not for: travelers on a tight budget.
Ski pass: Zermatt is among the most expensive resorts in the Alps; see 2026/27 season rates on the ski pass page.
Where to stay: Zermatt hotels on Trip.com
The catch: in high season the village hosts thousands of tourists, so popular lifts get crowded.

2. St. Anton: birthplace of the Alpine ski club

St. Anton belongs to the Best of the Alps group and is considered one of Austria's most famous resorts. The first Alpine ski club was founded here in 1901, and today a museum tells that story. The resort welcomes guests at 1,304 m and is often called the snowiest in the country.

Together with Lech, Zürs, and Stuben, St. Anton forms the Ski Arlberg region. The ski area rises from 1,300 to 2,811 m, and the total length of runs exceeds 300 km (Ski Arlberg price list). The longest run, 9 km, leads from the Valluga summit down to the village, with a vertical drop of up to 1,350 m.

The runs are split almost evenly: about 146 km for beginners and 147 km of intermediate difficulty, with 55 km left for advanced skiers (as of 09/2026, official resort website). That distribution makes St. Anton suitable both for first turns and for confident skiing.

The resort is loved for its lively nightlife. The main street is lined with restaurants, bars, and clubs, which is why people often come here with a large group of friends.

Runs and altitude: 1,300-2,811 m, more than 300 km in the Ski Arlberg region, 9 km descent with a 1,350 m vertical drop.
Who it's for: experienced skiers and groups who care about evening entertainment.
Not for: a quiet family holiday.
Ski pass: a single Ski Arlberg ticket covers the entire region; 2026/27 season rates are in the price list.
Where to stay: St. Anton hotels on Trip.com
The catch: the main street is noisy until late at night.

3. Kronplatz: a family resort in the Dolomites

Snow-covered slopes of Kronplatz with ski runs

Kronplatz is considered the best resort in South Tyrol and is part of the world's largest ski area, Dolomiti Superski. It brings together 12 resorts with a total of about 1,200 km of runs. Kronplatz itself spans several valleys around the mountain massif of the same name, and on its slopes there are 13 villages at altitudes from 786 to 1,650 m (resort data).

The resort's ski area covers 105 km of groomed runs at altitudes from 935 to 2,275 m. The slopes fan out from the flat summit in all directions down into the valleys, so it's easy to plan your day here without moving between bases.

Kronplatz is a great fit for families with children. Of the 105 km of runs, 51 km are easy, 27 km are intermediate, and only 25 km are difficult (rates and trail map). The two most challenging sections, Sylvester and Herrnegg, each about 5 km long with a 1,300 m vertical drop, are the choice of experienced skiers. Both descents end at the foot of Kronplatz, where you'll find restaurants, shops, and Europe's largest ski storage facility.

Runs and altitudes: 935-2,275 m, 105 km, of which 51 km are easy.
Who it's for: families with children and beginners.
Ski pass: you can buy a ticket for Kronplatz only or for the entire Dolomiti Superski; 2026/27 season prices are on the rates page.
Where to stay: Hotels in Kronplatz on Trip.com
The catch: experienced skiers will find few difficult runs.

4. Livigno: snow parks and an Olympic season

Panorama of snow-covered Livigno with skiers and a lift

Livigno lies in northern Italy, at an altitude of 1,816 m near the Swiss border. In February 2026, it hosted snowboard and freestyle competitions as part of the Winter Olympic Games. The resort impresses with its scale: 115 km of runs, Europe's largest snow park, and plenty of powder for off-piste riding (official website).

Snowboarders have plenty to choose from. Several snow parks offer jumps of easy, medium, and high difficulty. The most famous features: an inflatable Big Air Landing over 50 meters long, an 800-meter area with more than 60 obstacles, and four jump lines. Sections with steep turns, rollers, and step-ups add to the adrenaline.

Both beginners and experienced riders will find terrain to their liking. The winter season runs from late November to early May, so Livigno is a convenient choice for spring (as of 09/2026, Livigno ski passes).

Trails and elevation: village at 1,816 m, 115 km, large snow park.
Who it's for: snowboarders and freeriders.
Ski pass: the season runs from late November to early May, rates and online discounts are available on the ski pass page.
Where to stay: Hotels in Livigno on Trip.com

5. Avoriaz: a town without cars

Mountain resort Avoriaz on a slope above the lake

Avoriaz is part of the Portes du Soleil ski area, which spans France and Switzerland. A single ski pass opens up about 650 km of slopes on both sides of the border (resort data). The resort sits at 1,800 m between Mont Blanc and Lake Geneva.

Avoriaz is made up of five villages that together form a town where every road doubles as a ski run. Cars are banned here, but in winter you can easily spot horse-drawn sleighs.

The resort's 150 km of slopes lie between 1,100 and 2,277 m. Runs are split by level: 3 easy, 21 intermediate, 14 difficult, and 4 very difficult. Snowboarders will be interested in two snow parks: The Bleu du Lac for experienced riders and The La Chapelle for beginners (official website). There is also a superpipe suitable not only for snowboarding but also for freestyle.

Avoriaz is a good fit for those who want to quietly improve their technique without crowds on the slopes.

Slopes and elevation: 1,100-2,277 m, 150 km, about 650 km in the Portes du Soleil area.
Who it's for: intermediate skiers and snowboarders, freeriders.
Not for: those who want to drive right up to their hotel.
Ski pass: the Portes du Soleil pass is valid in both the French and Swiss parts; rates are on the resort page.
Where to stay: Hotels in Avoriaz on Trip.com

6. Les Arcs: four bases and a big snow park

Les Arcs is located in the French Alps and consists of four zones: Arc 1600, Arc 1800, Arc 1950, and Arc 2000. The numbers in the names indicate the base elevations, and a mountain road connects them. Skiing starts at 1,200 m, and the area has 106 runs and 54 lifts totaling 200 km (official website).

Les Arcs is considered one of the best places in Europe for snowboarding. The features are designed for both beginners and advanced riders. Between the Arc 1800 and Arc 1600 bases there is a snow park with pyramids, funboxes, and dedicated boardercross runs. The Arc 2000 zone has a 180 m halfpipe that is lit until 8:00 pm (resort data).

Les Arcs is part of the Paradiski area along with La Plagne, so a single pass opens up more than 400 km of descents. Accommodation is chosen by base: at the foot of the resort a night costs less, while higher up it costs more.

Slopes and elevation: descents from 1,200 m, 106 runs, 54 lifts, 200 km.
Who it's for: intermediate and advanced snowboarders and skiers.
Ski pass: the Pass Paradiski opens up Les Arcs and La Plagne; current 2026/27 season rates are in the pass section.
Where to stay: Hotels in Les Arcs on Trip.com
The catch: the bases are spread out by elevation, so you have to travel between them.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Which resort is best for a beginner?

For your first steps, choose Kronplatz. Kronplatz is dominated by easy slopes, and the descents start from a wide, flat summit. Avoriaz is better suited to intermediate skiers, with only 3 easy slopes there. Experienced skiers should look at Zermatt and St. Anton (as of 09/2026, Kronplatz official website).

Where should snowboarders ride?

The best snow parks are concentrated in Livigno and Les Arcs. Livigno has several parks, an 800-meter area with dozens of features, and a Big Air Landing kicker. Les Arcs has a snow park with funboxes and a lit 180 m halfpipe. Both resorts suit beginners and experienced riders alike (as of 09/2026, Livigno official website).

Where are the longest slopes?

The longest descents await in Zermatt and St. Anton. In Zermatt, marked slopes stretch for almost 360 km, and the longest one reaches 22 km. The Ski Arlberg region has more than 300 km of descents, and the run from the Valluga summit has a vertical drop of 1,350 m. Beginners will find Zermatt harder because most of its slopes are designed for intermediate and advanced levels (as of 09/2026, Zermatt official website).

How much does a ski pass cost?

Prices depend on the resort and the date. Skiing is most expensive in Zermatt and more affordable in Livigno and Avoriaz. In St. Anton, a single ticket is valid across the entire Ski Arlberg area, while in Les Arcs the Pass Paradiski also opens up neighboring La Plagne. Check the official websites for current 2026/27 season rates (as of 09/2026, Ski Arlberg rates).

Can you combine skiing with other activities?

Yes, that combination is possible. In Zermatt and St. Anton, museums and restaurants operate right next to the slopes, and Zermatt has Michelin-starred establishments. In Avoriaz, people ride horse-drawn sleighs in winter because cars are banned in the village. These options work well if part of your group does not ski (as of 09/2026, Zermatt page).

In short: what to book

Each of the six resorts covers its own vacation scenario. Below is a quick selection matrix.

If this is your first ski trip: go with Kronplatz.
If you ski confidently: choose Zermatt or St. Anton.
If you are a snowboarder: look at Livigno and Les Arcs.
If peace and minimal traffic matter: Avoriaz is a good fit.

Accommodation at all resorts gets more expensive closer to the season, so it is better to book your hotel in advance. Find a hotel on Trip.com and compare prices by date.

Where to go in winter: 6 ski resorts in Europe