Best of Valais
Best Ski Resorts in Valais, Switzerland 2026/27: Largest, Highest & for Beginners
By Book & Ski · Sources checked
The short answer
By mapped runs, the biggest ski areas in Valais, Switzerland are Zermatt - Breuil-Cervinia (209 km), 4 Vallées – Verbier/La Tzoumaz/Nendaz/Veysonnaz/Thyon (175 km) and Aletsch Arena (90 km). The highest is Zermatt - Breuil-Cervinia, with runs from 3,872 m (12,703 ft); the biggest vertical is at 4 Vallées – Verbier/La Tzoumaz/Nendaz/Veysonnaz/Thyon (2,400 m); and Avoriaz has the largest share of easy terrain (81%).
| Resort | Top elevation | Vertical | Mapped runs | Easy terrain | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zermatt - Breuil-Cervinia | 3,872 m | 2,314 m | 209 km | 21% | source |
| 4 Vallées – Verbier/La Tzoumaz/Nendaz/Veysonnaz/Thyon | 3,305 m | 2,400 m | 175 km | 37% | source |
| Aletsch Arena | 2,869 m | 1,812 m | 90 km | 49% | source |
| Champéry – Les Crosets – Champoussin – Morgins | 2,145 m | 1,085 m | 83 km | 64% | source |
| Avoriaz | 2,250 m | 1,094 m | 81 km | 81% | source |
| Crans-Montana | 2,878 m | 1,456 m | 74 km | 20% | source |
| Zinal / Grimentz | 2,873 m | 1,489 m | 71 km | 32% | source |
| Saint-Luc - Chandolin | 2,973 m | 1,293 m | 56 km | 37% | source |
| Saas Fee | 3,556 m | 2,071 m | 48 km | 44% | source |
| Belalp | 3,101 m | 1,771 m | 40 km | 50% | source |
Highest ski resorts in Valais
Higher resorts generally hold snow longer into spring. These have the highest mapped runs in Valais, Switzerland.
Zermatt - Breuil-Cervinia: 3,872 m (12,703 ft) →Saas Fee: 3,556 m (11,667 ft) →4 Vallées – Verbier/La Tzoumaz/Nendaz/Veysonnaz/Thyon: 3,305 m (10,843 ft) →Saas Grund: 3,142 m (10,308 ft) →Belalp: 3,101 m (10,174 ft) →Biggest vertical drop
Vertical is the height difference between the highest and lowest mapped runs: a guide to how long the longest descents can be.
4 Vallées – Verbier/La Tzoumaz/Nendaz/Veysonnaz/Thyon: 2,400 m vertical →Zermatt - Breuil-Cervinia: 2,314 m vertical →Saas Fee: 2,071 m vertical →Aletsch Arena: 1,812 m vertical →Belalp: 1,771 m vertical →Best for beginners (most easy terrain)
Ranked by the share of mapped run length graded novice or easy. A big share of gentle runs gives beginners more room to progress; also check where the ski school meets.
Avoriaz: 81% easy (81 km total) →Champéry – Les Crosets – Champoussin – Morgins: 64% easy (83 km total) →Unterbäch - Eischoll: 56% easy (37 km total) →Lauchernalp: 52% easy (20 km total) →Belalp: 50% easy (40 km total) →How we chose
“Best” here means measurable: size (km of mapped downhill runs), top elevation, vertical drop and the share of easy terrain, across the 17 ski areas with at least 20 km of runs and five lifts in Valais, Switzerland. Figures come from OpenStreetMap via OpenSkiMap, retrieved 2026-10-01, and can differ from resorts’ own published numbers.
All ski resorts in Valais →Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest ski resort in Valais?
By mapped runs, Zermatt - Breuil-Cervinia, with about 209 km and 63 lifts.
What is the highest ski resort in Valais?
Zermatt - Breuil-Cervinia, with mapped runs starting at about 3,872 m (12,703 ft).
Which Valais ski resort is best for beginners?
By share of easy terrain, Avoriaz (81% of runs graded novice or easy). Also consider ski school locations and lift access.
Official sources
Checked on . Prices and timetables change; confirm with the operator before you pay. How we research.