The 11 Best Ski Areas for Snowboarders in the Alps

Wide, long pistes, few towpaths, no drag lifts – snowboarders feel especially comfortable in ski areas where they don’t have to unstrap their boards so often. SnowTrex has the best ski areas for snowboarders in the Alps, with factors such as snow reliability, length of the runs, party landscape, scenery as well as snow park equipment with pipes, rails, boxes, ramps and other obstacles for tricks playing a role in the evaluation of the snowboard areas. These are the places where snowboarders should go on their snowboarding holiday!

© Pavel Ilyukhin shutterstock.de

Despite all the action while boarding, there’s still a little time left to enjoy the view.

The Best Snowboard Areas at a Glance

1. Zermatt Ski Area (Switzerland)

The Zermatt ski area is located at the foot of the Matternhorn in Switzerland. Zermatt represents the highest-lying skiing area of the Alps and enchants with its breathtaking mountain world. Zermatt is snow-sure, accessible all year round and has medium-difficult to demanding slopes in its repertoire. Known as the steepest destination in the world, nothing stands in the way of unforgettable snowboard adventures.

2. Les Deux Alpes Ski Area (France)

Les Deux Alpes is one of the most snowboard-friendly ski areas in France. There are numerous slopes for beginners and even the steeper slopes are usually very wide and easy to ski on. Since it is a glacier ski area, snow is guaranteed. If the slopes are not enough for you, you can also let off steam in the diverse snow park. Along with the kickers in the big air zone and other obstacles, there is also an easy park with boardercross.

3. Chamonix Ski Area (France)

The off-piste paradise of Chamonix is by far the best known ski area for snowboarders. Although it is not ideal for beginners, it is all the more popular with experts and all-mountain riders. In Chamonix, snowboarders can choose from five resorts in one valley. The wild, steep terrain, the rough, rugged slopes as well as the view of Mont Blanc make the terrain a must-see for experienced snowboarders.

4. Zillertal Ski Region (Austria)

Whether in the Hochzillertal ski area, on the Penken in Mayrhofen, in the Zillertal Arena or on the Hintertux Glacier – the snow parks in Zillertal leave nothing to be desired. No matter if you are a beginner, experienced or a professional snowboarder – for every level of difficulty, the right obstacles are available and there is enough space for the most diverse tricks and plenty of creativity. In addition, Zillertal offers more than 65 off-piste slopes and promises great deep-snow fun. Snowboarders are guaranteed to feel at home here.

Im Zillertal findet jeder Snowboarder die Piste, nach der er sucht. © Erste Ferienregion im Zillertal - Foto: Markus Zimmermann

Every snowboarder will find the piste they’re looking for in Zillertal.

5. Val Thorens Ski Area (France)

Val Thorens is located in the French Alps and is the highest ski resort in Europe at 2,300 metres above sea level. Val Thorens is known for its great range of slopes. Whether you’re a beginner or professional, there’s something for every snowboarder in Val Thorens. Cosy restaurants and huts with a breathtaking panoramic view of more than 1,000 peaks of the French, Swiss and Italian Alps let an eventful mountain day come to a perfect end.

Sagenhaftes Panorama in Val Thorens. © guruX - shutterstock.de

Fabulous panoramic view in Val Thorens.

6. Kauner Valley Glacier Ski Area (Austria)

The Kauner Valley Glacier was one of the first ski areas in Austria to welcome snowboarders with open arms. The first snowboarders at the glacier came from Australia and England, and the first half-pipes were soon created. The snowpark is a bit more challenging, but beginners will also find sections to get started. The Kauner Valley Glacier cable car has also developed a freeride concept: There are information boards distributed throughout the ski area, which inform about the dangers of riding in open terrain.

7. Ski Area at the Kitzsteinhorn (Austria)

No less than three snowparks form an extraordinary boarding area at the Kitzsteinhorn in Kaprun. The parks offer places to go for all levels and are always in top condition due to the growing snowboard scene. In addition, there are varied freeride runs in deep snow in an incomparable mountain landscape. Freestylers and freeriders can let off steam from October to May with boarders from all over the world.

8. Laax Ski Area (Switzerland)

With its 4 snowparks and approx. 90 obstacles, Laax, with its area at Crap Sogn Gion, is considered the leading resort for snowboarders and freestylers in Europe. The snowparks Beginner, Ils Plauns, P60 and NoName certainly leave nothing to be desired: From boxes, rails and kickers for all skill levels to industry pipes and pyramid walls and the largest superpipe in Europe – here, everyone gets their money’s worth regardless of whether they are a complete beginner or freestyle pro! In the Caffè NoName, you meet to enjoy the atmosphere and to chill out with other riders. In the valley, the freestyle party continues thanks to the Freestyle Academy, Europe’s first indoor freestyle hall where jumps and tricks can be practiced all year round.

9. Davos Ski Area (Switzerland)

Davos is not only known as a “snowboarder’s paradise” with 320 km of pistes, but also offers a variety of shops, restaurants, bars and other leisure activities in the valley. In the ski area, snowboarders can enjoy deep snow, half-pipes, snow parks and a boardercross. There are five mountains to explore in Davos – Jakobshorn and Parsenn are the largest mountains and are connected by a lift. At Jakobshorn, freestylers will find two half-pipes and the main part of the snowpark. The Parsenn ski area is characterised by its long pistes.

10. Livigno Ski Area (Italy)

In Livigno, there are many possibilities to ski off-piste, to perform tricks in snow parks and to ski on unprepared pistes. Even after snowboarding, there is a good atmosphere in the huts and après ski bars. Livigno has a high snow guarantee despite many hours of sunshine. What more could a snowboarder want? The longer journey to Livigno pays off quickly due to the good prices on site. The special thing about Livigno is that the village stretches throughout the valley, with the slopes on both sides of the village, which means you have quick access to the lifts. BILD – The Livigno ski area has a considerable selection of fun slopes, including two snow parks.

© nikolpetr/shutterstock.de

The Livigno ski area has a considerable range of fun slopes including two snow parks.

11. Alpe di Siusi Ski Area (Italy)

If you are planning a snowboard holiday with the whole family, the Alpe di Siusi in Italy is the right place for you. The 60 km of slopes of all levels of difficulty will satisfy beginners and experts of all ages. Snowboarders experience a completely new kind of freestyle in the biggest snow park in South Tyrol – like with the so-called “Wood-Line”. The structures on this area are made of solid wood trunks, some of which have been artistically decorated by local wood carvers. This area is also ideal for photo shoots, as the view of the Dolomites from here is breathtaking.

© F-TECH - Harald Griesmaier

Stunt in the Alpe di Siusi snow park.