⎪THE WORLD’S BEST SKI TOURS

If your risk tolerance is relatively low, but you still want to explore big mountains with incredible scenery, you should consider an organized multi-day ski tour. Many of these tours are offered by commercial guides and make use of well established hut systems, helicopters, even sailboats for support, and consequently will not necessitate carrying all the items described on the Biggest Lines Overnight and/or Multiday gear lists. This is good news, as the lighter loads make the going easier, and the skiing more enjoyable, especially when one considers the diminished levels of anxiety that can come with professionally guided, low-angle ski tours.

Important note: In most or all cases you will still need to be familiar with skills associated with backcountry skiing and glacier travel, including whiteout navigation, crevasse rescue, avalanche safety, and high elevation exposure. One should prepare themselves accordingly. For more information on acquiring these skills, click here, and here. Remember, there are serious risks associated with any mountain adventure, including guided overland ski tours. Below are 16 of the world’s best.**

⎪THE WORLD’S BEST SKI TOURS / THE BIGGEST LINES

• SYMBOLS KEY: Click on the ⚲ symbol for location on Google Maps; info for trip reports; the ▸ symbol for video links; and fatmap for FATMAP link/route info.

• RATINGS KEY: Exposure: E1=Low, E2=Medium, E3=High, E4=Extreme Distance: S=Sidecountry, R=Remote, VR=Very Remote, XR=Extremely Remote

185. Bernese Oberland Traverse, Bernese Alps, Valais, Switzerland ⚲ info ▸ fatmap

186. Bernina High Route, Pontresina, Switzerland ⚲ info ▸ fatmap

187. Bernese Oberland 4000m Peaks Tour, Konkordiaplatz, Aletsch Glacier, Switzerland ⚲ info ▸ fatmap

188. Ecrins Haute Route, Ecrins Mountains, France ⚲ info ▸ fatmap

189. Grand Paradiso National Park, Valsavarenche Valley, Aosta Valley, Italy ⚲ info ▸ fatmap

190. The Classic Haute Route, Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland ⚲ info ▸ fatmap

191. Haute Route, ‘St-Bernard’ Variant via Plateau du Couloir, La Folly to Zermatt, Valais, Switzerland ⚲ info ▸ fatmap

192. Haute Route Hjørundfjorden, Sunnmøre Alps, Norway ⚲ info info ▸ fatmap

193. Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, West Fjords, Iceland ⚲ info info ▸ fatmap

194. The Monte Rosa Traverse, Monte Rosa Massif, Italy/Switzerland ⚲ info ▸ fatmap

195. Ortler Ski Traverse, South Tyrol, Italy ⚲ info info ▸ fatmap

196. Serac Paradise, Ecrins Mountains, La Grave, France ⚲ info ▸ fatmap

197. Silvretta Alps Traverse, Paznaun Valley, Austria/Switzerland ⚲ info ▸ fatmap

198. Spearhead Traverse, Fitzsimmons Range, Whistler-Blackcomb backcountry, British Columbia, Canada ⚲ info info info ▸ fatmap

199. Vallee Blanche, Normal Route (with the classic Brêche Puiseux variation), Mont Blanc Massif, Chamonix, France ⚲ info ▸ fatmap

200. Wapta Traverse, Banff National Park, Canadian Rockies, Alberta, Canada ⚲ info ▸ fatmap

BONUS TOUR: San Juan Hut System, Sneffels Range, San Juan Mountains, Colorado ⚲ info info info ▸ fatmap

**Please go to our Guide Services page for guiding possibilities on the above routes, and/or click on the photo below. Keep in mind that most of the IFMGA guides listed on our Guides page offer services in both the United States and Europe, and that some American guides are actually based (and reside) in Europe. Refer to the individual guide profiles/websites for more information. Happy touring!

⎪THE WORLD’S BEST SKI TOURS / MAPS

——————— SKI ROUTES INDEX ———————

EUROPE: The French Alps
EUROPE: Beyond the French Alps
Canada
Alaska
Colorado
The Tetons
United States: Other
South America/New Zealand/Japan
World's Best Ski Tours

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