We love sharing our ski experiences and inspiring skiers and snowboarders to discover the greatest gems of the ski world. In the latest edition of our top ski runs series we delve into the best ski runs for scenery. Start thinking about your next trip to the mountains and be enlightened by the top 5 scenic ski runs as chosen by Iglu Ski's expert team.
5. Skyline Trail in Heavenly, USA
Chosen by Phil, Ski Sales Manager
Skyline Trail begins its journey at one of the highest points in Heavenly, at 3060 m at the top of the Sky Express chairlift. The blue piste meanders through beautiful woodland with spectacular sweeping views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding mountains. At this point advanced skiers can take on the Pinnacles, a series of long black runs down through the trees to the California Trail. Riders that stick to the Skyline Trail will fall in to Milky Way Bowl providing a bounty of open terrain and tree runs - this is the perfect place to hit after fresh snow!
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Phil on the Skyline Trail in Heavenly
4. Piste de l'Ours in Veysonnaz, Switzerland
Chosen by Scotty, Senior Sales Expert
Translated Piste de l’Ours means ‘bear’s track,’ the place where bears once occupied is now home to skiers and snowboarders darting down the swooping slope. The 3347 m piste is considered by experts as one the best ski runs in the world; it’s no wonder why many World Cup races have been held here. The wide piste cuts through luscious forest with astounding views of 4 Valleys ski area. On a clear day you can spot Crans Montana across the valley.
Scotty comments “I clocked 133 km/h on a pair of dated 185 GS skis going down Piste de l’Ours… I also managed to brake off a huge chunk of the metal from one of the edges somehow. One of the most amazing spectacles is seeing planes landing at Sion airport -you’re skiing above airborne planes! Now that’s really cool.”
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Amazing mountain views from Veysonnaz with Sion located at the valley floor
3. Canada
Canada boasts some of the best freeriding and backcountry terrain in the world. The vast ski areas and huge mountains provide awe-inspiring natural landscapes with beautiful tree lined pistes, wide open bowls and gnarly steeps. Favourite resorts between the team include Sun Peaks and Kicking Horse, Krystelle and Christian share more information about their top spots:
Crystal Bowl in Sun Peaks, Canada
Chosen by Krystelle, Ski Marketing Manager
Sun Peaks is one of the most picturesque resorts I have been to, there’s tree lined runs, huge snowfalls, mountains as far as the eye can see and the town’s buildings look like multi-coloured gingerbread houses. The Sun Peaks experience is topped off when you take the Crystal chairlift to the Crystal Bowl and discover the magnificent ‘snow ghost’ trees.
Crystal Bowl in Kicking Horse
Chosen by Christian, Senior Sales Expert
Kicking Horse ski resort is a hidden gem in Canada. It’s best suited to ski experts and adrenaline junkies that can handle the excellent off piste routes, extreme terrain and massive verticals. The Crystal Bowl contains rolling glades with pines sprinkled in varying intensity giving super fun terrain through the light ‘champagne’ snow.
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Kicking Horse ski resort
2. Chaux Fleurie in Les Lindarets near Avoriaz, France
Chosen by Justin, Senior Ski Expert
One of the most stunning areas in the Portes du Soleil ski area is in a quiet spot ion the very edge of Chatel near Avoriaz. From the Chaux Fleurie chairlift drop down into Lindarets where you experience amazing views of Lac Montriond all the way down.
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Lindarets with Lac Montriond in the distance. Photo by Justin.
Looking from Linderets over to Avoriaz from a backcountry route. Photo by Christian
Freeriding through the trees. Photo by Christian
1. Lagazuoi hidden valley in the Dolomites, Italy
Chosen by James, Head of International Product
The Dolomites are one of the most spectacular regions in Europe. Skiing every day in one of the many ski resorts here will fill you with constant amazement. There are very few places where you feel that you are the only person on the mountain. This is one of those places.
Starting at 2752m at the top of the Lagazuoi Mountain it’s a long cruisy red past dramatic rock formations. Look out for the frozen waterfall before you speed down into town where a hose pulls you on a rope from the bottom back to town (yes, really!) The run is surrounded by some of the most amazing scenery you’ll see.
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Lagazuoi Mountain