Contents
Choosing Your Region
The Alps run about 1,200 km across France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Germany and Slovenia. Each region has its own character: snowpack, terrain, culture, and access. The best region for you depends on your experience level, what kind of terrain you want, and when you are going.
This guide covers five regions, with what works and what does not in each. Use BEYOND to look at the 3D terrain of these regions before you go, and check the avalanche bulletins for current conditions.
Chamonix, France
Chamonix has steep, committing, glaciated terrain. Mont Blanc (4,806 m) stands over the valley and the options range from glacier tours to steep couloirs.
Best for: Experienced tourers looking for big vertical, steep lines, and classic routes like the Col du Chardonnet or the Haute Route.
Terrain character: Steep granite faces, glaciated terrain, high altitude. Descents of over 2,000 m are possible from the Aiguille du Midi cable car. Crevasse danger is significant on glacier routes.
Best months: January through April for powder. May for spring corn on north-facing glacier routes. The Haute Route is typically done in April when passes are crossable.
Access: Geneva airport (1 hour); the Mont Blanc tunnel connects to Italy. Many routes are accessed by lift (Aiguille du Midi, Grands Montets).
Difficulty: Advanced to expert. Glacier experience is required for many classic routes. Hiring a guide is common and recommended for first-time visitors.
Verbier, Switzerland
Verbier mixes lift-accessed off-piste with touring from the same valleys. The lifts reach 3,300 m on Mont Fort; the side valleys are quieter.
Best for: Freeriders who want to mix lift-accessed off-piste with human-powered touring. Strong intermediates to experts.
Terrain character: Wide open faces, couloirs, and glaciated terrain above treeline. Rosablanche, Mont Rogneux and the Col des Otanes are the touring classics; Vallon d'Arbi and Mont Gelé are lift-accessed off-piste. The terrain is generally less technical than Chamonix but still serious.
Best months: December through March for powder. April for spring touring on higher routes like the Rosablanche.
Access: Geneva airport (2 hours), then train to Le Châble, then cable car or bus. Lift-accessed terrain starts from the village.
Difficulty: Intermediate to expert. Some routes suit strong beginners; the Bec des Rosses (the Freeride World Tour face) is expert terrain.
Arlberg, Austria
The Arlberg region (St. Anton, Lech, Zürs, Stuben) has touring terrain next to a large lift-served area. It gets its snow from northwest storms.
Best for: All levels. The Arlberg has gentle touring routes in the Verwall group alongside serious objectives like the Valluga north face or Kaltenberg traverse.
Terrain character: Classic Austrian Alpine terrain: moderate angles, wide above-treeline bowls, and reliable snow. The avalanche danger is often elevated due to heavy snowfall and wind loading. The terrain is generally less glaciated and less technical than the western Alps.
Best months: January through March for deep powder. April can be good for spring touring on higher routes.
Access: Innsbruck airport (1.5 hours), Zurich airport (2.5 hours). St. Anton is on the Arlberg rail line. The Arlberg pass connects the regions.
Difficulty: Beginner to expert. The Verwall group has gentle, forested routes that suit first tours. The steep terrain around the Valluga summit requires expert skills.
Engadin, Switzerland
The Engadin (St. Moritz, Pontresina, Zuoz) in eastern Switzerland is high, dry and sunny, which gives a long season. The Bernina range has glaciated terrain for longer tours.
Best for: Tourers who want variety, from gentle valley tours in the Inn valley to high-altitude glacier traverses on Piz Palü and Piz Bernina. Strong intermediates to experts for the glacier routes.
Terrain character: Continental snowpack with cold, dry snow. The Engadin sits at 1,800 m, so even valley tours start at altitude. The Bernina group is heavily glaciated with classic mixed terrain. The Silvretta range, north of the Lower Engadin, offers more moderate touring.
Best months: December through April for the main season. The Engadin often has snow when the western Alps are in a drought. May for spring touring on the Bernina glaciers.
Access: Zurich airport (3 hours by car over the Julier or by train via the Albula line).
Difficulty: Beginner to expert. The Engadin has gentle valley tours next to serious glacier terrain.
Dolomites, Italy
In the Dolomites the dolomite towers and walls stand above gentle, rolling touring terrain.
Best for: Intermediate tourers who want moderate-angle terrain. Less extreme than the Mont Blanc massif.
Terrain character: Steep rock faces above gentle, rolling ski terrain. Most touring routes follow the valleys between the towers. The snow is often wind-affected due to the open terrain above treeline. South-facing aspects get significant solar radiation.
Best months: January through March for powder in the sheltered valleys. April for spring touring.
Access: Innsbruck (2 hours), Venice (2.5 hours), or Bolzano (about 1 hour 15 to the Sella group). The Dolomiti Superski pass covers a large area if you want to mix lift-served skiing with touring.
Difficulty: Beginner to advanced. Many classic routes follow gentle valleys and passes. Technical couloir skiing exists but is the exception, not the rule.
Region Comparison
Here is a quick comparison to help you choose:
| Region | Best For | Difficulty | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chamonix | Big mountain, steep lines | Advanced-Expert | Jan-May |
| Verbier | Freeride + touring mix | Intermediate-Expert | Dec-Apr |
| Arlberg | All levels | Beginner-Expert | Jan-Mar |
| Engadin | Dry snow, glacier tours | Beginner-Expert | Dec-May |
| Dolomites | Moderate terrain | Beginner-Advanced | Jan-Apr |
Planning Tips for Any Region
Regardless of which region you choose, these planning principles apply:
Check the avalanche bulletin daily. Every Alpine country publishes one. Our avalanche bulletin pages show Switzerland, Tyrol and France per region.
Study the terrain before you arrive. Use 3D terrain maps to understand the slope angles, aspects, and terrain features of your planned routes.
Hire a local guide for your first visit to any region. A local guide knows the snowpack history, the terrain traps and the usual routes.
Consider a guided course if you are new to ski touring. Most guiding companies in these regions offer multi-day introduction courses that combine safety training with actual tours. For tour planning basics, see our planning your first ski tour guide.