Best Ski Touring Destinations 2026
Resorts ranked by marked uphill routes, hut access and ski-mountaineering culture. Verified for the 2026–27 season.
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| Resort | Country | Marked routes | Hut access | Uphill policy | Classic tour |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chamonix | France | 12 | Yes | Designated routes | Haute Route (Cham–Zermatt) |
| Zermatt | Switzerland | 10 | Yes | Designated routes | Haute Route + Monte Rosa |
| St. Anton | Austria | 9 | Yes | Designated routes | Arlberg Hut Tour |
| Disentis | Switzerland | 9 | Yes | Permitted | Surselva Touring Week |
| Verbier | Switzerland | 8 | Yes | Designated routes | Patrouille des Glaciers |
| Davos / Klosters | Switzerland | 8 | Yes | Designated routes | Parsenn–Strela tours |
| Cortina d'Ampezzo | Italy | 8 | Yes | Designated routes | Dolomite Haute Route |
| Andermatt | Switzerland | 7 | Yes | Designated routes | Gemsstock backcountry |
| Lech-Zürs | Austria | 7 | Yes | Designated routes | White Ring tour |
| Cogne | Italy | 7 | Yes | Permitted | Gran Paradiso ascent |
| Engelberg | Switzerland | 6 | Yes | Designated routes | Titlis–Steinberg Traverse |
| Val d'Isère | France | 6 | Yes | Designated routes | Vanoise hut traverses |
| Courmayeur | Italy | 6 | Yes | Designated routes | Vallée Blanche reverse |
| Jackson Hole | USA | 6 | Yes | Designated routes | Teton Pass tours |
| Saas-Fee | Switzerland | 5 | Yes | Permitted | Britannia Hut Tour |
| Tignes | France | 5 | Yes | Designated routes | Grande Motte Glacier |
| Baqueira-Beret | Spain | 5 | Yes | Designated routes | Aran Valley tours |
| Crested Butte | USA | 5 | Yes | Designated routes | Elk Mountains hut trip |
| Cauterets | France | 4 | Yes | Permitted | Vignemale Glacier |
| Hemsedal | Norway | 4 | Yes | Permitted | Skarvet Plateau |
| Aspen / Snowmass | USA | 4 | Yes | Designated routes | 10th Mountain huts |
| Stranda / Strandafjellet | Norway | 3 | Yes | Permitted | Sunnmøre Alps tours |
| Sogndal | Norway | 3 | Yes | Permitted | Jotunheimen access |
| Revelstoke | Canada | 3 | Yes | Permitted | Selkirks backcountry |
| Hakuba | Japan | 3 | — | Designated routes | Tsugaike backcountry |
| La Grave | France | — | Yes | Permitted | La Meije off-piste |
| Riksgränsen | Sweden | — | Yes | Permitted | Lapland midnight tours |
| Rogers Pass | Canada | — | Yes | Permitted | Selkirks Traverse |
| Niseko | Japan | — | — | Designated routes | Mt. Yotei volcano |
How we rank ski touring destinations
We score destinations on four factors: number of marked or signed ski-touring itineraries departing from the resort, access to mountain huts (Alpenverein, CAI, SAC, 10th Mountain Division system, DNT, etc.), the resort's policy on uphill skiing in the lift-served area, and the presence of a classic multi-day traverse departing from the village. Resorts like La Grave and Rogers Pass score zero on marked routes but high on ski-mountaineering culture because their entire mountain is effectively touring terrain.
Hut systems by region
- Alps: Alpenverein (Austria/Germany), CAI (Italy), SAC (Switzerland), CAF (France) — 1,500+ huts total, most open mid-February to early May for ski touring.
- Scandinavia: DNT (Norway), STF (Sweden) — self-service mountain cabins, year-round.
- North America: 10th Mountain Division (Colorado, 35 huts), Alpine Club of Canada huts (Selkirks, Rockies).
- Japan: No structured ski-touring hut system — most tours are single-day from the village.
Frequently Asked Questions
Chamonix, Verbier, St. Anton and Engelberg all run beginner ski-mountaineering courses with IFMGA-certified guides. Beginner-friendly multi-day tours include the Bernese Oberland Haute Route (Switzerland) and the Silvretta tour (Austria/Switzerland).
Most Alpine resorts permit uphill skiing on designated tracks (signposted and avalanche-controlled) but prohibit going up open pistes during operating hours. North American resorts vary widely — some allow uphill on specific runs only outside operating hours.
Touring skis with skins, AT or telemark bindings, beacon/probe/shovel (mandatory), helmet, and either AT or splitboard boots. Most major resort towns have dedicated touring rental shops (Snell Sports Chamonix, Sport Conrad Verbier, Backcountry Engelberg).
The classic Chamonix–Zermatt Haute Route takes 6 days with overnights in SAC huts. The full distance is 180 km with 12,000 m of ascent. Best season is mid-March to early May. Guided tours cost €1,800–€2,500 per person including hut nights.
Cross-reference with our best expert resorts, best Alpine powder destinations and longest ski runs ranking.