Longest resort ski run in the world?

[boarderline]

What is the longest named ski run at a resort in the world? In order to count, the run must be in-bounds at a resort and be continuously skiable from top to bottom.

[subtle plague]

mer de glace, chamonix ?
it has a name and is 28km long........
and TOM would surely consider it being inbound, for it is quite harmless.

[bad_roo]

As far as marked trails go, the Sarenne black at Alpe d'Huez takes some beating. It's 16km from start to finish (10 miles). The run from Plateau Rosa to Valtournenche below Cervinia is 13km long but I believe there's a small drag lift involved There are also a number of 12km long runs in Davos..

[Endlessseason]

Originally posted by boarderline
What is the longest named ski run at a resort in the world?

The way you've worded the question is interesting. At first the answer seems easy--no one can dispute that Chamonix has both the longest run and the most vertical in the world. That info has been published in countless publications for decades.
But, as far as the longest, single actual named run? I guess Chamonix doesn't actually have a "named" run that goes from the top of the tram all the way down to the city. On the maps I've checked, "Mer de Glace" doesn't really start until the "Seracs du Geant." So, if you want to be really technical, maybe it doesn't have the longest single named run. Is that what you're asking?
I don't have time to think about it now. I'm running out the door to go skiing. This seems more like a question to ponder in the middle of the summer...

[comish]

I think Roo has it. The Mer de Glace wouldn't be considered in bounds (by most people, exc Tom) considering one should still ski in a climbing harness.

I think the Sarenne has got to be close since its a piste the whole way.

Although it changes names from top to bottom, I think the run from the Klein Matterhorn down to Zermatt is the longest piste I have skied. I think the naming bit is just semantics. Now the Sarenne has bit more pitch to it since the run from the Klein Matterhorn is FLAT.

Although I had a blast at Mammoth last weekend, Damn I miss the alps. I will return next year!

[Buster Highmen]

Try traversing the ridges from the top of the t-bar at Alagna. I'm pretty sure Alagna has the crown for the longest continuously skiable vertical at about 7700'+ vertical (by 'continuously skiable' I mean the run ends back at the lift, unlike Cham). It's got to be close to 15 miles.

[Dexter Rutecki]

I believe there's a named run around Gstaad that's 20km...used to have something with an advertisement to that effect.

[Dexter Rutecki]

The folks in Zermatt disagree:
the longest consistently open ski run in the World (Klein Matterhorn to Zermatt 17 Km - open early November to early May)

And I saw another site that made the claim that Cham's 'Valee Blanche run' should count--that's what I would say, actually.

[Plakespear]

Does a run count if you are advised to hire a guide to ski it? I remember reading that it was highly advised that you go with a guide when skiing Valee Blanche.

[comish]

I thought that run from the Klein to Zermatt was pretty dang long...

I would say if you need a harness and/or guide then its not a run. That negate Vallee Blanche and possibly the Alagna stuff. Dont know if the Alagna stuff is a piste or off-piste on the glaciers.

While I agree that the Vallee Blanche is a piece of boring cake, If I was brand new to Cham and didn't know didly about the holes etc I would be looking for a guide. Its all in the definition of "run" and borderline mentioned "in-bounds" and my definition for in-bounds in the alps = piste which means you don't need a guide or harness and is avi controlled.

Now I think the more interesting question is what is the longest continuous run, off-piste or on-piste.

Mine was from the Monte Rosa to Zermatt, 2600m vertical, don't know the mileage, but if the klein matterhorn to Zermatt is 17k this was >20km

[comish]

I thought that run from the Klein to Zermatt was pretty dang long...

I would say if you need a harness and/or guide then its not a run. That negate Vallee Blanche and possibly the Alagna stuff. Dont know if the Alagna stuff is a piste or off-piste on the glaciers.

While I agree that the Vallee Blanche is a piece of boring cake, If I was brand new to Cham and didn't know didly about the holes etc I would be looking for a guide. Its all in the definition of "run" and borderline mentioned "in-bounds" and my definition for in-bounds in the alps = piste which means you don't need a guide or harness and is avi controlled.

Now I think the more interesting question is what is the longest continuous run, off-piste or on-piste.

Mine was from the Monte Rosa to Zermatt, 2600m vertical, don't know the mileage, but if the klein matterhorn to Zermatt is 17k this was >20km

[SSSdave]

A related question of interest would be what inbounds slope offers the longest continuous fall line? Named or snot. Meaning no cat walks, traversing, or even gradual traversing pistes in any way. No doubt this question is apt to be much more uncertain or debateable and probably would be nailed down only with a look at a topo. -dave

[Buster Highmen]

Alagna has a packed run from the top t-bar.

But the run I did w/Sergio Gabbio from the shoulder of the Lyskamm to Zermatt was longest I've done. Definitely not a piste.

[crstlextrm]

yo boarderline, looks like you ride Brighton alot. I got a pass there and am up there at least 4 days a week, pm me next time you head up.

[Ripzalot]

Davos has a run from the top of Parsenn to the bottom in Klosters that's about 20km. I know coz I did it one time after leaving my gloves in the bubble during a storm. They shut the lifts and that was the only way down. Doh!

EDIT: Ah, you said NAMED. This is several runs linked together. The final one down to Klosters is pretty damn long by itself tho. Over 2000m of vertical too.

[AntiSoCalSkier]

If only the American resorts tried to brag about the longest run, instead of the most runs. Then we wouldn't be skiing Upper Organ Donor to Upper-Middle Organ Donor, to Lower-Middle Organ Donor to Lower Organ Donor, to Organ Donor Traverse everytime we did a lap on the 1000 vertical foot Organ Donor chair.

[road trip]

Originally posted by AntiSoCalSkier
If only the American resorts tried to brag about the longest run, instead of the most runs.

...well, if you ski at Killington you may change your mind.

What is it, "Great Eastern" that they state has some claim on longest, blah blah blah, ??? It is basically a traverse linking all the mountains. You are always on it at some point, but never do you ski the whole thing.