Traction lifts, you either hate them or love them. Do you belong to the first group? Then definitely don’t go to ski areas that have many tow lifts. If you’re a fan of it, don’t miss a winter sport to these destinations. Whatever club you belong to: We’ve already done the preliminary work. In this article, you will find 10 alpine ski areas with several traction lifts.
Traction lifts are strictly off-limits to many winter sports enthusiasts. Especially with low temperatures and snow. Not to mention if you (a beginner) snowboarder. A single lever can still be used. But if you have to eat at least 10 times a day, that doesn’t make you happy either. On the other hand, a ride in a tow elevator with bright sunshine is fun as well. Relax, let yourself be attracted and enjoy the beautiful view …
8 ski areas with several tow lifts
Although more and more ski areas are replacing traction lifts with gondolas or chair lifts, there are still many areas in which they are found. Indeed, in a number of ski areas, more than half of the lifts consist of traction lifts. From pie lifts to anchor lifts. Are you interested in ski areas that have more traction lifts?
1. Portes du Soleil – 102 hypnotic
With more than 600 kilometers of slopes, Les Portes du Soleil is one of the largest ski areas in the world. In this cross-border skiing region, you are not only skiing in France, but also in Switzerland. Perfect for anyone who loves to take long day trips. The slopes are reached by 208 ski lifts, 102 of which are traction lifts. Plus, you’ll find relatively few gondolas here, only 13. Les Portes du Soleil is an ideal destination for the casual winter sports enthusiast. Most of the slopes are blue in color, but there are also challenging slopes in between. Like the legendary Le Mur and La Coup du Monde. You can spend the night in villages like Avoriaz, Châtel, Les Gets, Morzine and Morgins. View our tips for Morgins in the Région Dents du Midi here.
2. Evidence Mont Blanc – 88 Slifton
Villages such as Megève, Combloux and Saint-Gervais provide access to more than 400 kilometers of the slopes of the Evasion Mont-Blanc ski area. Definitely a destination that belongs on this list of ski areas with its many drag lifts. There are a total of 111 ski lifts, of which no less than 88 are ski lifts. Not like this is excellent for pulling water. Despite this, the ski area is very versatile and offers more than enough possibilities for winter sports enthusiasts of all ages and levels. In addition to the many green, blue and red slopes, you’ll also find many relatively black trails here (over 70 km!).
3. Adelboden Link – 49 sleepers
Adelboden Link is a beautiful Swiss ski resort with more than 200 km of slopes. It is divided into several partial ski areas, and not all of them are interconnected. When you look at the Adelboden Lenk piste map, you’ll instantly notice how much the tow lifts are. Of the 70 ski lifts, there are only 11 and 10 gondolas. The rest of the elevator network consists of two lifts. The ski area at Adelboden Link is incredibly versatile and kid-friendly. Red and blue runs are roughly evenly distributed, and black strokes are hardly encountered here. Curious about all of our advice? Then check out the Adelboden Link 24 hour delivery.
4. Paradiski – 43 dreams
At number four on this list of ski areas with numerous drag lifts is the French ski resort Paradiski. Thanks to the unique Vanoise Express, the slopes of Les Arcs and La Plagne have been linked since 2003. The result is a multi-use ski area with 425 km of slopes spread over 264 trails. It can be reached by 130 ski lifts, 43 of which are traction lifts. Those who prefer to avoid them should skip the slopes of La Plagne. Most of the tow lifts can be found in this part of the ski area (31 units).
Also read: Ski areas without gondolas
5. Massif des Aravis – 39 sleepliften
Massif des Aravis is a ski area with more than 200 kilometers of slopes, formed by La Clusaz and Le Grand Bornand. Both are disconnected, but you can easily get around with the ski bus. You’ll mainly find traction lifts (39) and chair lifts (25) here, and there are only 5 gondolas in the ski area. Are you not only looking for ski areas with many tow lifts, but also for ski areas near the airport? Then you are at the right place in the Massif des Aravis. Geneva is about 1.5 hours by car.
6. Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau – 29 sleeping lifts
A ski resort in Austria with a relatively large number of drag lifts is Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau. The 109 km of slopes can be accessed by 45 ski lifts, including 9 gondolas, 7 chair lifts, and 29 tow lifts. Don’t let this number bother you. You can also easily avoid it. Ski Joel is definitely one of the most kid-friendly ski areas in Austria. There are many children’s areas and out of the ten ski schools, there are five schools that are entirely dedicated to children. Families will never be bored here. The ski area has great races and fun slopes, there is a theme park, and you can go skiing in the evening on several days, there are two alpine coasters and many toboggan runs. You can view all our tips on Ski Juwel here.
7. Liftverbund Feldberg – 30 hypnotic
Liftverbund Feldberg, with more than 60 km of slopes, is the largest ski area in the Black Forest. You can ski here at 1,448 meters in Gravenmate, and Sebok’s height is 1,380 meters. At least 30 of the 38 elevators are traction lifts. Anyone who hates this type of lift should choose another German ski resort. Don’t you find this a problem and are you also looking for a ski area less than 900 kilometers from Utrecht? So the Feldberg is perfect. The ski area is very versatile and provides plenty of opportunity for winter sports enthusiasts of all ages and levels.
8. Saas-Fee – 12 Sleepliften
Saas-Fee closes the list of ski areas with several tow lifts. This beautiful ski area is located in Swiss Saastal and has more than 100 km of slopes. You can reach the maximum height on the skis 3,600 meters and you guessed it: to overcome the last vertical counters, you need a tow lift. Despite the fact that the ski area has quite a few modern gondolas and the highest underground railway line in the world, you will also find relatively many drag lifts here. 12 of 22 to be exact. There are some very long things between them. The Panorama Elevator at Langfluh is a good example of this. By the way, you can easily avoid these tow lifts to enjoy skiing. Read here how we experienced Saas-Fee.
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