Skiing in Switzerland offering some of the best slopes, stunning alpine scenery and top-notch facilities. Swiss resorts are known for their excellent infrastructure, including modern lifts, well-groomed slopes, and efficient transportation systems. But let’s cut to the chase – where else can you enjoy a delicious cheese fondue in a cosy mountain lodge?
The Swiss Alps typically enjoys reliable snow conditions throughout the winter season, especially in high-altitude resorts.
High-end ski resorts in Switzerland
Zermatt
Europe’s highest ski resort – the top lift will drop you at a dizzying 3899 metres – also has some of Europe’s highest prices. But if you have a budget the size of the Matterhorn, you can expect more than 350kms of some the best skiing in the World and may get to rub shoulders with some bona fide A-listers.
The town is dripping with timber-clad charm, boasts bundles of bars and boutique restaurants and all the other trappings of the high life. Cars are not allowed so to get around you’ll need to hail a horse-drawn carriage or an electric taxi.
Highlights: everything but the Matterhorn Glacier Ride is a must. The nine-minute cable car ride takes you to Klein Matterhorn in style – the cabin interiors were designed by Pininfarina (designers for Ferrari and Maserati among others). The views of the surrounding mountains including the towering Matterhorn are simply spectacular. If you really want to push the boat out, take one of the four special cabins called the Crystal Ride. The floor becomes transparent as you ascend revealing the glacial landscape below.
Verbier
Verbier is part of the Four Valleys ski area, offering access to an impressive 412 kilometers (256 miles) of downhill skiing, with 205 marked pistes and a network of 92 ski lifts.
But it really comes into its own for experienced skiers with its lift-served freeride terrain
The Mont Gele and Mont Fort areas reach elevations of up to 3,330 meters and offer breathtaking views of iconic alpine summits like the Grand Combin, Matterhorn and Mont Blanc.
Unlike some mega-sized resorts, Verbier maintains its charm with low-rise buildings in a traditional Alpine style. It doesn’t have the car-free chocolate-box charm of Zermatt but for off-piste and apres it’s pretty much unrivaled. Highlights: It’s all about the off-piste
St. Moritz
Host of two Winter Olympics and one James Bond movie, St Moritz has a fair claim to being the oldest ski resort in the world. Winter sports enthusiasts have been enjoying its delights since the mid 1860s. The lakeside town is a picture of Alpine charm and elegance and offers everything the luxury traveller could hope for including high-end spas, restaurants and shopping.
Corviglia, the closest mountain to town, offers predominantly gentle, cruising slopes, perfect for beginners and intermediates. Corvatsch, just 10 minutes from St. Moritz, Corvatsch boasts varied intermediate and advanced terrain. Don’t miss the Engadine Snow Safari—a guided tour covering 62 miles of pistes on Corvatsch and Diavolezza. Diavolezza, a 30-minute ride from St. Moritz, offers challenging, fairly steep slopes. Intermediates can enjoy the Morteratsch itinerary—a high alpine experience with near-untouched, world-class off-piste skiing.
Mid-range ski resorts in Switzerland
Those looking for mid-range and budget resorts would be well-advised to look elsewhere for value but if you’re gaze is fixed on a Swiss adventure then there are some options. Seek out self-catering options to save on restaurant and bar bills.
Davos
Big ski town with budget-friendly accommodation options and plenty of self-catering options. Skiers can indulge in Swiss cheese fondue without breaking the bank.
Les Diablerets
Early and late-season skiing with off-peak prices. Children aged 9 and under often get free lift passes. Les Diablerets is easy to access by frequent trains from Geneva
Interlaken
Well-connected lakeside town witheasy train access from Geneva to the Jungfrau ski region.
Budget ski resorts in Switzerland
Nendaz
Shares the same 4 Valleys ski area as Verbier, but with cheaper lift pass options.
Andermatt-Sedrun
Top-notch powder freeriding near Zurich.
Leysin
Offers affordable skiing with stunning views.
Research ski transport from Geneva Airport
April 09, 2024
