Thanks to its high-peak Alps, landscape, and climate, Switzerland is one of the best places to enjoy winter activities—especially skiing.
We admit it can be overwhelming to choose from the plentiful ski resorts this country offers; however, we’re here to help guide you through the best of them.
1. Zermatt
The year-round resort in Zermatt will have you enjoying the Matterhorn ski paradise at the foot of the iconic mountain. With the stunning scenery, luxurious accommodations, and guaranteed snow conditions, the Zermatt ski resort offers nothing short of the best. Although, along with these commodities comes a high price range, worth it all if you can afford it.
Best for: the luxuriousness and nightlife
Area:
Found in Valais, this is the highest winter sports area in the Alps at almost 4’000 meters of altitude. With 360km of pistes over the border to Italian Cervinia, Zermatt offers a range of ski runs with hills, steep curves, tunnels, jumps, and more.
Difficulty:
Pistes here include blue, red, black, and yellow runs. While these slopes attract advanced skiers, Zermatt pistes cater to beginners and intermediates, including children who want to learn skiing.
The ins and outs:
The apres-ski fun possibilities are endless with 54 lifts, sledding, snowparks, cross-country skiing, paragliding, heli-skiing, and more. From restaurants and huts all over the mountain to the luxurious shopping and bars with live bands, the atmosphere in this historic town leaves you wanting more.
2. St. Moritz
The modern lift infrastructure, sunny piste trails at Corviglia, fresh powder, and the wide range of activities that go beyond skiing are what make St. Moritz an expensive attraction. The winter sports are what make this resort stand out. Rather than merely a ski resort, ice activities for non-skiers include curling, skating, and horse races.
Best for: winter sports and non-ski activities
Area:
Comprising the three diverse ski areas of Corviglia, Corvatsch & Diavolezza Lagalb, St. Moritz offers approximately 56 lifts, 87 runs, and a total slope length of 155 km for skiing and snowboarding.
Difficulty:
Corviglia is a paradise for off-piste skiers. The terrain is vast and includes everything from expert-only chutes to wide-open alpine bowls. The beginners’ slopes are suitable for those just starting to learn, and there are several excellent ski schools.
The ins and outs:
Winter sports aside, other activities are endless. Some highlights include the Segantini museum, designer boutiques, chic bars, and restaurants with panoramic Alps views. Tobogganing down the Cresta Run, snowshoeing or tobogganing at Muottas Muragl, and sightseeing the Heidi Hut are just a few of the unique ventures you can experience.
3. Flims Laax Falera
This ski resort is infamous for its diversity and well-connected slopes across three bases. If you’re up for fun, excitement, and partying, stick to Laax, while the Falera and Films offer tranquility and the traditional Swiss charm. You can count on reliable snow; however, the slopes can get crowded during the high season. The runs from the Vorab Glacier summit are magnificent and with fabulous views.
Best for: the young and fun
Area:
The ski resort is located above Laax, Flims, and Falera in Surselva, perfect for skiing and snowboarding. There’s 188 km of slopes, 36 km of ski routes, and 28 lifts.
Difficulty:
There are easy and wide slopes that lead from Vorab to Plaun and intermediate to challenging slopes that lead from Plaun down to the base in Laax. Most of the runs are at over 2000m on treeless slopes and rocky terrain.
You will find an area explicitly made for beginners who wish to learn new freestyle tricks or brush up their techniques.
The ins and outs:
Laax is one of Europe’s top snowboard spots, with four snowparks and indoor freestyle facilities with a skate bowl, ramps, jumps, trampoline, foam pit, and airbag. With its comfortable accommodation, fantastic bars and restaurants, and world-class sports events, we can see why one would choose this destination.
4. Verbier
As a part of Switzerland’s largest ski area, the 4 Vallées, Verbier is known for its high-altitude ski area that offers the most technical freeriding terrain, stacks of off-piste, snowshoeing, and dog-sledding. It is indeed an expensive resort; however, the vibrant traditional village, the Mont Blanc massifs’ stunning views, and the endless apres-ski activities make it worthy of the title as one of the best ski resorts in Europe.
Best for: off-pistes and freeriding
Area:
Situated in the Valais’ canton, Verbier is in the Swiss Alps at an altitude of 1,500m. With 412km of marked runs, 205 marked pistes, 92 ski lifts, Verbier is the main resort of Switzerland’s biggest ski area—the 4 Valleys.
Difficulty:
From the craggy chutes, cliff drops, and steep pitches, those who live for freeriding and off-piste skiing will love what Verbier’s terrain has to offer. The conditions are perfect for advanced skiers, but intermediates that like adrenaline will get a kick out of this place too.
Rookies of all ages can train at the resort’s renowned ski school; however, there are not that many easy terrains fit for beginners.
The ins and outs:
From activities like snowshoe tours, sit-skiing, escape rooms, and ice-karting to pubs and nightclubs, the apres-ski fun and nightlife don’t fall short either. With all these fantastic possibilities comes popularity, so be ready to wait in line at times.
5. Davos Klosters Parsenn
Located in Graubünden, Davos is the highest official town in Europe where you can downhill and cross-country ski within Davos’ boundaries. Davos and Kloster connect with five winter sports areas, where the main ski area, Parsenn, connects the two.
While Davos provides long runs from the top of the mountains down to the valley for free-riders, Parsenn offers all slope levels, from beginner to steep slopes.
Best for: all types of terrain and trails
Area:
Davos sits at more than 5,000 feet, but its peaks top out at over 9,300. Parsenn is the primary area, with some of the most challenging terrain and some of the Alps’ longest runs. All six ski areas together offer more than 300 kilometers of runs, the majority catered to intermediates.
Difficulty:
Intermediates get fantastic skiing, with lots of lovely long blue and red cruisers, generally above the treeline – lower down, the runs become noticeably steeper. Experts will find plenty of black tree-lined runs.
The ins and outs:
There are many cozy and rustic lodges everywhere but no real party spirit. Activities like snowshoe trekking, family toboggan runs, and air boarding are excellent in these areas. Some sports centers offer a variety of activities, like ice hockey and ice skating.
6. Murren
Located in the Jungfrau Region, the romantic and carefree Mürren fills its visitors with fresh Alpine air and serenity. Murren’s magic is along with its small snow-covered chalets that line up the narrow lanes, the beauty of mountain scenery, and the charming sense of tradition.
While skiers and snowboarders enjoy the spacious pistes with a short waiting time, non-skiers can participate in various winter activities, including some of the world’s most incredible train journeys in the ultimate Alps glacier.
Best for: a peaceful vacation
Area:
Mürren is the highest-altitude ski region in the Bernese Oberland that allows an impressive view of the mountains Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. This ski resort offers 54 km of slopes, 16 lifts, and 27 pistes.
Difficulty:
Known for its steep slopes, Mürren caters to intermediate and advanced skiers/snowboarders. Nonetheless, there are adequate beginners and family-friendly slopes further down.
The ins and outs:
Mürren’s paths are favorites with winter walking and sledding fans. Moreover, the quiet atmosphere in the villages makes it a perfect spot for enjoying the Bernese Alps. Fun fact: one of the earlier 007 movies was also filmed there!
7. Saas-fee
Saas-Fee is an all-year-round glacial skiing resort in Valais that neighbors Zermatt, only cheaper and less bustling. You can enjoy the long runs from the romantic and scenic village. Due to its high altitude, there’s reliable snow cover even in the summertime. The slopes provide a range of piste trails for all levels and a snowpark reputable among freestylers.
Best for: families and freestylers
Area:
The terrain consists of 3 main areas: Saas-Fee, Saas Grund & Saas Almagell. The ski area is relatively small, with 100km of pistes that wiggle down from 3600m on the Allalin glacier.
Difficulty:
Thanks to the high alpine skiing terrain, the gentle slopes are famous for being family-friendly and among beginners and intermediates. However, there are limited black runs that experts might find disappointing.
The ins and outs:
Saas-Fee’s little, traffic-free village is decorated with dark wooden chalets, surrounded by glaciers and mountain peaks. The gondolas and cable cars give access to some high-altitude bars and restaurants with spectacular viewing points. Even though there’s partying in Saas fee, the village tends to be quiet and peaceful at night.
If you’re interested to know more about Switzerland’s beautiful mountains or what the winter hotspots are, look no further.
