From the dazzling glamour of St Moritz to the chic sophistication of Verbier, the freestyle haven of Laax and the peaceful setting of Grindelwald, Switzerland is home to a wonderful range of welcoming and traditional ski resorts. Families visiting the country’s Alpine towns will find skiable terrain suitable for a wide range of ages and abilities, while thirsty après skiers have a superb selection of lively and vibrant resorts to choose from.
Taking a flight into Geneva or Zurich is a popular way of reaching the Swiss Alps, but the train is also popular – with a network of rail routes whisking eager snow-lovers to top resorts the heady heights.
Diverse resorts for all requirements
Verbier, Zermatt and Saas Fee are perhaps Switzerland’s three most popular ski resorts, but there are plenty of gorgeous Alpine villages worthy of attention. Verbier offers a vibrant nightlife and stunning off-piste terrain, pretty Zermatt is home to the mighty Matterhorn peak, while Saas Fee boasts glacier slopes and a traditional town centre.
A varied and beautiful selection of ski areas
Switzerland’s ski areas are many and varied, and though there is a great range to choose from, a few do stand out for special mention. The Silvretta Arena is home to the peaceful resort of Samnaun, which links in with Ischgl – one of the Alps’ finest resorts. The Engadin-St. Moritz area is where you’ll find the elegant resort of St. Moritz, and the Sierre-Anniviers region boasts resorts like Grimentz and Zinal. Zermatt sits within the famous Matterhorn Ski Paradise, and the pretty villages of Morgins, Champéry, Les Crosets lie within the expansive Portes du Soleil ski area. Of all these, perhaps the most famous is the Four Valleys. It’s within the boundaries of these spectacular peaks and valleys that you’ll find the iconic resort of Verbier.
Family-friendly resorts with learner-focused slopes
Parents with young children in tow often prioritise proximity to the slopes when choosing their accommodation – but Swiss resorts can be tricky on this front. There’s a lack of piste-side purpose-built resorts to choose from, so many people find themselves relying on shuttle services or public busses. One resort we recommend to avoid this situation is Saas Fee, where you can find a good amount of ski in / ski out accommodation. Verbier and Zermatt also offer a great range of chalets and hotels close to the slopes, but ski holiday prices are typically higher here.
Lively après ski and nightlife
For skiers and snowboarders in search of a buzzing après ski and nightlife scene, Switzerland has a lot to offer. The resorts of Verbier, Zermatt and Saas Fee offer the biggest and best selection of piste-side terraces, chic cocktail bars, seasonnaire-friendly pubs and the like. Away from the bright lights, though, you’ll find a friendly après ski scene in many of the smaller Alpine villages, too.
Switzerland for groups of friends and family
Across the peaks and valleys of Switzerland, larger groups have a wealth of accommodation options to choose from. Chalets are available to accommodate groups of 8-16 people looking for exclusive use, whilst those willing to share have a great range of larger chalet-hotels. Read on for our selection of Swiss ski chalets and hotels.
