Known around the world for its chocolate, cheese, charming towns, and jaw-dropping scenery, the Alpine country of Switzerland is one of the top places to visit in Europe. The deep gorges, soaring snow-capped peaks of the Alps, dreamy turquoise lakes, picturesque lakeside hamlets littered with ancient wonders, and the cool weather make it easy for everyone to fall in love with the romantic paradise. Apart, the Swiss Alps make up more than half of the whole country’s area with hundreds of ski resorts speckling the mountainous regions. With low-altitude mountains, sky-high peaks with near-vertical drops, powder-covered glaciers, and gently rolling Alpine forests, skiing is one of the top things to do in Switzerland as part of Europe tour packages.
Check here is a list of the best ski resorts in Switzerland that provides you with thrilling and lifetime experience.
St. Mortiz
St. Moritz is one of the world’s oldest and most famous winter sports ski resorts. Situated in upper Engadine at an elevation of 1,856 m, it was also the birthplace of Alpine winter tourism (in 1864) and has twice hosted the Winter Olympics in 1928 and 1948. It is the base for skiing the slopes of Corviglia, the main peak which is only a funicular or cable car ride away. Intermediates will find the most joy here, especially with the likes of the Piz Nair run, a powder-covered red piste starting at the 3,057-metre peak. For a more chilled ski session, try Paradiso, a gentle slope. Other major ski and snowboard areas in St Moritz include Diavolezza with its 350 km of scenic slopes and Corvatsch with its 23 runs across 120 km. Also, the ski resort is characterized by top-class restaurants that can satisfy gourmet demands even by the side of the slopes. Visited by thousands of skiers every year, this ski resort has more than 20 lifts that carry skiers to terrain for all skill levels.
Zermatt
Lies in Southern Switzerland, Zermatt is another spectacular ski resort and winter sports destination that combines epic skiing and outdoor adventures. It is among the highest ski resorts in Switzerland. With wide-ranging resort facilities and stunning alpine scenery, this well-equipped ski resort has a large choice of ski runs for all abilities. It is also home to the most photographed mountain in Europe – the Matterhorn, located over 13,000 feet above sea level. One can also enjoy serene scenery and other activities like hiking and biking. Besides, visitors can stroll along the main street of Bahnhofstrasse for some shopping or a cool apres-ski experience. Apart, don’t miss the opportunity to jump on Zermatt’s Gornergrat mountain railway, which whisks you up to 3,089 m above sea level, from where you’ll be able to soak up stunning views over the Gorner glacier.
Laax
If you’re looking for the most excitement off the slopes, Laax is the great option that has endless appeal for all levels of skiers. Located in Graubunden, the resort is set in a lush valley and is framed by majestic mountains. Regarded as one of the top places to visit in Switzerland, this ski resort is home to four snow parks, 28 ski lifts and 224 km of slopes. The trails here are evenly divided for different skill levels of any Swiss resort, with 64 km graded easy, 70 km intermediate, and 46 km for experts. Among, the highlight is the night skiing which is of 6 km slope that stretches from Curnius to Laax Murschetg. Also, it regularly hosts some of the world’s biggest ski and snowboard competitions.
Verbier
Verbier is a popular ski resort in Switzerland endowed with well-laid-out runs for long-distance skiing and an abundance of backcountry. Situated in Valais, this village in southwestern Switzerland is an advanced skier’s dream as it is known for its famous off-piste runs including Bec des Étagnes, Marlenaz, Croix de Coeur, Col des Mines, and Couloir de la “Banane,”. It has hosted some of the world’s most important skiing and snowboarding competitions, including the Freeride World Tour. Beginners can also learn a thing or two from the resort’s renowned ski school, which gives lessons to guests of varying ages and with different skill levels. Besides, this ski resorts also offer various activities for non-skiers such as skydiving, ice climbing, paragliding, horse riding and dog sledding.
Saas-Fee
Saas Fee is close to the glaciers of the Dom, the highest mountain in Switzerland, and the Allalinhorn, in the Valais region. With 150 km of pistes, Saas-Fee has blue, red, black, and yellow runs that attract some of the most adventurous skiers and snowboarders. Surrounded by high mountains, beginners can gain practice close to the village whereas freeskiers can venture into the Mittelallalin snow park. Despite its well-earned reputation for gentle runs, there are plenty of terrains to challenge experts, with 23 kilometers of black-diamond trails. Apart, one can take a stroll through Saas-Fee’s street that’s lined with charming traditional chalets, dine at the Allalin revolving restaurant and visit the Mittelallalin Ice Pavilion, an ice cavern that was carved into the Fee Glacier where you can walk inside to discover amazing ice sculptures.
Andermatt
Andermatt is a modern and largest ski area located in central Switzerland. The ski area is divided into halves – Gemstock, where the high, north-facing ski runs get some of the best snow covers in the Swiss Alps and are popular with advanced skiers, and Natschen, which is more suited to learners and has some of the best beginner slopes in Europe. A long day on the slopes is well rewarded with a ride from Andermatt to Disentis aboard the Après Ski Train, which serves up food, drinks, music, and plenty of mountain views. If you fancy a few days of top-notch powder freeriding within easy reach of Zurich, there’s no better place than Andermatt-Sedrun.
Engelberg
Regarded as one of the best Swiss ski resorts, Engelberg is located 25 km south of Lake Lucerne in a wide mountain valley. Situated at an altitude of around 1000 m, this ski resort is known for its diverse ski and free ride area. During winter, this resort offers brilliant facilities for beginners, which includes nursery areas in the Klostermatte, Gerschnialp and Ristis areas, and several award-winning ski schools. During summer, one can go for hiking, mountaineering, climbing, biking, and playing golf. Besides, this ski resort has the world’s first revolving cable car, followed by the brilliance of its lift pass, which doesn’t just cover its ski lifts but provides access to its glacier grotto and cliff walk.
Arosa Lenzerheide
Arosa and Lenzerheide were both stand-alone ski resorts located in Switzerland. These two resorts are connected by the magnificent Urdenbahn gondola, which zips from one resort to the other in under five minutes. Covering 225 km huge network of slopes, this ski resort will satisfy skiers of all abilities, although the majority of the runs are blue and red. Blessed with impressive range of mountain peaks all around, Arosa Lenzerheide is just as attractive for extended hiking tours in summer and offers a great variety of snow sport activities during winter that lures large number of skiers and non-skiers as part of Switzerland Tour.
Grindelwald – Wengen
Grindelwald is a scenic village and ski resort located in a valley surrounded by the Eiger, Jungfrau, and Monch mountains in Switzerland. It is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Switzerland and the largest ski resort in the Jungfrau region. Jungfrau’s ski areas are known for their long runs, as well as for reliably deep snow. This area is perhaps one of the best for beginners, and also features a well-respected ski school for newbies while experts will find Murren’s runs the region’s most challenging. The picturesque gorges, waterfalls, and limestone topography add to the beauty of the Alpine destination.
Davos
Located in Graubunden, Davos is a series of ski resorts, which string for several miles along the valley of the Landwasser River in eastern Switzerland. It is one of Europe’s largest winter sports areas. The Klosters ski resort itself is a winter destination of royalty and celebrities – a cable car to its main peak of Gotschnagrat is even named after Prince Charles. Parsenn is one of the main ski areas between Davos and Klosters, offering plenty of on- and off-piste runs. It’s also home to the oldest Swiss ski race. Reach Parsenn using the funicular railway from Davos, or the Gotschna cable car from Klosters.