Whether they are picturing the charm of St. Moritz or the dazzling view of the Matterhorn towering over the classic Zermatt chalets, every skier dreams of skiing the Swiss Alps. Contrary to what you may have heard, not everyone here skis like James Bond, and these majestic mountains aren't just for the connoisseurs.
Most resorts have easy sailing terrain and excellent educational programs. Many of the slopes and lifts are for learners and beginners only. And while après-ski can be lively at some of the larger ski centers, Swiss ski resorts adapt well to the needs of families, with family-friendly lift passes, lodgings, and packages.
Some skiers like the first tracks with fresh powder, while others prefer curated trails - both will be happy to ski in the Swiss Alps. Likewise, whether it's an adrenaline rush from a narrow piste at dizzying heights or a broad cruiser with a panoramic view, you're never far from the Swiss mountain that has to offer.
Everyone loves great landscapes, dependable snow conditions, and a good network of lifts; Switzerland promises all these features and a choice of resorts to suit every taste. Warning: Backcountry terrain is unpredictable and should not be attempted without a qualified and well-equipped backcountry guide.
Changes for the 2020/2021 ski season in Switzerland: Due to health and safety concerns, the Swiss government has introduced some nationwide mandates, but more detailed restrictions may vary between 26 cantons. Nightlife and après-ski spots may be more limited. It is advisable to purchase advance tickets online to reduce personal contact and lines.
If you plan to travel from outside Switzerland, check updated information from the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health.
Find the best slopes for your next winter vacation with our list of the best ski resorts in Switzerland.
1. Zermatt
The highest winter sports area in the Alps, with ski terrain at altitudes between 2,500 and 3,900 meters and more than 2,133 meters of vertical drop - Switzerland's largest - it seems almost unfair that Zermatt is also Europe's most famous mountain.
The Matterhorn's daring pyramid rises just behind the town and can be seen from much of the 360-kilometre system of mountain trails, which connects two and three resort towns. The other side of the Matterhorn is located in Italy, and one of the greatest moments in a skier's life is skiing over the Theodol Pass all the way to the Italian pass system.
The Matterhorn Glacier Ride, the world's highest 3S cable car, takes 2,000 skiers per hour to the Matterhorn Glacier, at 3,883 metres, where you can ski all year round. Opened for the 2020/2021 season, the Kumme gondola is the first gondola in Switzerland that can run without staff. He takes skiers to the Unterrothorn, where a new snowmaking system was also started last season.
Under construction in 2022, there is a 100-person aerial tram line from the Testa Grigia border station between Switzerland and Italy, creating the highest crossing point in the Alps and a direct year-round cable link between northern Italy and Zermatt over the Klein Matterhorn.
The free Zermatt Skiguide app uses GPS to help skiers navigate mountainous locations, adjusting time and routes according to the user's ski style, safety concerns, weather, and lifts and trails currently open.
Besides offering skiing and snowboarding 365 days a year in a postcard setting, Zermatt is known for its long ski runs, with terrain for all skill levels. Skiers and novice kids will find non-threatening terrain at Wolli's Park, on top of the Sunnegga Funicular.
From here, experienced skiers can access gondolas, lifts, and cable cars up to the Rothorn trails and ice fields, or link to the Gornergrat ski runs.
Gornergrat can also be reached by funicular climbing the slopes of the Riffelberg, with the Riffelhaus 1853 having a restaurant and a terrace, all with great views of the Matterhorn.
All skiers pay only for the mountain areas they ski, with an Easy SkiCard that pays only for the actual trips taken. Zermatt was the first destination in Europe to participate in the Eikon Pass, giving access to 41 ski destinations on five continents.
Zermatt is known for its family-friendly atmosphere: children up to the age of nine accompanied by an adult with a multi-day pass travel free on the mountain lifts, and the free Wolli Card, valid for one year, gives them access to the Gornergrat Bahn and free accommodation in some Zermatt hotels. The Stoked Kids Club in Schweigmatten is a snow sports school with the latest teaching aids and a conveyor belt on kid-friendly terrain.
Snowpark Zermatt's new creative terrain challenges riders through tunnels, hills, plump curves, jumps and obstacles. It's also possible to skate down the highest alpine toboggan run on the Snooc, a toboggan with a seat mounted on top of a single ski.
Although Zermatt's vibrant après-ski scene may be quieter this season, the array of outdoor activities promises a busy ski vacation experience for everyone.
2. St. Moritz
One of the oldest and most popular winter sports resorts in the world, St. Moritz has hosted the Winter Olympics twice, in 1928 and 1948, and its Olympic jump and slopes are often the site of world ski events.
But St. Moritz is not just for connoisseurs and Olympians. Over 20 lifts carry skiers to terrain for all skill levels, and it's known for some of the best intermediate terrain in Switzerland, with many very long intermediate runs.
Corviglia Funicular ride from town to Corviglia, at 2,486 metres, for excellent skiing and sweeping views of the Alps.
With 30 obstacles, Corviglia Snow Park is one of the best in Europe, and for less experienced riders, there's the cute three-kilometer (two-mile) Paradiso. From St. Moritz Bad, by the lake, ride the Signalbahn to the Signalkuppe ski area, at an altitude of 2,150 metres. Freeriders head to the wonderful terrain of Diavolezza and Lagalb.
Although downtown has lost some of its former charm, St. Moritz is still known for its smart - and expensive - social life. But you'll find family-friendly accommodation a few minutes away in Silvaplana, where there is a gentle, kid-friendly slope, lift, and cable car to the Corvatsch ski area. Conrad's Mountain Lodge in Silvaplana is good value for families.
There are plenty of things to do in St. Moritz in the winter, including ice rinks, ice skating, ice skating, snowboarding, and kite skating.
St. Moritz usually hosts the Snowball World Cup in January and the White Turf St. The annual Moritz, an ice horse racing event, takes place in February, but both were postponed last year until 2022. The St. Moritz event Moritz Ice Cricket, which attracts cricket stars from around the world will be held as scheduled, 17-19 February 2022.
3. Davos Klosters and Parsin
One of Europe's largest and one of the highest altitude winter sports areas, Davos is a chain of ski resorts, which stretch for several miles along the Landwasser River Valley in eastern Switzerland.
The two main centers are the completely different cities of Davos and Klosters. For an Alpine village atmosphere, choose Klosters as a base, but the multiple ski areas are interconnected, so it's easy to ski for any group.
All together, they offer over 300 km of geared runs, much of it rated for media. But the sheer off-piste terrain attracts a loyal following of connoisseurs.
Parsen, which connects Davos and Klosters, is the main region, with some of the most challenging terrain and some of the longest trails in the Alps. The longest is 13 kilometres, from Weissfluhgipfel to Küblis, with a vertical drop of 2,034 metres.
You can reach the Parsenn ski runs from Davos using the Parsenn funicular, and from Klosters on the Gotschna Cable Car.
Both the Jakobshorn and the Pischa region are favorites for frontier travelers, especially with their ski-free riding terrain. Davos is also popular with Nordic skiers for its 140 kilometers of cross-country skiing trails, some of which are lit for night skiing.
Thanks to a practice known as "snow farming," connoisseurs can get a head start on the season as early as October on a four-kilometer cross-country ski trail in Davos' Vloila Valley.
Make no mistake: these are not small, laid-back mountain villages, but luxury resorts where you can share the slopes with royalty. The World Economic Forum, which traditionally brings global political, economic and civic leaders to Davos Klosters every January, was relocated to Singapore in 2021, but will return here in 2022.
4. Verbier
Expert skiers note that Verbier is right for you, with its well-designed long-distance ski runs and plenty of back terrain that make it one of the best resorts in the world for off-piste skiing.
Torten is known as one of Europe's steepest offspring. Perched on a natural terrace with views of the Grand Combin and the Mont Blanc range, Verbier is part of the Four Valleys ski area, joining Thyon, Veysonnaz and Nendaz for more than 410 kilometers of ski runs and 93 lifts. Included in one lift lane.
Skiers who aren't up to the rigors of expert terrain will find some intermediate runs; The 2,050-meter cable car to Torten takes you to several places, and Bruson, through the valley at 1,080 meters, is less crowded and has good intermediate terrain.
The extreme terrain of chutes and drops brings advanced free riders to Verbier Glacier Park, which hosts the annual Verbier Ride Free Ride event and the Verbier Xtreme Free Ride competitions, part of the Freeride World Tour.
The 2021/2022 season will see the opening of the new 10-person Médran 1 gondola lift, nearly doubling capacity from 1,800 to 3,200 per hour. Médran and Les Ruinettes stations also underwent a facelift, redesigned to improve traffic flow.
Verbier was named Switzerland's best ski resort at the 2018 World Ski Awards. Expect a stay here to be pricey, though the iconic Les Chamois offers comfortable rooms in a chalet-style setting, at more budget-friendly rates.
5. Grindelwald, Wengen, and the Jungfrau
The three peaks of the Jungfrau Mountains, all about 4,000 meters high, provide a wonderful backdrop to the 206 kilometers of slopes and trails, which include abundant intermediate cruisers.
Take the Jungfraubahn railway line from Kleine Scheidegg, easily accessible from Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald, to Europe's highest railway station at 3,454 metres, or take any of the dozens of lifts and cable car routes to reach 12 kilometers of trails.
The Jungfrau's ski areas are known for their long runs, as well as reliably deep snow. Beginners and learners should head to the slopes near Wengen, while experts will find the Mürren trails to be the most challenging in the area.
Grindelwald is the quintessential, photo-worthy Alpine village with the towering north face of the Eiger, and it shares ski slopes with neighboring Wengen, where you can ski on the same lift ticket. The car-free country village of Mürren, at the foot of the Schilthorn, can be reached from Lauterbrunnen by funicular to Grütschalp and from here, by 5.5km narrow-gauge railway.
Schilthorn is a ski legend of his own for the Black Diamond Inferno Race, a spectacle from the annual Inferno Race, the world's largest amateur ski race, this year January 20-23. A few days before, January 15 to 17, is the Lauberhorn Alpine Ski World Cup, the largest annual winter sporting event in Switzerland.
Starting this season, the new three-cable Eiger Express gondola opens from Grindelwald to Eiger Glacier Station. The direct transfer to Jungfraujoch reduces the total time by 45 minutes.
In addition to saving skiers time, the triple cable system also saves the environment. Its double-carrier cable is supported by only seven 6,483-meter pylons, requiring less disruption to the forests below.
Grindelwald-First is a favorite for travelers on the free-swimming trails at Schreckfeld Station and the free off-piste rides.
One of the longest gondola lifts in Europe carries skiers and boarders to dozens of kilometers of alpine ski trails. Just a minute's walk from the cable car station in Mürren, Hotel Alpenruh offers scenic views. So is the moderately priced Hotel Edelweiss, which is more convenient for those arriving in Mürren by train.
6. Saas-Fee
Awarded top honors for the quality and reliability of its snow in this year's Best Ski Resort Awards, Saas Fee is close to the glaciers of the Dom (the entire highest peak in Switzerland) and the Allalinhorn in the Valais region.
Saas-Fee's 150 kilometers of ski runs and slopes offer a vertical elevation of 1,800 metres, all of which are terrain where intermediate skiers will feel comfortable. In all, 26 trails covering 96 kilometers are rated for intermediates.
This, plus 37 kilometers of beginner trails and a training ramp and lift on the edge of the car-free village, ideal for children and learners, makes Saas-Fee popular with families.
Despite its well-earned reputation for gentle runs, there is plenty of terrain to challenge the experts, with 23 kilometers of black diamond trails. Residents can ride year-round, in a winter snow park, and in summer on Half Pipe, Border X, and glacier jumps.
Open for year-round skiing, the glacier offers 12 miles of skiing. Ride the Alpine metro, the world's highest underground funicular, to dinner at the world's highest revolving restaurant, the glass-walled Drehrestaurant Allalin.
7. Arosa Lenzerheide
Until 2013, when they were linked by the mile-long Urdenbahn Cable Car, Lenzerheide and Arosa were separate resorts. Now they are a five minute drive away and joined on one ticket.
Adventure-seeking experts may find a little captivating here, but this lesser-known resort is a surefire hit with intermediate skiers, with its 140-mile run of run through three different mountain slopes.
Most of it is blue-marked and above tree line, so it's open to stunning views elsewhere intended for connoisseurs of top skis. The area also gets more sunshine than many other alpine resorts.
Powder and country skiers are not left out; The scenic Ski Safari Trail connects three slopes with hideouts of deep powder, and from the top of Parpaner Rothorn, you can ski across a glacier. The Women's Super G and Giant Slalom races at the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup will take place in Lenzerheide on March 5-6, 2022.
When choosing a base, Arosa is considered the most attractive ski town. You can get to the design-style Home Hotel Arosa by bus from the train station, which makes a car-free ski vacation easy.
8. Engelberg-Titlis
Just 45 minutes from Lucerne and just over an hour from Zurich, Mount Titlis is one of Switzerland's most popular attractions, with tourists climbing to its summit in a state-of-the-art rotating cable car year-round. But in winter, the mountain and the little monastery village of Engelberg at its foot becomes the largest family winter sports resort in central Switzerland.
Between Brunni and Jochpass, more than 80 kilometers of trails lean heavily for beginner and intermediate skiers, with 27 kilometers of easy trails, 47 kilometers of average, and just eight kilometers of expert pistes.
Many of the easiest trails are on the lower slopes around Trübsee and Gerschnialp. The steepest slopes are in the higher elevations and on the glacier, where heavy snowfall allows skiing from October through May. With a vertical drop of 609 metres, the longest trail in the region is just under 13 kilometres.
The quality of the powder and the abundant alpine terrain here make it especially popular with skaters and off-piste skiers. Another advantage is that much of the off-piste terrain is easily accessible from lifts.
Opened in the summer of 2021, the Kempinski Palace Engelberg Titlis offers 129 luxury rooms and suites in the magnificent flat-iron Belle Epoch building in the center of the village.
9. Adelboden-Lenk
The interlocking resorts of Adelboden and Link share the mountain scenery of the Bernese Oberland, and in between offer something for all skiers - beginners, surfers, Nordics, even spectators.
Lenk im Simmental Ski Resort has the feel of a small ski village, and its location in a wide, flat valley makes it popular with those who love Nordic snowboarding, snowshoeing and winter walks. It's very family-friendly, and beginner and intermediate skiers will find plenty of skiing between its 44 skiable acres and five terrain parks.
Experts can find some challenges, but most head to the more advanced ski runs in nearby Adelboden, which are connected to the lift system.
The village of Chalets Adelboden sits at an altitude of 1,350 metres, and the 160-acre ski terrain stretches over another 1,000 metres.
Its altitude ensures consistent snow conditions, and its abundance of other winter activities make it popular with families of mixed skiers and non-skiers.
The single ski pass also includes the Oeschinen and Sunnbüel Lake District in Kandersteg, and the Adelboden-Lenk Ski Area is part of the SuperPass of Gstaad Mountain Rides. Another combined ticket is the Top4 ski pass, which is good for Adelboden-Lenk, Gstaad, Meiringen-Hasliberg and the entire Jungfrau ski area.
Every January, the city of Adelboden hosts the FIS Ski World Cup, where the world's best male skiers race down 1,290 meters of slopes and on what is considered the most challenging giant slalom track in the world.
During the event, this year from January 1-8, lodging is often most abundant in Lenk, with the newly renovated Sternen Hotel located in the city center.
10. Andermatt-Sedrun
This is one to watch. The small, formerly sleepy town of Andermatt is preparing to become the largest ski area in central Switzerland, and you can be there first before the inevitable crowds.
Three new lifts and replacements for many of the old lifts are well underway, linking Nätschen's ski terrain to the slopes of Oberalp and Sedrun. The first major link lift, a six-seater high-speed lift, opened for the 2018 season, along with a two-stage gondola carrying eight skiers, from the train station to Gutsch, at the top of the district of Nätschen.
The ski link Andermatt-Sedrun at SkiArena opened last winter with the opening of the Oberalppass-Schneehüenerstock gondola (Schneehüenerstock-Express) and the last new piste from the Oberalppass to Schneehüenerstock. The completion of the project makes SkiArena Andermatt-Sedrun the largest and most modern ski resort in central Switzerland.
Most of these new trails are intermediate, like the current trails in the Nätschen region, and are completely covered by snowmaking. Andermatt's north-facing Gemsstock, across the valley, has plenty of trails and off-piste ski terrain to challenge the experts, with a 900m shaft; It is one of the most popular terrain in the world for snowboarding.
Most of the Gemsstock slopes are at an altitude of 2,000–3,000 metres, which promises good snow even if there are no other Swiss regions. In addition to altitude, one of the factors leading to reliable snow cover is that storms hit this common terrain from all directions; The downside to this is that severe storms can shut down transportation and limit visibility.
The Radisson Blu Hotel Reussen is Andermatt's first four-star hotel, complementing new ski facilities and nestled among the newly linked slopes, along with shops and restaurants around Piazza Gottardo.
11. Crans-Montana
The views from the Swiss pistes don't get much better than the views from Crans-Montana, stretching from the Matterhorn to Mont Blanc.
Just two hours from Geneva and 90 minutes from Lausanne, Crans-Montana can get crowded on the weekends, but the crowds soon spread across 140 kilometers of slopes and wide trails, accessed by 27 different lifts.
The new Aminona-Colombire-Grangettes eight-person gondola lift replaces the previous four-person gondola, increasing capacity to 2,000 per hour.
The mountain is known for its abundance of moderate terrain - 70 kilometers of trails are rated for intermediates - and for its diversity of beginner slopes and trails; 55 kilometers is rated as easy.
Children get special attention with the covered magic carpet, new for the 2017, ski kindergarten and accessible via the new (and free) Montana-Arnova cable car. Snow Island is a favorite family destination for snow tubing, with a magic carpet for novice skiers and snowboarders.
The latest addition is Chalet Ala'a, an action sports center with a trampoline, indoor ramps, foam pits, bowls, and a large outdoor skate park.
Snow maintenance and care are a high priority, and about a third of slopes and trails have snowmaking.
This is especially useful because the south-facing slopes of Crans-Montana get more sunlight than any other Swiss ski resort. Good snow conditions in the lift-accessed Blaine Morte section in late June. Some trails are lit for night skiing, and there is a snow park for travelers.
A number of international ski and snowboard races, including the FIS Women's Alpine Ski World Cup, are held here this year on January 26-27.
The Magic Pass combines lift access in Crans-Montana with 25 smaller resorts, including Grimentz-Zinal, Villars-Gryon, St. The pass is good for the whole season.
12. Flims Laax Falera
The three towns of Flims, Laax, and Falera lie in a valley beneath the peaks of Vorab Gletscher (3,018 meters) and La Siala (2,810 meters), whose summits are connected to the towns by 235 kilometers of pistes; four snow parks; and the longest half pipe in the world, at 200 meters.
As you might guess from this, the area is a favorite of snowboarders and is considered Europe's leading freestyle resort for both amateurs and professionals.
It hosts the Burton European Open and the European Freeski Open and other international events. More than 90 obstacles are divided among the four snow parks; the Curnius Snowpark has an Olympic-size Pro-kicker-line.
But the resort is not just for snowboarders. The trails are among the most evenly divided for different skill levels of any Swiss resort, with 64 kilometers graded easy, 70 kilometers intermediate, and 46 kilometers for experts.
About 44 kilometers are designated free ride routes. The Flims Laax Falera ski resort is 90 minutes from Zürich, in one of Europe's best snow regions, and skiing is at altitudes between 2,000 and 3,000 meters.
The Snow Kindergarten for children under age four combines one hour of skiing with two hours of supervised activities, so parents can enjoy a half day of uninterrupted lessons skiing.
Source: PlanetWare - Travel Guides by the Experts