Resort in the mountains of Switzerland. Ski resorts in Switzerland: an overview of infrastructure and prices

A wide selection of Swiss ski resorts simply cannot leave indifferent all connoisseurs winter holiday surrounded by beautiful landscapes. To date, tourists are presented with many options for tours at a variety of prices. We would like to list the largest, The best ski resorts in Switzerland and talk about their features.

1. Zermatt

Zermatt is located at the foot of the eminent Matterhon (a peak with a height of 4478 meters). This is one of the best ski resorts not only in Switzerland, but throughout the world. There are first-class slopes and amazing snow cover. Despite the fact that Zermatt cannot boast of affordable prices, there is no end to customers all year round. And the fame of the restaurants of the resort has spread far beyond the borders of Switzerland. The best thing given place suitable for experienced skiers who have learned all the basics. Beginners will find it difficult here.

The total length of pistes in Cerremat is 320 km. There are 69 blue runs, 188 red runs and 56 black runs for skiers. From the lifts: 24 rope tows, 17 chairlifts, 14 cabins and 4 funiculars. The skiing season is November-May.

2. Verbier

The main attraction of the resort of Verbier is virgin fields and a luxurious track that extends to Le Chable, picturesque valley with a length of fifteen kilometers. All pistes of Verbier are distinguished by their wide variety and amazing beauty. It will be comfortable for both novice skiers and professionals to relax here. Verbier has 410 km of pistes with 77 blues, 106 reds and 22 blacks. Lifts: 34 rope tows, 20 chairlifts, 13 cabins and 5 funiculars. The season runs from November to April.

3. St. Moritz

St. Moritz is one of the oldest Swiss ski resorts. It is located in the Engadine (a valley with an amazing climate). Its peculiarity lies in the fact that the number of sunny days here is as much as 321, and the skiing season lasts from November to April. The resort itself is divided into two parts: St. Moritz-Bad, which was founded in the eighteenth century, and St. Moritz-Dorf, founded a little less than two hundred years ago. The main public of the resort: the aristocracy, the world's billionaires, stars and politicians.

Skiers in St. Moritz are waiting for 8 blue, 16 red and 5 black slopes with a total length of 163 km. As well as 22 lifts: 5 ski lifts, 2 chairlifts, 1 cabin and 4 funiculars.

4. Davos

Davos belongs to the high-altitude ski resorts, it is located at an altitude of about one and a half thousand meters and is divided into two parts: western and eastern. The quality of Davos slopes will appeal to both beginners and experienced skiers. In addition, all over the world the resort is valued as a place for recuperation, relaxation and treatment. There are many profiles open here. medical centers profiling on diseases of the skin and respiratory system. But the main advantage of Davos is the free ski bus, and there are also six fan parks.

There are 31 red, 39 blue and 12 black slopes available for skiing with a total length of 260 km. As well as 42 lifts. The season runs from November to April.

5. Crans-Montana

ski resort Crans-Montana managed to win an excellent reputation and worldwide fame. It is here that international symposiums, conferences and congresses, as well as the most prestigious international competitions, are usually held. Namely, the FIS World Cup is held here every year. The structure of Crans-Montana includes two small villages. This is Montana and Crane, of which the name consists. They are located in the valley of the Rhone River, about a kilometer apart. Further along the river, about 5 kilometers from Crans and Montana, there is another village with incredibly nice people, this is Aminona. All three objects together form a single ski area. To make it as convenient as possible for tourists to move from one settlement to another, a ski bus operates on the territory of the resort.

The resort of Crans-Montana is open for recreation from November to May. Skiers here will enjoy 160 km of slopes, including 20 blue, 28 red and 2 black. The number of lifts is 23.

6. Grindelwald

Ski resort Grindelwald in Switzerland among local residents, and among foreign tourists is better known as the "Village of Glaciers". This is the most beautiful Swiss resort in the Alps, which is open from November to April. It is located in the heart of the country. With majestic mountains The Jungfrau here glaciers descend to the settlement. This unique resort attracts the attention of not only experienced skiers, but also people who love mountain air, walks and the wonderful landscapes of the Alps. Here, funiculars are presented in great abundance, shuttle buses and ropeways. Thus, all conditions are created for maximum comfort and convenience of connoisseurs. active winter recreation. And skiers expect 7 blue, 6 red and 4 black slopes with a total length of 50 km.

7. Gstaad

This is a unique resort for ski holidays, which is located at the junction of four mountain slopes. If we consider Gstaad as an official resort, then this is an association of six regions, including the Glacier Glacier, which is located at an altitude of three thousand meters. Thanks to this glacier, great skiing is guaranteed in Gstaad from November to April, even in snowless winters. Gstaad cannot be called a fashionable resort or a place for privileged groups. This is a quiet, peaceful corner with interesting chalet-style houses and architecture from the end of the last century.

For professional skiers and beginners, there are 220 km of ski slopes, which include 4 green, 50 blue, 35 red and 11 black. And 52 lifts of various types are ready to deliver you to the peaks.

8. Villars

Villars is a typical representative of the Swiss ski resorts, which is better known under the big name Diableret-Villars. A nearby glacier makes Villar unique place where you can ski both in winter and summer. There are two seasons here: from June to early September and from October to April. Villars offers tourists 125 kilometers of first-class slopes, which are best suited for beginner skiers, families with small children, and snowboarders. The highlight of the resort is its convenient location, very close to Geneva, Gstaad, Verbier.

9. Andermatt

Andermatt is famous for its fluffy snowy peaks, which will amaze even the most demanding tourist with their extraordinary beauty, lightness, and alluring snowy sheen. The weather here is always mild and pleasant. Andermatt is real paradise for freeride lovers, for those who ski confidently and prefer unmarked slopes. If you cannot classify yourself as one of them, then there is a special school for you at the resort, where you will definitely be taught the basics and advanced tricks. For the rest, there are 9 blue, 14 red and 9 black runs, with a total length of 102 kilometers.

10. Murren

Murren is a small ski resort in Switzerland, located in the Jungfrau highlands at an altitude of more than one and a half thousand meters. After the British organized and held the first World Skiing Championship here in 1931, Murren became considered the birthplace of alpine skiing. It is also widely believed that Mürren is the place where Arnold Lann first held such a competition as slalom.

The slopes for skiing in Mürren have a total length of 50 km and include 2 green, 8 blue, 14 red and 5 black slopes, as well as 17 lifts of various types.

Pure alpine air, thermal waters of rivers and lakes, snowy peaks and a mild climate have long become business cards the best ski resorts in Switzerland. Today in this country there are 34 world resorts and about 140 ski centers. The main difference between Swiss resorts and others is their proximity to major cities and airports. And the main advantage is that it is in the Swiss Alps that the largest number of glaciers provide a year-round ski season.

Ski resorts in the Swiss Alps

Sports ski resorts that develop active recreation are located mainly in the south, where the Lepontinsky, Glarn and Bernese Alps are located.

• Near Geneva, on the famous Lake Geneva is the resort of Lausanne.
• In the same area there is an attractive family vacation the resort of Villar (the region of the Welsh and Savoy Alps), with the largest ski schools in the Alps and slopes for children and beginners. And adults can go paragliding, play curling or bowling.
• Another family resort is considered to be Aletsch with beautiful picturesque slopes that run right through the streets of highland villages. Playgrounds and children's parks with slides for sledges make Aletsch a real paradise for little tourists. But located on the territory of the Four Valleys, the resort of Verbier is more suitable for young people (mainly because a large number bars, restaurants and discos). There are a huge number of difficult slopes and routes for fans of skiing off-piste, for example, in the area of ​​Mont-Gel. Verbier is ranked fourth in the international classification of ski resorts and is part of The Best of the Alps.

The canton of Valais has one of the most famous resorts Zermatt. Its symbol is the Matterhon Peak. Zermatt is the most ecologically clean resort, which can only be traveled by electric vehicles.

In the south of Switzerland, surrounded by fourteen high (over 4000 m) peaks, the highest mountain ski resort Saas-Fee is located. It is called the real pearl of the Alps, where there is always a lot of sun and a mild climate. Only in Saas-Fee to the glacier in just three minutes you will be lifted by the highest subway in the world. The unique revolving restaurant "Allanin" at an altitude of 3500 meters is also one of the most visited attractions of Saas-Fee. In general, this resort is quite young and popular due to relatively low prices and the presence of a glacier, thanks to which the ski season here lasts almost a whole year. In addition, Saas-Fee is the most versatile resort in terms of both active and passive recreation.

Health resorts in Switzerland

Thermal resort areas are located mainly on lakes.

• One of the most fashionable should be called Leukerbad, in the south-west of Switzerland. The SPA direction is well developed here. The peculiarity of the resort is that it is located on the territory of local thermal springs, in which people have been bathing since the time of the Roman Empire. The largest baths Burgerbad and Alpentherme include several pools with water of different temperatures. To improve the body, the resort offers many wellness centers with gyms, aerobics, tennis and mini-golf. Rock climbing, fishing, mountain bike trails are developed here.
• Yverdon-les-Bains on Lake Neuchâtel is both a thermal and lakeside resort, with its own sandy beach. The town of Yverdon is an hour's drive from Geneva and is most famous for its the largest hotel Grand Hotel des Bains. This hotel is a real city with its own thermal center.
• In the northeast is the elite resort of Bad Ragaz with a mild climate and optimal humidity for well-being. One of the main advantages of the resort is that it is located next to Zurich, the business center of Switzerland. Thus, a business trip can be combined with a weekend at the SPA resort.

Of the variety of Swiss resort areas any tourist can choose a holiday to their liking. Someone is comfortable in calm and quiet Locarno, and someone in noisy Verbier.

Ski resorts Switzerland is a first-class vacation, excellent conditions for sports, magnificent landscapes and fresh mountain air. From the main airports of Zurich, Bern and Geneva, excellent trails lead to these Alpine gems. By renting Mercedes cars from Nomadcar, you will turn the trip from the airport to the resort into a continuous holiday.

Verbier

Verbier is a Swiss ski resort in the French-speaking canton of Valais. It is located on a sunny terrace next to the top of the Grand Saint Bernard, at an altitude of 1500 meters, between the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc. This respectable resort It competes on equal terms with the nearby Courchevel, international competitions are often held here, and the famous music festival is also held here.

Verbier is called the mecca of freeride. There are also conditions for other ski sports. The total length of the tracks is 200 km. The number of lifts is 48. 32% of the slopes are easy, 42% are medium and the remaining 26% are hard, for experienced skiers.

From Geneva airport to the ski resort of Verbier can be reached in 2 hours along the A1 and A9 highways. The journey from Bern along the A12 and A9 highways will be even shorter - 158 km and about 1 hour 50 minutes. Both routes have toll sections. From Zurich the journey is the longest - along the A1 and A9 via Bern - it will take at least three hours.

Nanda

Nendaz is an attractive family ski resort near the town of Sion in the canton of Valais. It originated around a beautiful Valisian village, famous for its picturesque nature and excellent service. The resort has earned the prestigious Families Welcome Award, which is awarded for the created conditions for families with children.

Nanda has many short slopes where the first steps on skis are excellent. This resort has 3 specialized ski schools and one for snowboarders. The slopes are served by 46 lifts (34 drag lifts), 4 of which are open and summer period. The length of the tracks is 223 km: 123 km are "red" tracks of medium difficulty, 77 km are easy (blue) and 9 km are "black" tracks.

It is very easy to get to the Nanda ski resort, it is located literally 2 km from the large city of Sion by Swiss standards. The entire journey from Geneva airport is 166 km and 2 hours on the A1 and A9 highways. From Bern to go the same amount - the highways A12 and A9. The road from Zurich is longer: on the A1 and A12 it will take more than 3 hours.

Davos

Davos is one of the best mountain resorts peace. It is located at an altitude of 1560 m and is territorially divided into two parts - the western Davos Platz and the eastern Davos Dorf (Davos Doft). The quality of the slopes and the accommodation options in Davos are top notch. There are many wonderful museums in the city, concert halls and theaters.

Davos is known as the "Swiss capital of snowboarding": 6 fan parks are open here at once. Two of them are equipped on the slopes of the Fun Mountain. There are also two halfpipes, jumps, tables and other fun for freestyle lovers. In addition, Davos has all the conditions for traditional skiing. The number of tracks is 99, and their total length is almost 320 km. Some are 10 km long!

Davos is connected to Zurich by excellent highways: the A3 road to the town of Landquart, and then route 28 to the resort itself. The whole journey will take no more than two hours. Getting from Geneva by car is not very convenient (about 5 hours). From Bern - by A1 and A3 more than 3 hours. In both cases, you will have to get to Zurich.

St. Moritz

St. Moritz is considered one of the most famous and aristocratic resorts in the world. It is located in the Engadine Valley and boasts 322 sunny days a year. This fashionable ski resort consists of two parts: St. Moritz Dorf (St. Moritz Dorf, 1822) and St. Moritz Bad (St. Moritz Bad, 1772). Both parts are located on the coast beautiful lake Moritzsee.

The skiing area is divided into three sectors: Corviglia (Corviglia, 2488 m), Corvatsh (Corvatsh, 3451 m) and Diavolezza (Diavolezza, 2973 m). Each sector has sections for intermediate and advanced skiers, as well as for beginners. Professionals and thrill-seekers will love virgin slopes. There are also fun parks and halfpipes with obstacles on St. Moritz.

From Zurich to St. Moritz, you can drive along the A3 highway - this magically beautiful road crosses almost the entire canton of Graubünden. Travel time is about 3 hours. The journey from Bern to St. Moritz includes Zurich, so the journey will take more time - about 3.5 hours. It takes even longer to get from Geneva by car to the resort.

Crans Montana

The Swiss ski resort of Cran-Montana enjoys worldwide fame. It hosts major international congresses and prestigious sporting events. The resort consists of two villages - Crans and Montana. They are both located in the Rhone Valley, a kilometer apart. In the immediate vicinity of numerous ski lifts is one of the best mountain hotels in the world Crans Ambassador 4*.

Crans-Montana is 160 kilometers of quality pistes that are annually honored with the FIS World Cup. The resort is best suited for intermediate skiers: the slopes here are wide and not too difficult. Those who are confident in their abilities will be interested in the descent from La Tza to Plumachit, there are steep slopes in Bella Lui (2543 m) and La Toula. Recently, a wonderful fan park with an area of ​​25,000 sq.m. has been built.

Crans-Montana is easily accessible via the A1 road and then the A9 from Geneva. The route will run along Lake Geneva and along the valley of the river Rhone. The views are breathtaking. Travel time, taking into account possible traffic jams, will not take more than two and a half hours. You will spend the same amount of time if you drive from the airport in Bern along the A12 and A9 highways.

Wengen

Wengen is considered one of the most famous ski resorts in Switzerland, because it is here that the famous World Cups in slalom and downhill skiing on the Lauberhorn are held every January. Located at an altitude of 1274 m, Wengen is famous for its clean mountain air. In a small resort town, guests are welcomed by several comfortable hotels, among which there are both fashionable hotels and small, but very cozy boarding houses.

The total length of pistes in Wengen is 110 km: 8 of them are blue, 17 are red and 5 are black. The height difference reaches 1100 meters. AT recent times Wengen became famous as a center summer holidays. There are many walking and cycling trails here. Under the guidance of experienced guides from the Wengen Mountaineering Center, you can climb the mountains, ride horses or in a carriage.

From Zurich on the A8 road, you can reach Wengen in a little over two hours without any problems. Along the way, you will be greeted by such wonderful cities as Lucerne and Zug. From Bern, the journey will be even shorter: via the A6 motorway you can reach Wengen in less than one hour.

Engelberg

Engelberger (Mountain of Angels) is one of the oldest ski resorts in Switzerland. It owes its name to the current Benedictine abbey. Engelberg is located in the center of the country, only 35 km from Lucerne and 90 km from Zurich. There are excellent conditions for both beginners and more experienced skiers. Recently, Engelberg has also become a favorite with snowboarders. The resort is relatively small, but it is extremely rich in comfortable hotels, of which there are 33, various apartments and guest chalets.

There are two ski areas in the Engelberg ski resort: the Brunni ski area for beginners and family skiing (Brunni, 1860 m) with a vertical drop of more than a kilometer, five lifts and 12 km of pistes (5 km of red and 7 km of blue); and the Gershnialp-Trubsee area, where there are 21 lifts and 73 km of slopes with a clear predominance of difficult ones. Snowboarders will love the Terrain Park with half-pipes, big-airs and quarter-pipes, as well as the fun park on the Shtand slope.

The most convenient way to get to the Enegelberg ski resort is from Zurich along the A4 road. You will spend only 1 hour and 10 minutes to ride along several alpine lakes, cross the beautiful Lucerne and reach the resort without any problems through a system of outstanding tunnels.

Flims-Laax-Falera

Ski resorts Flims-Laaz-Falera (Flims-Laaz-Falera) are usually combined into a single trio - this extremely popular ski area in Switzerland has gained international fame relatively recently. The abundance of ski lifts, magnificent landscapes, 235 km of slopes, excellent snowparks - lovers of mountain skiing have appreciated all this.

Ski area at an altitude of 1100 to 3018 m. The total length of the tracks is 235 km: 40% blue, 45% red, 15% black. In addition, the resort has more than 40 km of marked off-piste trails. There are 30 lifts at the disposal of vacationers: gondolas - 7, cabins - 4, chairlifts - 8, rope tows - 11. The region is especially appreciated by snowboarders and freeriders for the abundance of snow.

Getting to the ski resorts of Flims-Laax-Falera is as easy as shelling pears: from Zurich on the A3 highway to the city of Laax, which can be considered the center of this resort area. The journey will take a little over an hour and a half. The itinerary from Bern or Geneva will include Zurich and will take longer.

Arosa – Lenzerheide

Arosa-Lenzerheide has recently become a single ski resort, very popular in Switzerland among families with children and beginner skiers. The resort is very comfortable, surrounded by stunning scenery, there are options for relatively inexpensive accommodation. Arosa-Lenzerheide is famous for its excellent service and an abundance of interesting events.

In 2013, the two resorts connected their pistes with lifts, making 225 km of pistes available to vacationers, mainly intended for inexperienced athletes and complete beginners. However, Lenzerheide often hosts World Cup finals. The most difficult descent of this resort is the famous Silvano Beltrametti slope: length is 2.45 m, the maximum slope is 65%.

The most convenient way to get to Aros-Lenzerheide is from Zurich along the beautiful A3 highway. Travel time - 1 hour 40 minutes. Immediately after the capital of the canton of Grubünden, Chur, you only need to drive about 5 km to Lenzerheide. To get to the resort from Geneva or Bern will have through Zurich.

Andermatt

Andermatt is one of the snowiest ski resorts in the Alps. It is currently undergoing a major renovation. But this does not mean that the resort has turned into a construction site. The work is being carried out discreetly, and Andermatt itself is becoming more and more comfortable and modern. At the end of 2013, the Chredi-Andermatt luxury hotel opened here.

Andermatt is recommended for intermediate and confident skiers. Skiing height - from 1444 to 2970 meters. This ski resort is also famous for its snow record and therefore is considered one of the best in Europe for freeriding. In the near future, international competitions are planned to be held here.

Andermatt can be reached on the comfortable A4 highway from Zurich in just an hour and a half. The journey from Bern will take a little longer - 2 hours 10 minutes: you will need to use the A1 and A2 highways. It will take even longer to get from the Swiss capital to Andermatt along the A8 and A2 (2 hours 25 minutes), but the path will run through such Swiss gems as Thun, Spitz and ancient Interlaken.

Zermatt

Zermatt is considered to be one of the most luxurious and beautiful ski resorts in Switzerland. Next to it is Mount Matterhorn, which always attracts the eye. The territory of the resort is very elongated, but this does not complicate the rest. Zermatt is recommended for moderate and confident skiers, snowboarders, freeride enthusiasts, as well as those who are not indifferent to mountain restaurants, shopping and romantic surroundings. Zermatt is also famous for its excellent weather - snow and sun are guaranteed here.

The length of the tracks is 360 km. There are all types to choose from: red, blue and black. There are 61 lifts at the disposal of vacationers (20 cabins, 22 chairlifts, 14 rope tows). The skiing height is even more impressive - from 1620 to 3899 meters. Freeriders will enjoy the descents from the Hochtalli and the Stockhorn. There is a snow park and half-pipe at Blauherd and Rothenboden for snowboarders, as well as a half-pipe at Theodulpass, a boarder-cross.

By car, the most convenient way to get to Zermatt is along the A6 highway from Bern. Travel time should not exceed two and a half hours. The A9 road from Geneva will take a little longer - 2 hours 45 minutes. In both cases, beautiful landscapes are guaranteed.

Zas-Fee

The small Swiss ski resort Saas-Fee has a lot of recognized pluses: guaranteed snow all year round, varied terrain and pistes, very clean air, a picturesque restaurant at the top of Allalin and stunning views. Also, this resort is famous for being located in the "bowl" of the four-thousanders. Car traffic in Zas-Fee is prohibited, cars are left at the entrance, in a huge underground parking.

This ski resort is suitable primarily for self-confident skiers. However, beginners will not be left idle - there is a convenient plateau for lessons under the supervision of an experienced instructor. There are not very many trails, their length is 100 kilometers, and 22 lifts serve them. Even a not very strong skier will need one or two days to explore all the slopes above Saas-Fee.

From Geneva, Saas-Fee can be reached via the A9 highway in 2 hours and 45 minutes. The journey from Bern will take less time - 2 hours 30 minutes on the A6. Another option is from Milan, but in this case it will take more than 3 hours to travel along the E62, and the length of the entire route will exceed 226 km. And, finally, from Zurich to Saas-Fee it is best to get on the A4 - the travel time will exceed 3 hours 30 minutes.

Grindelwald

Grindelwald is one of the most luxurious ski resorts in Switzerland along with Zermatt, St. Moritz and Davos. He is rightfully included in the elite Best of the Alps club. The resort is especially convenient for families with children: there are huge opportunities for beginners and for those who don’t know how to ride at all: cozy hotels with spas and plenty of activities and entertainment for all tastes. Grindelwald is famous for its restaurants and various cultural events.

This ski resort is highly appreciated by sled lovers: around Grindelwald there are very long and picturesque toboggan runs of varying difficulty. The Grindelwald ski area is located on both sides of the valley and mainly offers "blue" and "red" runs. Professionals will be bored here. Good conditions have been created for snowboarders and freeriders.

The fastest way to Grindelwald from Zurich runs along the A8 highway - 137 km and about 2 hours in time. But much faster you will reach the ski resort from Bern along the A6 highway - it will take a little more than 1 hour to overcome 74.3 km. If the starting point is Geneva, then you still have to get to Bern first and from there to Grindelwald on the A6.

Leukerbad

This small Swiss ski resort is well suited for skiers of all levels, families with children and those who want to combine skiing and relaxation in thermal springs. Leukerbad is famous for its healing waters, namely the thermal complex Leukerbad Therme. In Leukerbad, you can seriously heal in a very short time - excellent specialists work here who professionally help with a whole list of diseases.

The Leukerbad ski resort is only 51 km of slopes. However, low quantity does not mean low quality. The tracks have different levels of difficulty and a good elevation difference. There are all conditions for both experienced athletes and beginners. Only freeriders may be left out of work, but snowboarders will find where to ride.

Leukerbad from Geneva is 2 hours and 15 minutes on the A1 and A9 highways. The road is very picturesque, runs along the shores of Lake Geneva and the valley of the Rhone River. The journey from Bern to Lekerbad will take the same amount of time - 2 hours 15 minutes along the A12 and A9 highways. To get to the resort from Zurich, you will first have to drive to Bern.

Murren

This Swiss ski resort is recommended for intermediate and confident skiers, freeriders, families with children and photographers, as there are a lot of picturesque views around. Neighboring Grindelwald and Wengen, Murren is regarded as a classic Swiss ski resort, combining excellent skiing conditions with comfortable accommodation, excellent restaurants and beautiful scenery.

The length of the slopes in Mürren is small - 53 km. Of these, 11 km are black runs, 31 km are red runs and 11 km are blue runs. There are also 2 training tracks. Mürren has hosted the legendary Arlberg-Kandahar race (a combination of downhill and slalom) for many years. Since 1928, Mürren has hosted the Inferno Race, an amateur downhill race from the top of the Schilthorn.

The fastest route to Mürren from Zurich runs along the A8 highway - 128 km and less than two hours. You will get much faster from Bern - along the A6 highway it is only 66 km and about 1 hour. There are paid sections. The road runs through Thun, Schwyz and Interlaken. The way from Geneva will not be very convenient and fast: you will have to drive to Bern and cover 226 km in total.

I recently read an article about winter recreation, and an interesting statistic caught my eye: a crisis is a crisis, and expensive resorts demand fell just the least. And those who rode them did not change their addictions.

So I thought: I still had no time to write something about ski resorts in switzerland , which, fortunately, had a chance to ride. I'm sorry, I'm fixing it. Winter is coming, you can no longer be silent.

Just a warning: there will be a lot of photos. Because one photo sometimes tells better than a hundred words about a particular place. And I will only talk about those ski resorts where I myself have been.

So, if for some reason you have not yet reached the cherished Swiss resorts, but do not lose hope, read this article. In it, I will try to give a brief overview: where it is better to go skiing in Switzerland and which of the resorts you will be at ease with.

Ride with Paris Hilton and Prince William

Why tourists choose Switzerland

Switzerland… What associations do you have? Banks. Chocolate and cheese. Ski resorts.

This country seems to be specially created for those who love outdoor activities in the mountains. After all two-thirds of its territory is occupied by these very mountains. And the ski infrastructure here is one of the best in the world. Because if the Swiss take on something, they do it not just well, but in the best possible way.

That is why many world celebrities prefer Swiss ski resorts. You can be 200% sure of any type of service here.

First class hotels. The healthiest and best cooked food. Immaculately smoothed slopes. The shade of the tablecloth on your table in the restaurant will match the shade of the mountainside outside the restaurant window. A spoon for shoes in the room will certainly be made of environmentally friendly materials.

Many Russian tourists as a star status - Maxim Galkin, Victoria Bonya, etc., and ordinary citizens - modest owners of car dealerships, restaurateurs, hairdressers - also managed to fall in love with the Swiss mountains. So what? At such resorts it is pleasant to look at others and show yourself.

However, ordinary inhabitants of office prairies from the middle level and above, or, say, the owners of a modest online store, can also afford a fairy tale called the Swiss Alps.

Ski resorts in Switzerland: skiing like in a fairy tale

Once, about 200 years ago, all modern ski resorts in Switzerland were ordinary villages or even just sheds in the mountains, where shepherds grazing cattle in alpine meadows stayed for the night ... But when, in the middle of the 19th century, doctors said that the panacea for tuberculosis is mountain air, Swiss villages began to turn into medical resorts to know. At first they came here only in the summer. And only by the end of the 19th century did the fashion for winter sports in the mountains begin to emerge.

Löchental valley

My acquaintance with ski resorts in Switzerland began back in 2002. It was the resort of Lauchernalp in the Löchental valley, where the Swiss themselves mostly skied. So the Russian word could only be heard from ourselves). The picturesque Swiss Löchental valley is tightly squeezed by steep slopes and powerful three-thousanders, like the Breithorn.

Today there is a railway tunnel. We went there by car. And right on it we drove into the railway train. When all the carriages of the train were filled with cars, the train started moving. Having passed the tunnel, we also got off the train without any problems and drove further along highway. Which led us to a small village

In the valley there is a small (by Alpine standards) skiing area with a center in the villages of Kippel and Wheeler.

But then it seemed to us just huge! Like the Alps themselves, which won my heart once and for all. It was incomprehensible to the mind - how could all this infrastructure be built on these steep slopes? Small hotels and cozy restaurants, uninterrupted cable cars, well-groomed slopes - all this was so strikingly different from our Russian ski resorts ...

By the way, it was there that I first got an idea about the work of ski instructors. Our friend Nadezhda then had almost no experience in skiing, like her five-year-old daughter. But her Swiss husband - Robert - skated perfectly. But it never occurred to him to teach them both himself! On the very first day of our arrival, he took a personal instructor for Nadezhda for 5 days, and sent their daughter to a children's ski school. After 5 days, both rode quite cheerfully.

Why it is better to start skiing with an instructor, I explained in the article

However, it is worth going to the Löchental valley not only for the sake of skiing. Winters here are beautiful, snowy, lingering, and the atmosphere of mountain life literally captures in the old Kippel. Narrow village streets, log chalets are comfortably immersed in snowdrifts, and stone buildings that have darkened with time stand like huts on chicken legs.

The only thing missing is goblin and other fabulous evil spirits. Although if you visit Kipell in February-March, you can see not such devilry. The Chaggatta holiday walks through the streets: people in wooden masks and sheepskins try to scare the winter with all their appearance.

So, if you want to spend a week in the mountains of Switzerland and never meet our "Russo tourist", then the Löchental valley is crying for you. The only thing that can upset you there is the almost complete absence of Apres-ski here. No, there are several cozy restaurants in the resort. But no more.

villars

Another place where there are not so many of our compatriots yet is the village of Villar. Perhaps it cannot be attributed to the most luxurious resorts in Switzerland, but still it is so comfortable here that many people visit it several times. This is a traditional ski resort ideal for beginners, for holidays with children and for those who want to combine skiing and excursions.

Children are especially taken care of at this resort: there are several excellent ski schools, Kindergarten Jardin des Neiges in Villars (children 3-8 years old are accepted), nursery and kindergarten Trottinette in Villars (from 3 months to 6 years old) is open from 8.00 to 18.00. So crazy moms, like me, who don’t want to miss the season, but are worried that there is no one to leave the baby with, urgently pay attention to this village! By the way, there are also toboggan runs for non-skiers.

You can get to the ski area from Villars in eight-seater cabins or take a train to Bretaye, although this is a little longer. On both sides of the shallow hollow there are simple "red" and "blue" trails, many training grounds. It is generally very comfortable skiing over Villar, there are few truly extreme slopes.

One of the most interesting routes leads from Chaux Ronde to the bottom of the gorge, to La Rasse; from here, pulling up on the ski lift, you can move to the Gryon sector, on the slopes of Chaux (2020). For beginners in this area there is a long calm “blue” track, along which you can slide down to the village itself.

The town is half an hour away from the resort. Lave-les-Bains where to spend a lazy morning enjoying spa treatments. And forty minutes away - winery Bernard Cavet that delivers wine to the best restaurants Switzerland.

The resort made a very positive impression on me. And it is located very well in terms of sightseeing opportunities: a 20-minute drive from Montreux and Veviers, 40 minutes from Lausanne or Gruyères, and a little over an hour from Geneva and Bern, famous for their historical monuments.

Apres-ski here is quite decent: 45 restaurants, 4 bars. For lovers of shopping - shops, fairs and sales.

Nenda-Verbier

The next skiing region will surely appeal to those who are used to getting maximum pleasure for their money. It's called 4 Valleys and includes such resorts as Verbier (VERBIER), Nendaz (NENDAZ), Veyzon (VEYZONNAS) and Thion (THYON). Buy a ski pass and ride in any of the 4 valleys. The main thing is not to get confused in the grid of 100 lifts and 420 kilometers of slopes.

In order for us to have time to explore this region with the greatest efficiency, our group was given a guide - an agile Swiss instructor girl. Following her non-stop, we rushed along the tracks of varying difficulty for more than five hours. And by the end of the skiing, even the most persistent of us gave way to the legs from fatigue. But I really liked the region. Although its picturesque landscapes (and by the way - where are they different in Switzerland?) We managed to look at it only when we got up on the cable car ...

The first two resorts are most popular with our skiers - Nenda and Verbier . They come here to make new skiing trips through the passes, peaks and glaciers of the Four Valleys.

Verbier These are great opportunities for snowboarding. Here you will find several snowboard parks: 1 fun park, 2 halfpipes. There are trails for cross-country skiing of varying difficulty, both short and easy for beginners, and difficult for professionals.

Apres-ski: Verbier boasts a rich nightlife- there are more than 100 bars, nightclubs and discos. The resort has a sports center with swimming pool, sauna, Turkish bath, fitness and Jacuzzi. Covered ice rink. Also in Verbier is Cultural Center Museum of the Alps with exhibits telling about the history of the region, and a church with a unique organ.

Optimal accommodation in Verbier:

• Hotel Bristol Verbier
• Hotel Montpelier
• Chalet Luxe Terrier
• Apartment Le Mandarin 2*
• Apartment La Toura 2*
• Apartment Stemm-2 3*
• Residence Emeraude 3*

Nenda has 10 tennis courts and a fitness center. Excursions in the mountains with professional guides, descents from the glacier are organized. Many hiking trails (with a total length of 70 km) are laid both in the resort itself and not far from it. There is an artificial ice rink where curling matches and discos are often held. In general, you will definitely not be bored here. Too bad we only had one day to explore this ski area…

Accommodation in Nende:

• Chalet Le Ruisseau
• Chalet Tsamandon 7
• Chalet Les Etoiles
• Chalet Chocolat - Nendaz 4 Vallées

As you can see, the main types of accommodation in this resort are chalets and suites. If you have never had a rest in this option, choosing hotels with food, try it, because chalets and apartments in Switzerland, like everything else, are of a very good level.

But in general, 4 valleys is the optimal combination of price-quality parameters.

Zermatt

Any skier has ever heard of Zermatt. This resort is considered to be one of the most prestigious ski resorts in the world. His majestic symbol — Matterhorn peak , which has the shape of a regular pyramid, on which the glacier is located.

It is thanks to this glacier that skiing in Zermatt can be done all year round. The resort is located at an altitude of 1620 m above sea level in the upper reaches of the Visp valley. It is surrounded by 36 peaks of the Main Alpine Range with a height of more than 4000 meters.

About the resort itself, one can speak only in superlatives. The most fashionable. the most prestigious. The most environmentally friendly. It's completely forbidden here. car traffic, and only electric mini-cars and horse-drawn strollers are allowed.

With our large group, we walked to our hotel, leaving our suitcases at the railway station, from where they were picked up by hotel employees (apparently, in an electric car). And even this first walk around the resort put everything in its place. It's great here, friends! This was the general summary of our expert group.

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Zermatt is in the top 10 for the quality of pistes. the best resorts peace. Here is the highest lift station - Klein Matterhorn - 3885 m. The mountains in the Zermatt region are quite steep, but there are also suitable slopes for beginners.

The whole territory is divided into 3 different districts: Sunnega, Gornergrat and Klein Matterhorn.

Well, a bonus to this magnificence is the opportunity to make a ski-safari for the pass - to Italy, on the slopes of the popular ski resort of Cervinia . In fact, only topographers and border guards know exactly where exactly the conditional line separating the two countries passes. On skis it can be crossed without any formalities.

What we did on one of the days when it was very frosty in Zermatt in the morning. It will be warmer in Cervinia, our Swiss guides told us. And we went to the "pasta", to test their tracks. Our path lay past the majestic pyramid of the Matterhorn.

We also visited the glacier. More precisely - in the glacier. After all, inside it is a museum of ice figures.

Hotels in Zermatt There are different, the most popular of them: ALEX 4* Super , GRAND HOTEL ZERMATTERHOF 5* Deluxe, MONT CERVIN PALACE 5*.

In addition to these hotels, Zermatt is full of many hotels and apartments: find accommodation in Zermatt.

However, one cannot count on cheap accommodation in Zermatt.

A characteristic feature of Zermatt is the preservation of old buildings, protected as museum exhibits.

Evening Zermatt will please both gourmets and music lovers. Grampi's - the main street of the resort - the concentration of the most popular pubs and bars. These are Gitan, Hexenbar, Elsie's; closer to the river are the trendy Papperla Pub, Ascot, Ex-Bar, Le Mazot.

And I will always remember mine trip to the SPA-center of our hotel which was a culture shock for me. All 5* hotels and most 4* hotels in Zermatt have their own wellness centers. So I decided one day to pamper my tired body from conquering the slopes and go warm up and swim in the pool ...

A polite girl at the counter of the SPA center specified which branch I intended to go to. And there were two of them: one is purely for women, but there are only a couple of saunas in it, the other is common for both men and women, and there are about 15 bathrooms and all sorts of salt rooms and something else, judging by her description - a lot of things. And the second cost twice as much as the first. That is, you generally advise me to visit, I asked her. Yes, mademoiselle, she replies, you are not an "Arabian wife." While I was going down the elevator to the minus first floor, to the general department, I was still trying to understand what she meant ...

But when I got out of the elevator, and two completely naked men were defiling towards me, it began to dawn on me ... While I was making my way to my locker for clothes past other naked people, I had to painfully decide whether to leave right away or still try these wonderful saunas. . There must be women in them, even purely theoretically, since this is a general separation. Yes, I got a couple of women, and I persuaded myself to stay. Well, in general, I’ll tell you this: the SPA center is gorgeous, of course, there are no words. Yes, and I don’t seem to be a hypocrite. But I still felt uncomfortable. The rule is that you can not go to these saunas and steam rooms in swimsuits. So, decide for yourself whether you are weak or not weak.

And I also remember shopping in Zermatt . Clothes there, of course, are not cheap. And the choice is not particularly great - either skiing and sports, or purely traditional Swiss. But watch shops are just a dime a dozen! You won't leave Zermatt without a watch! I left with two. And I wear them, satisfied and happy, to this day.

So Zermatt is a resort that suits everyone. Perhaps the only limitation is the size of the wallet. Here you will find guaranteed snow, the best hotels, quality slopes and off-piste skiing, entertainment for non-skiers and programs for families with children, excellent restaurants and great shopping.

Now let's move on to the next resort.

Crans Montana

And the last on the list, but not the most important Swiss ski resort, where I had a chance to ride, is Crans-Montana. Thinking about this resort, the first word that comes to my mind is BEAUTIFUL! As I said, there are no ugly resorts in Switzerland (I didn’t come across, at least). But Crans-Montana somehow overshadowed them with its postcard views and inexplicable attraction ...

By Swiss standards, Crans-Montana is a fairly young resort, just over 100 years old. Today there are more than 50 hotels and hundreds of large chalets with apartments.

• Residences Kandahar
• Apartments Nationale
• Le Mayen de Colombire
• Hôtel de la Forêt
• Hotel Splendid
• Sport Palace
• Hotel La Prairie

7,000 people permanently live in Crans-Montana, but at the peak of the season, the population rises to 40,000! This is perfect place for lovers of leisurely walks picturesque shores frozen lakes (there are seven of them on the plateau), a fabulous winter forest, snow-covered golf courses. And also from Cran to Montana or from Montana to Cran (between them a quarter of an hour walk) - shopping and boutiques, which abound in both parts of the resort. Huge shopping opportunities: fashionable clothes and shoes of the world's leading brands, watches, cosmetics, sports equipment.

The total length of the slopes over Crans-Montana is 140 km. Red slopes of medium difficulty prevail, although some of them are quite steep, requiring certain skills. A distinctive feature of the region is a comfortable combination of wide open trails at the top and a large number of duplicating each other, picturesque, winding forest paths at the bottom. Almost all slopes are oriented to the south and are well lit throughout the day. This is theirs too main disadvantage: the sun ruthlessly scans them with its direct rays, and already in March in many areas in the mornings ice mixed with stones, and in the afternoon - "porridge".

We were lucky: the weather that January was sunny, but quite frosty. Therefore, the slopes were in perfect condition. We just rode until we dropped...

A few years ago, a large snow park of 25,000 sq. meters. Now, throughout the season, it constantly hosts various fashionable hangouts, which may soon change our idea of ​​​​Crans Montana as a resort for serious middle-aged people.

There are no problems with apres-ski in Crans-Montana either. Bars and pubs are everywhere. Aprés-ski is perhaps even more valued here than the skis themselves. Crans-Montana is the perfect place to sunbathe on hotel loungers, enjoy spa treatments, dine in restaurants (there are more than eighty!) and buy equipment (and more) in the latest fashion: the resort claims to the best place for shopping in the Alps.

Only now, after such a crazy ride, I didn’t have any more strength left for all this. Only cuddling with the polar bears at the entrance of the hotel, who seemed to quite share my passion for snow adventures…

Ski insurance

Tour operators usually include in their package tours to ski resorts in Switzerland medical insurance. But if you organize your vacation on your own, or like to ride in powder, off-piste, all the risks of traveling are your responsibility. Therefore, I recommend to think about buying ski insurance .

You can see how much it will cost and apply for it here: ski insurance. To do this, follow the link, enter your data (country of trip, your age), select the item "Alpine skiing and snowboarding" in the tab "Other types of recreation and sports" - and the system will calculate the cost of your policy for you. You can also add insurance for cases such as trip cancellation, luggage loss etc.

Conclusions: the pros and cons of Swiss ski resorts

So, today I tried to persuade you not to deny yourself the pleasure of riding at least once on ideal tracks in a fabulous beautiful country Switzerland. After all, it's not that expensive. Okay, it's expensive. But trust me - it's worth it! You will enjoy every moment you live there and every euro spent, sorry, Swiss franc (yes, they still have their own currency, and no euros).

So, the advantages of skiing in Switzerland include:

• Highly beautiful resorts and mountains
• Long tradition of hospitality, high level of hotels, chalets, restaurants, pistes preparation.
• Possibility to combine ski vacation with excursions and/or treatment.
• Guaranteed snow cover at high and glacial resorts.

Swiss mountain resorts, equipped with high-tech funiculars, electric cars and other devices, retain the sweet charm and comfort of antiquity. In short, Switzerland is a fairy tale, guys!

There are not so many minuses in this "fairy tale" - but they are:

• Expensive prices for everything: for ski passes (especially for large ski areas), in hotels, restaurants and shops.
• There are very few Russian-speaking staff and instructors in Switzerland.

The choice, as always, is yours. If you have any questions for me about Switzerland - ask in the comments.

See you on the blog!