Ski resort in Switzerland. The best resorts in Switzerland
The best ski resorts in Switzerland are among the most comfortable and well-equipped in Europe, they are ideal for winter holidays in the mountains. To these undoubted advantages we must also add impressive mountain landscapes, fast-paced ski slopes climbing unimaginable heights, and exciting local attractions - from old alpine villages scattered everywhere to respectable mountain restaurants that meet guests in the most unforeseen places.
Another undoubtedly valuable feature of the Swiss ski resorts is their proximity to their neighbors - the popular high-altitude ski resorts of France (on the left along the border line) and Austria (on the right). In the south, the best ski areas in Switzerland are framed by the famous Italian ski resorts in the Dolomites, they are within easy reach...
The only drawback, in our opinion, of the best Swiss ski resorts is that even the cheapest of them will be more expensive than, for example, a resort of the same level in France, Austria or Italy. However, if possible, each of Switzerland's top ski resorts is worth a visit - if only to indulge in local landscapes, drink a cup of afternoon tea with a slice of Swiss cheese and breathe in a breath of clean Alpine air.
The best ski resorts in Switzerland - TOP 7 in the Swiss Alps
Wengen
Wengen - the best mountain ski resort Switzerland for families. This is, in fact, an authentic Swiss ski resort where cars are not allowed. In the very center of the resort there is a large playground covered with a thick layer of snow for fun children's games and learning to ski. Further into the mountains, a cog railway line leads, thanks to which you can get to the neighboring Swiss ski village of Lauterbrunnen and further down into the mountain valley.
Wengen shares a ski area with Grindelwald, most of the ski slopes just hang over its neighbor, these are the most beautiful "red" and "blue" slopes under the northern mountain walls of the Eiger. The lifts, laid in the Jungfrau ski area, cover the slopes of neighboring ski resorts - Mürren, Wengen and Grindelwald.
Wengen hotels are mostly designed to accommodate couples - there is a lot of entertainment for just such a segment of vacationers. In the center of the town there is an indoor ice skating rink where curling and ice skating are played. Of the fun skiing opportunities, Wengen has several toboggan runs to offer.
At a distance of 4.5 km is Wengernalp - an alpine high mountain valley, from which there are long well-groomed ski slopes leading to Grindelwald. The easiest way to get to this ski area is by mountain train coming from the railway. station Wengen, or even on foot along railway track. Interesting things are connected with the Wengernalp recreation area. historical facts- famous composers often rested here at one time: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Felix Mendelssohn, Richard Wagner, the sixteenth US President Abraham Lincoln also visited here.
Wengen alternatives
Competitors of Wengen may well be Saas-Fee (Saas Fee), or rather, his southern part, right under the mountain, on which the best slopes are located. For children, Saas-Fee will offer traditional sleigh rides, fun descents from ice slides, and a large water entertainment center. At the end of the winter season, there are a lot of sunny days, the kids can even sunbathe.
Adelboden, with traditional chalet dwellings and low slopes that even children can descend from, is also close by. There is a recreation center in Adelboden, known for a wide variety of entertainment - skating, rock climbing, bowling, several rail toboggan runs with turns (toboggan).
Wengen characteristics
- Elevation difference (Jungfrau ski area): 943 - 2970 m
- Length of slopes: 213 km
- Season: 18.11 - 15.04
Wengen how to get
The nearest airports to the Wengen ski resort are in Swiss Bern (Bern-Belp Airport, distance 46.9 km), and the capital, Zurich, the nearest railway. station - Interlaken Ost Train Station, distance 10 km.
When you reach Interlaken Ost, then take the train to Lauterbrunnen, from here there is a railway line to the Wengernalp recreation area to Wengen. Travel time is about 45 minutes.
There are also regular Skibus ski buses from Interlaken to the resort. There are also trains from Zurich Airport to Interlaken.
Andermatt
Andermatt is the best ski resort in Switzerland in terms of snow cover. It is located in a very convenient geographical location regarding exposure to sunlight, the skiing valleys and ski slopes of the resort are located closer to the northern side of the Alps. The height of the main ski arena of the resort, the steep and shady Gemsstock mountain, made it possible to lay the best slopes for skiing in the range between 2000 and 3000 m.
There is almost always excellent snow cover here, while on other ski slopes of the Valais region Switzerland "s", where most of the ski resorts in Switzerland are concentrated, the conditions for skiing are not always favorable.
Andermatt alternatives
In terms of natural snow supply, Andermatt can only compete with Verbier, whose slopes start at an altitude of 1500 m, and the highest slopes start at 3230 m, or Engelberg, where skiers from the Swiss capital, Zurich, love to ride. Engelberg is located near Andermatt, but a little further north, so it is also rich in snow and northern ski runs and ski slopes (3030 m).
Andermatt characteristics
- Elevation difference: 1444 - 2961 m
- Length of slopes: 120 km
- Opening hours of lifts: 8.30 - 16.30
- Season: 04.11- 28.05
Andermatt how to get there
The nearest airports to Andermatt are Zurich (90 km), Bern (90 km) and Lugano (74 km). Andermatt Train Station is next to the Chedi Andermatt. The world-famous Glacier Express high-speed train from St. Moritz to Zermatt stops in Andermatt many times a day. From Zurich the trip to Andermatt takes two hours, from Milan three and a half hours.
Davos
Davos is a ski resort in Switzerland for skiers with some skiing experience. Davos has an extensive list of medium-difficulty pistes spread across six separate low-altitude ski areas around the mountain village of Klosters, about 10 km from Davos.
By the way, Klosters has another name - "Hollywood on the Rocks", because of its popularity among representatives of show business and cinema. Representatives of the British royal family love to ski on the ski slopes in Klosters, they usually come to the resort in the third decade of December. On the track in Klosters, Prince Harry and Prince William learned to ski.
Ski Davos, photo
Davos' main skiing sector, Parsenn, links the two resorts. Parsenn is famous for its wide, well-viewed ski slopes, most of the pistes on which are "red" for advanced skiers. There are also long "red" running distances in the valleys in the forest - in particular, from mountain top Weissfluhjoch (2660 m) over Davos to the mountain villages of Küblis, Serneus and Klosters. The length of the route is about 12 km, the elevation difference is about 1800 m.
The city of Davos is divided into two parts: the Parsenn ski area starts from Davos Dorf and reaches the Parsenn funicular; the second ski area starts from Davos Platz (Davos Platz), from here the lift runs to the small autonomous ski area Schtazalp (Schtazalp area), it is located a little far from Davos.
On the other side of the valley there are three more separate sections of skiing, there are only "red" and "blue" ski runs going through the forested area down into the valleys.
The highest local descent points can be reached with different types transport: the Jakobshorn mountain ski area is lifted from Davos, the other two resort ski areas are the Pischa peak (Pischa, 2483 m, the ski slope is open 8:20 - 16:20) and the Rinerhorn ski sector (Rinerhorn, 2582 m) are accessible by bus or train.
The ski area in Klosters has its own ski resort and ski arena Madrisa (Madrisa, 2600 m). In Klosters there are comfortable hotels equipped with modern communication systems and Internet access, restaurants and shops, ice rinks and water pools.
Davos alternatives
Davos competitors: St. Moritz, famous for its excellent ski transport infrastructure (special trains and buses for skiers provide ideal opportunities for skiing in four ski areas, the territory of which exceeds 3000 m in length; Laax (Laax), famous for its slopes for advanced skiers and neighboring Flims, which, together with Lax, has a total length of more than 200 km of slopes!
Davos characteristics
- Elevation difference: 810- 2845 m
- Length of trails: 320 km
- Opening hours of lifts: 8:15-16:30, some work until 17:00.
- Season: Parsenn -17.11-08.04; Klosters - 25.12 - 08.04; Jakobshorn 24.11 -15.04; Pisha - 26.12 - 25.03
Davos how to get there
Zurich Airport is located at a distance of 150 km from Davos. From Zurich, from the international airport, and from the railway. train station (Zurich Hauptbahnhof) trains leave for Davos regularly, every hour, on the way you need to change at Landquart. The train also stops at Klosters. Trains stop at Davos Dorf and Davos Platz, so check where you would like to get off before boarding. If you are traveling in the south of Germany, it is also easy to get to Davos by train from Munich.
Verbier
Verbier is one of the Swiss luxury ski resorts for those who consider themselves an extra-class skier. Everything looks luxurious here - chalets and hotels, vibrant après-ski entertainment, service and transport services. But the main luxury of the Swiss Verbier is its amazing coolness, which maintains the snow cover in perfect condition, and the difficult high-altitude terrain that not every skier will be able to handle.
Verbier - the best Swiss resort, photo
If you can master the snowy ski slopes of Verbier, you can consider yourself a high-class skier. The most difficult slopes of the Swiss ski resort of Verbier are the longest skiing distance in Europe from Col des Gentianes (Col des Gentianes) to Tortin (Tortin) with a length of 90 km and a vertical ski slope from Vallon d'Arby (Vallon d'Arby) to La Trumaz (La Tzoumaz), offering the skier to literally fly 1000 m along the very edge of the ski area.
From Verbier's other starting point, Mont Gélé at 3,022 m, even steeper routes and challenging off-piste skiing areas, and Mont Fort (3,328 m), surrounded by several glaciers, offers adventurous "black" ski runs and equally adventurous off-piste skiing opportunities that end in Siviez.
Of noteworthy service, Verbier has in its arsenal numerous offers for renting chalets and hotels, some of which have turned into real ski resorts, an excellent après ski center Place Centrale.
Verbier alternatives
As for alternatives, only the ski area on the slopes of the Gemsstock mountain, in Andermatt, can compete with the ski slopes of Verbier. It is here that there are difficult, "black" tracks and off-piste skiing areas. Zermatt can also be considered as a competitor, it offers both difficult marked skiing routes and extreme helicopter outings to untouched snowy oases - heli-skiing.
Verbier characteristics
- Elevation difference: 1500- 3330 m
- Length of slopes: 412 km
- Opening hours of lifts: 8.40-17.00, spring skiing (17.02-29.04) - 8.40-19.30
- Season: 04.12 - 29.04
Verbier how to get there
Verbier is easy to get to: international Airport Geneva is located just 160 km from the resort, right at the airport there is a train station from where trains leave for Verbier. Some routes from the railway Geneva train station road suggest a change in Martigny.
villars
Villars is the best ski resort in Switzerland for beginners and families with children. It has excellent conditions for skiing children. Life in Villars flows very slowly and calmly. Near the mountain village there is a children's ski school, but as soon as beginners master the first tricks and the first turns, they are already waiting for small ski runs in the local surroundings, and then there is a wonderful track for honing skills, to the top of which you can climb along a specially laid cog railway line by train. Here, in Villars, there is a branch of a prestigious British ski school, which has a high reputation for effective teaching.
The Villars ski resort is located on a sunny southern slope, offering a beautiful view of the Rhone Valley and the skiing French-Swiss ski area Portes du Soleil (Portes du Soleil).
Another ski resort - Gryon in the Alps of the French-speaking canton of Vaudois (Vaudois Alps) has joined the ski slopes of Villars, thus forming a wonderful ski area. The whole family seeks ski holidays here, the resort offers mountain hiking, sledding, cross-country skiing and other entertainment.
From Villars and Gryon there is direct access to the slopes of the Les Diablerets mountain peak, which are connected by as many as five! alpine skiing areas, the total length of the tracks on them exceeds 100 km, the territory is served by 34 lifts!
Villars has a decidedly urban charm that attracts vacationers, there are many quality shops, and in 2017 a magnificent new recreation center opened here with swimming pools, a sauna and a steam room.
Villar alternatives
Villar's competitors include the Saas Fee, with long and gentle ski slopes (next to main street town) and high-altitude, but easy - for beginners, as well as Laax (Laax), which is also known for its excellent offer of long and easy "blue" slopes descending from low mountain slopes into the village.
Villar characteristics
- Elevation difference: 1200 -2100 m
- Length of trails: 100 km
- Opening hours of lifts: 8.45-16.30
- Season: 25.11-15.04
Villars how to get there
The nearest airports to Villars are Geneva (73 km) and Bern (76 km). It is also easy to get here by train: the mountain railway line BVB (Bex-Villars-Bretaye) connects Villars with Bex (a municipality in the canton of Vaud), located in the valley. Trains run approximately every hour, the trip takes 40 minutes. Bex is easily accessible by train from St. Moritz or Montreux.
Zermatt
Zermatt is the best ski resort in Switzerland for those who love to party, besides, there is almost always natural snow here - the degree of snow cover reaches 70%. Apres-ski, rest after skiing, begins here already in the middle of the day, which is quite unusual for Swiss resorts. But if you have been to Austrian or French ski stations, this is quite appropriate and quite well-known feature of the winter ski resorts in Austria and France.
Swiss Zermatt, photo
In the cute little restaurants that dot the lower reaches of the Matterhorn, daytime eccentric parties open in the afternoon on fresh air. The initiators and organizers of such fun are companies operating under the "Folie Douce" franchise, they are represented here in almost every mountain restaurant.
Sounds on the slopes of Zermatt and live music - local bars often invite famous pop and rock bands to perform to compete with the fun in Saint-Anton (St. Anton).
Among the well-known features of recreation and skiing in Zermatt are the possibility of going to the ski areas belonging to the famous ski resort of Cervinia in Italy, extreme heli-skiing on the slopes of the Matterhorn (you are dropped from a helicopter onto deserted snowy fields and offered to ride alone), cozy mountain restaurants with the highest level of service; the absence of cars on the roads and, of course, the most beautiful views of the Matterhorn.
Zermatt alternatives
First of all, you need to look at Verbier, where there is a full range of après-ski entertainment and heli-ski opportunities. Another competitor of Zermatt, Laax is known as a popular youth ski resort that attracts the attention of snowboarders. Daredevils and merry fellows fill the bars early in the morning and don’t leave until late at night. Restaurants based on the Lac ski lifts are especially popular among snowboard fans.
Zermatt characteristics
- Elevation difference: 15620 -3899 m
- Length of slopes: 322 km
- Opening hours of lifts: 8.00 (8.30) -16.50
- Season: 16.12 -14.04 (may be extended until April 22, depending on weather conditions)
Zermatt how to get there
The nearest airports to Zermatt are located in Zurich (Zurich-Kloten International Airport with three terminals) and Geneva (Geneva-Cointrin International Airport). Suburban trains run directly from the airports to Zermatt, the travel time from Zurich is 3.5 hours, from Geneva - 4 hours. On the way you need to change at Visp.
Murren
Mürren is the best ski resort in Switzerland for the charm of the Swiss Alps. Those who dream of a perfect alpine vacation come here, who want to get lost in a small quiet swiss village, settle in a cozy chalet in the mountains, next to snow-covered and desert ski slopes. If you want a high-mountain extreme, it is convenient to organize it using the local cable car, and then - transferring to the most reliable type of land transport - a mountain train.
Swiss ski resort Murren, photo
Mürren's famous mountain peaks are the Swiss "trio" of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, which can be seen directly across the valley from the village.
Mürren has cross-country skiing at an altitude of 1300 m, and at a distance of about 1 km is the Schilthorn, one of the greatest peaks of the Bernese Alps. Schilthorn is the starting point of the Inferno downhill skiing competition. A cable car has been laid to the top, which has four transfers, one of which is in Mürren.
On the territory of the ski area in Mürren, 54 km of slopes were laid, from here it is easy to get by mountain train and using a cable car to the mountain valley, where the town of Lauterbrunnen is located, and then, after making another change, using the railway connection, you will find yourself in the ski area in Wengen (Wengen) to evaluate the possibilities of the resort, and then continue the journey to Grindelwald (Grindelwald). Both resorts - both Wengen and Grindelwald, as well as Mürren, are accessible on lifts in the Jungfrau area.
Murren alternatives
Wengen is more respectable, large hotels are built here in architectural style Victorian era, get to Wengen should be by train, car traffic is limited here, in order to maintain environmental cleanliness. Saas Fee is a traditional alpine mountain resort surrounded by massive glaciers on the horizon. Car traffic is also prohibited on the territory of the town, preference is given to electric vehicles and taxis.
Murren characteristics
- Elevation difference (Jungfrau region): 1034 - 2970 m
- Length of slopes: 206 km (Jungfrau)
- Opening hours of lifts: 9.10-17.55
- Season: 9.12-22.04
Murren how to get there
You can get to Mürren along the same route as to Wengen (see above). By train, get off at Lauterbrunnen station, then you can take the cable car to Gruchalp. Then take the narrow gauge train to Mürren BLM, railway station in the north of the village.
This is a tour of the best ski resorts in Switzerland.
By the way, Russian winter skiers vacationing in the Swiss Alps often tell their friends from other countries funny joke about a strange chicken, which, due to strong gusts of wind, was able to lay an egg only on the third attempt ... However, in our opinion, it is quite relevant - in the Swiss Alps, there are such heights and winds that it is just right to go skiing under sails!
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Switzerland is associated by many as the most ideal country for winter holidays and winter sports. Thanks to the majestic Swiss Alps, the winter months are the perfect time to experience the best snow cover on Earth. Skiing in Switzerland may not be cheap, but you can always be sure of a holiday highest quality. To help you choose the best ski resorts in Switzerland, several hundred locations have been analyzed for suitability for both beginners and experienced skiers, as well as family vacation. Heights, vertical descents and historical snow level reports were compared to get a complete picture. On this basis, 10 places were chosen that you can safely visit. These 10 ski resorts not only represent the top ten in Switzerland, but are also among the most attractive in the world!
Cozy family resort Arosa
Arosa is located in the eastern region of Switzerland, it is both a summer and winter resort. Full of tradition and history, Arosa will help you experience a wonderful snowy experience in winter, and picturesque natural scenery at other times of the year. More than 70 square kilometers of untouched nature for you to fully immerse yourself in an unforgettable holiday. The air is always clean and some of the downhill ski runs can challenge even the most experienced skiers. Nature lovers will also enjoy Arosa's isolation compared to some of the other resorts on this list.
Gstaad-Saanenland
If you are looking for a ski resort where you can ski without certain professional skills, then Gstaad could be suitable place. The local pistes attract mainly beginners and intermediate skiers because the slopes here are not as crazy as some other locations in Switzerland. Chic hotels, trendy shops and upscale restaurants are a common sight everywhere. The Gstaad-Saanenland region is one of the best ski resorts in Switzerland.
Murren
Murren is famous for his scenic views and nature. Perched on a high cliff in the Lauterbrunnen Valley, this mountain village can only be conquered by cable car. It is one of the best places for hiking and sledding in all of Switzerland. There will be no problem if you suddenly find yourself here at a different time when there is no snow. This is one of the best places to visit during the summer months. Well, in the winter season, Murren offers exciting ski slopes, attracting more advanced skiers.
Ski resorts Davos-Klosters
The Davos-Klosters ski area is located in eastern Switzerland on the Landwasser River. Davos' popularity has waned a bit since recent times, but Klosters offers a more lively holiday. It is popular mainly with skiers from the Netherlands and the UK. Both beginners and more advanced skiers and snowboarders come here. Alternatively, you can spend time visiting the many expensive shops, restaurants and spas.
Laach, Flims and Falera
This area offers a wide range of summer sports, and skiing and snowboarding are popular during the winter months. Combined, the areas of Laach, Flims and Falera occupy more than 130 sq. miles of stunning scenery and mountain trails. Worab Glacier and Krap Son Giyon attract most of the cross-country skiers, while Foppa and Nagens provide good trails for beginners and intermediates. Hotels in the area are not as expensive as in Gstaad. If large crowds of tourists scare you, book a hotel room for weekdays, when it will not be so crowded.
Saas Fee
Saas-Fee is located in southwestern Switzerland, beyond Zermatt, and is home to the highest mountain in all of Switzerland, Dom, at 4,545 meters. A large number of glaciers attract visitors to Saas-Fee. Thanks to the Dom and Allalinhorn glaciers, skiing is possible here even in summer. Many ski resorts in Switzerland are inferior to him in this regard. There are several dozen schools for teaching snowboarding and skiing, many luxury hotels and boutiques.
Grindelwald
In fourth place on our list of resorts in Switzerland is Grindelwald, which is located in the Berns-Oberwald valley, in the very center of the country. With over 120 miles of excellent ski slopes, in Grindelwald there are a number of different resorts that are suitable for tourists with different levels preparation. What also makes this location stand out from others is that some of the slopes here are only accessible by helicopter. Well, if you get tired of skiing and snowboarding, then Grindelwald has many museums, golf courses and a number of other sports to offer.
Municipality of St. Moritz
Do you want to get to a resort full of rich history, world-class housing, and 300+ days of sunshine a year? If yes, then St. Moritz is the place for you! Located in the far southeastern part of Switzerland, St. Moritz is one of the most famous destinations in Switzerland. Beginners will enjoy the Corviglia region, with relatively easy slopes, while advanced skiers will soak up the breathtaking happiness of Pontresina. However, as with many other top resorts in Switzerland, it pays to be prepared to spend a lot of money!
Verbier
Verbier is also in the top three places for skiing, as one of the more popular Swiss resorts in the Alps. Its slopes can get a bit crowded during peak season but remain in top condition through the spring months. A wide range of unique trails suit both beginners and advanced skiers. Tortin is rated as the top spot for experts, while the numerous sites in Verbier are good places for beginners. In addition, excellent hotels, restaurants, sports facilities and nightlife make Verbier one of the most famous resorts in the world.
The best ski resort in Switzerland - Zermatt
Skiing is a year-round activity in Zermatt. Enjoy the Sunegg and Gornergrat areas during the winter months and head to Theodul Glacier for a great adventure during the warmer summer months. With lots of snow, lots of obstacles, and the cleanest, freshest air in the world, Zermatt caters to just about everyone. In addition to incredible skiing, Zermatt is famous for some of the most beautiful, natural skating rinks and many other sports facilities. The world famous Matterhorn attracts locals and tourists who want to conquer this magnificent mountain. Nature lovers will appreciate the car-free resort with natural hiking trails. Visiting Zermatt, you are visited by a feeling of enlightenment.
Continue reading also about ski resorts in Austria, where you can spend your time no less comfortably and efficiently.
February 9, 2013 | Categories: Places , Travel , Sports , Topper
Rating: +4 Article author: Koller Views: 19817Switzerland is located in Western Europe and borders with Germany, the Principality of Liechtenstein, Austria, France and Italy. The area of the territory is only 41,285 square kilometers and more than 60% of it is occupied by the Alpine mountains. Switzerland is famous for its clean lakes, chocolate and many modern ski resorts, one of the best in the world, not only for tourism, outdoor activities on your own and with children, but also for recovery or treatment.
Visiting Switzerland, you understand that the country boasts the most beautiful castles in the world against the background of the cleanest lakes and the best ski slopes in the world. Hotels in Switzerland can accommodate more than 250,000 people at the same time, and thanks to the opportunity to join the world of rich and famous people, this figure is growing every year.
Swiss resorts are designed for wealthy people, because the cost of the tour ranges from 360 to 750 EUR, and visiting the ski slopes is usually not included in this price. But the exorbitant high cost is more than compensated by the high level of service, the cleanliness of the tracks and the prestige of recreation.
Clear and accessible marking of trails by difficulty is another reason why tourists prefer to ski in this country. The lightest tracks are marked in blue, the average level of difficulty is red, the tracks for professionals are marked in black.
Switzerland map. Regions, cities
Ski resorts around Zurich
Ski resorts in Switzerland, located in the vicinity of Zurich, have long gained great popularity due to their convenient location. Any mountain resort can be reached by car, bus and train. The journey will take from 30 minutes to 2 hours.
Einsiedeln
The resort is only an hour from Zurich. The resort is located at an altitude of 1100 meters and is perfect for not very experienced skiers, as it has at its disposal only blue slopes with a height difference of no more than 100 m. There are 8 slopes in total, the longest of which is 1 km. The season in Einsiedeln opens in December and ends in March.
In addition to skiing and snowboarding, the resort is also famous for the nearby Benedictine Abbey, the most popular pilgrimage site in the country. In the abbey, you can bow to one of the revered Christian shrines - the Black Madonna and see the world's largest three-dimensional image of the Nativity, made of 450 hand-made figures.
Hoch-Ybrig
The resort is located 80 minutes from Zurich and welcomes those wishing to relax from May 12 to April. On a vast territory, 18 slopes of all difficulty levels are open, which can be easily accessed with the help of 12 lifts. The height difference reaches 956 m, the total length of the tracks is 50 km. The resort is great for families.
Flumserberg (Flumserberg)
The resort is located 2 hours from Zurich and welcomes those wishing to relax from November to April. On a vast territory there are 26 tracks of all difficulty levels, served by 17 lifts. The height difference reaches 1022 m, the total length of the tracks is 65 km.
The Flusemberg resort offers a beautiful view of the Kurfirsten mountain range, and in summer you can stroll through picturesque groves and meadows. In addition to snowboarding and skiing, the resort boasts a well-equipped geo-route, after which you can see the formation of mountain ranges.
Pizol (Pizol)
The resort is open from 12 May to April. Here, in winter, 26 tracks of various difficulty levels are open, equipped with 11 lifts. The total length of the trails is 43 km, the elevation difference reaches 1719 m. mountain route"Five Lakes", passing through which you can visit the most beautiful lakes: Wangen, Schlotten, Schwarzsee, Baschalva and Wildsee. The route ends at the cable car station.
Atzmaennig (Atzmaennig)
The resort is primarily famous for the oldest useless toboggan run in Switzerland. The 700 m long trail with a 126 m vertical drop provides a lot of excitement for those who dare to descent at high speed. The resort is designed for lovers of relaxation as close to nature as possible. Houses for living are made in the form of wooden igloos, designed for 2-6 beds.
Large and popular ski resorts in Switzerland
Ski resorts in Switzerland, which are included in the list of large and popular, attract attention with a huge variety of entertainment for even the most demanding taste: sleigh rides, paragliding. The well-thought-out infrastructure of the resorts guarantees a good rest in any weather conditions.
Andermatt
The resort will especially appeal to fans of off-piste skiing. It attracts vacationers with wide open slopes, which are simply made for experienced snowboarders, skiers and connoisseurs of deep snow. On an area of 300 sq. km equipped with 65 tracks for skiing, snowboarding and sledding, and if you get bored, you can ride a horse-drawn sleigh or take a walk on snowshoes.
In Andermatt, you can see 600 peaks of the Alps at the same time. In summer, a cable car operates near the famous Devil's Bridge. The season opens in May and ends in April.
VERBIER
Verbier is one of the most famous ski resorts in Switzerland, which, however, is best left to experienced skiers who can fully appreciate the fantastic piste and off-piste slopes here (if they can only figure out the intricate layout of routes).
The back country is especially attractive to the masters, however, intermediate skiers will also enjoy the resort, especially skiing on Mount Savoleires. Beginners are likely to be discouraged by the complexity of the local slopes.
Evening and nightlife in this Swiss ski resort is in full swing, but since Verbier is very popular with wealthy people, do not expect cheap entertainment. In general, you will not find low prices in this ski resort.
Main details:
- Altitude above sea level: 1500 m.
- Elevation difference: 1830 m.
- Number of lifts: 94.
- Pistes: 150 km in Verbier, 410 km in the associated Four Valleys (33% beginner, 42% intermediate, 6% advanced, 19% master).
- Associated and/or neighboring resorts: Bruson, Champe-Lac, Nendaz, Sivier, Thion, La Tzoumas, Veysonnas.
- Season: November - end of April.
- Nearest airport: Geneva-Switzerland (2 hours).
- Nearest railway station: Le Chable (15 min drive).
- Highway: motorway Geneva-Lausanne-Martigny, then on a steep mountain road.
Villars
Villars resort is located at an altitude of 1300 m, the ski area includes 44 lifts and slopes with a total length of 125 km. There is a winter Kindergarten, snow parks, sledding opportunities and many hiking trails. For those who want to relax, wellness centers have been built in the area of thermal springs.
At an altitude of 1600 m, against the background of the picturesque panorama of Mont Blanc, a golf course was built. The narrow-gauge railway delivers those who wish to any of the 78 routes, which eliminates the need to use a car. The season starts in December and ends in April.
Grindelwald
The resort is small but popular resort surrounded by magnificent mountains. Many viewing platforms allow you to admire the magnificent Swiss landscapes, and a variety of entertainments have made the ski resort one of the most popular.
Grindelwald is open from December to April and offers pistes of all difficulty levels with a total length of 102 km. Hiking trail “Apple Pancake Trail” will allow you to see not only the picturesque valley, but also learn a lot about fruits. At the end of the path is a mountain restaurant where delicious apple pancakes are prepared.
Gstaad
This Swiss resort is a favorite holiday destination for celebrities from all over the world. This is a whole complex of resorts with a wide choice for recreation: high-speed descents on scooters, a panoramic railway, a picturesque mountain lake where you can swim. There are many festivals in July and August.
For winter recreation, more than 80 tracks of all difficulty levels are equipped here, the highest of which is at an altitude of 2151 m, and several snowparks.
Klosters
Klosters Resort, Prince Charles' favorite mountain resort, offers a combination of a modern resort and a quiet Victorian village. From November to April, Klosters offers 85 pistes of all difficulty levels, starting at an altitude of 2844 meters.
The resort has trails for hiking, the opportunity to ride a horse-drawn sleigh and sled. The cable car will take everyone to the territory of the Davos ski resort. On the territory of Klosters, two miracles of architectural creation were built - the Sunnyberg and Salginatobel bridges.
Crans-Montana
The resort consists of 2 twin towns of Montana and Crane, standing at an altitude of 1500 meters. Crans-Montana combines the beauty of the Valais Alps with the advantages of a modern resort. The season lasts from May to April, during this time you can ride on 41 tracks, mostly red and black, appreciate the benefits of shopping in the vicinity of the Alps, play golf on the best course in Switzerland, swim in one of the five cleanest lakes in summer and breathe in the mountain air in hiking time.
For lovers of mountain bikes, 117 km of marked trails are equipped. At an altitude of 3000 m is the main local attraction - a huge Plain Mort glacier with a length of 10 square meters. km. The resort has long gained a reputation as a good place for family vacations. In the evenings, you can enjoy delicious fondue in the village restaurants.
Laax (Laax)
The resort is one of largest resorts country, which includes 64 routes with a total length of 235 km. The highest point of the resort is at an altitude of 3018 m. In addition to traditional outdoor activities, the resort offers winter hiking, curling and paragliding. Thrill-seekers from all over the world come to Laax to enjoy 4 snowparks with the highest highpipes in the world. The season runs from October to April.
Lenzerheide / Valbella (Lenzerheide - Valbella)
These well-known resorts are more like a cozy well-groomed park and are suitable for those who like to ride slowly or do nothing. 40 lifts will deliver directly to one of the many slopes, with a total length of 155 km.
The resort is well equipped for families with children, there is a babysitting service and a lot of children's entertainment: a climbing wall, a pirate ship, a play stream. Among the huge number of hotels, you can easily find a room for any income level. The resort is open from December to April 10.
Samnaun (Samnaun)
The resort used to be a haven for smugglers, now it has turned into favorite place for lovers of mountain biking and hiking. From November to May, ski slopes are open that meet the requirements of even the most capricious vacationers, with a total length of 223 km.
Shopping lovers can also appreciate Samdaun as the only resort in Switzerland with duty free. And for lovers of hiking, a large selection of thematic routes has been developed.
Flims (Flims)
Resort the best place for those who just want to go skiing without being distracted by other entertainment. Well-equipped snow slopes with a total length of 235 km will give unforgettable experience downhill enthusiasts. Slopes of all types of markings are open to everyone from October to April.
Engelberg
The Swiss ski resort of Engelberg is one of the largest winter and summer resorts in the center of the country. It attracts guests with a provincial atmosphere from October to May. The two glaciers Titlis and Hahnen guarantee snow not only in winter, but almost all spring. 19 tracks of all difficulty levels, with a total length of 82 km, will provide an unforgettable vacation and a desire to return here again.
Engelberg is also equipped for family recreation, for younger guests there are playgrounds and toboggan runs. Adults can go cross-country skiing, snowboarding, rock climbing. The trails in the resort are not empty even at night.
In addition to an extensive program of winter entertainment, the town is famous for the famous Engelberg Monastery, which houses the largest organ in Switzerland and a functioning cheese factory.
Champery
The resort is located at an altitude of 1050 m, and is one of the oldest in Europe tourist destinations has not lost its traditional charm. This is the last city in the country where cast bells are made. 209 lifts and cable cars will quickly take travelers to 286 pistes of red and black complexity, with a total length of 650 km.
Fans of unusual recreation are invited to try their hand at rock climbing, snowshoeing and flying on a steam plane. The season in Champery starts in December and ends in April.
Löchental valley
The ski resort is located at an altitude of 3111 meters and has 12 ski slopes of all difficulty levels. Lönchental is the best holiday destination for those who want to retire from civilization for a while. The valley also has many scenic hiking trails between small towns. The season in the valley starts in December and ends in April.
Locarno
The resort has the warmest and sunniest climate in Switzerland. The town is rich in architectural sights, and many cafes and restaurants will surprise even the most capricious gastronomic tourists. Every year Locarno hosts a film festival. For connoisseurs of outdoor recreation, several trails of low difficulty are open in winter, against the backdrop of picturesque landscapes.
Elite ski resorts
Ski resorts in Switzerland, belonging to the elite, despite their exorbitant high cost, are never empty. The richest and most famous people on the planet choose these vacation spots for the highest class comfort, the best tracks in the country and discreet staff. Prices in such resorts can reach up to $ 10,000 per night, which guarantees that no one else will rest nearby.
St. Moritz
The resort is known as a favorite vacation spot of King Carl XVI of Sweden. The town, located at an altitude of 1856 m, consists of a huge number of the most luxurious and expensive hotels in the country and is considered the second in the world among the most expensive resorts in Europe.
In addition to 150 km of hiking trails and 200 km of ski slopes with state-of-the-art infrastructure, here you can ride a toboggan on the oldest natural bobsleigh track in the world. St. Moritz is considered a resort for professionals; only red and black slopes are equipped here. The season lasts all year.
Zermatt
Without a doubt, this is one of the most beautiful ski resorts in Switzerland. The true alpine scenery alone and the location at the foot of the majestic Matterhorn would be enough to attract mountain lovers. The main hit is a completely pedestrian town with its indescribable atmosphere. Skiing will appeal to most skiers, but especially beginners and intermediates.
Although about half of the slopes of the Swiss ski resort of Zermatt are designated as medium difficulty slopes, they may seem too difficult for not very confident “middle peasants”, especially in case of glaciation and / or workload of skiers. A possible way out is a trip to the Italian Servinia, one of the snowiest ski resorts in Europe, it will surely appeal to intermediate skiers and beginners.
For gourmets, the mountain restaurants of Zermatt are well known for their excellent menus and views of the Matterhorn.
Basic information, important characteristics:
- Altitude above sea level: 1620 m.
- Elevation difference: 2279 m.
- Number of lifts: 62 with Servinia (ski pass offered for both resorts).
- Pistes length: 200 km in Zermatt, 400 km with Servinia (10% for beginners, 54% for intermediate skiers, 36% for advanced and masters).
- Associated and/or neighboring resorts: Crans-Montana, Grachen, Riederalp, Saas-Fee in Switzerland, Servinia in Italy.
- Season: end of November/beginning of December - end of April/beginning of May (summer skiing in Klein Matterhorn).
- Nearest airports: Sion (1.5 h), Geneva - Switzerland (4 h).
- Nearest railway station: Zermatt.
- Highway: by car to Tasch, then by train to Zermatt.
Ski resorts with freestyle, snowboarding, toboggan runs
Resorts of this category have gained popularity among connoisseurs of winter holidays due to a wide variety of entertainment suitable for all ages. In addition to the traditional descent from the mountain, various interesting courses will be offered here, teaching all kinds of winter sports.
Murren
The mountain town has long been associated with James Bond, it was here that the famous film "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" was filmed. Murren is simply made for snowboarding, tobogganing and sledding. From December to the first ten days of April, you can ride here on tracks of all difficulty levels with a total length of 53 km. A ski school is open for children in Mürenne, where they will teach how to use snowboards and skis.
Nendaz
This resort is located at an altitude of 1400 m, with stunning views of the Valais Alps. With the cable car you can climb to a height of 3330 m, the highest peak of the Four Valleys region. For children, in addition to traditional entertainment, a rich selection of programs on creativity and needlework is provided.
Adults can appreciate the 86 slopes, with a total length of 412 km, which are perfect for skis, sleds and snowboards. The season in Nende lasts from May to April.
Pontresina (Pontresina)
The resort is located at an altitude of 1820 m, in one of the most beautiful valleys of the Upper Engardin. Large glaciers and mountain peaks have made the resort popular not only among snowboarders and toboggan lovers, but also attracted the attention of climbers and ice climbers. In addition to 10 slopes designed for all types of skiing, the resort offers romantic horse-drawn sleigh rides through snow-covered forests. The season in Potrezina starts in December and ends in April.
Saas-Fee
The ski resort is also called the "Pearl of the Alps", located at an altitude of 1800 m, at the very edge of the glacier. This is an ideal point to go on an interesting high-mountain hike. 48 tracks designed for all types of skiing will not leave anyone indifferent. One of the highlights of local recreation is evening skiing on illuminated slopes. In Saas-Fee, you want to stay longer, but unfortunately, you can enjoy your vacation only from January to April
Ski resorts for families with children
Ski resorts in Switzerland are just made for families. The country can offer a huge selection of resorts and hotels suitable for children. During the period winter holidays Christmas villages open in almost all cities. Nevertheless, holidays in specialized resorts have a number of advantages:
- a large staff of trained nannies and educators ensure the safety of a child of any age;
- availability of kindergartens for children aged 18 months;
- several themed playrooms;
- various recreational activities, educational programs, excursions;
- open children's ski schools;
- the presence of special children's trails.
Wengen
The resort is located at an altitude of 1274 m and has become a real paradise for families. The resort impresses with its clean air and the number of sunny days. 110 km of slopes of easy and medium difficulty are perfect for skiing with the whole family.
In between skiing, you can walking route walk to one of the most pristine glacial gorges, hidden under the Trumelbach waterfall. Every year in mid-January, the World Cup in slalom and downhill is held in Wengen. The season ends in April.
Davos
The resort is one of the largest ski resorts in Switzerland. At an altitude of 1124 m to 2844 m, there are 58 ski lifts, 300 km of various slopes for sledging and tobogganing, 75 km of cross-country skiing trails and Europe's largest natural skating rink for curling or just skating.
The territory of Davos is divided into several ski areas. For ski fans - Weissfluhjoch and Parsenn, for snowboarders - Jakobshorn, for lovers of a more relaxing holiday - Gotcha, Pitcha, Madris and Rinerhon. The season in Davos starts in November and lasts until the end of April.
Les DiableretsI
The place was considered a dangerous place several centuries ago, now only the name reminds of this. Now the resort has turned into a well-equipped family recreation center that can offer a comfortable stay not only for adults, but also for children. Three ski areas located at an altitude of 3000 m offer ice climbing, snow biking, toboggan runs and of course skiing.
Trails with a total length of 125 km, of all difficulty levels, are waiting for adventure lovers from November to April.
Lenk (Lenk)
The resort is located in the heart of the Simmen Valley at an altitude of 1068 km. For adults, there are 73 tracks open here, with a total length of 125 km, mostly light and medium levels.
Many have been developed for children entertainment programs, excursions, a playground in the style of Alpine culture is open. You can visit the resort from the beginning of December to the first decade of November.
Health resorts with treatment, thermal springs
In addition to opportunities to enjoy winter sports, Switzerland boasts a wide range of health resorts, the largest of which are Leukerbad, Arosa and Scuol. Numerous pools filled with mineral-rich and refreshing thermal water guarantee a good rest, regardless of weather conditions.
Arosa
The ski resort is located in the lower part of the Shanfig valley, at an altitude of 1800 m. Surrounded by mountains, Arosa is protected from strong winds, the air in this region is incredibly clean. All those who stayed overnight, regardless of whether they are in a campsite or a hotel, are provided with a flexible system of discounts for all types of entertainment.
For connoisseurs of outdoor recreation, there are 70 km of well-groomed slopes, and 13 lifts deliver passengers to a height of 2653 m. Mountain huts have been built along the perimeter of hiking routes, where you can relax with friends or relatives. The season is open from November to April.
Leukerbad
The ski resort is located in the Valais and has long earned the reputation of the largest spa and wellness resort in Switzerland. Every day, about 4 million liters of water from 65 thermal geysers enter the resort. In addition to thermal baths and rehabilitation center, the resort provides an opportunity from December to April to ride on 19 ski slopes, with a total length of 52 km.
Leukerbad also has a sports arena, a large indoor ice rink and a climbing wall.
The resort town of Scuol has preserved its natural wealth and cultural heritage, which the residents are happy to share with their guests. In addition to 80 km of ski slopes of all difficulty levels, the town boasts the Bogn Engiadina Scuol wellness center with the most modern thermal spa, Romano-Irish baths and a range of medical services.
Bogn Engiadina Scuol is also famous for its first Turkish baths in Switzerland. Fans of architectural sights will appreciate the 11th-century Tarasp castle, which stands on a 100-meter-high cliff.
Other ski areas and slopes in Switzerland
In addition to the famous resorts in Switzerland, there are many more budget and simpler resorts. This category of resorts attracts ski connoisseurs with its more affordable prices and quiet environment.
| Name | Where is | Data, short description |
| Aletsch | Canton Vallis |
|
| Anzer | Canton Vallis |
|
| Beckenried | Canton of Neuchâtel |
|
| Belalp-Blatten-Naters | Canton Vallis |
|
| Braunwald | Canton of Glarus |
|
| Brigels-Waltensburg-Andiast | Canton of Graubünden |
|
| Celerina | Canton of Graubünden |
|
| Disentis (Disentis) | Canton of Graubünden |
|
| Elm | Canton of Glarus |
|
| Falera | Canton of Graubünden |
|
| Lauterbrunnen | Canton of Bern |
|
| Meiringen | Canton of Bern |
|
| Melchsee Frutt | Canton of Obwalden |
|
| Obersaxen | Canton of Graubünden |
|
| Titlis | Canton of Bern |
|
| San Bernardino | Canton of Graubünden |
|
| Savognin | Canton of Graubünden |
|
| Sedrun | Canton of Graubünden |
|
| Sils | Canton of Graubünden |
|
| Wildhaus | Canton of St. Gallen |
|
| Riederalp | East of Switzerland |
|
| bever | Graubünden region |
|
| Tesh | Canton Vallee |
|
| Belwald | Canton Vallis |
|
| Villars-sur-Ollon | Canton of Vaud |
|
| Veyson | Canton Vallis |
|
| Monte | Canton Vallis |
|
| Chur | Canton of Graubünden |
|
| Gruyere | Canton of Friborg |
|
| Waltz | Canton of Graubünden |
|
| Adelboden | Canton of Bern |
|
| Saas-Grund | Canton of Valais |
|
| Lavey-les-Bains | Canton of Geneva |
|
| Saas-Almagell | Canton Vallis |
|
| Lenzerheide | Canton of Graubünden |
|
| Leysin | Canton of Vaud |
|
| Bellinzona | Canton of Ticino |
|
| La Chaux-de-Fonds | Canton of Neuchâtel |
|
| Grahen | Canton of Valais |
|
| Samnaun | Canton of Graubünden |
|
| Kandersteg | Canton of Bern |
|
| Ormont Dess | Canton of Vaud |
|
| hasliberg | Canton of Graubünden |
|
| Grimance | Canton Vallis |
|
| morgin | Canton Vallis |
|
| Champoussin | Canton Vallis |
|
| Le Croisette | Canton Vallis |
|
| Torgon | Canton Vallis |
|
| Val d'Isle | Canton Vallis |
|
| Tion | Canton Vallis |
|
| La Toumaz | Canton of Valais |
|
| Veysonna | Canton of Valais |
|
| Riederalp-Aletsch | Canton of Valais |
|
| Bettmeralp Aletsch | Canton of Valais |
|
| Fischeralp Aletsch | Canton of Valais |
|
| Samnaun | Canton of Graubünden |
|
| Interlaken-Jungfrau | Canton of Bern |
|
| Celerina | Canton of Graubünden |
|
| Villars-Gryon-Alps Vaidosis | Canton of Valais |
|
| Sils im Engadin | Canton of Valais |
|
| Silvaplana | Canton of Graubünden |
|
| Sieur Annivier | Canton of Valais |
|
Switzerland has become a favorite holiday destination for families, couples or large groups of people from all over the world.
Resting in this amazing country, you can not only enjoy your vacation at ski or medical resorts, but at the same time see the architectural and natural attractions of the state and enjoy a real vacation with high-quality infrastructure and modern services for every taste.
Interesting and useful videos about the best resorts in Switzerland
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 ski infrastructure one of the best in the world here. 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 healing resorts for the nobility. 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 unproblematically left the train and drove further along the 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) 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 the 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. Car traffic is completely prohibited here, and you can only move in electric mini-cars and horse-drawn carriages.
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.
Zermatt is one of the top 10 resorts in the world in terms of the quality of the pistes. 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 also their main drawback: the sun mercilessly 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 over eighty!) and shop for the latest gear (and more): the resort claims to be the best shopping destination in 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 medical insurance in their package tours to Swiss ski resorts. 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 " 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!
