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Ski Holidays in Switzerland: How to Pick your Ideal Mountain Resort

Are you envisaging ski holidays in Switzerland in the future? From romantic alpine villages to glamorous towns, there are many fantastic mountain resorts in Switzerland. Choosing is not easy, so let me help you identify the best Swiss ski Resort for you. 

Whichever the destination, you can hardly go wrong in Switzerland. The alpine scenery ranges from beautiful to magnificent. Ski Slopes for any level are abundant. And even if you’re not a skier (or not yet), winter holidays in Switzerland are a lot of fun, and there’s plenty to do.

Which are the best ski resorts in Switzerland?

There’s no straight answer to the question. Every resort is unique. Romantic villages like Gstaad. Glamorous destinations like St. Moritz. Or car-free Zermatt, with its views of the iconic Matterhorn. 

Then there are the ski areas. While all of them offer various easy, intermediate, and challenging slopes, no doubt deciding where to spend your ski holidays in Switzerland should take into account your experience. 

Altitude is another factor to consider. In Zermatt, St. Moritz, Saas-Fee, you can ski well above 3000m (9843 ft). That means that even in a year with little snowfalls, you’ll enjoy favorable snow conditions. However, a possible downside is to potentially suffer from altitude sickness. The best to do, in that case, is to progressively reach higher altitudes. 

Swiss ski resorts below 2200-2500m (7220-8200 ft), like for example, Gstaad, are generally better suited for beginners or intermediate skiers. There are many gentler slopes, perfect if you’re just starting or if you want to improve your skiing skills. 

All top Swiss ski resorts offer a wide range of accommodations: hotels, luxury chalets, guesthouses, and more. 

Ski holidays in Switzerland: how to choose your ideal resort

I’m pretty sure you wish you could experience multiple ski resorts in Switzerland. In some cases, this is possible since they’re not too far away. However, there are ski areas that are somewhat distant from one another. In that case, you’ll have to pick one which is right for you.

Jungfrau Ski Region 

by Jurga, Full Suitcase

KEY INFORMATION 
N. of slopes: 131
N. of lifts:63
Length of slopes:about 210 km (130 mi)
Best suited to:Beginners, Intermediate, Experts

Jungfrau Region with the backdrop of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountain peaks is probably one of Switzerland’s most picturesque ski resorts! It’s also one of the biggest ski areas. It stretches over three mountain ranges and comprises three resorts: Grindelwald-First, Grindelwald-Wengen, and Mürren-Schilthorn. You can ski here for days without ever having to do the same run twice. 

Also, the Meiringen – Hasliberg ski area officially belongs to the Jungfrau Region. However, it’s located further away and does not connect with the main ski area’s slopes.With 210km of slopes connected by trains, gondolas, and cable cars, and covering the area between 796 and 2970 meters above sea level, Jungfrau Region has plenty to offer to all types of skiers. There are some beginner slopes, but most runs here are long and categorized as ‘red.’ However, they are usually so wide that even a beginner will feel comfortable skiing here.

The biggest ski area of the Jungfrau Region and our personal favorite is the area between Grindelwald and Wengen. First, you have to make your way up to either Männlichen or Kleine Scheidegg. Once there, you have a choice of 102km of runs and 24 ski lifts. You can’t go wrong with any of the runs here – the views are incredible, and skiing here is always relaxing and fun.If you’re up for it, you can also try the steep run that is used for the famous Lauberhorn ski race that takes place here every January. Those familiar with the alpine ski races know that the Lauberhorn is one of the top runs, together with the Streif in Kitzbuehel (Austria). 

Even if you’re not a skier, keep in mind that Jungfrau Top of Europe is one of the most scenic alpine train rides. From the top, you’ll get some of the most breathtaking views of the Alps.

But there’s so much more to do here in winter than skiing! For more information, please check this guide to visiting the Jungfrau Region in winter.

Zermatt ski resort

by Claire, Stoked to Travel

KEY INFORMATION 
N. of slopes: 145
N. of lifts:53
Length of slopes:360 km (224 mi)
Best suited to:Intermediate, experts

Zermatt is a stunning resort nestled high in the Swiss Alps, sitting under the magnificent and imposing pyramid-shaped Matterhorn mountain. (If you like Toblerone chocolate, you’ll remember the drawing of the Matterhorn on the triangle packaging). 

The highest altitude is at 3889 m (12,760 ft), making Zermatt the highest ski resort in Europe, boasting frequent near-perfect snowy conditions. Thus, the ski season is long, and diehard skiers and snowboarders take advantage of Zermatt summer skiing. 

Zermatt has something for every skier or snowboarder level, with more than 360 km of slopes and 53 lifts. There’s a wide variety of blue, red, and black slopes, and there’s a dedicated Snowpark for snowboarders. For learners, Zermatt ski school is excellent, also if you want to experience snowboard. Furthermore, if you’re an advanced off-piste skier, you can have an exhilarating Zermatt heli-skiing adventure. Another unique aspect of Zermatt is that it is located close to Italy. You can ski into the resort of Cervinia for lunch and back into Switzerland afterward!

Wherever you are in the resort, look up, and you can likely see the jagged reaches of the Matterhorn reaching high in the sky. No wonder Zermatt is one of the top mountain resorts in Switzerland and in the world. Apres-ski in Zermatt is a lively, fun, and very Swiss affair. But make sure to also cozy up in one of the tiny chalets such as Champagner Bar Teehäuschen Flora with a hot chocolate or glass of Champagne, with outdoor seating lined with reindeer furs and surrounded by towering snow-capped trees. 



Back in the resort, enjoy a car-free environment as Zermatt is a pedestrian-only town. Take an afternoon to wander the picture-perfect streets, and enjoy stops at local bakeries or wine bars and soak up all that makes Zermatt so unique! 

Verbier and the 4 Valleys

KEY INFORMATION 
N. of slopes: 
N. of lifts:93
Length of slopes:410 km (255 mi)
Best suited to:Beginners, Intermediate, Experienced

Verbier and the 4 Vallées, as the 4 Valleys are called in French, is the biggest ski area in Switzerland. The town is not as charming as Gstaad, but you’re sure to experience top-notch skiing. It certainly is one of the most fashionable ski resorts in Switzerland, although probably a little less than St. Moritz and Gstaad. 

The altitude ranges from 1250 m (4,100 ft) up to 3300 m (10,827 ft) on the top of the famous Mont Fort. Runs are abundant and suitable for any level of skiers, although Verbier is incredibly popular with experienced skiers. If you’re looking for a challenge, head to the Mont Fort run. Although I’ve been skiing for years and am quite good at it, I didn’t dare to face the steep slope and the deep ditches. 

Verbier is also a real paradise for off-piste skiing, and heli-skiing is extremely popular if you’re looking for some exceptional freeriding.

Gstaad

KEY INFORMATION 
N. of slopes:75
N. of lifts:53
Length of slopes:220 km (137 mi)
Best suited to:Beginners-Intermediate

This charming small village is one of Switzerland’s most famous luxury ski resorts, together with St. Moritz. Royalties and many celebrities own a chalet in Gstaad, but you’ll have little chances to meet any. What makes Gstaad unique is its understatement. It looks like many other pretty Swiss villages, except it’s more than that. 

Gstaad is chic and understated. A place like no other. 

You can reach the different ski areas by train, boarding the Montreux Oberland Bernois line, one of Switzerland’s most scenic train rides. However, if you wish to ski on Glacier 3000, you’ll have to catch the bus.

The altitude of the ski areas around Gstaad barely reaches 2000 m (6562 ft), which can be an issue in years with little snowfalls. However, the Gstaad ski resort is well equipped to guarantee artificial snow. In case you want to ski at higher altitudes, just head to Glacier 3000, where you can also walk on Les Diablerets glacier in Summer. 

Gstaad is the perfect destination if you’re looking for a romantic ski holiday in the Alps. Additionally, Gstaad is a friendly mountain resort for disabled people. I spent a week some time ago with my beloved nephew, who has Down syndrome. Gstaad ski school has specific programs to prepare instructors to teach people with disabilities, and they do fantastic work. 

Engelberg Titlis Ski Area

By Jurga, Full Suitcase

KEY INFORMATION 
N. of slopes:19
N. of lifts:25
Length of slopes:82 km (51 mi)
Best suited to:Beginners, Intermediate

Engelberg ski resort is one of our favorite places to ski in Switzerland. There are several reasons for this. First, it’s easy to get to by car and is just a short train ride from Lucerne. Second, there is snow certainty during the entire ski season. And third, the slopes are really nice and wide and usually not too busy.

Furthermore, the scenery is terrific, and your ski ticket also allows you to go all the way up to the top of the famous Mount Titlis. That’s one of the most beautiful mountain tops to visit in Switzerland and separately visiting it will cost you a small fortune, so don’t miss it if skiing in the area! With 82km of slopes and 25 ski lifts covering the area between 1.050 and 3.020 meters above sea level, Engelberg has a wide variety of ski slopes to choose from. However, you’ll enjoy skiing here more if you are comfortable with intermediate, red pistes.

There are three ski areas in Engelberg; the biggest one is the Titlis Area. It’s here that you’ll find the biggest variety of ski slopes. The most popular runs are around Jochpass, but the slopes at Stand are just as nice and much quieter. Our favorite place for lunch is the outdoor terrace of Hotel Trübsee. The views are stunning, and there is always such a great atmosphere here.

For more information, please check this complete guide to skiing in Engelberg.

Parpan and Lenzerheide ski resort

by Wendy Werneth, The Nomadic Vegan

KEY INFORMATION 
N. of slopes: 115
N. of lifts:43
Length of slope225 km
Best suited to:Beginners, Intermediate

Parpan is a tiny hamlet located in a valley near the larger mountain resort of Lenzerheide. It’s a quiet place and makes a great base if you want to get away from the party scene. Parpan itself has six easy runs (blue), and three red (intermediate) runs, so it’s best for beginner to intermediate skiers. But it’s connected to the rest of the Lenzerheide ski area via the Heimberg lift, so there are plenty more options if you want to go further afield.

The runs from the Stätzerhorn chairlift, for example, are a bit tougher and usually have good snow. The Heimberg lift also serves as the finishing line for the World Championship ski races held here, so you can test yourself by skiing the same runs as world-class skiers.

In 2014, a connecting lift was also built between the Lenzerheide ski area and adjacent Arosa. A general ski pass now works in both of these areas, so it has become one huge resort. Parpan is just a small part of it and is conveniently located right in the middle. In total, there are 43 lifts and 225 kilometers of runs in the combined Lenzerheide-Arosa ski resorts. The highest lift is at an altitude of 2,865m.

Of course, other activities are on offer besides alpine skiing, such as winter hiking and cross-country skiing. And a 20-minute drive away, in the tiny town of Surava, is Skateline Albula, a 3-kilometer ice skating trail through a snowy forest.

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Original article: Ski Holidays in Switzerland: How to Pick your Ideal Mountain Resort

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