Our top 10 Swiss ski resorts

In Switzerland, we’re certainly not short of ski resorts: did you know that our little country is home to just over 200 resorts, each as charming as the next, making it one of the most popular ski destinations in the world?

Beyond their ski areas, these resorts have plenty to offer: outdoor activities for young and old alike, and mouth-watering cheese specialities (just thinking about them makes your mouth water…).

Most of them are easily accessible by road, and snow tyres will suffice. For others – smaller and less frequented – you might want to opt for a train journey! It’s worth noting that the journeys there are incredibly scenic: the trains pass through snow-covered mountain landscapes, making the trip all the more magical.

Swiss ski resorts are spread across three mountain ranges: the Jura, the Pre-Alps and the Alps, and those closest to Geneva are less than an hour’s drive away. 

From over 7,000 km of slopes, we’ve picked our top 10 ski resorts in Switzerland.

1. The unmissable resort of Zermatt

Voted the world’s best ski resort in 2019 and the best in the Alps in 2020, Zermatt offers an incredible setting! The resort in Valais is entirely pedestrianised. If you’re travelling by car, your journey will end in Täsch, 5 km from Zermatt, from where you can continue your journey by shuttle train or taxi.

Zermatt offers a range of benefits, particularly when it comes to ski passes. Family packages are available and bookings can be made online in advance, allowing you to make significant savings. You can also say goodbye to endless queues at the ticket offices and make the most of the 360 km of slopes on offer. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker, someone who prefers to enjoy the scenery from a terrace, or an exceptional freerider, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for in Zermatt.

2. The breathtaking resort of Verbier

Verbier is part of the 4 Vallées ski area, which, with its 400 km of slopes, is the largest ski area in Switzerland. From Geneva, it takes just a two-hour drive to reach this little paradise, which combines mountains, alpine chalets and a family-friendly atmosphere despite its modernity. It is also THE ideal resort for thrill-seekers: the significant vertical drop across the ski area, as well as the unmarked routes between certain parts of the area, make it an incredible playground. It is no coincidence that the mountain village hosts the annual Verbier Xtreme, a freeride competition that brings together the world’s top skiers to compete on the legendary Bec des Rosses slope.

3. The sporty resort of Arosa

Arosa is a charming resort located in the canton of Graubünden. In addition to its 225 km of slopes, the resort offers incredible views of over 1,000 Alpine peaks. Arosa is accessible by both road and train and caters to skiers of all levels, from beginners to the most experienced. Among all the slopes, you’ll find the most famous of them all: the Silvano Beltrametti World Cup run. It is one of the steepest on the downhill racing circuit and is also one of the most challenging in the world.

If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of Roger Federer, who has a chalet there…

4. Saas Fee: the authentic ski resort 

If you’re looking for traditional chalets, mountain charm and simplicity, then head to Saas Fee in Valais. The resort isn’t the largest in the country, yet it ranks third in the list of Europe’s best ski areas. 

Let yourself be charmed by its stunning scenery, its narrow pedestrianised streets free of traffic, and its wide range of activities for young and old alike.

The best bit? In Saas Fee, you can ski right in the middle of July thanks to its proximity to various glaciers. We highly recommend giving it a go – skiing in summer certainly has its charm! Oh, and we almost forgot – you can enjoy a fondue whilst riding a cable car!

5. The Olympic resort of St. Moritz

This is one of Switzerland’s best-known resorts, renowned in particular for its upmarket atmosphere and, above all, for having hosted the Winter Olympics on two occasions! It perfectly combines the thrill of the slopes by day with lively après-ski entertainment in the evenings! The most daring will find one of Switzerland’s steepest downhill runs here, with a dizzying 100% gradient at the summit of Piz Nair. If you decide to go there, we strongly recommend taking the Glacier Express. During the journey, the train passes through magical mountain landscapes listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

St. Moritz is also renowned for its mineral spring, its turquoise-coloured mountain lakes and its many luxurious spas.

6. The glamorous resort of Gstaad

Why “glamorous”? Simply because Gstaad is one of, if not *the* most exclusive resort in Switzerland. It’s a bit like the Saint-Tropez of ski resorts. Beyond its glamorous – and consequently rather expensive – image, the resort is nonetheless well worth a visit for its ski area; quite the opposite, in fact! With 220 km of slopes reaching up to 3,000 metres in altitude, it offers skiers a sweeping mountain panorama. 

Non-skiers will, of course, find all the world-famous luxury boutiques as well as plenty of bars and restaurants – everything you need for a great holiday!

Gstaad even allows the most enthusiastic skiers to ski at night by lighting up some of its slopes.

7. The typical resort of Grindelwald

This resort, which is somewhat less well-known and therefore less touristy, is situated at the foot of the Eiger and Jungfrau glaciers in the canton of Bern. Grindelwald boasts the world’s longest toboggan run, a descent of over 15 km that is sure to delight children and parents alike!

The Grindelwald-Wengen ski pass covers the Grindelwald/First and Kleine Scheidegg/Männlichen ski areas, offering 151 km of slopes. First offers a wide range of easy slopes. The area is also a delight for snowboarders. Kleine Scheidegg/Männlichen is one of the Swiss people’s favourite ski areas.

If you have a little time to spare, we also recommend taking a trip to the summit of the Jungfrau, which rises to an altitude of 3,454 metres. 

Did you know that the resort was nicknamed “First Car” because this is where the world’s first chairlift was invented?

8. Family skiing in Crans-Montana

Situated at an altitude of 1,500 metres, the resort enjoys an ideal location, nestled on a sun-drenched plateau and surrounded by numerous high peaks. It is no wonder, then, that it is one of Switzerland’s most sought-after resorts. In addition to its superb ski area, Crans also boasts a wide range of shops for those who love a spot of retail therapy. As a result, it attracts a very family-oriented clientele. Its ski lifts will take you to over 3,000 metres above sea level on the famous Plaine Morte glacier or down the renowned 12-kilometre-long Nationale run. It is a ski area suitable for experts and seasoned snowboarders, boasting Switzerland’s second-largest snowpark, as well as for beginners, with a variety of enjoyable runs.

9. Laax: a snowboarder’s paradise

We’re talking more about snowboarding here. In fact, Laax’s snowpark ranks second in the whole of Switzerland. The resort, located in the canton of Graubünden, actually comprises three villages: Flims, Laax and Falera, all situated on a very sunny plateau. Most of the slopes are at an altitude of over 2,000 metres, which guarantees excellent snow cover during the winter! The ski area boasts four snowparks, a significant number for a ski resort. The Half Pipe (snowboard half-pipe) is the largest in Europe, and you’ll also find Europe’s only indoor training hall! An unmissable destination for snowboard enthusiasts.

10. The Titlis-Engelberg sports resort

Although somewhat less well-known, the Titlis-Engelberg resort boasts a setting every bit as stunning as that of the more famous resorts. Surrounded by impressive mountain scenery, the ski area is considerably smaller than the resorts mentioned earlier, with just 82 km of slopes – yet this does not make the resort any less appealing. In fact, there is a wide variety of activities on offer: some of the best cross-country skiing trails in Switzerland, toboggan runs for the little ones (and not just them), and plenty of hiking trails! This range of outdoor activities means there is something for everyone.

This selection represents only a tiny fraction of Switzerland’s ski resorts. Every canton has its own charming, authentic little resorts that are sure to delight all winter sports enthusiasts.