WHERE TO SKI IN SWITZERLAND – THE BEST SKI RESORTS
If you plan your winter trip to Europe to experience some great winter sports activities, you will definitely find a perfect ski resort in Switzerland. Situated in the middle of the Alps, Switzerland, is the skier’s Mecca, with about 150 ski resorts in Switzerland.
Also, the conditions are excellent for skiers and snowboarders alike. I have only done winter sports once – and guess, where I tried skiing? In Switzerland, of course. However, I am far from being a winter sports expert (but a Switzerland pro), so I asked locals and researched the best places to ski in Switzerland.
Here are the top 15 places for winter sports in Switzerland.
P.S. Since Switzerland is not really a cheap destination, read my money-saving tips for your trip to Switzerland.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links which means I might earn a small commission when you buy a product/service via my link (at no extra cost to you). More about it here.
Tip: If you visit in December, check out my December guide for Switzerland to be well prepared.
Zermatt Ski Resort
Beautiful Zermatt is one of my favorite places in Switzerland and not only a great place to visit in summer. It is one of the most popular and well-known ski resorts in Switzerland and also in the world.
Surrounded by 38 peaks that rise to an altitude of over 4000 m – the Matterhorn is, of course, the most famous- the view from the top of the slopes is simply breathtaking.
But Zermatt in winter has even more to offer. For example, thanks to its high altitude and glacier, it is possible to ski all year round.
Depending on the season, the resort offers between 21 and 360 km of trails suitable for all levels. There is the 36 km black track for experts, cherished by free riders who can enjoy a marked but not groomed track that goes down to the village. For a feeling of absolute freedom!
Ski instructors and mountain guides will be delighted to show you the beauty of Zermatt and its impressive mountainous surroundings all year round. The famous Igloo village is also one of the things to discover. Every year in December, the village at an altitude of 2727 m is reconstructed and developed by international artists.
If you are looking for great accommodation, check out my guide for good hotels in Zermatt (for all budgets).
Davos/Klosters Ski Resort
With its six ski mountains and about 300 kilometers of slopes, the Davos-Klosters ski area offers winter fun for skiers and snowboarders up to 2,844 meters. Although the ski resort is especially popular with experienced winter sports enthusiasts, beginners, and families will find the right ski slopes.
Celebrities are the jack in hand – especially the British heir to the throne, Prince Charles. The beautiful location between Davoser See and the Hausbergen Jakobshorn (2,590 m) and Weissfluhgipfel (2,844 m) with its ski areas is also too picturesque – and has always appreciated the “upper class.”
Unique opportunities are offered during a ski holiday in Davos-Klosters. The Parsenn ski area above Lake Davos on the Weissfluhjoch offers some extremely long runs of up to 12 kilometers – for all skill levels.
A highlight is a panoramic view from Weissfluh. Directly opposite Jakobshorn is the next pearl for alpine skiers. The slopes are not quite as versatile but still worth driving and ideal for newcomers in boarding.
The Jakobshorn is a real gem for snowboarders, thanks to its huge fun park.
Snowboarders will find more snow parks and alpine skiers throughout the ski area than 300 kilometers of slopes throughout the ski area. Thanks to the free ski bus, you can reach the six individual ski areas within a few minutes.
Laax Ski Resort in Switzerland
Laax is one of the best Swiss ski resorts and is also a popular destination for families.
Located in the district of Surselva in the canton of Grisons, the resort offers more than 230 km of slopes. Skiers and snowboarders of all ages come here – the little ones trying their very first turns at the LAAX for beginners ski school, while their parents, confident, enjoy their few hours of free time.
Laax also has a Freestyle Hall, Freestyle Academy, and 4 Snowparks, making the resort one of the most popular freestyle destinations in Europe. Laax also hosts every year a competition of the prestigious World Snowboard Tour.
While the village station has kept all the charm of a typical small town, technology, and modernity are queens on the slopes. For example, there is an application called Inside App that provides information on the weather or waiting times at ski lifts and ski lifts.
Among other innovations of the resort, The Greenstyle Initiative is particularly noteworthy. It aims to promote sustainable development and renewable energies, to reduce CO2 emissions, etc. – in short, to make Laax the first self-sufficient ski resort in the world.
Jungfrau
No less than 3 ski resorts make up the Jungfrau ski area with the magnificent panorama formed by the three famous peaks of the region: Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau (it took me a while to understand the hype, but on a clear day, the view is indeed just breathtaking).
The three ski resorts that belong to Jungfrau are: Wengen, Grindelwald, and Mürren and the ski areas of the Jungfrau region can be reached with some free trains and ski buses.
The 200 km of pistes of the highest quality is also complemented by the world’s longest downhill racing track. If that still is not enough, you can visit the Jungfraujoch station, the highest in Europe!
Grindelwald Ski Resort
Skiing in Grindelwald has a long tradition: once here, the first chairlift in the world was put into operation at the First Mountain on the Schwarzhorn mountain (2,928 m). Grindelwald is one of the best places to visit in Switzerland – whether you visit in summer or winter.
And off you go on the slopes! You can reach First at Grindelwald ski area with the Firstbahn cable car leading to 2,168 meters. Once at the top, there is the 12-kilometer, medium-difficult downhill to Grindelwald in front of you – with gigantic mountain panoramas.
Past the imposing Waldspitz glide over crisp slopes and wide flat pieces down into the valley. The First ski area also offers a large fun park at the Grindel-Sessellift.
You can also reach the neighboring ski area Kleine Scheidegg up to the ski resort Wengen from the Grindelwald ski resort.
Wengen Resort in Switzerland
The lively, family-friendly ski resort of car-free Wengen lies in the heart of the Jungfrau region. Directly behind Wengen, the massif of the Eiger north face shoots up. But this view up to the house mountains Eiger (3,970 m), Mönch (4,107 m), Jungfrau (4,158 m), and the also spectacular Lauberhorn (2,472 m) is unique and will captivate you in the Jungfrau region.
Directly on the Eiger Glacier, you enter the ski area Kleine Scheidegg / Männlichen above Wengen. The up to 12 kilometers long, mostly intermediate slopes lead you through gigantic rock formations and extensive slopes all the way to the ski resort Grindelwald.
Impressive are the slopes in the lower part of the glacier, which are almost cut by Lauberhorn and Tschuggen (2,521 m).
Mürren Ski Resort
Mürren is one of the prettiest towns in the country. The very pretty little car-free village in the Jungfrau region is one of the best places to ski in Switzerland.
53 km of prepared ski and snowboard pistes, toboggan runs, and a network of winter walking trails: that is what awaits you at the Ski Resort Mürren. About 30 cableways and lifts bring the people from one place to the other. Here is an 11 km cross-country ski trail in the valley between Stechelberg and Lauterbrunnen.
Did you know that Ski slalom racing was invented in Murren in 1922?
The best views are guaranteed as well: The Swiss Skyline amazes in Wengen – after all, Wengen is Bernese Oberland’s highest ski area.
Verbier Resort in Switzerland
Verbier is the winter sports capital in the Les Quatres Vallées ski area – the largest and probably one of Switzerland’s very best ski resorts.
A ski holiday in Verbier is considered a real highlight just because of the numerous possibilities off the slopes. Including the downhill runs and fun parks in the Les Quatre Vallées ski area and La Croix (2,260 m), Attelas (2,727 m), and Savoleyres (2,354 m), the highlight will be a world-class ski resort with a magnificent sun terrace in the snow-sure height of about 1,500 meters.
Wonderful deep snow slopes, extensive slopes for all skill levels, fun parks – all this is easy to find around Verbier. Freestylers get their money’s worth in the huge snow park on La Chaux.
Fitness-strong athletes find their terrain a few kilometers further. From Mont Fort (3,328 m), the ski area’s longest descent leads down: 15 kilometers, more than 2,500 vertical meters – and (of course) deep black.
Cozy “burn” beginners on the broad, gentle slopes on La Chaux to Attelas and deep snow junkies on Mont-Gelé (3,023 m) their footprints in the snow. The more than 400 km of slopes in the Les Quatre Vallées ski resort can be easily reached with cable cars or the free ski bus.
Verbier is where I had my first ski experience ever. Just head to my Verbier Travel Guide for more information.
Val d’Anniviers in Switzerland
The Val d’Anniviers is a ski area far from mass tourism.
In Val d’Anniviers, located in Switzerland’s French-speaking, there is no mass tourism, no black runs, and no long tails with ski-tows. No frills either in these resorts that attract mostly families and regulars who come every year.
The day pass is valid for the 3 legendary areas of Val d’Anniviers: St-Luc / Chandolin, Grimentz / Zinal, and Vercorin. In all, 100 trails plus many snow gardens and snowparks.
For connoisseurs of the region, the Val d’Anniviers is also an Eldorado freeride and sealskin. Much of its surface is not exploited officially to make tracks. However, the safety of the riders is taken here very seriously, and it is possible to take a course at the Avalanche Training Center to be well prepared to face the mountain.
St. Moritz Ski Resort in Switzerland
Hardly any other ski resort is as connected with lifestyle as the St. Moritz ski resort in Engadine. Not only are celebrities bustling here, but the numerous hotels in St. Moritz also offer plenty of space for normal skiers. Even the pistes that you will find directly around Corviglia are luxurious.
There are also four other ski resorts nearby with 330 km of pistes for skiing and snowboarding.
Cable cars and lifts, you can access pistes that reach heights of well over 3,000 meters. The downhill runs are varied and can be mastered by every skier.
While Corviglia is particularly popular with families, the Corvatsch is particularly popular with ski professionals. The Diavolezza/Lagalb ski area, on the other hand, offers great alpine fun on the pistes. Of the approximately 330 kilometers of pistes, around 20 percent are light.
The Alpine ski offer is supplemented by a central fun park and several kilometers of wonderful cross-country ski trails.
Arosa Ski Resort
Arosa, in the canton of Graubünden, is another great spot for winter sports lovers.
Since the Urdenbahn cable car’s inauguration linking Arosa and Lenzerheide, the 225-kilometer ski area has become the largest in Graubünden.
All family members should find an activity that will please them between snowparks, snow gardens, and 30 km of cross-country ski trails. The local ski school offers free ski lessons for children whose parents have booked more than two nights’ accommodation – a most enjoyable supplement that makes Arosa one of the best family ski resorts in Switzerland.
Arolla Ski Resort
A charming little resort nestled in the Valais Alps about an hour from Sion, Arolla has an exceptional asset, panorama. The resort located in the Val d’Hérens is indeed protected by imposing mountains that surround it at 360.
Located at an altitude of 2000 m, Arolla generally provides good snow conditions for its 47 km of ski slopes, 10 km of cross-country ski trails, and 85 km of marked trails for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing.
Arolla is also an important stop on the “Haute-Route.” A circuit that connects Chamonix to Zermatt and many other routes also leaves this small authentic and unpretentious village that will delight especially lovers of high mountains.
The Paccots Ski Resort
Although the slopes are certainly not as steep as in other parts of Switzerland, it is a family ski resort par excellence. The Paccots offer about 20 km of freshly groomed trails.
So yes, the Paccots is small, but the advantage is that you are in about 1 hour from Geneva, and the price of the subscription remains sweet. Ideal for a relaxed day outdoors.
Paccots is also the paradise of snowshoes, with its 6 marked trails suitable for hikers of all levels. Try, for example, the Oxygen package offered by the resort, and you will come back reinvigorated your weekend in the Friborg land.
Saas-Fee Ski Resorts
The Saastal Valley includes several municipalities and is much appreciated by the locals who often prefer it to Zermatt, its more chic cousin, for its more discreet and somewhat alternative side. However, Saas-Fee has a super modern infrastructure mixed with the charming traditional “chalet” style.
Thanks to its glacier and its artificial snow devices, most of the trails are 100% passable from November to April.
All types of skiers will find their account on the slopes of Saas-Fee, which also has 32 km of cross-country ski trails and 20 km of trails passable in summer.
The activities are not lacking for those who do not ski: ice climbing, sledding, Nordic Walking, or curling. The resort offers many more excursions for the whole family: The pavilion of ice and its sculptures, the revolving restaurant for the gourmands with an exceptional view, or the Metro Alpin, which the local tourist office calls metro the highest in the world.
Engelberg-Titlis Ski Resort
Once the Benedictine monks’ territory in the canton of Obwalden, Engelberg has always been a place where people come to relax. But it’s only since the beginning of the 20th century that we also started skiing here from October to May.
The largest resort in Central Switzerland is a paradise for beginners and pros and winter sports of all kinds.
Tobogganing (which, in my opinion, probably is even cooler than skiing) and absolutely fantastic ski touring trails that lead to magical freeride spots make that spot unique.
Those who arrive at the summit will be rewarded with an incredible view and a dream descent in the fresh powder – afterward, head to the summit of the Titlis at an altitude of 2000m for a long descent to the very bottom of the valley. Titlis-Engelberg is also great because you can easily visit Lucerne if you need a day’s rest.
Adelboden Ski Resort
In Adelboden, several ski resorts are connected in a single subscription. For you, this means that 210 km of internationally renowned slopes are available to you for one price.
That is the place for beginners and children. The “One Day Ski Experience” offers an initiation day with professional coaching for beginners at special price discovery.
Children will try the Snow Garden under the Gobi mascot’s benevolent eye, and climb into an igloo or a vintage cabin after a day at the ski school.
Succession is also honored at the annual Migros Grand Prix, which attracts children and young people from all over Switzerland.
If you do not return to the Migros Grand Prix categories but still dream of a career as a professional Alpine skier, the track of Chuenisbärgli awaits you in mid-January when this track of the world cup also opens to the amateur skier.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE BEST PLACES TO SKI IN SWITZERLAND
Though I am not an expert in skiing – or winter sports in general- I have compiled this list after talking to many familiar with the best ski resorts in Switzerland.
Whether you are a beginner or an expert – whether you ski with your family or alone, hopefully, this list has helped you to find the ideal winter destination.
Here are my personal favorite winter images from Switzerland.