Winter sports tourism guide in Switzerland
Switzerland offers a great choice of ski resorts, from the small village to the large station. Most of Switzerland’s ski resorts are surrounded by impressive landscapes such as large ice fields and high mountains (48 four-thousanders are located in the swiss Alps).
Almost all winter resorts in Switzerland are frequented in summer by hikers, alpinists and tourists due to the many natural wonders and facilities.
History
Switzerland has a long tradition of winter sport tourism. St. Moritz is usually referred as one of the first winter resort in the world (1864).
Already at the end of the 19th century skiing was done in Switzerland, at that time still with wood skis. With the development of ski and chairlifts, gondolas and funicular railways, even higher mountains were opened up for tourists. But first of all, winter tourism was the cure. Those who had enough money or suffered from tuberculosis could go to the spa buildings throughout the Swiss Alps. Many cantons themselves had their own spa hotels.
Since fewer and fewer people can afford expensive spa holidays, many of the magnificent buildings had to close. Today, more and more people are looking for either small but fine guesthouses and hotels or trendy but cheap hotels for teenagers.
Today more and more artificial snow is used, resulting in high water and energy consumption. Therefore, there are ski resorts that have joined together to form a label for only natural snow.
A helmet requirement for children is currently not valid in Switzerland. Because of the danger, helmets are important for children.
Usually, Switzerland ski resorts are original mountain villages that have retained some of their charm, even if they have grown much larger with the development of tourism. Some villages in Bernese Highlands or in Valais are themselves considered as tourist attractions.
When to go
The ski season lasts from early December to April. In some areas it is possible to ski later or even all year (summer ski).
The best conditions for skiing are in mid-January, the coldest time of the year. Late February is a good time for sun-seekers.
Choosing a ski resort
Price, Size and Location
As a general rule, the larger the ski resort and the higher the elevation above sea level, the higher the price. Ski passes will consume a large proportion of your budget.
Large ski resorts such as Zermatt, St. Moritz, or Grindelwald are the best in the Alps, but also the most expensive ones. Many less known resorts can offer cheaper alternatives, but have of course smaller and lower ski areas. Which can mean that they lack snow later or early in the season
Apres Ski
Ski resorts across the alps will always have a bar in the village, right at the bottom of the piste. This ranges from a loud glass temporary bars, perfect for a drink at 4 o’clock, to classy nightclubs great for spending the night.
Other Activities
Larger ski resorts will offer various other winter activities, such as cross-country skiing, snow shoeing and winter walking tracks. Telemark and ski touring equipment will generally be available.
Practicalities
Avalanche danger
Caution Note: Unlike in America, only the piste and marked runs are covered by the resort patrol and rescue service. You will be rescued, but you will be liable for straying off the piste.
As with all ski resorts, avalanches are an underestimated hazard. Off-piste skiing is available and there are often Itinerary Runs. Some ski areas offer a ‘Free Ride’ area. This is a ‘safe’ area to ski and board off piste. Skiing off-piste is always an excellent activity but never be unprepared and ski safely!
Equipment
There are numerous ski and snowboard rental shops in every larger resort and in many smaller ones. The choice is normally best made by convenience to the slopes or to accommodation.
List of Ski Resorts
This is a non exhaustive list of mountain resorts in Switzerland. Many ski areas are situated well above 3000 meters (3900 m in Zermatt, 3600 m in Saas Fee for instance) and are snow sure until late in spring or even in summer. As mentioned above these resorts are also great for summer vacations.
Valais
Verbier (ski until end of April)
Zermatt (summer ski, highest ski area in Europe)
Crans-Montana
Saas-Fee (summer ski, best summer ski area in the Alps)
Saas-Grund
Leukerbad
Anzère
Nendaz
Ovronnaz
Vercorin
Evolène
Lötschental
Grächen
Blatten
Belalp
Riederalp
Bettmeralp
Fiesch
Chandolin
Zinal
Grimmentz
Champéry
Morgins
Berne
Grindelwald
Mürren
Wengen
Meiringen
Kandersteg
Adelboden
Lenk
Zweisimmen
Gstaad
Graubünden
St. Moritz (ski until end of April)
Sils
Samnaun
Scuol
Arosa
Davos/Klosters
Lenzerheide
Laax Flims Falera (The Alpenarena)
Brigels
Disentis
Sedrun
Obersaxen
Vals
Savognin
Bergün
Central Switzerland
Engelberg / Mount Titlis
Melchsee-Frutt
Andermatt
Stoos
Sörenberg
Eastern Switzerland
Flumserberg
Pizol / Bad Ragaz
Braunwald
Elm
Wildhaus
Ticino
Airolo
Bosco Gurin
Vaud
Les Diablerets (ski until end of April)
Leysin
Villars-sur-Ollon
Château-d’Œx
The Jura
Canton of Bern or Bernese Jura
French speaking part of the canton of Bern
Orvin – Les Prés-d’Orvin – a typical Jura village resort. Forceable sympathetic.
Canton of Jura
In French-speaking Switzerland
Les Breuleux
Canton of Neuchâtel
In French-speaking Switzerland, French is spoken there
La Corbatière
The Bugnenets
La Brévine
Val-de-Travers
The Vue-des-Alpes / Tête-de-Ran
Canton of Vaud
In French-speaking Switzerland, French is spoken there
The Abbey – a lively and welcoming community, happy to receive those seeking rest, tranquility and invigorating air.
The Orient
Le Brassus
Saint-Cergue
Ste-Croix – Les Rasses – breathtaking views of Lake Neuchâtel, the plateau romand and the Swiss Alps.
The Pre-Alps
Canton of Bern
We speak German but also French
Gstaad
Schonried
Saanenmoser
Canton of Friborg
In French-speaking Switzerland, French is spoken there
Note that the canton of Friborg is bilingual, some districts and / or municipalities speak and / in German or and / in French.
Jaun (in French: Bellegarde) is the only German-speaking commune in the Gruyère district.
Schwarzsee is also German speaking.
Val de Charmey – welcoming summer-winter resort, in the heart of Gruyère.
Jaun Dorf – for those who love the true nature, the purity of the air and the clear water of the torrents …
La Berra – located near the village of La Roche, an alpine meadow renowned for its many winter and summer possibilities …
Moléson-village – the pasture became a small resort dedicated to the family
Les Paccots – on the heights of Chatel Saint-Denis
Schwarzsee (Black Lake) – surrounded by the Friborg Pre-Alps, a lake with black waters.
Canton of Vaud
In French-speaking Switzerland, French is spoken there
Château-d’Œx – Capital of the Pays-d’Enhaut, one of the 3 European sites of flight of hot air balloons.
Glacier 3000
Gryon – Barboleuse – mainly family oriented, quiet and peaceful, the perfect place to spend a pleasant stay in all seasons.
Les Avants – Rochers-de-Naye – it is reached by a cog railway, but also on foot by making an extraordinary hike.
Les Diablerets – a mix of a mountain village and a booming modern resort, at the foot of a majestic mountain range over 3,000 meters above sea level.
Les Mosses – La Lécherette – located on a plateau that benefits from a micro-climate, 2 family-friendly destinations.
The Pleiades – This is not the small constellation located in space, it is a bucolic mountain resort located above Vevey.
Leysin – cosmopolitan and international, a fantastic sun exposure.
Rougemont – Village of medium mountain, having preserved all its authenticity, in spite of its tourist development.
Villars-sur-Ollon – the largest resort in Chablais, but also the most chic with its large hotels and sumptuous private chalets.
The Alps
It is necessary to differentiate well:
– the north-eastern Alps around Mont Santis ( 2,501 m ) in the Appenzell and St. Gallen cantons
– the northern Alps above the Rhone Valley formed by the Jungfrau massif ( 4,158 m ) especially in central Switzerland
– the Southern Alps below the Rhone Valley, only for the canton of Valais (Matterhorn or Matterhorn – Mont-Rose or Pic Dufour or Dufourspitz – Grand Combin)
– the Eastern Alps in Graubunden / Graubunden / Engadin
Cantons of Appenzell and St. Gallen (North-Eastern Alps)
We speak German
Wildhaus
Canton of Bern (Northern Alps)
Romansh and German are spoken here
Region concentrated around the Jungfrau Massif, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Adelboden
Grindelwald
Jungfraujoch
Kandersteg
Kiental
Kleine Scheidegg
Lauterbrunnen
Mannlichen
Murren
Wengen
Canton of Uri (Northern Alps)
We speak German
Andermatt
Canton of Unterwalden (Northern Alps)
We speak German
Engelberg
Canton of Graubunden / Graubunden / Engadin (Eastern Alps)
Romansh and German are spoken here
Arosa
Davos
Disentis-Muster
Flims-Dorf
Flims-Waldhaus
Laax
Lenzerheide
St. Moritz
Canton of Valais (Southern Alps)
In French-speaking Switzerland, German is spoken very fluently. Some mentioned municipalities (Saas, Zermatt, Visperterminen and others) are German-speaking.
Anzère – at 1500 m above sea level, facing the many peaks over 4000. From the pure and invigorating air.
Arolla – one of the highest in the European Alps.
Belalp – Blatten – Naters – the top of the mountain, you breathe fresh air, the car is totally forbidden
Bellwald – typical village of the Conches valley, wild and authentic.
Bettmeralp – far from the world and all traffic, total freedom in a preserved nature.
Bruson – small village facing Verbier.
Bürchen – you will love this village located between gentle hills and larch forests.
Champex-lake – in the middle of grandiose landscapes, the small family resort offers a wide range of activities.
Chandolin – perched high, atan altitude of 2,000 meters , a typical village resort in the Val d’Anniviers.
Champéry – facing the majestic Dents du Midi, imposing station because of its infrastructure and its possibilities.
Champoussin – mushroom station of the Portes du Soleil.
Crans-Montana – internationally renowned resort located on a magnificent plateau overlooking the Rhone Valley, facing the majestic 4000.
Eischoll – rest, tranquility, the family resort par excellence.
Ernen, Mühlebach, Steinhaus – historical site of the Conches Valley.
Evolène – one of the most characteristic villages in Valais whose center is made up of old wooden buildings.
Fiesch (Fieschertal) – beautiful village resort, starting point at the Aletsch Glacier.
Gluringen – the village has retained its mountain charm.
Grächen – very old village whose inhabitants maintain friendly relations with tourists.
Grimentz – station with thousands of geraniums located close to the imposing dam of Moiry.
Kleine Matterhorn – at 3887 m by cable car. A must.
La Fouly – located in one of the wildest places of Valais, for a peaceful stay and close to unspoiled nature.
La Tzoumaz – ideal for a great family holiday, with access to the 4 Vallées ski area.
Les Crosets – a good place to practice sport.
The Marécottes – small family resort, proud of its alpine zoo and its private pool.
Leukerbad – in the heart of majestic cliffs, internationally renowned resort for its thermal baths.
Liddes-Vichères – a must-see on the road to Grand St-Bernard!
Lötschental Valley – several welcoming villages in this valley classified by UNESCO.
Morgins – pure and invigorating air, located at the bottom of a sunny valley, familly resort par excellence.
Nax – dream place for peaceful holidays
Nendaz – 4 stations in one! What satisfy all kinds of vacationers!
Obergoms – last stations before the big passes (Nufenen, Grimsel and Furka).
Ovronnaz – thermal baths, hiking, skiing, idleness, sun, paradise in the mountains …
Randa – village model, village postcard!
Riederalp – car-free, sunny, facing south, near the famous Aletsch forest.
Rosswald – oasis of tranquility among the holiday cottages.
Saas Almagell – clean and healthy air, fantastic place dominated by peaks exceeding 4,000 meters .
Saas Grund – charm, mix of authenticity and modernism, ideal location in the center of the Saas Valley.
Saas-Fee – the Pearl of the Alps.
St-Luc – resort-village of Val d’Anniviers.
Super St Bernard – Bourg St-Pierre – a historic station on the Italian border and famous for its big dog.
Thyon 2000 and area – modern resort built in the 1970s, destination families.
Torgon – a fan of time-sharing, a resort that is essentially family-oriented.
Verbier – destination must Alps.
Vercorin – old chalets forming the heart of the family-friendly resort.
Veysonnaz – breathtaking views of the Rhone Valley, the city of Sion and access to the area of the 4- Valleys.
Visperterminen – the hosts, leaving this place, have only one word, fabulous!
Zermatt – in all seasons, Zermatt … remains Zermatt, the most famous resort in the world!
Zinal – located at the foot of the famous Imperial Crown, the resort has retained its cachet and simplicity.