HEIDI GUIDE TO
Switzerland
Ski Holidays
The home of big mountains, traditional ski resorts – and the cheesiest fondues!
There’s so much more to Switzerland than clocks, chocolate box chalets and picturesque peaks.
Why choose to go skiing in Switzerland?
- Incredible snow-sure skiing
- Glamorous resorts and hidden gems
- Train transfer options
But hidden among the big names of Switzerland ski resorts, you’ll find little gems that are quieter and beginner-friendly. Families and those short on time will fall for the charm of Leysin, only a short hop from Geneva. Meanwhile, Grindelwald's scenic pistes are a playpark for beginner and intermediate skiers.
Being home to some of the biggest mountains of the Alps, it naturally offers some legendary off-piste and freeride terrain. But above all, skiing in Switzerland offers something the lower regions of the Alps can’t – and that’s snow security.
KEY INFORMATION
Good to Know
Currency
Swiss Franc
Language
German, French & Italian
Travel Time (APPROX)
1 hour 45
Dublin
Timezone
GMT+1
Family skiing in Switzerland
With historic charm, beautiful mountains and miles of intermediate slopes, both neighbouring Saas Fee and Zermatt are great options for a family ski holiday. They’re also entirely car-free. Only golf-cart style electric vehicles are permitted making the streets quiet and child-friendly. Wengen is another car-free option, with mainly wide blues and easy reds, and you can arrive by train for an extra-special family experience.
Leysin’s wide-open slopes are great for beginner skiers, offering family-friendly fun at great value. If non-skiers need to be catered for, Davos and St Moritz offer a multitude of alternate distractions like city shopping and winter walks.
Group skiing in Switzerland
Nothing beats a Switzerland ski holiday with the gang by your side. If you’re after varied terrain for all abilities, then a group ski holiday to Verbier is a great choice. Beginner skiers can enjoy the mellow terrain while advanced skiers tackle its more hair-raising terrain.
And group skiing in Switzerland gets no better than Grindelwald. Whether it's big wide runs or post-piste parties, it's great for groups who want it all.
Switzerland ski holidays
Your questions answered by our Switzerland ski holiday expert
Alexander Blunt (Co-Founder)
When is the best time to ski in Switzerland?
If you head to one of Switzerland’s high-altitude ski resorts, you’ll find it easy to ski from early December through to May, thanks in part to Switzerland's naturally resilient snow conditions. It’s also a safe option if you’re looking for some of that Christmas and New Year festive magic. For the best snow conditions, you should aim between January and early March. This is when Switzerland has regular dumps of snow.
What are the best ski resorts in Switzerland for beginners?
With easy runs, experienced instructors and dedicated children’s areas galore, skiing in Switzerland provides everything a beginner needs to master the slopes.
One of the best ski resorts for beginner skiers is Saas-Fee. It even boasts a large nursery area right by the village, an ideal playpark for the little groms. Both Villars and Les Diablerets are great bets with over 50% of pistes rated easy. Crans Montana is also beginner-friendly with 55km of blue runs. And for lush views of Lake Geneva, down wide open pistes, then look no further than Leysin.
Meanwhile, those on a beginner ski holiday to Grindelwald will love the easy skiing with epic views. The Jungfrau Ski Region lies in the shadow of the famous Eiger north face.
What are the best ski resorts in Switzerland for advanced skiers?
With plenty of hair-raising terrain requiring nerves of steel, nothing quite beats the thrill of skiing in Switzerland.
One of the best resorts for advanced skiers is Zermatt. Its steep pistes and powdery backcountry make it a winner for those skilled on their skis. And the Swiss ski resort of Davos offers six mountains to tick off, with some punchy blacks racing back into the heart of the town.
What are the best ski resorts for off-piste skiing in Switzerland?
Switzerland offers limitless potential for serious skiers seeking fresh powder. Partying aside, the Swiss ski resort of Verbier is one of the best resorts for lift-accessible off-piste. There’s also a wealth of terrain to explore in the backcountry – but you’ll need to hire a guide.
A Switzerland ski holiday to Zermatt, Les Crosets and Saas Fee also offers loads of off-piste potential. Meanwhile, Davos is home to the Pischa mountain, a dedicated and marked freeride area running right next to the pistes. Engelberg boasts legendary off-piste terrain with the added bonus of being one of the snowiest resorts in the Alps, increasing the chances of the much coveted fresh powder.
What are the best high-altitude ski resorts in Switzerland?
For some of Europe’s best high-altitude ski resorts, Switzerland’s got it dialled, with a dozen resorts boasting pistes up to and over 3,000m. They include Saas Fee, St Moritz, Laax and Engelberg, in the heart of the Bernese Oberland.
For all its glamour cachet, it’s easy to forget that one of the main appeals of Verbier is its snow security. With slopes up to 3,330m, it’s a good bet when other resorts are struggling for cover.
And with lofty pistes reaching 3,899m high, Zermatt is the highest-altitude resort in Switzerland. Perfect for those who love incredible views and snow-sure skiing.
What are the best resorts for snowboarders in Switzerland?
Snowboarding holidays don’t get any better than those in the Swiss Alps. If you’re all about carving some high-altitude corduroy, then head to the Matterhorn and the intermediate playground of Zermatt. And if you’re keen on cruising down scenic slopes with a group of mixed abilities, then Grindelwald is your friend.
Which Swiss ski resorts are best for food and drink?
If your mouth waters at the thought of melted cheese in all its forms, a Switzerland ski holiday offers a special kind of heaven. Wengen's selection of charming eateries will certainly satisfy your palette, but there's more to Switzerland than it's traditional alpine cuisine of cheese fondues and raclette. Don’t forget the potato rostis – and of course the chocolate.
Many of the resorts are home to world-class restaurants – such as Verbier’s slopeside La Vache – and while you can’t always eat out on a budget, your taste buds will at least be grateful. The choice of local alpine wines is equally spectacular. Zermatt boasts a whopping four Michelin-starred restaurants so you will be spoilt for choice here too - but if you’re after something a little different (and two Michelin stars), head to After Seven.
What are the best Switzerland ski resorts for après-ski?
For the best après-ski scene in Switzerland, it’s got to be Verbier. It needs little introduction being the place where celebrities, royals and the super-rich have partied the night away for decades. It kicks off on the terraces before continuing all the way through the night via a medley of bars and clubs. Drink prices are not for the faint-hearted. If you like a flutter, Crans boasts a casino. Go to St Moritz for retro glamour. And après-skiing in Zermatt is renowned for its lively party atmosphere.
What are the best ski resorts in Switzerland for ski weekends or short breaks?
Not everywhere is equally accessible in Switzerland, with some resorts hidden deep in the mountains. The best ski weekend destinations are those closest to the main airport hubs of Geneva and Zurich. Villars and Champéry are within easy reach of the former. Leysin is also perfect for a weekend ski break, with its cosy slopes only a quick trip from Geneva airport as well.
What is the ski accommodation in Switzerland like?
Experience a little slice of Alpine luxury when you stay in any of Switzerland’s ski accommodations. From cosy hideaways to premium hotels, there are heaps of choices on offer.
While prices on the whole are slightly higher than the likes of France and Austria, you’ll routinely find yourself getting what you paid for. With many ski accommodations having quality rooms, modern spas and brimming with services and facilities not often found in the Alps, it’s hard not to find what you're looking for.
With self-catering ski accommodations being far less common, you’ll have loads of opportunities to taste the incredible dining on offer in the resort. And while many resorts aren’t purpose-built, their small and easy-to-navigate sizes make it easy to get on the slopes.
What are the entry requirements for Switzerland?
Entry requirements are completely dependent on your nationality. Things can change, so for the most up-to-date visa and passport information, we advise checking the international travel advice for your nationality, below are two examples.
If you are travelling to Switzerland from the UK on a full British passport: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/switzerland
If you are travelling to Switzerland from Ireland on an Irish passport: https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/a-z-list-of-countries/Switzerland/
Most popular ski resorts in Switzerland
Here are just some of our top ski resorts. To find the perfect one for you, speak to one of our specialists.
Zermatt
Renowned as an intermediate’s paradise, endless linked runs cascade down the mountain from the mighty Matterhorn Glacier to a pretty alpine village.
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Wengen
The charming car-free ski resort of Wengen is only accessible by train so enjoy breathtaking views of mighty snowy peaks as you meander up to the Jungfrau ski region.
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Grindelwald
Surrounded by jumbo snowy peaks, Switzerland’s Grindelwald ski resort is a scenic portal to the super fun Jungfrau Region.
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Leysin
Leysin, a small and traditional resort near Lausanne and Geneva, offers 60km of pistes within the resort and an additional 40km in Les Mosses. With easy to intermediate slopes and a halfpipe for freestyle enthusiasts, it provides diverse skiing options with stunning views of the Rhone valley and Lake Geneva.
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Verbier
Verbier is a highly popular and accessible choice for mixed ability ski groups. Beyond skiing, it boasts the best après-ski in Switzerland and arguably the entire Alps, making it an attractive destination for both on-slope and off-slope enjoyment.
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All ski resorts in Switzerland
AdelbodenAndermattAnzereArosaBelalpBettmeralpCelerinaChamperyChampoussinChandolinCrans-MontanaDavosDisentisEngelberg
FaleraFiesch FlimsFlumserbergFtanGrimentzGrindelwaldGstaadKlostersLaaxLa TzoumazLauterbrunnenLenkLenzerheide
Why book a Switzerland ski holiday with Heidi?
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