Endless pistes and mountain panoramas as far as the eye can see – Switzerland is bursting with life. No wonder that the Alpine Confederation is so popular with winter sports fans from all over the world. SnowTrex knows the 10 largest ski areas and ski regions in Switzerland.
1. Ski region Les Portes du Soleil
Km of piste: 650 km
Altitude: up to 2,254 m
Les Portes du Soleil is probably the largest ski area in the world. Not only does it have 650 kilometres of pistes and 12 ski resorts, but it is also the largest in the world and covers two countries. In this area, which should probably be called a ski region, you ski not only in Switzerland, but also in France. Translated, the name means “the gates to the sun”. Located south of Lake Geneva and both in the French High Savoy and Swiss Valais, the region also lives up to its name. Every winter sports fan should have experienced this region once!
2. Ski region Les 4 Vallées
Km of piste: 412 km
Altitude: up to 3,330 m
Four valleys, connected to a huge skiing area – these are the 4 Vallées in Switzerland. It is the largest ski region in the Swiss Confederation, situated only on Swiss soil, and offers numerous long and varied runs for skiers and snowboarders. The area around Verbier, La Tzoumaz, Nendaz, Veysonnaz and Thyon also lies on the Mont Fort glacier. Winter sports fans therefore have nothing to worry about when it comes to snow safety.
3. Ski region Matterhorn ski paradise
Km of piste: 360 km
Altitude: up to 3,883 m
Skiing on the world-famous Matterhorn and another 37 four-thousand-metre peaks – this is possible in the ski region Matterhorn ski paradise around the equally world-famous town of Zermatt. 360 kilometres of pistes are waiting to be skied by winter sports fans. Here, too, you can ski or snowboard across national borders. Thus the ski area of the Italian Breuil-Cervinia also belongs to the ski region. Not to be missed is the 17 km long descent from the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise.
4. Ski area Silvretta Arena
Km of piste: 238 km
Altitude: up to 2,872 m
The Silvretta Arena is also a top-class international ski area. There are 238 kilometres of pistes on both Swiss and Austrian soil. If you enter the skiing area in Switzerland, you do so in Samnaun. On the Austrian side, the world-famous ski resort of Ischgl awaits winter sports fans.
5. Ski area Arosa-Lenzerheide
Km of piste: 225 km
Altitude: up to 2,865 m
The Arosa-Lenzerheide ski area is the largest contiguous ski area in Graubünden. The ski swing between the two towns of Arosa and Lenzerheide offers 225 kilometres of slopes for winter sports fans. The “Runda Lai” route is certainly a special highlight. Here, one drives with the course of the sun about 4 to 5 hours through a fantastic mountain panorama. In between, you can take a break at one of the cosy huts.
6. Ski area Laax
Km of piste: 187 km
Altitude: up to 3,018 m
Whether in Laax, Flims or Falera – access to the Laax ski area is possible from all three locations. There, winter sports fans can expect 187 kilometres of pistes and no less than four snow parks. A special highlight for deep snow fans is the slope at Cassons: the pistes are not groomed here, meaning that the first tracks can be left by skiers or boarders when fresh snow falls.
7. Ski area Corviglia
Km of piste: 155 km
Altitude: up to 3,057 m
The Corviglia ski area is the home ski area of the world-famous Swiss ski resort of St. Moritz. Celebrities have already rushed down the slopes here. A total of 155 kilometres of varied pistes await winter sports fans, including the 2 km Olympic downhill run. Another highlight is the floodlight slope, which is considered to be the longest night ski slope in Switzerland!
8. Ski area Crans-Montana
Km of piste: 140 km
Altitude: up to 2,927 m
In the Crans-Montana ski area in the Swiss Rhône Valley, you can ski or snowboard with views of the Valais peaks, including the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc. The 140 kilometres of pistes are located below the Plaine-Morte glacier and offer downhill runs for both experts and beginners. Night skiing is also possible here – a very special experience for winter sports fans who couldn’t get enough during the day.
9. Ski area Piz Corvatsch
Km of piste: 120 km
Altitude: up to 3,303 m
In the Swiss town of Sils Maria, winter sports fans can directly access the Piz Corvatsch ski area via the local mountain of Sils Maria: the Furtschellas. The Piz Corvatsch ski area and its 120 km of pistes are particularly suitable for advanced skiers, as it offers them a number of challenges, while the wide glacier slopes at Piz Corvatsch are also simply breathtaking!
10. Ski area Obersaxen Mundaun
Km of piste: 120 km
Altitude: up to 2,310 m
In the Obersaxen Mundaun ski area, the difference in altitude between the valley and mountain stations is 1,101 m, far above the average in Swiss ski areas – this is only 886 m. The ski area in Graubünden has 120 km of pistes and is therefore on the same level as the ski area Piz Corvatsch.
