Switzerland, also known as the “land of four thousand metre peaks”, attracts visitors with its fantastic pistes and breathtaking views of countless snow-capped peaks such as the world-famous Matterhorn. A backdrop that every winter sports enthusiast should experience at least once! SnowTrex has now put together some great offers for unique ski trips to the most snow-sure regions of the Swiss Confederation as well as 10 good reasons why it’s worth travelling to the Swiss Alps in winter.
1. Alpine country with the most four-thousand-metre peaks
No less than 70 per cent of Switzerland is made up of mountains. And what is even more impressive: 48 of the Swiss mountains are over 4,000 metres high. First and foremost is the Dufourspitze at an impressive 4,634 metres, as well as other well-known mountain giants such as the striking Matterhorn at 4,478 metres, one of Switzerland’s landmarks, and the Jungfrau at 4,158 metres. So it’s no wonder that the skiing here is simply outstanding:
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2. Ski resorts in a class of their own
In the Swiss Alps, over 200 perfectly developed (glacier) ski resorts await hundreds of thousands of winter sports enthusiasts every year. And one of them not only surpasses the season times of the other Swiss ski resorts by far! It also offers unrivalled views: the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise ski area in Zermatt. In front of the imposing summit that gives the area its name, the Theodul Glacier has an extremely high snow guarantee. With 20 kilometres of pistes, it is also one of the largest summer ski areas in Europe. Ski enthusiasts can let off steam 365 days a year on the white slopes against the backdrop of the Matterhorn.
Other glacier ski areas in Switzerland include the Saas-Fee ski area with 20 kilometres of pistes on the ice of the Fee Glacier and the Glacier 3000 – Les Diablerets ski area with 31 kilometres of pistes. The snow-sure Engelberg-Titlis ski area with the Titlis Glacier (3,238 m) and a total of 82 kilometres of mostly intermediate slopes is also particularly popular:
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In addition to these “icy” snow areas, Switzerland also has some of the world’s largest ski resorts: The Swiss Confederation is almost at the top of the world record list. With almost 580 kilometres of pistes, the ski resort of Les Portes du Soleil dwarfs all other ski resorts in the country in terms of size. However, the Swiss have to share this place with the French, as the cross-border ski resort is located in both countries. The Les 4 Valleès ski area(412 kilometres of pistes) is just under 170 km behind, followed by the upmarket St. Moritz in the Engadin(325 kilometres of pistes) and Zermatt(322 kilometres of pistes). And Davos-Klosters is also a real ski area giant with 270 kilometres of pistes.
3. Endless descents
Switzerland, with its white giants that sometimes break the 4,000 metre mark, naturally also has extremely long descents to offer. The longest groomed piste in the world can be found here: the approximately 17 km long run in the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise ski area leads from the 3,820 metre high Klein Matterhorn down to Zermatt. The descent in the Saas-Fee ski area follows with only a slight difference in altitude. From 3,450 metres on the Mittelallalin, the 14 km long groomed piste leads to Saas-Fee.
In Davos, winter sports enthusiasts will find the famous Parsenn downhill run. A 12 km run leads from the summit of the Weissfluh (2,844 m) down into the valley to Küblis at 814 m. And in Crans-Montana on the Plaine Morte glacier, a 12 km descent covers around 1,370 metres in altitude. Another famous descent is the route of the Inferno race in the Jungfrau ski region, an amateur ski race that covers 13.5 to 14.9 kilometres, depending on the measurement.
4. Ultra-modern lift facilities
Switzerland is also a leader in cable car technology, especially when it comes to innovation. Most of the gondolas in the ski resorts are not only state-of-the-art, but some of them also run spectacular routes. This is particularly true of the Glacier Ride in the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise ski area, which since 2023 has not only taken skiers from Trockener Steg (2,932 m) to the Klein Matterhorn (3,821 m) and thus to the highest mountain station in Europe, but also onwards via Cervinia to the Testa Grigia valley station (3,458 m) in Italy. Up to 1,300 people per hour can be transported up and over the mountain in maximum comfort, enjoying a unique view of the Matterhorn through the panoramic windows:
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The Titlis-Rotair offers another breathtaking cable car experience: the round gondola rotates once on its own axis during the journey. A unique panorama awaits, while the gondola takes passengers safely and comfortably from the Stand mountain station (2,436 m) over the impressive glacier area to the summit station on the Little Titlis (3,020 m). Another spectacular attraction awaits winter sports enthusiasts there: Europe’s highest suspension bridge, the Titlis Cliff Walk.
Basically, all Swiss ski resorts are technically of a very high standard and transport their winter guests to the slopes quickly, safely and comfortably using modern lift facilities.
5. Excellent snow parks
Die-hard snowboarders and freestyle skiers probably think of Snowpark Laax when they hear the word “snowpark”. In fact, this park has rightly made a name for itself in the scene and has been at the top of the list of freestyle resorts for several years. After all, five areas for different skill levels, the world’s longest halfpipe, over 90 obstacles and an Olympic-sized Pro Kicker Line make the hearts of freestylers beat faster, to name just a few facts about the park in the Flims-Laax-Falera ski resort.
But those responsible in the ski resorts of the Swiss Confederation are not satisfied with this and therefore offer freestylers a true snow mecca, which is peppered with first-class snow parks: above all the areas in Arosa-Lenzerheide, Zermatt and Scuol as well as the Corviglia Snowpark “Crowland” in St. Moritz and the Freestyle Park Saas-Fee. They all offer a large selection of different obstacles and fantastic opening events.
6. Families welcome
Switzerland is also impressive when it comes to family-friendliness. The Grächen ski resort in the Swiss canton of Valais is particularly popular, with 44 kilometres of slopes that meet all requirements without becoming too confusing, so that mum and dad can always keep an eye on their children. Here, families with children experience a comprehensive service that makes a skiing holiday a special experience for everyone. From the two hours of free child care at the Hannigalp crèche for children aged between two and six to the four family parks, which promise adventure, play and learning fun. Add to this a family restaurant for a shared lunch break or the fairytale gondola, where little winter sports enthusiasts can listen to exciting Grimm fairytales on the ascent – families will never be bored here.
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The Arosa-Lenzerheide ski area also welcomes children to the slopes, with five free, creative children’s areas and professional ski schools that teach children about winter sports in a fun way. Another highlight are the special family slopes, where the grown-ups can make their turns through the snow undisturbed with the little ones. If the weather doesn’t allow for a day of skiing, families in Arosa will also find an indoor playground to keep the children occupied.
Many family-friendly ski resorts are also characterised by family-friendly accommodation close to the slopes. This makes skiing in Switzerland particularly convenient, as it can be stressful to catch the ski bus or think of everything in the morning, especially with small children. With accommodation close to the slopes, however, there is no need for these trips or even long bus journeys, saving you stress or even trouble.
7. Car-free zones
Winter sports enthusiasts looking for peace and relaxation are also in good hands in Switzerland. Not only can holidaymakers relax wonderfully here thanks to the many springs and thermal baths, but also because there is no traffic noise in many places, as some ski resorts are explicitly car-free zones. This means: no noise, no exhaust fumes, no hustle and bustle and therefore pure relaxation. The journey can be made by car as far as the resort, before continuing by shuttle of all kinds – whether by train, coach or e-taxi. Alternatively, winter sports enthusiasts can travel to Switzerland by train, as the rail network in the Confederation is particularly well developed right down to the smallest villages. The quiet and car-free ski resorts include Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Grächen, Wengen and Mürren.
8. Exclusive ski resorts
It’s no secret that the rich and famous like to holiday in Switzerland’s most exclusive winter sports resorts. These include the posh resorts of St. Moritz, Davos and Zermatt. Luxurious accommodation, perfectly groomed pistes and extravagant après-ski parties are the order of the day here. But the top ski resorts are no longer the preserve of high society. Here, everyone can feel like a star and enjoy life to the full – on and off the piste.
9. Traditional Swiss cuisine
After an exhausting day of skiing, there is hardly anything better than making yourself comfortable in one of the traditional and rustic Swiss mountain huts and letting the innkeepers spoil you with traditional, hearty, typical Swiss cuisine. The many cheese dishes such as cheese fondue and the original raclette are particularly popular dishes that should not be missed on a skiing holiday. Another delicacy is, of course, Swiss chocolate. And skiers and snowboarders don’t need to worry about the calories, of course, as they will work them off on the piste at the end of their holiday.
10. Breathtaking excursion destinations
If you are looking for action away from the groomed slopes during your winter holidays, you are guaranteed to find it in Switzerland. Whether snowmobile tours, snow biking, piste bully rides, ice fishing, heli-skiing, ice climbing or paragliding – every adrenaline junkie will get their money’s worth here:
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More relaxed excursion destinations, on the other hand, are the numerous lakes, some of which are crystal clear, or the many beautiful towns, which in turn are often located directly on the water and close to the ski resorts. These include the city of Geneva and Lake Geneva, Zurich with Lake Zurich, Lucerne with Lake Lucerne and the capital Bern with Lake Blausee, as well as Lake Brienz near Grindelwald and the associated Jungfrau Ski Region. Other fascinating lakes are the Rifflsee in Zermatt, the Oeschinensee in Kandersteg and the Caumasee in Flims.
So, have these 10 reasons got you in the mood for skiing in Switzerland? Then click here for the right SnowTrex offers!
