From glamourous mountain-top chalets in St Moritz to high adrenaline winter sports on the slopes of the Matterhorn, Switzerland has long been one of the most popular skiing locations in the world. The huge range of resorts can provide something for everyone, whether you’re a total beginner or very experienced on the piste. Whilst there are many to choose from, here are three of the most popular resorts Switzerland has to offer.
Zermatt
- Stunning scenery
- Long season and great snow
- Wide range of accommodation and apres ski
Known as one of the most beautiful ski resorts in the world, Zermatt lies below the iconic peak of the Matterhorn. Beyond the beautiful backdrop, it also has some of the finest pistes in the country, thanks to its high-altitude setting. Snowfall in the area is generally consistent and reliable, meaning a long ski season from October to May, as well as year-round glacier skiing. Find out more about PistePro.com snow forecasts and register for free snow alerts in Zermatt or any other Swiss ski resort.
Zermatt offers a wide selection apres ski options, with plenty of family-friendly restaurants, as well as high-end champagne bars and boutique Swiss pubs. Visitors can pick from simple, self-catering accommodation right through to five-star hotels – with pretty much everything in between also on offer in this large and thriving resort.
Verbier
- Easy access from Geneva Airport
- Amazing off-piste skiing
- Luxurious accomodation
Verbier has long been considered a luxury resort, popular with rich and famous guests. However beyond its reputation for glitz and glamour, there is a huge amount to see and do, and it’s home to some of the most exciting ski slopes in Switzerland. It offers some of the best off-piste areas in Europe, as well as stunning long-distance runs to challenge even the most expert skiers.
Another factor making Verbier such a popular destination is its relative proximity to Geneva Airport – with a transfer time of about two hours by car, or three hours on the train. This means visitors can pop over for a long weekend, without the hassle of long waits or tricky connections.
St Moritz
- World renowned host resort for the Winter Olympics
- One of the most popular snow parks in Europe
- Wide range of accommodation with easy access
Since its starring role in the Winter Olympics in both 1928 and 1948, St Moritz has gone from strength to strength. There is still beautifully challenging expert runs around the resort, but also an abundance of intermediate slopes. Just a short funicular ride away is the renowned Corviglia Snow Park, with dozens of ski jumps and obstacles to test your skills.
Known for its luxurious accommodation and exuberant apres ski, St Moritz is sometimes considered an adult-focused resort. However its nearby neighbour Silvaplana offers more budget-friendly accommodation, as well as easy access to beginners slopes – so families should not be put off visiting this stunning ski resort.