On paper, Switzerland may seem petite, but when you gaze skywards, its immensity becomes apparent. Welcome to one of Europe’s most heavily mountainous nations, where the Alps stretch over 60% of its lands. With so much elevation, the emphasis is on peak achievement here – the Swiss practically take to skiing naturally, with even four-year-olds frequently zipping circles around you on the inclines. The exhilaration is at its zenith where the glacier-topped Alps reach their highest: Valais, a region nestled in the southern part of Switzerland along the Italian boundary.
When winter’s initial snowflakes begin their descent, the realm of the majestic Matterhorn and the towering 4634m Dufourspitze, the country’s highest summit, creates an irresistible urge for skiers to speed down the trails or carve new paths in the untouched terrain. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker on demanding black runs, someone who relishes serene blues with expansive vistas, or a total novice, a slope awaits with your name on it. Continue on for our top seven beloved options.
Zermatt
Perfect for captivating Matterhorn panoramas and skiing into Italy
Let’s start with the grand one… You’ll never forget the initial moment you spot the 4478m Matterhorn: that pristine, pyramidic summit representing Switzerland (and Toblerone) like nothing else. Chances are, it’ll be a fleeting sight from the quaint red train puffing its way from Visp to Zermatt. Upon arrival, you’ll be met with breathtaking vistas from the nation’s loftiest slopes, crowned by the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise cable car station at 3883m, offering awe-inspiring views over 14 glaciers and 38 peaks exceeding 4000m.
Car-free Zermatt presents an excellent base for taking to the slopes, which extend to 360km when combined with Cervinia in Italy, made more accessible by the 2023 debut of the Matterhorn Alpine Crossing. The gentle inclines around Rothorn, Stockhorn, and Klein Matterhorn are ideal for confident intermediates, alongside vast off-piste zones delighting powder enthusiasts (though securing a guide is advisable). Similarly, beginners and families can savor top-tier skiing at Wolli Park Sunnegga, complemented by a snowpark with rails, boxes, jumps, and kickers catering to boarders. A family-friendly perk: kids under nine ski complimentary.
Planning tip: Aboard one of the globe’s most scenic train journeys, the Glacier Express makes the 290km, eight-hour trip between Zermatt and St Moritz twice daily from mid-December to early May.
Arolla
Optimal for tranquil, unfrequented slopes and divine off-piste
Nestled in the profoundly traditional Val d’Hérens, with sporadic views of glacier-covered 4000m summits, the tranquil hamlet of Arolla boasts scenery far grander than its modest size implies (population 200). Perched at an exhilarating 1998m, this charming Alpine village enjoys an excellent snow history, enchanting landscapes, and 47km of downhill paths to zoom down – primarily blues and reds tailored for novices and intermediates, respectively. By Swiss comparisons, it’s also rather affordable.
Thanks to its isolation, the off-piste stretches ideal for ski touring are best explored with the guidance of someone who intimately knows the slopes. The village marks a stage of the renowned high-altitude, week-long Haute Route from Zermatt to Chamonix, weaving through the Mont Blanc massif. This is one of Europe’s most challenging and unforgettable ski routes, suited only to skilled ski tourers.
Planning tip: The adventure isn’t limited to downhill skiing; there are also 42km of cross-country ski paths to enjoy gliding towards a glacier in serene delight, not to mention a wide-ranging network of snowshoe trails, such as the 5km trek from La Gouille to the glistening, tree-lined Lac Bleu.
Verbier
Ideal for testing slopes and spotting celebrities
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Nestled in a south-facing basin, stylish, celebrity-drawing Verbier is Switzerland’s epitome of cool, with intensely demanding skiing distributed over altitudes ranging from 1500m (the village) to 3330m (Mont Fort). With its exhilarating black trails, stunning off-piste, tight gullies, and mogul-speckled routes, it challenges even the most daring skiers – the ultimate being the legendary freeride Tortin. Freeriders and snowboarders find their haven at the La Chaux snowpark, situated at 2250m. Positioned centrally in the Les 4 Vallées ski region, offering breathtaking views of Mont Blanc and Combins ranges, the resort boasts an excellent snow reputation and provides access to over 400km of mapped pistes, primarily aimed at daring intermediates.
Skiers that gather here – royalty, James Blunt (with a lift named in his honor), Richard Branson (proprietor of the highly luxurious mountain retreat The Lodge), the Beckhams, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Ed Sheeran being some of them – revel just as energetically as they carve through the powder. The champagne-infueled après-ski scene is renowned here.
Advice for planning: For those interested in discovering untouched powder in the backcountry, consider Les Guides de Verbier. Along with off-piste touring, they provide opportunities for ski touring, ice climbing, and snowshoeing.
Crans-Montana
Great for sunshine and glitz
Situated on an elevated plateau overlooking the Rhône Valley is the posh ski resort of Crans-Montana, featuring 160km of predominantly south-facing trails connected by cutting-edge cable cars, perfect for self-assured beginners and leisurely intermediates, particularly around the Cry d’Er area. Also, the 360-degree panoramas are awe-inspiring, encompassing peaks like the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc.
There exist several black trails among them, such as the remarkably steep World Cup Piste Nationale, a prominent downhill in the Alps. Yet, that is only a glimpse: in addition, there are ski mountaineering paths, a snowpark with a superpipe catering to snowboarders and freestylers, the Plaine Morte glacier for high-altitude cross-country skiing, along with a vibrant après-ski scene. The latter evolves into an elevated level during the conclusion-of-the-winter-season Caprices music event, drawing major artists to the slopes.
Advice for planning: One of the trendiest mountain locales in the Swiss Alps at 2112m, Chetzeron offers breath-catching panoramas from its terrace, where one can relax on a hammock or sheepskin-adorned deckchair to enjoy chocolat chaud (hot chocolate) after skiing. Reach it after skiing or snowboarding from the Cry d’Er cable car summit.
Bettmeralp-Aletsch
Perfect for tranquil slopes and glacier viewing
Picture the Swiss Alpine village of your ideals, multiple it by 10 and likely, you’ll imagine something akin to Bettmeralp: snow-laden, circled by mountains, dotted with dark-timber cottages and situated high above the Upper Rhône Valley at 1970m. In winter, it’s truly like a Christmas postcard. With just 452 residents permanently, this family-centric village naturally offers a significantly more relaxed ambiance compared to the larger resorts.
Positioned on a sunlit, car-free plain, there lie 104km of slopes forming the Aletsch Arena to enjoy. Situated in the core of the Unesco World Heritage Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch area, mainly these slopes cater to intermediates, snowboarders, and off-piste thrill aficionados, though still providing ample terrain for beginners and professionals.
Advice for planning: Skiing doesn’t become more exceptionally pleasant than on the track from the 2627m Bettmerhorn cable car top, mirroring the 23km Aletsch Glacier, the lengthiest glacier in the European Alps.
Champéry
Extensive slopes and skiing extending to France
Bordering France in the northwest of Valais, Champéry is part of the Les Portes du Soleil (“Gates of the Sun”) skiing area, incorporating a staggering 600km of pistes spanning two nations and 12 resorts, ranking it among the largest globally. A singular pass grants access to all.
Towered by the jagged, multi-peaked Dents du Midi, Champéry features expansive slopes
Las largas pistas en el valle son ideales para intermedios (los principiantes podrían encontrarlas algo difíciles). Los snowboarders se dirigen a Avoriaz y Les Crosets para parques de terreno. Las pistas negras y el esquí fuera de pista más exigente aumentan el desafío para los expertos.
Consejo de planificación: La Chavanette, también conocida como la “Pared Suiza”, es una verdadera prueba de resistencia para las piernas – con una pendiente del 37° y un gradiente del 76%, es tan vertiginosamente empinada que es como saltar al vacío, y hay tantos moguls que no hay alivio de los baches a lo largo de toda su longitud. Está clasificada como un itinéraire (controlada por avalanchas pero no vigilada).
Saas Fee
Ideal para freeriders y boarders
Rodeada por un anfiteatro de 13 cumbres implacables sobre 4000m, la glaciada Saas Fee reposa al pie del Dom de 4546m – la segunda montaña más alta de Suiza y la tercera de los Alpes. Como podrías imaginar, el paisaje es de otro mundo. Con opciones de esquí entre elevaciones de 1800m y 3550m, siempre se puede encontrar un polvo espectacular.
Actualmente un resort animado, Saas Fee era un remoto puesto solo accesible por una ruta de mulas hasta 1951. Ahora, el resort libre de coches es una combinación arquitectónica de graneros tradicionales de madera oscura junto a chalets modernos. Esquiar en sus 145 km de pistas es generalmente bastante suave: perfecto para principiantes y intermedios tranquilos, aunque los 1700 m de descenso de cima a base de la montaña plantean más desafío. Los expertos pueden enfrentarse a la pista negra Weisse Perle y unirse a tours guiados de esquí, mientras los snowboarders disfrutan de grandes emociones en el snowpark Morenia.
Consejo de planificación: Si tienes ganas de un refrigerio después del esquí con vistas, súbete al funicular subterráneo hasta el Allalin a 3500m, donde se encuentra el restaurante giratorio más alto del mundo.
Hazlo realidad
El Aeropuerto de Ginebra (GVA) es la puerta de entrada a la región de Valais, con conexiones ferroviarias SBB rápidas, frecuentes y escénicas a todos los principales resorts de esquí. De hecho, tomar el tren a menudo es preferible a conducir, ya que muchos resorts están libres de coches. Los autobuses y teleféricos llenan los vacíos.
La temporada de esquí va aproximadamente de diciembre a abril. Para mejores ofertas y más disponibilidad, evita la temporada alta (Navidad y Semana Santa). A menudo puedes evitar las colas y ahorrar dinero comprando pases de esquí y organizando el alquiler de esquí en línea con Intersport. Para clases grupales, consulta las Escuelas de Esquí Suizas.