Skiing in Switzerland

Switzerland, the land of chocolate, cuckoo clocks and yodelling, is also synonymous with perfection and is highly regarded as one of the World’s top skiing destination. Quality in Switzerland is universally high (think big brands such as Rolex, Tag Heuer and Lindt) and this pocket-size Alpine nation simply oozes class (think high profiled celebs such as Roger Federer and Ursula Andress). Quality also extends to the skiing, as Switzerland has been relatively untouched by development thanks to innate Swiss conservatism and environmental considerations. With a combination of Majestic Mountains, quintessential Alpine charm, high-altitude Ski Resorts, superb ski school tuition, luxurious catered chalet accommodation options and incredible mountain restaurants… you’ll be hard pushed to find a finer skiing holiday destination than Switzerland.

5 reasons to ski in Switzerland

• Regarded by many as the ‘Home of Skiing’
• High altitude skiing and home to Europe’s biggest Glaciers
• Quintessential Alpine charm thanks to innate Swiss traditions
• Phenomenal local Swiss cuisine across incredible mountain restaurants
• Short transfer times, with efficient railway links from Geneva, Bern and Zurich

Switzerland winter holidays are legendary. Regarded by many as the ‘home of skiing’ the ski resorts in Switzerland have commonly been found in ‘top 10 resorts’ lists through the decades. Skiing in Switzerland conjures up imagines of beautiful mountain scenery, great food, traditional villages and, of course, the comfort of a great Swiss chalet.

How many Swiss ski resorts are there?

There are in fact over 330 ski resorts in Switzerland. This is an awful lot for a country of less than 9M citizens. With Switzerland being a gloriously mountainous country, the Swiss Alps are home to a diverse range of Swiss ski resorts in a range of ski areas large and small. In total there is over 7,113km of skiing in Switzerland, that’s enough to last a lifetime. Switzerland ski resorts are known for being traditionally beautiful with tasteful accommodation and efficient lift systems. One of the most famous and most popular Swiss ski areas is the 4 Vallees (Les Quatre Vallees) in the Canton of Valais which includes the world famous resort of Verbier and its neighbouring resort of Nendaz. The ski area is one of the biggest in Europe with 92 lifts and 412km of piste it also benefits from being close to Geneva with transfers times of around 2 hours to 4 Vallees resorts.

Our favourite ski resorts in Switzerland

Verbier

Voted the World’s Best Ski Resort in 2021, Verbier is at the pinnacle of world skiing and mountain culture. With 410km of piste and outstanding off piste opportunities, Verbier has skiing for skiers of all levels and especially the most advanced and adventurous. Find out more about Verbier, Switzerland

Nendaz

Known to be one of sunniest ski resorts in Switzerland, Nendaz is a pretty resort with a stunning view of the Rhone valley. The Swiss Tourist board have awarded it ‘Families Welcome’ status because of the peaceful ambience, impressive range of activities and range of reasonably priced restaurants alongside finer dining options. From Nendaz the Tracouet gondola puts you at the heart of the 4 Vallees ski area, the perfect location from which to attempt to explore the full breadth of the 4 Vallees ski domain. Find out more about Nendaz, Switzerland

La Tzoumaz

La Tzoumaz, formerly known as “les Mayens-de-Riddes”, takes its name from the verb “tzoumer” which, in local dialect, means to take a break. Situated on the north-facing slopes of Verbier, this sunny resort overlooks the Rhone valley.  It is part of the Savoleyres ski area, which lies at an altitude of 2,200 m. Very popular with families, it has 13 runs covering 41 km and is linked to Verbier 4Vallées. On the northern side, you can enjoy unspoiled snow and to the south, you will find sunny slopes with a breath-taking view of Verbier.

Andermatt

Andermatt is a ski resort on the up!  The overall ski area, the Andermatt-Sedrun Ski Arena, links the base town to a variety of higher locations via a fantastic lift system creating the largest ski area in central Switzerland, housing over 181km of skiable terrain. The southern Gemsstock mountain is known as the jewel in the crown of Andermatt’s skiing, thanks to its majestic situation at 2,961m and its offering of a variety of legendary off-piste routes. Find out more about Andermatt, Switzerland

Do you know your Rosti from your Raclette? Or your Älplermagronen from your Birchermüesli? Fear not, we have the low-down on all our favourite Swiss dishes. Swiss cuisine combines influences from the German, French and North Italian Cuisine. However, it varies greatly from region to region with the language divisions constituting a rough boundary outline. Mind you, many dishes have crossed the local borders and become firm favourites throughout Switzerland.

These dishes include, among others: Cheese fondue Melted cheese with bread cubes. The bread cubes are picked up on the fork and swivelled in the melted cheese, which is served in a traditional ceramic fondue pot called ‘caquelon’. Raclette Melted cheese served with “Gschwellti” (jacket potatoes), cocktail gherkins and onions. Älplermagronen A kind of gratin with potatoes, macaroni, cheese, cream and onions. And most importantly, stewed apple on the side. Rösti A flat, hot cake made of grated, cooked jacket or raw potatoes and fried in hot butter or fat. The dish is bound by nothing apart from the starch contained in the potatoes. Birchermüesli Developed around about 1900 by the Swiss doctor Maximilian Oskar Bircher-Brenner, it contains oat flakes, lemon juice, condensed milk, grated apples, hazelnuts or almonds. Swiss Chocolate Everyone loves chocolate and Switzerland has become the forefront of chocolate manufacturing, worldwide. Swiss chocolatiers have created such delights as truffles, pralines, cakes, and mousses. Whatever chocolate type tickles your taste buds, Swiss chocolate is great on its own, or with an espresso, a sweet wine, whisky or a Cognac, and on any conceivable occasion Swiss Cheese The diversity of products created from one single base ingredient – good Swiss milk – is quite astonishing! From the soft and melting Vacherin cheese, to the aromatic Appenzeller. The full-flavoured Sbrinz to the world-famous Gruyère… the list goes on. All of these, plus their approximate 450 other cheese siblings, make a fondue or a raclette, a unique culinary experience

The Swiss have always maintained and nurtured their own local customs and, because of this, Switzerland is a country with an enormous wealth of cultural activity and living tradition. Folk Music Swiss folk music is more of a collective imagination that includes such phenomena as alphorn music, Ländler music, and yodelling. The Alphorn is regarded as a typical Swiss instrument and has since become a national symbol. As for yodelling, it was developed as a method of communication between mountain peaks and later became a part of the traditional music of the region. Yodelling is fun, and fun is good. Mountain Life Alpine farming has a long history and, from a distance, alpine life looks romantic: cowbells, a blade of grass in the mouth, unlimited nature, sunsets over the snow-capped mountain and candles on a wooden table. In reality, this lifestyle involves hard physical work and simplicity of life Customs and Sports For a long time, Swiss sports customs were eclipsed by International sports, such as football, tennis, skiing and ice hockey. But recently, they have comeback into their own, and the traditional sports such as Flag throwing and Swiss Wrestling are increasing in popularity and evident in various villages across the country Arts and Crafts From the Coo Coo Clock to the Swiss Army knife, Haute Couture textiles to watchmaking, the Swiss have a varied and extensive arts and crafts heritage. Today, 95% of Swiss watches are destined for export and the watch industry is a key export industry…and they must be doing something right as Swiss watch brands include; Rolex, Cartier, Breitling, Hublot, Omega, Tag Heuer and Tissot… to name just a few.

Landlocked between France, Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein and Italy, Switzerland is easily accessible and well linked. Whether your desired method of travel is trains, planes or automobiles, you’ll be in your own private chalet sipping bubbles on the balcony in no time at all!

By Air
A large number of airlines land in Zurich, Geneva, Basel and Bern Belp. Swiss International Air Lines is the national carrier of Switzerland, serving more than 100 worldwide destinations.

By Train
Sit back and relax! Fast speed trains travel from major European cities, such as Paris, Milan and Hamburg, right into the heart of this Alpine nation. Efficient railway links then effortlessly connect you to most of Switzerland

By Car
For travellers arriving by road, Switzerland is conveniently linked to Europe’s extensive motorway network. Once in resort, you have the freedom to explore other nearby ski resorts and discover all that thus stunning nation has to offer

Private transfers
Why not arrive in style and take advantage of our private transfer? We will happily arrange for your private mini-bus to pick you up from the airport/train station, and whisk you up to your favourite ski resort.