The 12 Best Places to Go Skiing in Switzerland
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With mellow, low-altitude mountains, sky-high peaks with near-vertical drops (hello, Matterhorn and Gemsstock), powder-covered glaciers, and gently rolling Alpine forests, it's no wonder skiing in Switzerland tops most winter sports enthusiasts' travel wish lists. Plus, the country is home to some of Europe's largest winter resorts, with new panoramic cable cars, high-speed chair lifts, and scenic trains offering easy connectivity between mountains. When it comes time to unbuckle your boots and click out of your skis, a whole après-ski world awaits, from slopeside cocktail bars to sprawling, tranquil spas.
And then there's the food. Whether you want to munch on Michelin-star sushi at a luxury resort, feast on a fireside meal of modern French fare, or down mounds of melty raclette while the kids run around, there's a spot in Switzerland where you can make it happen.
Ahead, you'll find 12 places to consider when planning your next Swiss ski vacation.
This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
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St. Moritz
Located in Switzerland’s Engadin region, St. Moritz is touted as the ski resort “on top of the world,” and it has deep roots in the sport. Its Corviglia mountain is considered the birthplace of winter sports—and winter tourism. The resort opened in 1864, welcomed one of Switzerland’s first lifts in 1935, and has hosted the Winter Olympics twice—in 1928 and 1948. The high-end ski destination’s elevation begins at nearly 6,000 feet and only increases as you reach the tops of its surrounding peaks. Join the hoards of well-heeled Swiss and international jet-setters who visit St. Moritz looking to enjoy the good life.
Stats: With 44 lifts giving you access to 67 runs, you won’t get bored—or even have to ski the same run twice. Pay between roughly $70 and $87 per adult day pass and experience nearly 220 miles of runs.
Where to eat and drink nearby: From an Italian pizzeria set in a 17th-century farmhouse to the two-Michelin-star IGNIV by Andreas Caminada, the restaurants at iconic Badrutt’s Palace are where you’ll want to see, be seen, and, of course, eat when you’re in St. Moritz. (There are several more to choose from, too, including a restaurant by celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa that’s set in a former indoor tennis hall.) Elsewhere in town, at Restaurant Engiadina, menu items include everything from classic fondue to homemade noodles with wild boar bolognese. And dishes—think sole, saddle of venison, and oxtail consomme—at cozy Dal Mulin are like the restaurant itself: classic, but with a decidedly modern twist.
Where to stay: St. Moritz is synonymous with grand hotels, and there are plenty to choose from here. Treat yourself to the extravagance of Badrutt’s Palace, the place where your sheets are warmed with hot water bottles each night—and where Alfred Hitchcock once spent his honeymoon. If you’re looking for over-the-top accommodations, check into the hotel’s Penthouse, which is now available to book for the first time in 30 years. Other luxury mainstays include the Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski, the Carlton Hotel St. Moritz, and Kulm Hotel St. Moritz, where a bet between Johannes Badrutt and a few dubious English tourists is said to have birthed the concept of winter tourism.
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Zermatt
Experience classic Switzerland at the foot of the country’s iconic Matterhorn mountain, which soars 14,692 feet above sea level in a stunning, pyramid shape. Found in Valais, just six miles from the Theodul Pass, which borders Italy, Zermatt is never short of fresh powder, avid skiers, and views of some of the highest peaks in the country. Shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants line the bustling main street in town, Bahnhofstrasse, where you can partake in après-ski as it was meant to be enjoyed: warm, cozy, and with plenty of apple strudel.
Stats: Zermatt day passes are priced starting around $83. The ski areas of Zermatt-Matterhorn and Breuil-Cervinia have a combined total of 54 lifts and 148 slopes totaling more than 200 miles. Heli-skiing is also on offer, if that’s more your style.
Where to eat and drink nearby: You won’t go hungry at Zermatt. In addition to the nightlife along Bahnhofstrasse, local resorts offer some of the best dining options in the country. Defrost with a fireside espresso at The Omnia’s restaurant, enjoy classic cocktails at the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof’s Stars Bar, and refuel with some of the top alpine cuisine at the resort’s Brasserie Lusi & Terrace. For an elevated fondue or raclette feast, snag a reservation at saycheese!, Grand Hotel Zermatterhof’s cheese cafe.
Where to stay: Make yourself at home off the slopes at The Omnia, the sprawling Grand Hotel Zermatterhof, the splurge-worthy Mont Cervin Palace, or cozy Backstage. All are located just steps from the Glacier Express train, which connects St. Moritz and Zermatt. Conscious travelers will want to check out Cervo, a contemporary, Alpine resort whose operations and offerings center around sustainability and social responsibility.
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Gstaad
Set in southwestern Switzerland, in the German-speaking canton of Bern, Gstaad opened in the early 1900s but has only more recently become a hotspot for travelers in search of the most luxurious skiing in Switzerland. With well-groomed slopes offering varying degrees of difficulty, the resort is perfect for a family trip. Snowpark Glacier 3000 will get snowboarders’ adrenaline pumping as they carve their own tracks down the mountain—and if downhill isn't what you're looking for, the resort has a run for cross-country skiers.
Stats: With its 124 miles of downhill ski runs, 111 miles of cross-country skiing, 100 miles of winter hiking trails, 18 miles of sledding trails, and 41 lifts, Gstaad does not disappoint. Dynamically priced passes typically run between roughly $53 and $85.
Where to eat and drink nearby: Restaurants in Gstaad run the gamut, from Michelin-starred Sommet, inside the Alpina Gstaad hotel, to elegant Megu, which offers up modern Japanese dishes and a more casual sushi counter. For the best fondue you’ve ever had—options include truffle and goat cheese—head to Le Petit Chalet, at Le Grand Bellevue. Make sure to reserve: Max capacity is 18 (or 24, for travelers who want to book the whole place).
Where to stay: Treat yourself to fine dining and a luxury spa at Alpina Gstaad, or book a suite at the castle-like Gstaad Palace, which has been on Traveler’s Gold List for several years running. Located in the heart of the village, Le Grand Bellevue is pure luxury, from its suites to its spa.
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Verbier
If you’re looking for proof that Verbier is a worthy winter vacation destination, note that the village was named Switzerland’s Best Ski Resort in 2022 and 2021 by World Ski Awards voters. Verbier is the gateway to the 4 Vallées ski area, which is home to nearly 100 lifts and more than 250 miles of ski runs of all levels, plus plenty of off-piste options. With varying conditions and extremely steep runs, this compound in southwestern Switzerland is an advanced skier’s dream. Many of the area’s most famous off-piste runs—including Bec des Étagnes, Marlenaz, Croix de Coeur, Col des Mines, and Couloir de la “Banane”—are known and respected around the world. Newbies can also learn a thing or two from the resort’s renowned ski school, which gives lessons to guests of varying ages and skill levels. Keep an eye out for royalty and celebs, who frequent the resort.
Stats: Home to 400 acres of skiable terrain, 37 runs, and 48 lifts, quantity and quality are both at large here. The average day lift ticket costs roughly $73.
Where to eat and drink nearby: The W Verbier is a one-stop shop for slopeside food and drinks. Sip hot drinks and cocktails at the outdoor après-ski bar W Off Piste, order plates to share from Eat-Hola Tapas Bar, or dig into dashi, sashimi, sushi, and other Japanese dishes at brand-new U-YAMA, all located within the W Verbier. For gourmet pub grub in a party atmosphere, order a plate of nachos or “burnt” rib ends (they’re smothered in homemade apple glaze) at the popular Pub Mont Fort.
Where to stay: The W Verbier is your best bet for an enjoyable stay. Alpine style meets urban chic in the hotel’s 123 rooms. Even better? The hotel is close to the main gondola, which means immediate ski-in, ski-out access. With just nine rooms and suites, Sir Richard Branson's The Lodge is a more intimate option. The extremely photogenic, 39-room Experimental Chalet, which offers views of Mont Combin, is a dream for skiers who also happen to love mid-century modern design.
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Crans-Montana
Situated in the French-speaking Valais region, Crans-Montana is home to 87 miles of trails that criss-cross elevations ranging from roughly 5,000 feet to 10,000 feet and are suitable for skiers of all skill levels. Skiers can carve tracks on the Plaine Morte glacier and, if they’re lucky, catch some of the FIS World Cup, as competitions are often held at the resort. (Crans-Montana will host the Audi FIS Ski World Cup Alpine Women February 25-26, 2023.) Not feeling the rush of downhill? Give ski mountaineering, or ski touring, a try. Crans-Montana offers 15 ski-touring routes, including three introductory-level routes and one, appropriately called La X’trême, that challenges advanced skiers with four uphills and an elevation gain of 10,000 feet. Snowboarders can head to Crans-Montana’s snowpark, which has its own snowpipe.
Stats: A total of 27 lifts will deliver you to 41 runs, stretched over 87 miles of terrain. And even during low-snow years, with 16 acres of snowmaking, there’s still plenty to explore. Day lift tickets are dynamically priced; expect to pay between $30 and $89.
Where to eat and drink nearby: Every delicately plated dish that emerges from the kitchen of LeMontBlanc, one of the restaurants and bars within LeCrans Hotel and Spa, is an edible work of art. While you’re there, order from the restaurant’s list of 48 wines. At L’Ours, the Michelin-starred restaurant at Hostellerie du Pas de l’Ours that’s helmed by Chef Frank Reynaud, order a bottle of Champagne and sit down for a multi-course tasting menu. If it’s raclette or fondue you fancy, head to Le Mayen. Many say it’s the best place in the Valais region to experience the Swiss culinary tradition.
Where to stay: The new Six Senses Crans-Montana is scheduled to open February 1, 2023, bringing its distinctive brand of zen—plus a minimalist spa and elegant restaurants—to Switzerland. Book a Terrace Room or Suite for peaceful views of the Chetzeron piste. For travelers who prefer a more intimate hotel experience, the 15-room LeCrans Hotel and Spa could be just the ticket. Hotel Crans Ambassador, Guarda Golf Hotel & Residences, and Hostellerie du Pas de l’Ours are other perennial favorites that will place guests right in the lap of Alpine luxury.
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Grindelwald
Travelers heading to Grindelwald can ski in two areas. The first, Grindelwald-Wengen, is situated at the foot of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau and is home to the Lauberhorn World Cup downhill run, which runs from Lauberhorn down to Wengen over a distance of roughly 2.8 miles. Travelers looking for other outdoor activities can take advantage of Grindelwald-Wengen’s toboggan runs and world-famous hiking trails. The Eiger Express takes skiers from the Grindelwald Terminal to the Eiger Glacier in just 15 minutes. Travelers can also reach the skiing area from Grindelwald and Wengen by rack railway or by cable car. The second ski area, Grindelwald-First, is home to a snow park with a halfpipe, kickers, rails, and other features designed to send advanced skiers and snowboarders airborne. Guests can reach Grindelwald-First in about 25 minutes by taking the gondola cableway from Grindelwald.
Stats: Skiers will have 64 miles of ski runs to enjoy at Grindelwald-Wengen, and 35 at Grindelwald-First. For 75 CHF (a little less than $80 USD), adults can get a day pass that’s valid for the whole Jungfrau Region: Grindelwald-Wengen and Mürren-Schilthorn.
Where to eat and drink nearby: At Berggasthaus First, a mountain inn situated directly next to the Firstbahn gondola station roughly 7,200 feet above sea level, hungry skiers can satisfy an appetite for hearty fare and mountain views at the same time. Its casual, self-serve restaurant offers everything from Alsatian sausage salads to goulash soup, and, of course, rösti and raclette served with all types of trimmings. At the self-service restaurant Berghaus Männlichen, in picturesque Männlichen-Kleine Scheidegg, skiers and hikers can refuel with stick-to-your-bones dishes like grilled sausages, burgers, and chili-cheese hash browns. Traveling with a crew who can’t agree on a single style of cuisine? Head to the new Hotel Restaurant Fiescherblick, whose restaurant features Japanese-, Scandinavian-, and French-influenced dishes. Second only to the food are views of the Eiger North Face, the Fiescherlicka, Männlichen, and the village’s charming church. Located just above the town of Grindelwald, directly on ski run number three, cozy and rustic Jägerstübli serves burgers, bar bites, and cold beer—the perfect formula for an apres-ski feast. Travelers who don’t mind venturing a bit farther for a five-star dining experience will find it at the Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa, in Interlaken.
Where to stay: Set in a formerly vacant building just behind Grindelwald’s white, steepled church, the new Hotel Restaurant Fiescherblick has just 19 Scandinavian-inspired rooms and is surrounded by jaw-dropping mountain views. At Hotel Eiger Selfness, staff take pride in getting to know guests on a first-name basis and helping them reconnect with both nature and themselves. Upon completion of a renovation spanning from fall into December, the hotel will unveil a refreshed entrance area.
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Davos
Get close to the stars in the highest official town in Europe. Located in Graubünden, Davos sits at more than 5,000 feet, but its peaks top out at more than 9,300 and offer both downhill and cross-country skiing. Davos’ roots date all the way back to 1213, when the area was first mentioned as an immigration spot for the Rhaeto-Romans. Tourism peaked in the area in the early- to mid-1900s but has since slowed down, making Davos a prime—but less-crowded area—to spend a winter holiday.
Stats: Access 54 lifts and 85 runs, the longest of which stretches for seven and a half miles, for about $78 per day pass. When it comes to degrees of difficulty, roughly a quarter of the area’s trails are intermediate, 42 percent are advanced, and 35 percent are categorized as expert runs.
Where to eat and drink nearby: In addition to flavorful Italian fare, Sapori, at the AlpenGold Hotel, offers a variety of vegetarian- and vegan-friendly dishes. For a warming pick-me-up, order a hot cocoa at the hotel’s Nuts & Co. While you’re in town, visit “the last beer stop before heaven,” also known as the BierVision Monstein brewery, in the neighboring town of Monstein.
Where to stay: A Davos mainstay, the AlpenGold Hotel (formerly the InterContinental Davos) offers spacious rooms, alpine-inspired interiors, and unbelievable views of the Grison Alps. Grischa Das Hotel Davos is situated directly outside the Jakobshorn cable car station, and its services include assistance with ski rentals and ski school reservations.
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Villars-Gryon-Les Diablerets
Set at an altitude of 4,000 feet in the canton of Vaud, this village—once home to the Abbey of Saint-Maurice monks—is a skiers’ haven offering views of Mont Blanc, the Dents du Midi, and the Diablerets massif. Villars and adjoining Gryon and Les Diablerets feature kid-friendly lifts and toboggan runs, plus snowshoeing trails (some even cater to strollers), and cross-country-ski-specific trails. About half of the ski runs in the resort are graded intermediate or below, making the area an ideal pick for travelers who have little ones in tow or are just learning to ski. Note, though, that, on the Diablerets side, the Glacier 3000 runs are for more experienced skiers. One not to miss: a new run that, with its 41-degree pitch, will be among Switzerland’s steepest.
Stats: Brace yourself for nearly 80 runs that span about 84 miles of terrain. You’ll pay roughly $70 for a day pass, which will grant you access to all 45 lifts.
Where to eat and drink nearby: Restaurant L'Alchimiste serves one of the most mouth-watering steaks in town. For refined, homestyle fare prepared from local ingredients (think roast ham with honey, or mushroom casserole served with crispy rosti), settle in at L’Étable. If a refreshing, post-ski cocktail is calling, head to the contemporary yet cozy Bar 1870 at Villars Alpine Resort.
Where to stay: Relax at Chalet RoyAlp Hôtel & Spa, where rooms are decorated with wood, fireplaces, and cushy furniture. Villars Alpine Resort is a something-for-everyone hotel complex. It comprises a Lodge, a four-star hotel slated to open this month, and the five-star Villars Palace, which was renovated this past summer. Other amenities at the eco-conscious, Swisstainable-designated resort include seven restaurants and bars, plus two swimming pools and fitness facilities.
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Laax
Skiers and snowboarders of varying levels will find the perfect vacation at Laax. Here, you can always count on reliable powder, and there’s nothing quite like skiing the sharp slopes of the local glacier, Vorab. Located in Graubünden, the resort is set in a lush valley, filled with fresh snow in the winter months. Two additional cableways extended Laax in recent years. The addition means easier access to more shops, bars, and fine dining, resulting in an après culture that matches the variety of the ski runs themselves.
Stats: Five terrain parks, 100 acres of skiable terrain, 64 runs, and 28 lifts make up Laax. The average day pass rings in at around $91. Crap Sogn Gion is home to the world’s biggest halfpipe.
Where to eat and drink nearby: As more of a family-friendly ski town, Laax isn’t especially known for its nightlife. The trendiest bar in Laax is Satellite Bar, which has a lounge feel and always plays the best music. In the valley, Indy Bar is where you want to be. Stomach rumbling after all those ski runs? Head to Riders Restaurant, at Riders Hotel, for three-course modern-vegetarian meals that feature fresh, seasonal ingredients served at family-style tables. Alternatively, step out of the valley’s cable car station and into Grandis, a luxe wine store and restaurant in the heart of Laax’s Rocks Resort.
Where to stay: One of the most popular hotels in Laax is Hotel Bellaval, where the staff is welcoming, the rooms are warm, and you’re not far from the beautiful Laax Lake. For sustainable, family-friendly accommodations, book your crew at Rocks Resort or Riders Hotel. Both are located directly at the valley station.
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Saas-Fee
Surrounded by four-thousanders (peaks measuring in at more than 4,000 meters), Saas-Fee calls to some of the most adventurous skiers and snowboarders. In Switzerland’s Valais area, Saas-Fee is one of the villages around the valley of the Rhône. The Dom and the Allalinhorn glaciers are right there, which help make skiing available well past the typical winter months. At the resort, cruise down some of the highest mountains in the Swiss Alps. Beginners can gain practice close to the village, and freeskiers can venture into the Mittelallalin snow park. The wildest adrenaline junkies can chase the snow on the nearby glaciers.
Stats: The average day-pass lift ticket will run you $83. With it, hop on 22 lifts that’ll take you to 48 runs over 100 acres.
Where to eat and drink nearby: Nesti's Ski Bar is the classic place to grab a pint at the bottom of the slopes. And if you want to go out, Poison nightclub will keep you dancing until 4 a.m. To replenish all of those burned calories, order some of the best cuisine in Switzerland from Waldhotel Fletschhorn, which features black truffle poached in Marsanne blanche, hand-dived scallops, and some 45,000 bottles of wine in its wine cellar.
Where to stay: In 2019, the Ferienart Resort and Spa underwent a complete renovation and emerged as Walliserhof Grand-Hotel SPA. The Relais & Chateaux-member hotel is home to 73 modern, Alpine-style rooms, as well as three restaurants and a sprawling spa complex.
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Andermatt
German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe first drew attention to Andermatt's tourism appeal when he wrote about its mountain villages in the 18th century. Today, just 40 miles from Lucerne in the Urserntal Valley, Andermatt is a storybook base for accessing SkiArena Andermatt-Sedrun, the largest ski area in the heart of Switzerland. It's where you'll find Gemsstock, a 10,000-foot paradise for expert, off-piste skiers, and the more beginner- and intermediate-friendly Nätschen-Gütsch and Sedrun-Oberalp Pass areas. A long day on the slopes is well rewarded with a ride from Andermatt to Disentis aboard the Après Ski Train, which serves up food, drinks, music, and plenty of mountain views.
Stats: A dynamic pricing model, used increasingly at resorts around the country, dictates what you'll pay to play at SkiArena, but expect to hand over $77 to $87 for a peak-season day pass. It'll get you access to 33 lifts and more than 40 runs that span 110-plus miles. Note that the Epic Pass is valid in Andermatt-Sedrun.
Where to eat and drink nearby: Five- to 10-course Kaiseki menus are the specialty at The Japanese Restaurant. It's located inside The Chedi Andermatt and has sported a Michelin star since 2017. Locals and visitors satisfy more casual cravings at Spycher, a pizzeria and bar with an impressive menu of pies and pasta, plus a couple of classic Swiss dishes.
Where to stay: With its sleek, Asian-inspired design—think smooth, honey-hued wood, deep bathtubs, and heated stone floors—everything about The Chedi Andermatt is zen. Light-filled rooms and suites at the more wallet-friendly Radisson Blu Hotel Reussen combine Swiss-chalet and Scandinavian style.
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Champéry
One of Switzerland's oldest tourist destinations, Champéry began welcoming out-of-towners in the early 1850s. And with its location—between the Dents-du-Midi peaks and the Dents Blanches, in the Lower Valais—it persists as a base for modern-day plankers who come to ski their way around the massive Les Portes du Soleil ski area, which comprises 12 resorts on both sides of the France-Switzerland border. From Champéry, the most seasoned of skiers can access the famed "Le Mur Suisse," or The Swiss Wall. It's one of the steepest and most difficult tracks in the world, with a near-vertical slope.
Stats: For roughly $60, a single adult day pass grants access to the area's four Swiss resorts—Champéry, Les Crosets, Champoussin, and Morgins—and their combined 37 lifts.
Where to eat and drink nearby: Overlooking the Dents-du-Midi, Le 42 strikes a just-right balance of cozy and refined thanks to its timber interiors, crackling fireplace, and modern, French-inspired fare. Prefer to refuel with some gooey raclette? The chalet-style Cantine des Rives has been melting cheese over a wood fire since 1949.
Where to stay: What this area lacks in ski-in/ski-out options (a cable car and chair lift in the village center carry skiers to surrounding slopes) it makes up for with charming hotels in the center of town. Among them: Hotel National Resort & Spa, whose architecture harkens back to the belle époque era, and the modern-meets-traditional Hotel L’Etable at Les Crostes.