Winter sports in Switzerland

    This article is a travel topic

Switzerland offers a great choice of ski resorts, from the small village to the large station. Most of Switzerland's ski resorts are surrounded by impressive landscapes such as large ice fields and high mountains (48 four-thousanders are located in the swiss Alps).

History

Switzerland has a long tradition of winter sport tourism. St. Moritz is usually refered as one of the first winter resort in the world (1864).

Usually, Switzerland ski resorts are original mountain villages that have retained some of their charm, even if they have grown much larger with the development of tourism. Some villages in Bernese Oberland or in Valais are themselves considered as tourist attractions.

When to go

The ski season lasts from early December to April. In some areas it is possible to ski later or even all year (summer ski).

The best conditions for skiing are in mid-January, the coldest time of the year. Late February is a good time for sun-seekers.

Choosing a ski resort

Price, Size and Location

As a general rule, the larger the ski resort and the higher the elevation above sea level, the higher the price. Ski passes will consume a large proportion of your budget.

Large ski resorts such as Zermatt, St. Moritz, or Grindelwald are the best in the Alps, but also the most expensive ones. Many less known resorts can offer cheaper alternatives, but are of course .

Practicalities

Avalanche danger

As with all ski resorts, avalanches are an underestimated hazard. Off-piste skiing is available and there are often Itinerary Runs. Some ski areas offer a 'Free Ride' area. This is a 'safe' area to ski and board off piste. Skiing off-piste is always an excellent activity but never be unprepared and ski safely!

Equipment

There are numerous ski and snowboard rental shops in every larger resort and in many smaller ones. The choice is normally best made by convenience to the slopes or to accommodation.

List of Ski Resorts

Valais

• Verbier
• Zermatt
• Crans-Montana
• Saas Fee
• Saas Grund
• Leukerbad
• Anzère
• Nendaz
• Ovronnaz
• Vercorin
• Evolène
• Lötschental
• Grächen
• Blatten
• Belalp
• Riederalp
• Bettmeralp
• Fiesch
• Chandolin
• Zinal
• Grimmentz
• Champéry
• Morgins

Bern

• Grindelwald
• Mürren
• Wengen
• Meiringen
• Kandersteg
• Adelboden
• Lenk
• Zweisimmen
• Gstaad

Graubünden

• St. Moritz
• Sils
• Samnaun
• Scuol
• Arosa
• Davos
• Klosters
• Lenzerheide
• Laax
• Flims
• Brigels
• Disentis
• Sedrun
• Obersaxen
• Vals
• Savognin
• Bergün

Central Switzerland

• Engelberg / Titlis
• Melchsee-Frutt
• Andermatt
• Stoos
• Sörenberg

Eastern Switzerland

• Flumserberg
• Pizol / Bad Ragaz
• Braunwald
• Elm
• Wildhaus

Ticino

• Airolo
• Bosco Gurin

Vaud

• Les Diablerets
• Leysin
• Villars
• Château-d'Oex