Are you ready to explore the best ski resorts in Switzerland and find the perfect destination for your next winter trip?
Whether you’re an advanced skier, a family with kids, or looking for luxury and comfort, you’re in the right place.
This guide will help you:
- Find steep and thrilling slopes for experienced skiers
- Discover gentle trails and children’s areas for families
- Enjoy luxury stays and top-class amenities
Follow our tips to plan your ideal trip and experience exciting snow-filled adventures you’ll remember.
Best Ski Resorts for Advanced Skiers
The best ski resorts for advanced skiers in Switzerland include Zermatt, St. Moritz-Corviglia, and Andermatt. They offer steep slopes, reliable snow, and stunning mountain views. Modern lifts make access easy, and visitors can try heli-skiing or snowshoeing.
1. Zermatt
Zermatt is the highest winter destination in Europe, located at the base of the famous Matterhorn. This car-free village mixes traditional alpine charm with modern comfort, creating a welcoming and exciting atmosphere.
The area offers hundreds of miles of trails and many lifts for visitors of all levels. Advanced skiers can take on steep runs and high-altitude slopes, while beginners and families will find safe, gentle zones. Sunnegga is especially popular, with plenty of sunshine and Wolli Park, a space designed for children and first-time skiers.
Snow often arrives as early as November, allowing guests to enjoy the slopes before the main season begins. The village connects to the mountain terrain via the Gornergrat railway, Sunnegga funicular, and Furi gondola.
2. St. Moritz-Corviglia
St. Moritz-Corviglia sits at an elevation of 5,675 to 10,029 feet and is one of the best destinations for advanced skiers. The area is well-known for sunny slopes, cozy huts, and restaurants with stunning views. Corviglia is just a short bus ride from town and close to the Bad Village, making it easy to reach.
Families and beginners are well looked after, with sunny children’s zones, nearby childcare, and kid-friendly hotel programs. Salastrains and Provulèr Kids’ Parks let children safely try waves, mini rollers, and fun boxes.
There are plenty of activities beyond the slopes. Guests can enjoy cross-country tracks, horse-drawn sleigh rides, bobsledding, snowshoeing, winter walking, ice skating, curling, and sledging. With options for both adventure and relaxation, St. Moritz-Corviglia is a top winter destination for the whole family.
3. Andermatt
Just two hours from Zurich, Andermatt is one of the best resorts for advanced skiers. The area has recently received major investment, improving trails and facilities. There is now more space to explore, with 180 kilometres of paths reaching up to 3,000 metres above sea level.
The region has two main zones. Gemsstock features high, north-facing runs with reliable snow, perfect for advanced visitors. Nätschen is gentler, with wide, easy paths that suit beginners.
Visitors spending most of their time in Nätschen can stay at the five-star Chedi Andermatt. The hotel has nine restaurants and après-ski bars, including a Japanese restaurant where guests can enjoy Asian cuisine while enjoying views of the surrounding peaks, Oberalp Pass, and Ursern Valley.
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Best Ski Resorts for Beginners and Families
4. Arosa Lenzerheide
Arosa Lenzerheide sits at an elevation of 5,705 to 8,704 feet and is known for its reliable snow and beautiful peaks. The area is very family-friendly, offering children’s zones, a Junior Club, and the Praetschil lift for everyone to enjoy.
Child-friendly snowparks give young visitors a safe place to practice. The Auarara children’s area has a magic carpet, carousel, tow rope, teepee, and practice equipment for beginners. Trails are well-maintained and suitable for all levels, making it easy for families and newcomers to enjoy the snow.
5. Engelberg
Engelberg sits at an elevation of 3,444 to 9,908 feet and is one of the largest ski resorts for families in central Switzerland. It has grown into a popular winter destination while keeping the charm of its old village. The area is just over an hour from Zurich.
Trails are suitable for all levels. In Brunni, children can enjoy seven kilometers of well-prepared, sunny paths. The Globis Winterland – Klostermatte is perfect for beginners, with two lifts and a large children’s area with magic carpets.
Other activities include snowshoeing, visiting an igloo village, snowmobiling, a high rope park, winter hiking, and sledding. Engelberg offers fun for families and newcomers seeking a safe and enjoyable winter experience.
6. Grindelwald
Grindelwald sits at an elevation of 3,392 to 8,218 feet and is a welcoming glacier village surrounded by snow-covered peaks. Located in the Bernese Oberland, it is one of the largest winter destinations for families in central Switzerland.
The area is ideal for children and beginners. Families can enjoy tobogganing, including the 15 km run from Faulhorn, the longest in the region. Older children can try the First Flyer zip-line, free with a winter pass.
Visitors can also enjoy winter trails while taking in views of the 4,000-meter peaks of the Bernese Oberland and looking north toward Germany. Grindelwald offers fun for families and newcomers seeking a safe and enjoyable winter experience.
Best Ski Resorts for Luxury
7. Verbier
Verbier has long been a favorite for the wealthy, and it is considered one of the best ski resorts for luxury in Switzerland. Visitors of all levels can explore the vast 4 Valleys area and easily reach nearby destinations like Thyon, Nendaz, La Tzoumaz, and Veysonnaz.
Most trails are blue and red, with a few challenging black runs, including the mogul-covered Mont Fort slope for advanced skiers. Verbier is one of the most modern destinations in the region and hosts major skiing and snowboarding events, such as the Freeride World Tour finale each year.
Non-skiers also have plenty to do. Activities include skydiving, ice climbing, paragliding, horse riding, and dog sledding. Luxury stays include the five-star La Cordée des Alpes and Chalet Truffe Blanche, which offers a cocktail bar, library, cinema, private nightclub, and swimming pool.
8. Crans-Montana
Crans-Montana sits on a sunny plateau with clear views of the Matterhorn, Mont Blanc, and the Swiss Rhône Valley. It is one of the best destinations for luxury in Switzerland, offering over 87 miles of trails for beginners and advanced visitors. Expert instructors are available to help everyone enjoy the snow safely.
Families love the “Snow Island,” where children can play safely on gentle slopes, magic carpets, and special areas. The area also combines modern town life with alpine charm, featuring luxury shops, art galleries, a casino, traditional chalet dining, and amazing views. It is easy to reach by train or by road.
Crans-Montana enjoys over 300 days of sunshine per year and hosts major events, including FIS Alpine Ski World Cup races and freestyle competitions. Visitors can also try night skiing, ice climbing, yoga, and other activities.
9. Gstaad
Gstaad is known for the grand Gstaad Palace, with a world-class spa and five restaurants. The area includes villages between 1,000 and 1,400 metres, with most trails suitable for beginners and intermediates, while advanced guests can try steep runs like the Tiger Run with a 45-degree gradient.
It is also a top choice for cross-country enthusiasts, featuring the country’s first permanent trail as part of a network covering 180 kilometres across six areas. The region has 41 railways, giving easy access to six toboggan runs.
Best Ski Resorts in Switzerland: A Recap
The best ski resorts in Switzerland depend on your experience and what you want from your trip. Zermatt, St. Moritz-Corviglia, and Andermatt offer steep slopes, reliable snow, and challenging runs for advanced visitors.
Families and beginners can enjoy gentle trails, safe children’s areas, and fun activities at Arosa Lenzerheide, Engelberg, and Grindelwald.
For luxury, Verbier, Crans-Montana, and Gstaad provide exciting runs, stunning views, and top hotels, dining, and spas. Each area offers something special, making Switzerland a perfect choice for every type of skier.