16+ Best Ski Resorts in Switzerland

Are you planning to go on a ski holiday in the Swiss Alps, but don’t know really which is the Best Ski Resort in Switzerland? And do you wonder which winter resort in the Swiss alps would suit you best?

Or maybe you are on a tight budget and looking for the best value Swiss ski resort?

Or do you simply want the best ski resort in Switzerland that has it all?

Then read on, as in this blog you will find 16+ great ski resorts in Switzerland, all different from each other.

Whilst some are perfect for a family ski holiday in the Swiss alps, others will be more suitable for the free riders and advanced skiers or boarder.

You may have questions like; Where to find the best snow in Switzerland? How much does a ski week cost in Switzerland? Which is the best family friendly winter ski resort in Switzerland?

All these questions we will try to answer right here, so that you can make the right decision and book your next winter ski holiday in Switzerland.

Note: Many of the Swiss ski resorts listed here are linked to an article explaining everything about the resorts in more detail. Therefore, make sure to read them as well.

Good to know before you book your ski holiday in Switzerland

Here are a few top things to consider whilst booking a winter ski holiday to Switzerland.

Or head straight to our selection and the list of 16+ Awesome Ski resorts in Switzerland

Before you pick one of the many ski resorts in Switzerland that suits you best, you may want to check first how to arrive in Switzerland?

Will you fly in to Geneva or Zürich? Are you driving to Switzerland?

Which Swiss Airport to arrive and where to stay?

If you are not living in Switzerland and are arriving by plane, here is some information for you to consider.

If you choose a ski resort in Valais, then the best airport to arrive would be Geneva Airport with the Resort of Zermatt being the furthest to reach.

Having said that, on a comfortable journey with the SBB train you will be in Zermatt in just under four hours.

Some of the closer resorts such as Crans Montana, can be reached already in just over two hours. 

To find your best accommodation and hotel in any of the Swiss Ski resorts check out what is still free on the map below. You can move around to your desired location which will show up the available hotels.

Ski Resorts near Geneva Airport

• Zermatt – Valais (International with Cervinia Italy)
• Les 4 Vallées -Valais (Verbier, Thyon, Nendaz, Veysonnaz)
• Val D’Anniviers Valais – Grimentz-Zinal, St.Luc-Chamdolin & Vercorin
• Ski Espace Dent-Blanche- Valais – Évolène – Arolla, Val d’Hérens
• Pays du St. Bernards Ski domains – la Fouly, Champex-Lac, Vichères-Liddes
• Bettmeralp – Aletsch Arena -Valais
• Crans Montana – Valais
• Lauchernalp -Lötschental – Valais
• Villars -Gryon & Les Diablerets (Alpes Vaudoises)
• Gstaad Saanenland ski resort 

Any ski resort in the Swiss German part of Switzerland and in the Graubünden – Engadin area such as Arosa-Lenzerheide for example are best reached from Zürich Airport.

Keep in mind also that for the further away resorts, a travel time of between 3-4 hours needs to allowed for.

Ski Resorts near Zürich Airport

• Meiringen – Hasliberg
• Arosa

A further Swiss airport possible to arrive at is the EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg. Any of the Swiss ski resorts can be reached with equal distance.

Arriving by plane

Travelling to a ski resort will mean more baggage than usual. And if this is a family trip, then the chance that you are having more suitcases than people can carry is very likely.

To make this journey as stress-free as possible, you may want to look in to the option of transporting your luggage from the airport directly to the ski resort in Switzerland.

The SBB, local Swiss train company organises this for you.

Just check directly on their website as for some final destinations, you may need to do this in advance.

If you need to travel to your Swiss winter resort by public transport keep in mind the distance and how many changes you need to do on the journey.

When travelling with the family and the whole ski gear, fewer changes from one train to the other may be a great thing.

Arriving by car to any Swiss Winter Resort

If you are already in Switzerland or even live here, then you would most probably arrive in your own car. It makes the whole baggage transport from A to B simpler in my mind.

Just check the road conditions before heading off and make sure you have snow chains in the boot.

Likewise, you could rent a car from any of the airports and make your way to your chosen ski resort that way.

Note: Rental cars from Geneva Airport may not always have winter tyres on, (especially if you book on the French side). PLEASE check with your car rental company, that your rental car has winter tyres, and snow chains in the boot.

Car free ski resorts, some of the Swiss ski resorts are car free. Meaning there is normally a large car park outside the village or on the valley floor where you leave your car. The only access into the resort is by cable car or train. Two of these resorts are, for example, Zermatt and Bettmeralp in the Aletsch Arena.

The reason why I mention this is for you to make the decision on whether to arrive on the Swiss public transport system, or still by car. Because you will not use your car during your time holidaying up the mountains.

This may come down to cost calculations, considering the fee for the parking and potential rental cost, compared to the train fare.

Which Swiss Ski Resort suits you best?

The winter resorts in Switzerland range from the luxury ski resort to the smaller family friendly mountain all the way to the biggest Ski Resort in Switzerland.

Not everyone may be perfect for your needs and ability. St. Moritz for example attracts not only snow sport lovers, but also high society, and the rich and famous. This surely reflects in the whole resort atmosphere and value for price range.

Maybe a small resort like Champex-Lac where skiing is great but not the most important factor of this holiday, would be a better destination for you and the family.

The best ski resort in Switzerland with kids might be the lesser know Gstaad – Saanenland ski domain for you. Apparently the snowboarders prefered resort.

Fact is that wherever you go to ski in Switzerland, you will have a great time! Switzerland is beautiful and a real winter wonderland.

Here are our 17+ Best Ski Resorts in Switzerland

On the map below, you see the location of each ski resort in Switzerland. I have also indicated the location of the different airports in Switzerland, which will help you choose your perfect ski resort in Switzerland.

Click on the map to get full access.

Best Ski Resorts in Valais – Switzerland

Zermatt Ski Resort

Let’s start the list of the Best Ski Resorts in Valais, Switzerland, with the beautiful resort of Zermatt. Dominated by the mighty Matterhorn, Zermatt is pretty international. This is not only because of all the tourists arriving from all over the world, but also because Zermatt is linked with the Italian ski resort Cervinia.

Every time we ski Zermatt there is something magical about it. Whether it is the pretty village, the amazing snow conditions or simply that you have the view of the Matterhorn in your face all day long. In short words, Zermatt is amazing!

Because it is also one of the larger ski resorts in Switzerland, you can easily spend a few days skiing in Zermatt and still find new pistes to explore.

One of the most beautiful ski resorts in Switzerland in our opinion.

Good for: Everyone. Also ski tourers find a paradise in Zermatt. Families will find a kids snow garden at Sunnegga station. AN absolutely magical place for your little family members.

Ski Lifts:  36 ski lifts

Pistes range: 360 km

Lowest / Highest Altitude: 1620m / 3383m above sea level at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

Read our comprehensive article about Skiing in Zermatt and a Winter dream vacation for the Family in Zermatt

Les 4 Vallées Ski Domain

If you are looking for the biggest ski domain within Switzerland, then you have to go to Valais. Le Domaine des 4 Vallées offers 420km of controlled pistes plus numerous kms of uncounted off-piste terrain.

Home to the famous Verbier and the international Piste de l’Ours in Veysonnaz (World cup downhill – women), Les 4 Vallées will suit pretty much every skiing ability.

The ski area stretches over 5 different villages which gives plenty of possibilities of where to enter the Les 4 Vallées ski domain and where best to stay. Plenty of ski chalet providers, hotels and rental apartments can be found.

One of your preferred ski chalet companies is Alpine Comfort based in Nendaz.

Good for: Beginners to Advanced and Free Riders

Ski Lifts: 67 Lifts

Pistes range: 420km

Highest/Lowest Altitude: 3030m / 1800m above sea level

Find out more about Les 4 Vallées Ski Resort in Valais

Val D’Anniviers Ski Resorts

One of our favourite valleys in Valais is Val D’Anniviers which is home to the four ski resorts of  Grimentz, Zinal, Vercorin & St. Luc.

All four villages are fabulous ski resorts with great snow conditions and offer a wide variety of different slopes.

Although the villages are not interlinked apart from Grimentz-Zinal, you can still ski all areas on a 2 day stay or longer. The resorts are not far from each other and local public buses connect the villages.

Skiing Grimentz-Zinal Resort

Grimentz-Zinal has some great off piste and itinerary terrains with a snow park. Whereas Zinal we loved due to the lesser crowded slopes.

Zinal offers sunrise trips up the mountain on selected days. It is a magical experience.

Good for: All Levels. Snow park can be found in Grimentz

Ski Lifts:  21 lifts

Pistes range: 115km

Highest/Lowest Altitude: 1670m / 2895m above sea

Note: Grimentz – Zinal are interlinked, therefore you can stay in either of the two Swiss villages.

Ski Resort St.Luc – Chandolin

One of our favourites, simply because the views at St.Luc – Chandolin will leave you in constant awe.

We have not covered Vercorin yet, but families with beginners love this place a lot.

Good for: All Levels. Family run with obstacles. Ski touring lovers will find a lot of great routes

Ski Lifts:  15 lifts

Pistes range: 60 km

• 33% Easy 20 km
• 50% Intermediate 30 km
• 17% Difficult 10 km

Highest/Lowest Altitude: 1655m / 3000m above sea

Note: On the photo below you have the view over to Grimentz on the right and the mountain in the middle is Zinal.

Ski Espace Dent-Blanche – Évolène – Arolla, Val d’Hérens

If you love authentic, small ski resorts then you will love to ski the three small areas of the Espace Dent-Blanche. The villages of La Forclaz, Arolla and Évolène are part of this authenthic Valaisan ski area on the foot of the mountain Dent-Blanche. Although the ski slopes are not interlinked, it is easy to ski all three domains in one day.

You can spend the morning in Évolène, head over for lunch to La Forclaz and finish a great ski day on the Arolla slopes where purity is at its top.

Good for: Beginners on the Évolène domain. The Arolla area is perfect for ski touring into the wild alpine domains.

Ski Lifts: 12 lifts ( Evolène 4-, La Forclaz 3-, Arolla 5 lifts)

Pistes range: 103 km (combined for all 3 resorts)

Highest/Lowest Altitude: 1407m around Evolène/ 2980m above sea in Arolla

Ski domains at Pays du St. Bernard

This is another hidden gem in Switzerland. In short words, don’t miss this! If you love all the small Swiss ski stations then you will be happy to book your Swiss ski holiday in the Grand St. Bernard region.

Although the three resorts, Champex-Lac, La Fouly and Vichère, are small and mostly a half a day visit of each is enough, they are not to be ruled out when seeking the best ski resorts in Switzerland.

Great snow conditions with a wide range of off piste and on piste slopes amongst one of the most beautiful sceneries in the Swiss Alps will make these resorts in the Pays du St.Bernard region well worth your visit.

Champex-Lac Ski Domain

The charming village with the same name, Champex-Lac is tucked away on a plateau and invites to be discovered.

Good for: Beginners to Advanced and Free Riders. Great ski touring routes.

Ski Lifts:  4 ski lifts

Pistes range: 15 km

Lowest / Highest Altitude: 1486m / 2202m above sea at La Breya

Note: La Breya is the start of the winter sledging / toboggan run. You can take the chairlift from Champex-Lac.

La Fouly Ski Resort

The small ski area of La Fouly is great for beginners in your group. Right at the foot of the ski lift you find a restaurant and the beginners learning area with a small lift.

For the skiers hop on the chairlift and ride up the mountain.

If you visit when there is fresh snow, this could be one of the best off piste and powder ski domains you have ever skied on.

The piste back down to the station is long and has some great features, like steepness and various jumps.

A morning is more than enough to discover La Fouly ski resort. You can perfectly combine it with some tobogganing at Champex-Lac in the afternoon.

Good for: Beginners to Advanced and Free Riders. Great ski touring routes

Ski Lifts:  1 chairlift and 2 ski lifts

Piste rage: 15 km

Lowest / Highest Altitude: 1600m / 2200m above sea level

Vichères-Liddes Ski Resort

The sunny side of pays de St. Bernard. We absolutely love Vichères-Liddes ski domains.

Good for: Beginners to Advanced and Free Riders. Great ski touring routes

Ski Lifts:  4 ski lifts

Pistes range: 15 km

– 45% blue ski runs

– 35% red ski runs

– 20% black ski runs

Lowest / Highest Altitude: 1595m / 2267m above sea at La Chaux

Read our full article, Pays du St. Bernard Ski Resorts , Champex-Lax, Vichères & La Fouly

Ski Resort Bettmeralp – Aletsch Arena

Welcome to the family ski domain in the Aletsch Arena in the Canton of Valais. Whether you are a skier, a snowboarder or simply a winter loving family, Bettmeralp in the Aletsch Arena is the perfect place for everyone.

A ski resort that offers great facilities on the slopes as well amazing views over the Swiss Alps. In some areas the Matterhorn feels so close that you think you can touch it.

Don’t miss out on the many viewpoints from where the greatest glacier in the alps, the Altesch Glacier can be seen. All these viewpoints are reachable with the lift system and some even for non-skiers. For example, Eggishorn and Fiescherhorn viewpoints.

Good for: Families with beginners and medium skiers. Non-skiers will find lots of activities as well

Ski Lifts: 34 ski lifts

Pistes range: 104 km

Lowest / Highest Altitude: 1486m / 2202m above sea level

Note: Bettmeralp has some great winter walks as well.

Read our article “8 Reasons why Bettmeralp is the perfect family ski resort”

Ski Resort Crans Montana

On a sunny plateau in Valais is where Crans Montana Ski resort calls home.

There are so many different options for skiing in Crans Montana that it is best to check their website for all the prices and different possibilities.

For example, you can book only a “Freestyle Park ski ticket” if this is your plan.

A great opportunity to discover The Alaia Park at Crans Montana.

We recommend however to ski the whole ski resort as it offers a lot of different pistes.

Not to be missed is heading up to Glacier Plaine Morte. The glacier plateau is beautiful and the view from the top breathtaking.

Good for: Freestyle park riders, all level of skiing. Cross country skiers will find a great route at Glacier Plaine Morte

Ski Lifts: 34 ski lifts

Pistes range: 140 km all south facing

– 39% blue ski runs

– 50% red ski runs

– 11% black ski runs

Lowest / Highest Altitude: 1500m / 3000m above sea level at the Glacier Plaine Morte.

Read our full article Ski Crans-Montana in Valais

Lauchernalp -Lötschental Ski Area

Welcome to the magic valley of the Valais. Skiing up at the beautiful Lauchernalp in Lötschental is an experience not to be missed. The area is located within the impressive mountain setting of the UNESCO World Heritage site. Although the Lauchernalp is a small ski domain, the views make up for it. Families with beginners and free riders will have an amazing day skiing in Lötschental.

Good for: Pretty much the whole family. Not too many blue runs. Ski tourers will find many routes in to the Unesco World Heritage area.

Ski Lifts: 6 ski lifts

Pistes range: 40 km all south facing

Lowest / Highest Altitude: 1403m / 3091m above sea level

Read the full details of the Lauchernalp Ski Resort in Lötschental

Best Ski Resorts in the Vaud Alps

Villars-Gryon & Les Diablerets Ski Area

Tucked away between the famous Gstaad and the many ski resorts in Valais, lay the fantastic Vaud Alps. The part Villars-Gryon is exposed south-facing and offers splendid views on the Dents-du-Midi. The ski area of Les Diablerets is at the foot of Glacier 3000.

This Swiss ski area is interlinked from Gryon to Les Diablerets. To reach Glacier 3000 you can hop on a public bus from Les Diablerets that brings you up Col du Pillon. It is here that a short and very scenic cable car ride brings you into the Glacier 3000 ski domain.

The great thing with the Vaud Alps ski domain is the variety of other things to do apart from skiing or boarding. This makes it a perfect family winter location, also for non-skiers.

You will either stay in the villages around Villars or head to the other side of the mountain to Les Diablerets. Both areas offer a beginners area, sledging, ice skating and winter walks to your hearts content.

Good for: All levels of skiing. Cross country skiers find a great route in Les Diablerets. Family friendly at all points.

Ski Lifts: 27 ski lifts

Pistes range: 125 km ski runs

Lowest / Highest Altitude: 1114m / 2020 m at Croix des Chaux (3123m above sea level at Glacier 3000)

Read more about this amazing Family Winter Resort Villars -Les Diablerets

Glacier 3000 and Gstaad – Saanenland

We recently discovered another great ski resort with kids in Switzerland that is right next to Les Diablerets. Glacier 3000 and Gstaad. Although Gstaad is located in the Bernese Oberland, if you have a multiday skipass you can also ski Glacier 3000. This is a massive bonus point and even if you don’t like to ski Glacier 3000 you have to go up for the view.

Good for: The Gstaad Saanenland is a more beginners ski resort in Switzerland. But dont let this put you offr. There are some amazing pistes, a great paractice snow park and another park up at the mountain. Plenty of things to make the whole family happy.

If you have total beginners and small children, Gstaad Saanenland ski domain is perfect. There are plenty of snow villages all along the Saanen valley.

Ski Lifts: 53 ski lift

Pistes range: 200 km of ski runs

Lowest / Highest Altitude:  1010m / 2284m (3000 on Glacier 3000)

Read more about Skiing in Gstaad and Glacier 3000

Other Amazing Swiss Ski Resorts near Zürich Airport

Of course we will not be able to cover all great Swiss ski resorts near Zürich Airport. But with the ones listed here below you will have a great choice no matter what. Before booking your winter ski holiday in any of these resorts, check with the local tourism board whether there has been any changes and make sure the snow coverage is good, especially for the lowers Swiss ski stations.

Meiringen – Hasliberg Ski Resort

Skiing within the Bernese Oberland and the Jungfrau Region comes with much more than just a pretty Swiss ski resort. The surrounding mountains and lakes are all part of a guaranteed amazing family winter holiday.

One of our favourite family ski domains is the Meiringen – Hasliberg ski resort. There is just something about a place when you can look down to a lake whilst skiing in the mountains.

Good for: All levels of skiing. Great snow parks! 25km of winter walking trails and a cool sledge run.

Ski Lifts: 13 ski lifts

Pistes range: 60 km ski runs

Lowest / Highest Altitude: 1055 m / 2433 m

Read more about the Jungrau region Ski domain –  Meiringen -Hasliberg Family Ski Area

Arosa -Lenzerheide Ski Resort

Venturing out in to the Graubunden region of Switzerland will award you with one of Switzerlands 5 Star ski domains. The Arosa – Lenzerheide ski resort offers amazing snow sure slopes in a pristine environment. The two resorts are connected together which gives skiers and snowboarders plenty of options and all kinds of different runs.

If you stay like we did in Arosa you firstly get to ski the bigger ski area of the two, and secondly, the village has plenty to offer for those non skiing days. Not to forget the Eichhörnchen weg (squirrel path). A highlight for the whole family. Find out more below.

Good for: All level of Skiing and also perfect for non skiers.

Ski Lifts: 43 ski lifts

Pistes range: 225 km ski runs

Lowest / Highest Altitude: 1229 m / 2865 m

Read more about the –  Arosa – Lenzerheide Ski Resort and what to do

Conclusion of the Best Ski Resorts in Switzerland

Skiing in Switzerland may be an experience you only do once. That is if you don’t live here of course. For some it is just simply too expensive. But having said that, skiing is also expensive in France and the United States. In fact I would even say that the whole winter package, no matter where you go, in the end comes to about the same. In short words, yes skiing is an expensive sport. And this is why to research the rights Swiss ski resort that suits your needs is important.

Check out some of the smaller ski stations in Switzerland such as Flumserberg. Well known by the locals as the family mountain. Another great ski resort near Zürch Airport is Hochybrig. Both of these resorts are very local, meaning you will meet a lot of Swiss families.

Our tip when booking your Swiss ski holiday is to ensure the resort is “snow sure” and sits at a high altitude.

If you have any questions ask them below in the comments!

Thank you & Never Forget to Explore

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