Hardly there is any ski lover who hasn’t heard of Switzerland ski resorts! It will not be an exaggeration to say that it’s every skier’s dream to enjoy Swiss skiing in the Swiss Alps, whether it is the Zermatt ski overlooking the iconic Matterhorn or the glamorous Verbier skiing with its fancy “après ski”.
The good thing is that you don’t need to be a professional skier to be able to enjoy Swiss skiing resorts. There are ski resorts in Switzerland for beginners, for families and for professionals – for everyone! The least that you will get from visiting the slopes in Switzerland is great scenery and unmatchable variety of experiences.
As it is not easy to make a choice, we prepared our summarised review of the top 10 top ski resorts in Switzerland, with a bonus at the end!
Zermatt ski resort
Hosting Matterhorn, the most iconic mountain in Switzerland, if not in Europe, Zermatt ski resort is the highest ski resort in Switzerland. The peaks are between 2500 and 4000 meters.
Its 360 kilometers of slopes connect two countries: Switzerland (Zermatt-Mattehorn) and Italy (Breuil-Cervinia). A memorable moment in a skier’s lifetime is skiing in Switzerland over the Theodul Pass and down into the Italian trail side, so you enjoy Swiss skiing & Italian skiing within minutes.
Zermatt ski is also famous for its long ski runs for all skill levels. The terrain is divided into 75 km of blue slopes, 220 km of red slopes, 27 km of black slopes and 38 km of yellow freeride slopes. Beginners can find easy slopes at Wolli’s Park right at the top of the Sunnegga funicular, and experienced skiers can access the gondolas, chairlifts and a cable car up to Matterhorn vast network of slopes linking Rothorn’s trails and snowfields, Gornergrat ski slopes and the Matterhorn glacier paradise.
Zermatt ski resort is open 365 days a year! You can check the Zermatt ski resort snow report here and open lifts here.
Jungfrau & Grindelwald ski resort
The Jungfrau ski resort enjoys long runs, as well as reliably deep snow. Beginners and learners at Junfrau ski resort can head for the slopes near Wengen, while experts will find Mürren trails as the region’s most challenging.
To reach Jungfrau ski resort you can take the Jungfraubahn railway from the Kleine Scheidegg. Another option is to reach it from Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald, up to the highest railroad station in Europe at 3,454 meters – Jungfraujoch Top of Europe. You can also take any of the dozens of lifts and cableways to reach the top. If you come through Grindelwald, you should also enjoy Grindelwald skiing. Skiing in Grindelwald is distinctive as to the scenery that comes with the ski slopes. Wether skiing in Jungfrau or Grindelwald skiing, you will for sure enjoy the sports and breathtaking nature.
Winter season 2022/23 opening times at Jungfrau Ski Resort:
Kleine Scheidegg: 26.11.22 – 16.04.23 Männlichen: 10.12.22 – 10.04.23 Grindelwald-First: 17.12.22 – 26.03.23 Mürren-Schilthorn: on week-ends from 05.11.22 | all days during 10.12.22 – 10.04.23
St. Moritz ski resort
St. Moritz ski resort has twice hosted the Winter Olympics: in 1928 and 1948. It is one of the world’s oldest and one of the most famous ski resorts in Switzerland. Don’t think it’s just for experts and Olympians! Its 20 lifts carry skiers to terrains for all skill levels. And they say that some of the best Swiss skiing for intermediate level skiers are here.
Despite St. Moritz ski resort being known in Switzerland as a luxury ski resort for its smart – and pricey – social life, yet you’ll find family-friendly accommodations in St. Moritz and in Silvaplana a few minutes away, where there’s a lift and a cable car to the Corvatsch ski area.
Winter season 2022/23 opening times at St. Moritz ski resort: 26.11.2022-10.04.2023
Saas-Fee Switzerland ski resort
The 150 kilometers of ski trails and slopes at Saas-Fee provide large terrain, where intermediate skiers can feel comfortable. This in addition to about 40 kilometers of beginner trails, which are ideal for children and learners, make Saas-Fee popular with families.
Despite its well-earned reputation for soft runs, experts have their challenge also, with 23 kilometers of black-diamond trails. Saasfee ski resort is also known for being a luxurious resort, so entrances and accommodation can be on the pricey side.
Winter season 2022/23 opening times at Saas-Fee Switzerland ski resort:
Saas-Fee: 29.10.2022-23.04.2023 Saas-Grund: 17.12.2022-10.04.2023 Saas-Almagell: 17.12.2022-10.04.2023
Crans-Montana ski resort
Only 2 hours from Geneva and 90 minutes from Lausanne, Crans-Montana ski resort gets popular on weekends. But the crowds quickly spread out across its 140 kilometers of slopes and wide runs. The mountain is best known for its predominance of intermediate terrain (70 km) and for its variety of beginner slopes (55 km).
Ski is not the only outdoor activity at Crans-Montana, Snow Island is a family favourite for snow tubing, with a magic carpet for new skiers and sledders. There is a dedicated snow park for snow boarders.
Winter season 2022/23 opening times at Crans-Montana ski resort:
Opening on December, 10 2022
Davos Klosters ski resort
Not only famous for its World Economic Forum, Davos ski resort is one of Europe’s largest winter sports areas. It boasts 300km of snow slopes and is one of highest ski resorts in Switzerland. The two main centers are Davos and Klosters that couldn’t be more different. We recommend to base in Klosters for its Alpine village atmosphere. Afterall multiple ski areas are interconnected, so it’s easy to ski any combination:
- Parsenn has some of the most challenging terrain and the longest runs in the Alps.
- Both Jakobshorn and Pischa area are favorites for snow boarders, especially with their off-piste freeride terrain.
- Madrisa and Rinerhorn offer family-friendly alternatives for both kids and parents to enjoy
Davos is very popular with Nordic skiers because the resort boasts 140 kilometers of trails for cross-country skiing. And important tip: some of them are lighted at night! 😉
Winter season opening times at Davos Klosters ski resort:
Parsenn Davos ski lift opens on November 24, 2022 until April 23, 2023
The rest of ski lifts will open after December 2 and you can find a detailed schedule here.
Gstaad ski resort
Gstaad ski resort enjoys the image of being a celebrity-spotting area, featuring the latest ski fashions! Despite that, there’s plenty of fine Swiss skiing and boarding in the 10 villages that make up the group known as Gstaad Mountain Rides.
The altitude of ski slopes reaches to 3000 meters, and Gstaad Glacier 3000 ski resort guarantees skiing from late October through early May.
By far the majority of the terrain – 128 kilometers of it – is classed for beginners and 55 for intermediates. The SuperPass of Gstaad also includes the Adelboden-Lenk ski area (our number 10 in the list of the top 10 ski resorts in Switzerland.
From January 21 to January 29, 2023 the Alpine views will get more colourful as the International Hot Air Balloon Festival at Château-d’Oex gets underway.
Winter season 2022/23 opening times at Gstaad ski resort can be found here. The majority of lifts will sart operating as of mid December, while some ski lifts of Glacier 3000 have opened in November
Verbier ski resort
Verbier skiing resort is on our list of 10 top ski resorts in Switzerland because it is the place for experts. It boasts excellent terrain for long-distance skiing and offers a wide variety of slopes for off-piste skiing. In short, Verbier skiing, is mostly for skilled skiers.
Set on a natural terrace, with views of the Grand Combin and the Mont Blanc group, Verbier skiing resort is part of the Four Valleys ski area, joining Thyon, Veysonnaz, and Nendaz for a total of more than 410 kilometers of ski runs all included in a single lift pass. The Verbier Xtreme freeride competition , part of the Freeride World Tour, is hosted annually at Verbier.
Winter season 2022/23 opening times at Verbier ski resort.
Engelberg Titlis ski resort
Mount Titlis is one of Switzerland’s most popular attractions. Visitors can ascend to its summit all year round in Titlis Rotair, a state-of-the-art revolving cable car. Titlis can be reached in merely 45 minutes from Lucerne or 1 hour from Zürich.
More than 80 kilometers of runs between Brunni and Jochpass are accessible to beginners and intermediate skiers at the Engelberg Titlis Ski Resort. A number of the easiest runs are in the lower slopes around Trübsee and Gerschnialp. The steeper slopes are in the higher areas and on the glacier, where there is skiing from October until May.
Being one of the top Swiss skiing resorts in Switzerland, it is specially popular with freeriders and off-piste skiers due to its quality of snow.
Winter season 2022/23 opening times at Engelberg Titlis ski resort.
Adelboden Lenk ski resort
Adelboden and Lenk share the mountain scenery of the Bernese Oberland, and between them offer slopes for all skiers.
The ski resort Lenk im Simmental sits in a wide, flat valley. This makes it popular among lovers of Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, winter walking. It is very family-friendly. Both beginning and intermediate skiers will find plenty of skiing among its 44 skiable acres and five terrain parks. Experts can head to the more advanced pistes at nearby Adelboden, which is linked by the lift system.
Each January Adelboden hosts the FIS Ski World Cup, what’s considered the world’s most challenging giant slalom course.
Winter season 2022/23 opening times at Adelboden-Lenk Ski Resort:
03.12.2022 – 10.04.2023
As a bonus to the above list we share also the following two marvellous skiing resorts.
Andermatt ski resort
Andermatt central location makes it a target for Swiss skiing lovers from across the country. The ski resort consists mainly of Andermatt, Sedrun and Disentis areas. Andermatt Skiing is not the only attraction of the area, but its also a diverse winter activity destination, as it has an ice rink, a mini ski cross, the Snowpark on Gemstock and some cross country ski tracks.
Andermatt skiing offers options for every level, especially distinguished by its wide slopes. If you are a beginner head to the wide-not too steep-slopes on Nästschen or to the pistes above Dieni.
For experts that like a heart pounding activity and a special Andermatt skiing experience, the destination is Gemsstock. Its Russi Run, the black piste, named after the Olympic champion Bernhard Russi from Andermatt, is the real deal. The slope starts nearly at 3000 meters above sea level, and has a vertical drop of 950 meters over a run of 4.3 km and with a gradient of 65%! It’s only recommended for the strong hearted and experienced skiers!
Winter season 2022/23 slopes opening dates & times can be found at Andermatt ski resort.
Arosa-Lenzerheide ski resort
The combination of Arosa and Lenzerheide have created a ski haven for all ski lovers and one of the largest ski areas in Switzerland. Around 225 Km of well groomed slopes with an altitude range that goes up to 2865 m above sea level.
What distinguishes this resort is its divers slopes and its advanced ski lifts network that allow you to navigate from one side of the resort to the other in a blink. The nature is breathtaking here, from woody forests to frozen lakes. This makes Arosa-Lenzerheide ski resort a destination for not only for ski and cross country skiing but also for winter hiking, and tobogganing.
Winter season 2022/23 opening dates / times can be found here.
