Switzerland holidays

With iconic mountains like the Matterhorn and sumptuous resorts like St Moritz, alongside brilliant skiing for every level, it is easy to see why it is a favourite with the elite of Europe.

Andermatt

Venture to the Andermatt ski resort, within the Ursern Valley. If you’re a high ability intermediate or advanced skier, this mountain retreat is the perfect place for your next ski holiday. Savour powder off-piste, take the opportunity for a guided mountain tour, or stick to the 120km of piste for steep red runs and serious black slopes. Expert snowboarders can soak up excellent conditions for free-riding and try a turn on the biggest halfpipe in Central Switzerland. When you come off the mountain, explore the traditional alpine village of Andermatt, as well as its leisurely paced après ski style.

Arosa

Take a ski holiday to the Schanfigg Valley and discover the scenic resort of Arosa. With its great links to Lenzerheide, there is a fantastic 225km of skiable terrain to discover. For families learning to ski, there are some great nursery slopes and blues to cruise for progressing beginners. Intermediate and advanced skiers can play on reds and a handful of blacks – experts can take to challenging off-piste routes with a guide. For something different or for non-skiers wanting to experience winter magic in the mountains, toboggan runs and 60km of winter walking trails.

Crans Montana

With its incredible views of both the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc, Crans Montana couldn’t be better placed for a ski holiday. It is considered a luxury resort, due to its high-end accommodation and gourmet restaurants, it also hosts the Caprice Music Festival each April. The ski itself is better suited for intermediates, with mostly red runs sweeping down the mountain, there is some scope for experts, but it might be better to head to nearby Zermatt. Apres ski is varied, but there are some fantastic Michelin-starred restaurants, like the wonderful L’Ours in the Hostellerie Du Pas de L’Ours.

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Davos

Davos is the highest ‘town’ in Europe, which happens to also be one of the largest ski resorts too. There are five ski areas surrounding this winter sports haven, including the Jakobshorn and Rinerhorn peaks. Jakobshorn is very popular with snowboarders, and the nearby Pischa area is great for families as the slopes are fairly easy to navigate for beginners. Après ski is large and varied, with some superb bars and outstanding restaurants. Davos is also home to one of the most decorated ice hockey teams in Europe, so a trip to a game comes highly recommended.

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Grindelwald

Sat in the shadow of the majestic Eiger’s north face, Grindelwald reminds visitors of a Disneyesque Alpine village. With beautiful baroque churches and the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site – the Jungfraujoch – this is spectacular place to ski. Ideal for intermediates and more advanced beginners, wide blues and sweeping reds cascade down the mountain towards the resort. Grindelwald is a well-kept secret and as such is accordingly quiet on the slopes. Après ski is good, with gourmet restaurants serving up Swiss classics and a great selection of bars to while away the hours.

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Gstaad

Experience Gstaad, a luxurious glacier resort offering skiing for all levels. With 250km of well-groomed pistes and great links to its neighbouring ski valleys, enjoy family-friendly intermediate runs and smooth ski lifts to reach snowy heights. There are ski schools available, cross-country ski trails, ski touring and for adventurous experts – heli-skiing and free-riding. When you’re not skiing, soak up the scenery and charms of this traditional alpine village. Rest your ski legs and wander around the glitzy Gstaad. Peek into boutique shops, swim in the pool complex and choose a restaurant for a pot of fondue. If après is more your style, you’ll find lively bars here.

Klosters

Davos’ posh neighbouring resort, Klosters, shares the same mountains and ski areas as the former with a few exceptions. It is an ideal place for families due to its links to easy slopes, friendly atmosphere and relaxed, unhurried pistes. Set within the stunning Prattigau Valley, you’ll experience some of the most beautiful scenery in Switzerland. Après ski caters for a quieter crowd than Davos, with much more emphasis on delicious food than loud bars. As a favourite of the royal family and high-flyers, it is expensive but again you get a better standard of food and service than most other resorts.

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Meiringen

Discover Meiringen in the Bernese Alps, a family-friendly ski resort ideal for intermediates. The small ski area offers 60km of pistes, including wide open slopes and forest trails. There is also a ski school for beginners and progressing skiers, nursery runs and gentle blues. More advance skiers can challenge themselves to something different with lessons for heli-skiing, telemark skiing, deep-snow skiing and even slalom training. Take a break in a mountain restaurant for raclette, before skiing back to the base of Meiringen. The après ski isn’t big here, but there are a handful of lively bars and pubs for an after-ski drink with music.

Saas Fee

A picturesque village in the heart of the Swiss alps, Saas Fee has snow-sure conditions throughout the season due to most of its runs being above 2500 metres. In Saas Grund you’ll find long and empty slopes perfect for beginners and children, while progressive skiers can find more difficult skiing on the glacier above the resort. The Felskinn route offers some excellent powder skiing for the experts, alongside some steep black mogul runs. Après ski is brilliant, with a good selection of bars and restaurants – don’t miss the traditional Swiss Fondue for an unforgettable night out.

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St Moritz

St Moritz is recognised as one of the most luxurious resorts in the world, with the rich and famous visiting each winter. But you will also find some superb skiing. Nestled in the Upper Engadin, you will find sublime nature at your ski-tips, with long blues and difficult reds sweeping down the valley to the resort. St Moritz has three separate ski areas, bringing in a massive 350 kilometres of piste, and some excellent off-piste. Experts will fall in love with the Diavolezza and Lagalb areas. Off the mountain, you will find some gourmet restaurants, chic bars and a vibrant night life.

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Verbier

The most famous resort in the 4 Valleys ski area, Verbier has one of the best après ski scenes in Europe. Add to this great skiing and difficult snow parks, and you will find a younger, more vivacious ski set than your average Swiss resort. More than 410 kilometres of perfectly groomed pistes in and around Verbier provide a challenge for any type of skier or snowboarder, plus the off-piste here is spectacular. Switzerland’s renowned snowfall and its relatively high position allows for a long season, so you could be skiing well into May’s bluebird days.

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Wengen

Wengen is a beautiful resort in the Jungfrau area, which is accessed by a mountain railway. Offering a truly Swiss experience, you’ll fall in love with its village atmosphere, traditional après ski and the superb restaurants serving unbelievably good fondue. Wengen’s slopes are fantastic too, catering for everyone from children just starting out to professional skiers and snowboarders. Experts should head over to the Black Rock run at the base of the Eiger for a thrilling ride. If you fancy something a bit more fear-inducing, try the tobogganing which, with its own routes and map, is not for the fainthearted.

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Zermatt

A breathtaking resort at a high altitude, with a massive ski area and a traditional village atmosphere, Zermatt sits at the base of the Matterhorn. Known for its advanced skiing, experts are well placed to enjoy the snow-sure conditions and difficult slopes, including the spectacular Tiefbach descent. That said, there are some brilliant red runs for the intermediates, with awe-inspiring views of the iconic Matterhorn. The resort is also known for its glamour, with bustling bars, gourmet bistros and even some chic boutiques to get your retail fix. Those in the know go to the Michelin-starred Heimburg restaurant for a spectacular evening.

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