Switzerland has it all – majestic mountains, superb ski schools and plenty of great slopeside restaurants.
Some ski areas in Switzerland
The Jungfrau area is made up of 211km of varying pistes theres challenging expert only slopes to gentle beginner runs but theres there’s enough variety for all ages and levels.
Getting around can be exiting as well as fun with a combination of the traditional lifts and classic cogwheel railways in some resorts.
Zermatt’s Matterhorn area also has gondolas that take skiers up to to some of the he highest slopes in Europe, this opens up a link with the Italian ski area of Cervinia, so theres some great possibilities if you love pasta and pizza.
Wengen’s town centre is safe and easy to get around.
Saas Fee has plenty of beginner slopes and fun activities to keep kids happy.
Zermatt’s lower slopes have lots of mountain huts which challenge the Austrians for après.
Engelberg, comes alive at the weekend, filled with visitors from nearby cities.
Saas Fee has long, gentle and quiet nursery slopes close to the main street, while
Wengen also boasts plenty of leisurely runs that are ideal for building confidence.
Best for intermediates – Grindelwald
Best for experts – Zermatt
Accommodation options
Traditionally pretty chocolate box chalets and high-end hotels.
Local culture
Of course, Switzerland offers some of the most iconic mountains in the world. Zermatt is home to the picturesquely pointy Matterhorn – a setting for thrill seekers for over 150 years – while the imposing Eiger towers over Grindelwald and Wengen.
Just as popular in the summer months, Swiss ski resorts are year round towns and villages, which makes for a great atmosphere in these bustling communities. There’s a mix of French and Germanic language and influences across the country, manifesting itself in the range of architecture, infrastructure, food and drink on offer.
Food and drink
Switzerland can be more expensive than other European countries for a ski break, but an area your money will be well spent is on mountain food. Its some of the best in the Alps, with delicious traditional dishes like a plate of rösti, käseschnitte (a Swiss version of cheese on toast) and the world-famous raclette. Wash them down with wines from France to the west and Italy to the south, or a beer from Germany to the north.
