Zermatt
Lying at the foot of the Matterhorn, arguably the most famous snow-capped mountain in the world, Zermatt is a car-free resort, retaining its original character and offering travelers endless options any time of year.
Sometimes called the “Home of Winter,” Zermatt boasts around 200 miles of slopes, guaranteed snow, long hours of sunshine, as well as culinary delights. To complement this unique ski experience, visitors can also enjoy winter hiking, sledding, or cross-country skiing.
And there’s some more good news for ski enthusiasts: the Matterhorn Testcenter is an innovative center, offering skiers and snowboarders the chance to test the latest brands in a truly unique setting.
St. Moritz
More than just a ski resort, St. Moritz is also the birthplace of alpine winter tourism (way back in 1864) and even hosted the Winter Olympics twice. It is worth noting that St. Moritz became famous thanks to its mineral springs, discovered 3,000 years ago, turning the town into one of the first-ever summer spa resorts.
St. Moritz, almost 10,000 feet above sea level, enjoys an abundance of sunny days. It also boasts some more historic firsts: The first electric light in Switzerland was lit here on Christmas 1878, the first Alpine golf tournament took place in St. Moritz in 1889, and one of the first ski lifts in Switzerland began its operation here in 1935.
Guests from all around the world enjoy the best of modern alpine lifestyle, characterized by high-end restaurants, the best hotels to suit all budgets, and many international events.
Davos
Davos is one of the most prestigious ski resorts. The cosmopolitan resort is one of the largest in the Alps, a long-standing health resort with both winter and summer internationally acclaimed sports centers and a huge choice of activities.
However, the town’s main claim to fame is its world-famous convention center, hosting the World Economic Forum, an annual meeting of world leaders.
Downtown Davos has many hotels, along with many boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. And when night falls, there’s plenty of bars, discos, and even a casino.
Arosa
This traditional resort sits at the edge of the romantic Schanfigg valley, about 6000 ft above sea level. With an impressive chain of mountain peaks surrounding this quaint little town, Arosa is an excellent destination for both summer hikes and winter sports, offering lots of great activities.
Nestled in a broad valley, Arosa is exceptionally sunny and largely protected from strong winds. Its remarkably fresh air has made it a famous Alpine health resort since 1877. You can reach Arosa by train from Chur, or by driving a particularly winding and tunnel-riddled road.
Book your accommodations in Arosa (an apartment, a hotel, or a campsite), and you’ll receive an all-inclusive Arosa Card, with free access to many leisure activities, including mountain railways, cable cars, a ropes park, the local history museum, pedal-boat rentals and much more.
Grindelwald
The village is surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery. Combine that with plenty of activities, and you will see why Grindelwald is one of the most popular holiday and hiking destinations in Switzerland and the largest ski resort in the Jungfrau region.
The large ski resort has 30 lifts, including ten chair lifts that offer skiers a spectacular vertical descent of 5000 ft. Spread over 30 acres, guests can enjoy 51 slopes (total length around 100 miles), as well as 12 miles of cross-country trails.
Grindelwald is best suited for beginners or intermediate-level skiers, and avid snowboarders will have lots of fun at the snow park. About a quarter of the slopes in Grindelwald are covered with ready-made snow and available for skiing all throughout the season.
Also, make sure not to miss the train ride to the summit of Mount Jungfrau, also dubbed the “Top of Europe,” the highest train station in the continent, covered in snow and ice all year round.
Engelberg
Engelberg Titlis is the largest destination for winter and summer vacations in central Switzerland. With its famous Benedictine Monastery, this beautiful village offers a wide range of leisure activities for families.
Located around 15 miles as the crow flies south of Lake Lucerne, in a wide mountain valley and at an altitude of about 3000 ft above sea level, the town is spread at the foothills of Mount Titlis, rising to a height of 10,600 ft.
Engelberg is known for a wide range of family attractions, including a unique program for children, a toboggan run, and a large adventure playground. The area is also quite popular in the summer, offering a variety of activities like hiking, mountaineering, cycling, and golf.
Saas-Fee
The village, rising 6000 ft above sea level, is surrounded by 13 peaks in total, the most in the alps, earning it the nickname “Pearl of the Alps.”
Saas Valley boasts 220 miles of hiking trails, with special offers for families and children. The ski area has 93 miles of slopes with guaranteed snow, ideal for any skill level. Twenty-two lifts will whisk you to the slopes, including the well-known Alpine Metro, which carries passengers to the tallest revolving restaurant in the world.
