We’ve taken a fresh look at these resorts for winter 26/27 to make sure they’re still the best ski resorts in Switzerland for your next ski holiday.
Switzerland’s best ski resorts range from 89km to 412km of pistes, spanning glacier descents, off-piste itinerary runs and car-free Alpine villages. Alice is one of our ski experts, with a season working chalets in Verbier and 15 years of booking and skiing these resorts with clients. This is her guide to the ten Swiss resorts worth knowing about, with everything you need to plan the right trip for your group.
Top 10 Resorts At A Glance
| Resort | Ski area | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Zermatt | 362km | Year-round skiing, scenic backdrops |
| Verbier | 412km | Off-piste, nightlife |
| Arosa | 225km | Authentic charm, non-skiers |
| Engelberg | 89km | Off-piste, quick access from Zurich |
| St. Moritz | 326km | Luxury, glamour |
| Saas-Fee | 100km | Beginners, snow-sure skiing |
| Adelboden | 204km | Families, World Cup skiing |
| Gstaad | 200km | Intermediates, luxury shopping |
| Mürren | 224km | Scenic views, car-free villages |
| Wengen | 224km | Families, varied terrain |
Why is Zermatt one of the best ski resorts in Switzerland?
Ski area: 362km | Top altitude: 3,883m | Best for: scenery, year-round skiing
First on our list of the top 10 ski resorts in Switzerland and for good reason. Zermatt is possibly one of the first Swiss ski resorts that springs to mind for the best skiing in Switzerland with the iconic Matterhorn as a scenic backdrop. Take in the views from 362km of snowy pistes that stretch all the way up to 3,883m, making up Switzerland’s highest ski area, the Matterhorn Ski Paradise. Skiers can also ski into Italy, where they can try out the scenic runs and delicious mountain restaurants of Cervinia. Zermatt is also home to Switzerland’s highest freestyle park, the Gravity Park, where skiers and boarders can enjoy brushing up on their jumps and tricks.
Down in the town, you can expect a wonderful, traditional atmosphere. The village itself is a beautiful mix of old and new. With the pretty 19th Century barn and chalets cleverly partnered with modern but traditionally designed buildings. As is to be expected in Switzerland, the main town is home to plenty of glamorous restaurants. A short wander around the car-free resort unearths a charming ski destination that has held onto its farming village roots and embraced its label as a snow sports haven, offering some of the best chalet ski holidays in the world. The car-free streets are often frequented by horse-drawn carriages.
Stay At:
One of the leading hotels in the Alps, Zermatt’s Mont Cervin Palace is located near the Gornergrat station in the centre of town.
What makes Verbier worth visiting for skiing?
Ski area: 412km (Four Valleys) | Best for: off-piste, nightlife
Verbier is one of our favourite ski areas in Switzerland with some of the best skiing. This boutique town is a hotspot for celebrities and royals from across the globe. Home to the biggest ski area in Switzerland, the Four Valleys ski area offers 412km of pistes, plus vast potential for exploring the ski resort’s famous itinerary runs. These marked off-piste ski areas make up some of the most exciting backcountry terrain in Europe, from the enormous mogul field of Tortin, to the route around the Backside of Mont Fort.
Après ski parties start at the slopeside Le Rouge Bar, where revellers can enjoy panoramic views and live DJ sets. As the sun goes down, most of the town descends upon the world-famous Le Farinet. Live bands perform from a stage complete with an open-air roof, and plenty of magnums of rosé are free-flowing.
Stay At:
Situated in the heart of Verbier, the Hotel Vanessa is an ideal spot for an Alpine break.
What makes Arosa a great choice for an authentic Swiss ski holiday?
Ski area: 225km (linked with Lenzerheide) | Best for: authentic charm, non-skiers
A lesser-known gem amongst Switzerland’s myriad of world-class ski resorts. Arosa is the place to go if you are looking for an authentic Swiss ski holiday complete with luxury and charm. A firm favourite amongst locals and nationals who flock to its snowy slopes for a weekend escape
Arosa is in the Grisons ski area, with 225km of runs that link up with the ski resort of Lenzerheide. Arosa attracts just as many non-skiers as it does skiers, with its choice of skating, horse-drawn sleigh rides and cross-country skiing. Another highlight is the magical journey from Chur up into resort on the Rhätische Bahn railway. Hailed as one of the most beautiful train rides in the world, you will find yourself captivated by panoramic snowy views.
Stay At:
Boasting a spectacular Alpine location in Arosa, the Tschuggen Grand Hotel represents a haven of luxury, equipped with its very own cable car to the ski area.
What makes Engelberg great for off-piste skiing?
Ski area: 89km | Top altitude: 3,000m (Titlis glacier) | Best for: off-piste, short transfer from Zurich
This snow-sure Swiss ski resort is a long-standing favourite amongst those looking to enjoy a few exhilarating days of the best off-piste skiing in the world. Just 90 minutes from Zürich airport, the ski resort is perfectly positioned for a quick getaway. With 3,000m high peaks and superb high-altitude skiing on the Titlis glacier this ski resort offers some of the best skiing in Switzerland.
Take an early morning flight, and by the afternoon you could be clipping into your skis. Expert skiers looking for a challenge might like to try their hand at Engelberg’s ‘Big Five’. A curated collection of off-piste descents that powder hounds from across the globe flock to.
Stay At:
Hotel Kempinski Palace is a luxury escape in Engelberg, with beautiful scenery and skiing.
Why is St. Moritz one of the most glamorous ski resorts?
Ski area: 326km | Best for: luxury, glamour
Some of the best skiing in Switzerland has to be in St. Moritz. This prestigious village is the first ever all-round winter sports ski resort in the world. This ski resort has a prime spot in the Engadine valley surrounded by dazzling lakes and forests. Paired with all of the glitz and glam of the boutiques and restaurants this is a great ski destination. St. Moritz attracts an exclusive clientele, with jet setters and celebrities regularly descending upon the resort. Whether you’re after a party at Hemingway’s Club or a glass of wine at La Scarpetta, St. Moritz is a ski resort that won’t disappoint.
Stay At:
The Nira Alpina hotel, in the Swiss resort of Surlej at the foot of Mt. Corvatsch, is designed for independent, nomadic travellers.
Why is Saas-Fee good for beginner skiers?
Ski area: 100km | Base altitude: 1,800m, slopes mostly above 2,500m | Best for: beginners, snow-sure skiing
Saas-Fee is one of the best places to ski in Switzerland. It has some of the most picturesque ski resorts in Switzerland, with the Alps towering around the quaint, postcard-perfect village. It houses some of the most charming accommodation and restaurants in this corner of the world, and more than justifies its title as the ‘Pearl of the Alps’.
The gentle slopes offer the ideal opportunity to develop your skiing abilities. The wide array of schools makes this a great place for children and adults alike to make their first foray on to the snow. Most of the slopes are over 2500m, and with the majority facing north. Saas-Fee is one of the most snow-sure locations in the Alps.
Stay At:
Located in the heart of Saas Fee, the Walliserhof Grand Hotel & Spa is one of the top luxury ski hotels in Switzerland boasting superb swimming pool and spa facilities.
What makes Adelboden a great family ski resort?
Ski area: 204km | Best for: families, FIS World Cup skiing
Adelboden is one of our top 10 Swiss ski resorts. Centred around a 15th-century church, Adelboden’s chalet-styled village is linked to Lenk. The ski area totals 205km of groomed pistes as well as having cross-country trails, backcountry skiing and winter hiking routes. Each January, the sweet village is transformed into a weekend of skiers weaving down the slalom and giant slalom courses during the FIS Ski World cup.
There are plenty of evening activities for the whole family including tobogganing, snowshoeing or dining on the Swiss traditional dish, cheese fondue, in an igloo. The indoor sports complex also has a large heated pool, rock climbing wall and a bowling alley.
The first ski resort in Switzerland to be awarded the Alpine Wellness certificate, there are fantastic spas to choose from. The Cambrian is our favourite. Soak in the heated indoor or outdoor pools with snowy mountain views, then treat yourself to a mountain herb massage or a Finnish sauna, steam bath and a rain shower. Image source: Engstligenalp Adelboden © Anja Zurbruegg/Tourismus Adelboden
Stay At:
Situated amongst the stunning scenery of the Swiss Alps, with spectacular views in every direction, the Cambrian hotel offers the perfect location.
Why is Gstaad such a glamorous ski destination?
Ski area: 200km | Best for: intermediates, luxury shopping
One of our top 10 Swiss ski resorts, Gstaad is a glamorous ski resort. It is popular with celebrities for its chocolate box chalets, high-end restaurants and spas. The pedestrianised shopping street is lined with contemporary art galleries, designer shops and locally run shops. We recommend staying in the turreted Gstaad Palace or the luxurious Alpina Hotel. All have luxurious rooms, fantastic dining and spas.
With 200km of tree-lined slopes, the pistes in Gstaad tend to be crowd free with so many sought-after restaurants, shops and spas to divide your time between. The tree-lined slopes are predominantly blue and red, making it great ski terrain for intermediates, families and leisurely skiers. On Glacier 3000, you can cross the Peak Walk by Tissot – a suspended bridge with vertiginous views of 6,500ft. Alternatively, take a horse-drawn carriage to Lauenensee, stopping for a traditional lunch at Bochtehus and admiring Julie Andrew’s sculptures dotted around Gstaad. Image source: © Switzerland Tourism
Stay At:
The Grand Hotel Park Gstaad is situated in the centre of Gstaad, which is well-known for its understated luxury, and of course, great skiing.
What makes Mürren worth skiing for the views?
Ski area: 224km (Jungfrau) | Best for: scenic views, car-free villages
At the foot of the imposing Schilthorn peak, Mürren is a tiny and charming mountain village. This ski resort is one of our top 10 ski resorts in Switzerland located in the Jungfrau ski area. Take the cable car from Lauterbrunnen, followed by a short train ride to get to the car-free ski resort. Getting to your hotel or restaurant is a short, scenic walk by foot while you admire the surrounding mountains. Slopes vary between blues to more challenging blacks and off-piste in this ski area. In particular, the Schilthorn run with its 1,300m vertical has incredibly scenic views across the Eiger, Mönch and the Jungfrau ski area.
In 1931 the first FIS World Cup race was hosted in Mürren, and is now home to the Inferno race. The Inferno run even featured in James Bond’s On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Here, the immersive Bond World 007 gives you a great insight into the film as well as spectacular views of Mont Blanc and the Lauterbrunnen valley on a clear day.
Stay At:
The Hotel Eiger in Mürren is a traditional family-run hotel with a wonderful welcoming atmosphere.
Why is Wengen a good choice for families?
Ski area: 224km (Jungfrau) | Best for: families, varied terrain
Wengen is part of the Jungfrau ski area and one of our top 10 Swiss ski resorts. Once a farming community, Wengen has a wonderful Alpine feel to it. This traditional village is car-free and accessed by mountain railway. Thanks to its geographic location, the town is protected from wind and has plenty of sunshine. With varying levels of groomed runs in the Jungfrau ski area, there are family-friendly slopes in Kleine Scheidegg-Männlichen and the World Cup runs on Lauberhorn. The majority of the pistes are tree-lined blues and reds, making it great for those wanting to progress.
Wengen has plenty of activities off the slope so great for families. Whether it’s soaring through the sky while paragliding, tobogganing, curling or ice skating on the open-air ice rink. There are also a collection of après ski bars and great dining options. Our favourite is Hotel Restaurant Bären – don’t miss the indulgent Toblerone mousse. Image source: © Switzerland Tourism, Jan Geerk
Stay At:
The Hotel Regina in Wengen has a reputation for serving some of the best food and wine in the resort.
That concludes our list of the top 10 Swiss ski resorts. To find out more about our ski areas in Switzerland, please speak to our experts on 020 3051 5008.
Zermatt is widely considered the best all-round ski resort in Switzerland, with 362km of pistes reaching 3,883m and reliable snow into spring. Verbier is the top choice for off-piste skiing, while St. Moritz and Gstaad lead on luxury.
Verbier has the largest ski area in Switzerland at 412km, as part of the Four Valleys. Zermatt is the second largest at 362km, followed by St. Moritz at 326km.
Saas-Fee is one of the most beginner-friendly Swiss resorts, with gentle, snow-sure slopes mostly above 2,500m and a wide choice of ski schools. Wengen and Gstaad also offer predominantly blue and red terrain suited to those building confidence.
Verbier and Engelberg are the two standout resorts for off-piste in Switzerland. Verbier’s Four Valleys area includes the Tortin mogul field and the Mont Fort backside route, while Engelberg’s “Big Five” descents from the Titlis glacier draw experienced skiers from across Europe.
The Swiss ski season generally runs from late November to April, with January and February offering the most reliable snow at lower altitudes. High-altitude resorts such as Zermatt and Saas-Fee can offer skiing into spring and even through summer on their glaciers.
