It would be tricky not to have a luxurious ski holiday in Switzerland. The small Alpine nation packs some of the world’s best ski areas, the most beautiful mountains, luxurious accommodation options and exquisite gastronomy into 41,285 square kilometres. To guide the most discerning travellers, this blog explores the most luxurious ski resorts in Switzerland.
Verbier
A glamorous, lively town which retains a traditional and rustic ambience – the justifiably world-renowned skiing in Verbier, with over 80 lifts and 400 kilometres of runs stretching up to 3,330 metres, is simply superb.
Combine that with short transfers from Geneva, two Michelin guide and one Michelin-starred restaurants, and a buzzing après scene, you quickly land on one of the most luxurious ski resorts in Switzerland.
Despite the vast quantity of pisted ski runs, the skiing in Verbier, Switzerland, has an outstanding range of off-piste and backcountry terrain. This is perfectly captured by the annual Xtreme Verbier – the grand finale of the Freeride World Tour, where the champions are crowned after skiing the legendary Bec des Rosses.
Stay At:
Stay at the largest and most unique chalet with immaculate interior design and custom-made furniture.
Zermatt
Ski in the shadow of the Matterhorn, one of the most iconic and beautiful mountains in the world. With modern infrastructure, rustic charm, and a relaxed atmosphere, the car-free, chocolate-box town stretches back to the Middle Ages. Speaking of slopes, Zermatt boasts some 360 kilometres of quality skiing across three varied ski areas – up to 3,820 metres of snow guaranteed.
In addition to a fashionable retail offering, the Swiss ski resort Zermatt hosts a remarkable 11 Michelin-starred or guide restaurants and countless boutique accommodation options, combined with a bustling après-ski scene.
Gstaad
Located at the crossroads between German and French-speaking Switzerland, Gstaad combines the best cultural elements of both regions and is quickly building a reputation as an exclusive ski holiday destination. A celebrity hotspot which retains that classic Swiss chocolate box appeal, Gstaad is home to a wide variety of glamorous shops and exclusive art galleries.
Gastronomically, Gstaad ticks all the required boxes to be one of the most luxurious ski resorts in Switzerland, boasting six Michelin-starred/guide restaurants and a wide selection of atmospheric après-ski bars and nightlife.
Skiing in Gstaad, Switzerland, is superb, with access to 200 kilometres of runs serviced by 40 lifts. The main ski areas – Wispile and Eggli – are easily accessible from the towns Wasserngrat and Rinderberg, just a short bus ride away. The Gstaad area is made up of 53 runs, 58% of which are blue, so there’s plenty of terrain to explore for beginners.
Stay At:
The Alpina Hotel boasts two Michelin-starred restaurants, private art decorations, a huge range of stunning room options and a 007-esque underground entrance.
Andermatt
Located at the heart of the Swiss Alps and historically known as a wellness hub, Andermatt ski resort makes for a perfect luxurious holiday destination. Andermatt is renowned for its snow-sure climate, and the Gemsstock glacier allows year-round skiing – an ideal option for ski enthusiasts of many levels.
Picture a rustic village set in the canton of Uri, with access to 120 kilometres of piste across two ski areas, Sedrun and Gemsstock. If you’re a more experienced skier, Sedrun offers 60% of runs perfect for intermediates. Similar to Verbier, skiing in Andermatt is best away from the pistes, with high-quality backcountry freeride terrain on Gemsstock and one of the most snow-sure ski resorts in Europe.
Besides skiing, the picturesque Andermatt is situated around a selection of family-run hotels and bars, which create a friendly, warm atmosphere. Explore a variety of exclusive shops, delightful bars, and four Michelin-starred restaurants.
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Fusing Alpine design and Asian expression, The Chedi Andermatt is considered the best five-star hotel in Switzerland.
Arosa
Arosa is a very classic ski resort, perfect for groups and families that include non-skiers. Often dubbed the quaint counterpart to St. Moritz, Arosa certainly delivers on the luxury front. The isolated Swiss village-style resort is a traditional all-round winter getaway option. Arosa has numerous opulent hotels and three Michelin-starred/guide restaurants, with shops from many well-known brands.
There are plenty of picturesque walking trails and an outdoor ice rink, which is brilliant fun. With 225 kilometres of ski runs serviced by 43 lifts, Arosa is an ideal, snow-sure option for your ski holiday.
Stay At:
Consider Tschuggen Grand Hotel, a member of “Swiss Deluxe Hotels” and “Leading Hotels of the World”, for a relaxing stay in a wonderful Alpine setting.
Davos
The jewel of the canton of Graubünden and well-linked to neighbouring Klosters, Davos is ideal for a luxury ski break. The ski resort caters to the global elites at the World Economic Forum. The top-class Davos hotels are supplemented by vast shopping possibilities. Five Michelin-starred/guide restaurants are spread across Davos Dorf and Davos Platz. Additionally, there are plenty of après ski opportunities including the Davoserhof Lounge and the Morosani Posthotel, perfect for cocktails.
The skiing in Davos is ideal for skiers of all abilities, with over 250 kilometres of pistes served by 54 lifts. For those seeking more advanced terrain, there is plenty of scope for backcountry freeride skiing.
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Built to host World Economic Forum delegates, the striking AlpenGold Hotel Davos offers lavish rooms with private balconies and floor-to-ceiling glass windows to make the most of stunning Alpine views.
Crans Montana
Nestled in a prime south-facing spot on the northern side of the Rhone Valley, Crans Montana, Switzerland, offers unrivalled views of the majestic Valais peaks and is the perfect place to bask in winter sunshine. With an impressive 300 days of sunshine annually, this resort boasts optimal conditions for snow, while its 140 kilometres of pistes are perfect for leisurely turns. It is sunny in Crans Montana for a staggering 300 days per year. With prime conditions to attract snow, the 140 kilometres of pistes are ideal for cruisy turns.
Crans Montana is home to an array of luxurious hotels, five Michelin-starred restaurants, and a wide variety of après-ski experiences to suit every taste. For those seeking retail indulgence, the resort offers over 120 shops and boutiques, including exclusive luxury outlets – making it the ideal destination for some well-deserved shopping.
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The spectacularly located LeCrans Hotel & Spa exudes peaceful and refined energy, and houses an exclusive luxury spa complex, as well as a the Michelin-starred Le Mont Blanc restaurant.
Engelberg
Central Switzerland’s largest and prettiest ski resort, Engelberg, is just 1.5 hours away from Zürich and 25 kilometres south of beautiful Lake Lucerne. Translating Engelberg to “Mountain of the Angels”, Engelberg is rich in its history and was founded by Benedictine monks in 1122.
Famous for mountain tourism and offering heavenly skiing in a beautiful setting, the Engelberg ski scene offers plenty of skiing spread out across the glaciers and rugged landscape of the resort. With a total of 82 kilometres of skiable terrain in Engelberg, explore two main sectors: Titlis-Stand and Jochpass; the former tends to be quieter. Consider adding the superb cross-country skiing to your list, with 34 kilometres of perfectly groomed trails weaving through the monastery village.
There are plenty of shops and quality restaurants, all in an extremely picturesque setting. Engelberg is the ideal place to escape the crowds for a luxury ski break.
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The décor in the delightful Hotel Kempinski Palace carefully blends historic detail and modern design, with a large 880sqm spa and farm-to-table restaurant on site.
St. Moritz
Nestled quietly in the heart of the Engadin, by far one of the most exclusive holiday destinations – St. Moritz ski resort – is anything but quiet. The double winter Olympics host town boasts the Bobsled world-championship Olympia run (reaches speeds of up to 135 kilometres per hour), as well as the Cresta Run (the birthplace of the modern skeleton). In addition, it has an outdoor Olympic-standard ice rink and cricket, polo, and horse racing on its frozen lake.
Choose between countless luxury accommodation options and dine in any of the remarkable fifteen Michelin-starred restaurants. After a thrilling day of skiing 326 kilometres, explore the town centre shopping area – a “crème de la crème” of luxury brands – then let your hair down in one of St Moritz’s nightclubs or chic bars.
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The first hotel built in St. Moritz and Leading Hotels of the World member, Hotel Kulm offers discerning travellers historic, tasteful accommodation with breath-taking Alpine views.
Villars
Just 1 hour 20 minutes South of Geneva, Villars is the perfect resort for short ski breaks. Fancy a longer getaway? With an impressive 174 kilometres of piste, Villars is also ideal for a last-minute weekend destination. It has an understated rustic charm and delightful forest surroundings. In addition, there are straightforward connections to the neighbouring resorts of Verbier, Les Diablerets and Gryon. Classy dining options make Villars one of the must-visit luxury ski resorts in Switzerland.
Villars is a very sunny location facing southwest, and the traditional wooden chalets, making up the majority of the town, create an idyllic mountain village atmosphere. Offering an efficient lift system and direct access to Gryon and Les Diablerets, the resort is favoured by families and groups, as well as solo skiers.
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The ski-in/ski-out Hotel Chalet RoyAlp is the perfect place to relax in luxury after a day skiing with comfortable rooms, an award-winning spa and exquisite gastronomy in three on-site restaurants.
To find out more about luxury ski resorts in Switzerland, please call our ski experts on 020 7471 7700.
