The best ski resorts in Switzerland

Ah, the Swiss mountains – home to the iconic Matterhorn, glamorous St. Moritz, and Toblerone (well, initially). The Alps and Jura mountain ranges are known as the Playground of Europe, and there’s no doubt they should be on every rider’s hit list. Seriously, the terrain and resort destinations throughout these peaks are next-level. 

But where should you head first? And is it all glitz and glam, or can you go with a more modest budget? Don’t spend your time deep-diving into research. We’ve got all the answers and more in our guide to the best ski resorts in Switzerland. 

Don’t worry if you’re planning to bunk with beginners, families, après-ski fanatics, or non-riders – we’ve included resorts that cater to one and all. And, if you’re into floating through waist-deep pow surrounded by panoramic views or taking on near-vertical drops, you’ll 100% want to check out this list. Plus, for a sweet bonus, why not do it all in style with a brand-new ski jacket and ski pants? 

The best ski resorts in Switzerland

 Zermatt

When it comes to epicness, Zermatt cleans up. The iconic Matterhorn looms over the screensaver-worthy town, and it’s the Alps’ highest ski resort with altitudes between 8,202 and 12,795 feet. Oh, it also has over 7,477 feet of vertical drop (the longest in Switzerland). ‘Incredible’ is not enough to sum up this ski resort: ‘mind-blowing’ is probably closer. 

If you do one thing in Zermatt, ride over the Theodul Pass. It’s on the Matterhorn and takes you across the Swiss border and into Italy’s Cervinia. There’s nothing quite like having a Flämmli on one side (a boozy Swiss coffee) and a Caffé Corretto (a boozy Italian coffee) on the other before tackling the Pista Ventina (No.7), a stunning red back into town. And, while you’re on the Matterhorn, hop on the Matterhorn Glacier ride, the highest 3S cableway in the world. You’ll step out onto the Matterhorn Paradise, a dizzying 12,740-foot glacier, where you can ski or snowboard 365 days a year. 

The Matterhorn sure looks intimidating, but don’t let that fool you – there are enough winding trails across for all abilities. With newbies or little ones? Head for Wolli’s Park. The terrain is super mellow – and how freaking cool is it to say you learned your skills on the Matterhorn? If you’re more of a pro, venture to the Rothorn’s snowfields or connect with the Gornergrat trails. And if you’re more into park, hit the Gravity Park, one of Europe’s highest freestyle terrain parks at 10,662 feet.

After you’ve ticked off riding the Matterhorn, decompress along the main car-free street of Bahnhofstrasse with its bustling bars, cafes, and restaurants. For après, expect an epic time at Hennu Stall (a Zermatt institution) and Iglu Dorf, an igloo bar built from scratch each season. If you want your après to have more pop, though, check out a piste-side champagne bar like the Champagner Bar Teehäuschen Flora. Well, when in Zermatt, right? 

Top tip: Fill your boots with fondue at Saycheese!, the cheese cafe in Grand Hotel Zermatterhof. If you prefer cheese on pizza, check out the Papperla Pub with its pizza-style Flammkuchen and tasty, frothy Swiss beer. 

St. Moritz

How about heading for the caviar of Swiss ski resorts – the one often referred to as being on top of the world? It’s also twice hosted the Winter Olympics and is supposed to be Switzerland’s first-ever ski resort. If all that sounds like your jam, aim for St. Moritz at the base of Piz Nair in the Albula Alps. 

You’ll find heck-loads of terrain to explore  – how does 217 miles of groomed, snow-sure pistes sound? In fact, St. Moritz is a massive hit with intermediate riders, thanks to runs like Corvatsch-Furtschellas. Pow-hounds among you will love the terrain at Lagalb and Diavolezza alongside the wide-open bowls and gnarly pro-grade chutes. There’s also Corviglia ‘Crowland’ Snow Park, with over 30 features to play around on. 

Okay, St. Moritz might make you think of champagne and crisp dollar bills (and you wouldn’t be entirely wrong). However, you might be surprised to hear that this is a totally doable resort for families and those operating on smaller budgets – just head to Silvaplana, a quick car ride away. There’s also a gentle slope there, perfect for kids and beginners. For another less expensive option, check out St. Moritz Bad. However, you better have deep pockets if you’re planning on staying in St. Moritz Dorf. 

If you want to swap skis for skates, venture into St. Moritz for ice skating on the frozen lake. Non-skiers can revel in other activities, such as greyhound racing, golf, and even cricket (also on the frozen lake). There’s a yearly ice polo tournament, too, and the chance to try out St. Moritz’s network of cross-country trails. Looking to mix things up? Head for the casino, the Segantini museum, or one of the many designer boutiques on Via Serlas. 

Top tip: You’ve got to try the Cresta Run! It’s a natural-ice bobsled run that’s just under a mile long and sees you reach speeds of over 80 mph! It’s certainly not for the faint-hearted, though. In fact, it’s known as ‘the most dangerous skeleton track in the world’. You’ll raise your heart rate in a place of history, too – bobsledding was invented in St. Moritz in 1890! 

Davos 

Dang, Davos! One of the best things about this ski resort is that it’s part of the Davos-Klosters area: a group of six mountains that make up one of Europe’s largest and highest ski and snowboarding areas. Don’t believe us? It offers over 165 miles of groomers! Oh, and Davos itself is also officially the highest town in Europe, with its peak reaching over 9,300 feet. Like we said: ‘Dang, Davos!’.

Most of the ski region is marked as intermediate. However, there’s also brilliant off-piste for experts who know their stuff – check out Jakobshorn and Pischa. Most of the challenging stuff is in Parsenn, which connects Davos to the cute Alpine village of Klosters. You’ll find some of the longest runs in the Alps here, too. We’re talking a whopping eight miles with a 6,673 foot vertical drop. Your legs will definitely need to relax after that one! 

Okay, we know we called Klosters ‘cute’, but don’t confuse aesthetics with affordability. Instead, the villages here are more about flashing those dollar bills! So keep your eyes peeled for royalty … and pros! Yep, while Princess Euginie is in Klosters’ Chalet Eugenia, park rats are on Jakobshorn, Davos’ local mountain, riding the massive terrain park and airbag. 

Down in Davos itself, there’s plenty for non-riders to do. For example, have you ever been to a ski resort with five separate museums, an ice hockey stadium, and a cinema? These amenities are spread out over Davos’ two halves: Davos Platz and Davos Dorf. It’s easy to get between each one, though, with a speedy, regular shuttle bus service. 

Top tip: Stretch out the legs in Eau-là-là, Davos’ huge indoor swimming pool. There’s also a sauna and outdoor heated area that makes you feel as if you’re in a giant hot spring with its very own whirlpool. 

Verbier

Verbier is synonymous with some of the world’s best off-piste! Yep, if you’re into wearing an avi-bag and tackling gnarly steeps, you’ll love this freeriding mecca with its famous technical off-piste routes such as Croix de Coeur, Bec des Étagnes, Col des Mines, Marlenaz, and Couloir de la “Banane”. And you just have to check out the Tortin, one of the steepest descents in Europe with insane bumps and deep pow pockets. Ride any of these, and you’ll get respect from around the world – and have your talking-points ready for après! 

With its craggy chutes, steep faces, and cliff drops, it’s no surprise Verbier attracts the world’s top freeriders. It’s also home to the yearly Verbier Xtreme, part of the legendary Freeride World Tour (FWT). And, when riders are done holding their nerve, it’s time to let loose with Verbier’s epic après-ski scene. Yep, this ski resort certainly knows how to let its hair down. Check out Farm Club and Fairnet for a wild time with fellow freeriders, such as Sybille Blanjean, Verbier local, and Xtreme winner.

Though there’s still plenty here for you to enjoy if you’re not expert level. That’s because Verbier is part of the 4 Vallées/Four Valleys ski region. This connects Thyon, La Tzoumaz, Veysonnaz, and Nendaz and offers over 256 miles for you to play with. And, if your skills need sharpening before attempting anything steep and deep, you’re in luck – Verbier is home to stellar ski schools, our favorite being the Warren Smith Ski Academy. 

In Verbier with non-riders? They’ll go crazy over things to do. In fact, the range of activities away from the pistes is especially mind-blowing, with ice climbing, horseback riding, skydiving, paragliding, dog sledding, and more. If you’re with deal-hunters, they’ll also be satiated here. Yes, Verbier is known for being luxurious, but there are budget options, too. For example, check out B&Bs like Les Sapins Bleus or hostels like the MAP Verbier-Village. 

Top tip: How could we recommend anything else but a visit to the W Verbier? This mountain institution holds everything you could need under one roof! For example, après hard at W Off Piste, their outdoor après bar, share plates at Eat-Hola Tapas Bar, and go Japanese with sushi, sashimi, and dashi at U-YAMA. 

Saas-Fee

If you stay in a resort near the Dom glacier (aka Switzerland’s highest peak), you know you’re in for good snow. That’s exactly what you’ll get with Saas-Fee, with lifts topping out at 11,483 feet alongside 62 miles of trails, nearly 6,000 feet of vertical, and 13 nearby peaks over 13,000 feet. Yep, ‘the pearl of the Alps’ has an irresistible mix of hard-core high-altitude terrain alongside mellower family-friendly vibes. 

This resort is ace for beginners, with 23 miles of learner slopes and a dedicated bunny run and lift. That – and the fact there’s a car-free village – makes Saas-Fee an awesome spot for hanging with your fam. With your backcountry bros? Saas-Fee still delivers – there is an insane amount of off-piste terrain. 

And don’t forget the 12 miles of year-round riding available on the Allalinhorn glacier (over 13,123 feet high!). Keep an eye out for pro riders, too, because Saas-Fee’s halfpipe is famous for staying open during summer, so you can often catch the best riders honing their skills and summer shredding in the Morenia Freestyle Park. 

When it’s time to unclip, stroll down Saas-Fee’s street. You’ll find traditional, charming chalets alongside boat-loads of dining and après-ski options (often in ancient wooden farmhouses). Our favorites are the Larix and Black Bull Snowbar. Just make sure you’re okay with your bank account (and knees) taking a hit after a trip to Saas-Fee. 

Top tip: Okay, we can all agree it’d be pretty sick to say you’ve eaten in the world’s highest-revolving restaurant, right? So head to Drehrestaurant Allalin with its glass walls and delicious food. Oh, you also have to ride the world’s highest underground funicular railway to get there, too. Double whammy! 

Grindelwald

Okay, it’d be awesome to ride in the footsteps of James Bond and Han Solo, right? Then aim for Grindelwald in the Bernese Alps! This scenic ski resort with its classic 19th-century wooden chalets will knock your socks off – and leave you unsurprised it was used as a shooting location for both James Bond and Star Wars. 

The Jungfrau, Eiger, and Mönch mountains will surround you in Grindelwald – as will the fresh pow! Yes, Grindelwald receives a highly respectable 17 feet of the white stuff every year. And, if you’re an intermediate rider, you’ll love it here, too. That’s because there are plenty of fun blue and red runs to keep you occupied. Plus, Gindelwald’s main slopes connect with Wengen to offer an even bigger playground – 213 miles, to be exact. 

Grindelwald has two main areas: Grindelwald-First, with 31 miles of trails, and Kleine Scheidegg, with 62 miles of slopes. Park rats are covered, too – just take the gondola to Grindelwald-First to get your pick of kickers, rails, and a 426.5-foot halfpipe in the White Elements terrain park. Grindelwald-First also hosts Slow Slopes for budding rippers. 

If you’re ski-tripping with people who aren’t so into riding, there’s plenty in Grindelwald for them to do! First, get them tobogganing or hiking on one of Grindelwald’s world-famous trails. In fact, Grindelwald holds the world’s longest sled run from the Faulhorn – worth trying, for sure! And non-skiers can get around super easy, thanks to Grindelwald’s trains connecting the peaks, villages, and winter hiking trails. 

Top tip: Head to Onkel Tom’s Hütte once the lifts close for wine and pizza in a cozy cabin. It’s one of our favorite places ever. 

Crans-Montana

Sometimes, you’ve got to pull over from riding to admire the view (and get your phone out). There’s no place you’ll probably do this more than Crans-Montana with its jaw-dropping scenery from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn. Plus, its south-facing slopes make it the sunniest ski resort in Switzerland – perfect lighting for your Instagram content, then. 

Sure, it can sometimes be busy (thanks to its proximity to Lausanne and Geneva). However, there’s more than enough mountain to go around with 87 miles of trails. Lay tracks on the Plaine Morte glacier or catch some of this planet’s top riders during FIS World Cup events. Or, how about taking on an Olympic-sized halfpipe in Switzerland’s second-biggest snow park? It’s totally doable on the glacier’s ridiculous 100,000-meter-squared terrain park. 

If earning your turns is more your thing, you’ll love Crans-Montana with its 15 ski touring routes. Watch out for La X’trême (aptly named) with its elevation gain of 10,000 feet and four uphill stretches. With budding rippers? There’s also a Ski Kindergarten area and a couple of magic carpets. 

When little ones want a day off riding, take them to Alaïa Chalet. This action sports center is full to the brim with indoor ramps, trampolines, bowls, foam pits, an outdoor skate park, and  parkour lessons. Of course, for you guys, there’s nothing better to do once the lifts close than après-ski. Believe it or not, though, Crans and Montana offer different vibes. For example, choose Crans for fancy, sophisticated après and Montana for something more laid-back (and cheaper). 

Top tip: Check out Caprices Festival, Crans-Montana’s huge electronic festival in April. However, if watching racers is more your thing, book a ticket to catch the Women’s World Cup downhill races, usually in February. 

Laax

Reliable pow, multiple terrain parks, and party laps on a glacier — name a better combo than that! There’s no doubt Laax offers it all – including 140 miles of varied slopes. Oh, and around 70% of Laax’s runs are also between 6,562 and 9,842.5 feet. So you’ll feel like you can touch the sky! 

There’s something for everyone here – especially freestylers. Yep, if parks get you pumped, you won’t want to go anywhere other than Laax! It has four impeccably shaped terrain parks with two halfpipes (loved by Markus Keller) and the one-kilometer-long P60, A.K.A. a piste/fun park. And, when the pow comes to town, Laax transforms into a freestyler’s backcountry nirvana with rock drops, gnarly steeps, and natural features. 

You’ll arrive at Laax and quickly understand why this ski resort lures the planet’s top riders – especially when hosting top comps, such as the LAAX Open and the European Freeski Open. The best riders descend on Laax for its Freestyle Academy, too, the only Olympic freestyle training base in Switzerland. Plus, pro legend Nicolas Müller has made Laax his home – check out his line on Absinthe Films’ Resonance, solely shot in this epic landscape.

More of a foodie than a fan of snow? Don’t worry – Laax has got you with over 30 restaurants to choose from. Looking for a touch of zen? Check in to the awe-inspiring Waldhaus Flims Wellness Resort in neighboring Flims. And if you’re a night owl, you’ll go crazy for Laax’s four-mile floodlit night run, stretching from Crunius to Laax Murschetg. 

Top tip: Download INSIDE LAAX, the resort’s very own app, and have all the necessary info in the palm of your hand. Find out more about recommended après spots, request the Laax shuttle, and more. 

Engelberg

Ski-tripping with the fam? Choose Engelberg, A.K.A. Angel Mountain. The glacier-tipped Mt Titlis frames this ski resort, and it’s perfect for riding with the clan, thanks to miles and miles of beginner and intermediate runs. Oh, and it’s also incredibly close to Zurich, Switzerland’s largest city. 

If you’re with learners, take them to the nursery areas in Klostermatte, Gerschnialp, and Ristis. There are plenty of award-winning ski schools to choose from, too. If your family is more advanced, you’ll find more than enough red and black runs around Engelberg to keep them busy. Riding with daring powder hounds? There’s plenty of lift-accessible off-piste available, too – and the pow is ridiculously sweet! 

Most riders aim for Engelberg to take on two descents: the Laub and the Galtiberg. These are what advanced and expert riders dream about: smooth, uninterrupted descents so you can slash pow turn after turn. Our fave out of the two is Galtiberg – a leg-shaking 6,561-foot vertical descent from the glacier to the valley. Yep, Engelberg certainly delivers a touch of wilderness alongside its laid-back, family-friendly charm. 

When it’s time to chill, Engelberg serves up a good range of après-ski options. And, because of its proximity to Zurich, the bars can get especially rowdy on weekends. Our top pick? The Chalet, at the base of the main lift. If you don’t fear a next-day hangover, head to the Spindle nightclub to keep going into the early hours.

Top tip: Trade your freeriding tips and stories in the Ski Lodge. They serve après-ski with a difference as other freeriders mingle to chat about whose line was the gnarliest.

Andermatt

We don’t know about you, but there’s something about pairing a remote, laid-back town and a massive ski area that just raises our stoke levels. Enter Andermatt. Yep, this charming town takes you to the mind-boggling 111-mile SkiArena Andermatt-Sedrun. 

While on-piste, you’ll love the intermediate trails. Check out the Oberalp Pass east of the resort to blast those legs. However, this area soaks up the sun, so be ready for slush if you’re looking to ride here late in the season. There’s also the beginner-friendly Nätschen area. 

If you like crossing the boundaries, venture to Andermatt’s north-facing, 9,715-foot Gemsstock and discover a backcountry adventurer’s dream. There you’ll find challenging off-piste terrain on powder-filled, north-facing runs and a 2,952-foot vertical. That – alongside the wide open bowls, gnarly couloirs, and nerve-shredding steeps – makes it enough to wag the tail of any powderhound. 

Down in Andermatt, it’s worth bearing in mind that luxury reigns supreme. It’s home to the Chedi Andermatt, one of the Alps’ most glamorous (and pricey) five-star hotels, and a new development for the ski resort. The old Andermatt village still has an offbeat Alpine vibe, though. So stroll along the main street for quirky bars and restaurants, or head into the 5-star Chedi Andermatt itself for the chicest après session of your life. 

Top tip: Make your freeriding trip even more epic by hiring a guide. They’ll take you on the backcountry route to nearby Hospental, one of Switzerland’s smallest villages with some world class off-piste to discover. With a guide by your side, you’ll quickly see why Andermatt has a rep for being one of Europe’s top ‘steep and deep’ ski resorts. 

Wengen

Sometimes, you just can’t beat a bit of Swiss charm. Good thing, then, that the village of Wengen has it in spades! This ski resort is an epicenter for adventure-chasing pow hounds and intermediates seeking slaloms and fast downhills. It is also good for beginners, with beginner slopes at the heart of the village, making it a hit with families.  

And don’t forget that Wengen is part of the Grindelwald-Wengen ski area – offering up 128 miles of slopes for all levels. You can also access the insane White Elements Grindelwald-First Snow Park with its 426.5-foot halfpipe. 

Book a trip to Wengen in January for the Lauberhorn Run. There, you’ll see the world’s best riders tackle the longest, most challenging course on the planet. We’re talking about a three-mile downhill run against an insane backdrop of the Mönch, Eiger, and Jungfrau mountains. And you can take on the World Cup circuit yourself – just make sure you’re ready for the thigh burn! 

Down in Wengen’s car-free village, you’ll discover cozy vibes and epic views – it overlooks the Lauterbrunnen valley. Don’t expect things to get too lively here, though – the resort’s focus is a main street with Victorian-style hotels, shops, and not much else. If you and the family want to mix things up, check out one of the family-friendly toboggan runs, such as the three-mile run from Wengernalp. 

Top tip: Take a day trip across the valley to Mürren. There, you’ll take the lift to the top of the Schilthorn and gawp at the awesomeness of Eiger, Jungfrau, and Mönch’s epic northern faces. You can also take on more challenging runs than those offered in Wengen. 

Wrapping up 

Phew! Does anyone else need a lie down after hearing about Switzerland’s top resorts? Or maybe you just want to grab a one-way ticket? There’s no doubt Switzerland is hard to top when it comes to that sublime combo of rad terrain and awesome resorts. Have more intel or incredible tips? Let us know on socials via @dopesnow. 

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