Published: 03 July 2026
Switzerland and mountains pair as well as skis do with fresh snow, which is fortunate, given that the ultimate winter sport almost entirely dominates the country’s image. The country’s mountains form part of the central spine of the Alps, creating a landscape of towering peaks, glacier-fed valleys and premium ski resorts that are the highest echelon for snow sports in the world.
With the sport having first arrived in the late nineteenth century, it quickly embedded itself into the identity of many mountain communities, transforming quiet farming villages into sprawling complexes of concrete and glass, as skiing became the go-to winter pastime. Today, Switzerland’s ski resorts combine exceptional terrain with world-leading ski infrastructure, reliable transport links despite the heavy snows and a hospitality culture shaped by generations of catering to Europe’s wealthiest families.
Zermatt
Situated at the foot of Europe’s most iconic peak, the Matterhorn, Zermatt is one of the most recognisable ski destinations in the world. The village sits at the end of a narrow valley in the canton of Valais and is entirely car-free, giving it a time capsule quality. Wooden chalets line the streets, while only electric taxis and horse-drawn carriages provide transport through the village. The ski area borders Italy, with some of the highest peaks in the Alps visible from the village, and views from the top of the lifts stretching far across on the clearest days.
As one of Switzerland's ski resorts with the most extensive network of pistes, the quality of the area is both impressive due to the consistent snowfall and how varied the runs can be. Visitors may climb toward the Matterhorn Glacier aboard the highest cable car station in Europe, from which skiers can traverse the runs all the way to the village far down in the valley below. Zermatt’s reputation for hospitality is equally strong to its ski runs, with properties such as The Omnia and the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof among the most lauded stays in the resort for their facilities and first-class service.
St. Moritz
St. Moritz occupies a unique place within the history of winter sport. Located in the Engadin valley in eastern Switzerland, the resort played a defining role in establishing alpine tourism and hosted the Winter Olympic Games twice during the twentieth century. The town is as postcard-worthy as it comes, bordered by an ice-covered lake and surrounded by snow-covered peaks. As the first fully year-round destination for tourists in the Alps, the winter events program borrows some of the classic summer tropes and injects them into a winter setting. The frozen lake service has seen everything from international polo matches to horse racing over the last century and a half.
The ski area of St. Moritz is spread across several interconnected areas, including the peaks of Corviglia and Corvatsch, providing a wide range of pistes accessible to all levels. Accommodation in the resort reflects its long association with the golden age of European travel, with historic properties such as Badrutt’s Palace Hotel overlooking the lake, and the Kulm Hotel continuing to welcome guests in these fashionably grand properties whose charm has never withered, and remains a welcome throwback to a time long passed.
Verbier
One of the world’s most highly-regarded ski resorts, Verbier sits high in the canton of Valais and forms part of the expansive Four Valleys ski domain, one of the largest connected ski areas in Switzerland. Verbier is the Monaco of the European Alps, famously a playground for celebrities, royalty, politicians and the fabulously wealthy. It’s a hotbed for those who aren’t just here to ski, but have a good time doing so, boasting an amazing array of fine-dining and Apres Ski venues to enjoy the beauty of the majestic alpine setting.
The ski area itself provides access to hundreds of kilometres of pistes, linking Verbier with neighbouring valleys through high alpine passes and ridgelines, with the summit of Mont Fort offering one of the most dramatic panoramas in the region, and an adrenaline-fueled descent through the glacial peaks to the resort far below. Properties such as W Verbier ensure that the resort's accommodation is not left on the slopes of time, whilst the resort also boasts some of the most highly rated chalet properties for hire, such as the Chalet d’Adrien, with its boutique set-up.
Davos
Known throughout the world as a powerhouse destination for international politics and finance, it's not hard to fathom what really brings some of the most influential figures in the world to Davos. As both Switzerland’s highest town and one of its most extensive winter sports destinations, its broad terrains offer much for keen skiers and snowboarders to explore across hundreds of kilometres of connected pistes. From wide-open blue runs to tricky tree-lined slopes, the resort is accessible yet offers to all abilities, yet offers a challenge for those brave enough to venture off-piste into the woods or further out of bounds. Davos shares its ski domain with neighbouring Klosters, creating a combined ski area that spans the neighbouring peaks of Parsenn and Jakobshorn. The former in particular offers long continuous descents stretching down toward the valley floor, making it one of the most satisfying cruisers in the region.
As one might expect, Davos stands out as a destination for amenities, with the likes of the Steigenberger Icon Grandhotel Belvédère offering palatial rooms and refined French-inspired cuisine at Brasserie Belvédère. Fans of more contemporary stays will appreciate that the opulent AlpenGold Hotel is home to the panoramic Sapori for Italian fine dining, whilst a more intimate meal away can be found at Extrablatt, known locally for its elevated take on traditional Swiss fondues and steaks.
Crans-Montana
Shifting towards the French side of the Swiss Alps, Crans-Montana offers a distinctive contrast to many of Switzerland’s steeper alpine resorts, with the south-facing, gentler slopes providing extensive sunshine throughout the winter season. The terrain is particularly well-suited for intermediates, featuring long, wide-open red runs like the legendary 12km Piste Nationale, as well as the high-altitude Plaine Morte Glacier, which ensures reliable snow and stunning panoramas at 3,000m. From the top of the ski area, long runs descend gradually toward the resort, passing through landscapes that open onto views of peaks such as the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc in the distance.
Beyond the slopes, the town itself boasts a famous mile-long stretch of designer boutiques, art galleries, and Michelin-starred dining. On top of that, stellar hotel spas and a chic après-ski scene that progresses naturally from the slopes to elegant cocktail bars and terraces in the village ensure that during the warm spring season, the party doesn’t stop until the snow has completely retreated from the mountainside.
Wengen
Found high above the Lauterbrunnen Valley in the Bernese Oberland, the village of Wengen and its surrounding ski area is accessible only by mountain railway, which makes this the most remote of Switzerland’s ski resorts to visit. Despite the removed location, the town is surprisingly cosmopolitan, with wooden chalets and Belle Époque hotels lining the main street, creating a resort atmosphere that feels both timeless and charming. The ski area surrounding Wengen is linked with the nearby resorts of Grindelwald and Mürren, making it easier to traverse the mountains of this famously inaccessible region by ski, rather than typical modes of transport.
The slopes offer views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau peaks, whilst one of the highlights of the season is the Lauberhorn downhill race, the longest Skiing World Cup downhill course, which runs all the way down past the town to the villages on the valley floor. Historic hotels such as the Grand Hotel Belvedere (which is fondly reminiscent of Wes Anderson’s Grand Budapest Hotel) continue to welcome winter visitors while maintaining the traditional charm that has long defined this out-of-the-way, but effortlessly romantic ski resort.
