THESE ARE the best regions for Skiing and snowboarding in Switzerland

Skiing and Snowboarding in the Swiss Alps is an experience par excellence. Winter tourism began around 150 years ago in the Swiss Alps, and travelers have been drawn to the fairytale chalet villages, pristine mountains and snow-covered forests ever since. Romantic hideaways, horse drawn sleigh rides, and cozy mountain huts are just a few of the treasures that make for a magical winter wonderland. Today, more than 250 resorts offer a combined 4,300 miles (7,000 kilometers) of groomed and un-groomed slopes, and as of this writing, Switzerland boasts the longest ski run in the world, the Kleine Matterhorn to Zermatt, a run with a distance of 13 miles (21 kilometers). This magical winter wonderland is also connected by the Swiss Travel System, one of the most efficient public transport networks in the world. You can easily ski or snowboard your way across the entire Swiss Alps.

There are very few purpose-built ski resorts in Switzerland. In many cases, the villages existed for centuries before ski lifts were introduced. At times, this can make accessing the slopes feel a bit disjointed. You might have to take one lift to another lift before you can get on the slopes. The reward, however, is the ability to ski from one village to another while using public transport along the way. Thankfully the Swiss have figured out how to do this as efficiently as possible. If you find yourself popping out in a weird spot, then there’s usually a bus stop nearby which can whisk you into town. Many of the ski pistes in the Swiss Alps function as grazing pastures during the summer, and you’ll find yourself skiing past wooden barns and farming chalets scattered across the hillside. You’ll find mountain chalet restaurants too. Some are very simple establishments serving cheese-plates and drinks. More sophisticated affairs offer crêpes, raclette, fondue, and even haute cuisine. If you happen to ski by a small alpine hut with a menu board and smoke curling out of the chimney, then by all means stop in. Enjoying a Glühwein (hot-spiced wine) mid-slope is a very acceptable thing to do. 

With an abundance of skiing and snowboarding opportunities, choosing the right ski or snowboard trip in Switzerland can seem a bit overwhelming. It helps to break the country down by region. Here are some of our favorite spots for skiing and snowboarding in the Swiss Alps.