Skiing Switzerland

There is something special about the Swiss alps in our view here at Chalet Ski Holidays. A sense of calm and structure that few others can match. Yes, we know it is a cliché to suggest that everything just seems to run like clockwork, but it does! The buses, the trains, planes and importantly ski lifts just seem to work perfectly. This is a country where even the Germans are probably envious of their efficiency!

And then there is the scenery, long before others and the importance of environmental and ecological preservation became main stream, the Swiss embarked on only controlled developments. Buildings follow traditional approaches and finishing, with stone and wood prevalent throughout. As a consequence, they enhance the majestic mountains blending in with that traditional Swiss class and style. No high rise, ugly ski apartments here, the land of the cuckoo clock has ensured it retains that quaint charm, throughout. 

Where To Ski

So where to ski in Switzerland. The Chalet Ski Holidays do have a slight biase towards Verbier with one of the team having spent 12 years there, but this said, Zermatt is hard to beat unless you are a beginner group.

Zermatt

With skiing in Zermatt 365 days of the year it is as snow sure as it gets but there is much more to it than just that. Traffic free, it is paradise for friends or families with horse drawn taxis and an immense amount of charm. On the slopes it is particularly well suited for intermediates with a good selection of well groomed red runs, but experts won’t be bored either due to its extensive off-piste and black runs.

Verbier

As we have disclosed earlier, we do have a slight biaise towards Verbier but why wouldn’t we. High altitude skiing, great off-piste and marked itineray runs (Tortin being our favourite), extensive skiing throughout, and finally a pretty village where the apres-ski probably trumps all other Swiss ski resorts. 

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Gstaad

A place for aristocracy, Gstaad is a town where grace and elegance are an expected gift that should be cherished and passed on each generation. Restaurants and shops are of the highest quality and prices are not for the faint hearted. This is a resort town where everything is traditionally delivered and the prices reassuringly expensive.   The ski is particularly suited to a more relaxed crowd who are in Gstaad for as much the ambience, boutique shopping, and stunning food and wine, as they are the skiing.

Davos Klosters 

Famous for the Wold Economic Forum that happens each year in Davos (17^th – 20^th January in 2017), this is also a top class, exclusive ski resort that offers so much to so many.  If you like shopping and eating in fine dining establishments then you’ll love Davos Klosters. If you love skiing, particularly with the family, then this is also in our opinion one you will adore, in fact for the skiing and snowboarding we think it is one of the best ski resorts anywhere in Europe. Also famed for British Royalty coming here for many years, as have many others, and we are going to let the secret out!  Davos Klosters is indeed very special. 

Wengen

Famed as one, if not the original home of downhill skiing, and frequented by British skiers for over 100 years, Wengen is a charming ski resort set in some of the most picturesque mountain scenery. Situated under the Eiger, it offers particularly good skiing for beginners and intermediates. 

Tzoumaz

But if all the above is a little too main stream, and we recognise too that the above can be on the mid to upper end of the cost spectrum, then spare a thought for our Wild Card, Tzoumaz. Situated in the Verbier 4Vallees ski network, you get all the great skiing that Verbier visitors do, but at a fraction of the price.

Thanks for reading and happy holidays in the Swiss Alps from the Chalet Ski Holidays team.