What defines the Swiss ski experience? Glaciers, high-altitude skiing, astounding views from the train window as your inch up to the resort, cheese fondues and towering mountains. Most Swiss resorts are high, high and higher...and have impressive runs including some of the highest and toughest in Europe. Like all big resorts, Swiss skiing offers masses for every level, but experts really will delight here, and because of the high altitudes powder can be found many days after it falls.
There's an old world charm here with meadows, farmland, rustic chalets, and villages perched at soaring levels. You can dine in mountain restaurants that are converted cow sheds and taste Swiss specialties. Nightlife varies hugely, from the epic clubs to casual drinks, but you'll usually find lively restaurants and bars wherever you go.
If you're after a stress-free beak, this is the land of efficiency, hospitality and service. The Swiss take looking after you very seriously, and the country runs like clockwork - public transport is organised, with stress-free connections, and you can take your bags and suitcases on buses and trains with ease. And whilst in some of the top resorts can be pricey, it's a misconception that Switzerland has to be expensive.
Two of the best known resorts are St Moritz and Zermatt. One of the most exclusive resorts in the world, St. Moritz is renowned for its ‘dry sparkling champagne climate', boasting an average of a whopping 322 days of sunshine a year. With its cosmopolitan ambience, designer boutiques (Dior, Chanel and Hermes line the streets), fabulous après-ski ambience and 350 km runs, St Moritz remains infinitely desirable.
Zermatt could be the most popular resort, however, with its stunning views of the Matterhorn, vast all-round skiing, glacier magic, famous advanced pistes and views across Switzerland, Italy and France. Verbier offers huge terrain as part of the Four Valleys area (410 km of runs) and a sun-drenched south-west bowl, while Davos brings all the advantages of a big city mega resort and distinctive, long intermediate runs.
