Ever dreamed of visiting Swiss ski resorts? This country, most of which is covered with mountains, is literally made for skiers and snowboarders. Tourists from all over the world flock to the homeland of mountaineering all year round. Some are eager to learn the basics of skiing, while others want to practice and improve their sports skills. For many, the desire to visit the ski resorts in Switzerland remains unrealistic, as the fear of exorbitant prices quickly cools the flare-up ardor. In this article we will talk about the features of recreation in this country and give examples of reviews of Russian tourists.

Ski idyll

Why do ski resorts in Switzerland attract tourists from all over the world? First of all, here you can enjoy the ideal tracks, which are the benchmark for the entire sports world. A high level of service, comfortable hotels, excellent infrastructure and mild climate create all the conditions for outdoor activities in the mountains.

Popular resorts

However, some come here for other purposes as well. It is no secret that Switzerland often hosts famous guests: crown princes, millionaires, movie actors, pop stars and top models often stroll along the alpine slopes. The desire to join high society and sit in a cafe "at the same table" often becomes a decisive factor when choosing a particular resort. One way or another, but prestigious vacation have to pay. Prices for the best ski resorts in Switzerland are not always affordable for ordinary people Russian citizens, however, they can find the best option for themselves in more affordable hotels. In addition, an interesting excursion program and local nature are worth seeing for every avid tourist.

Grindelwald

This popular resort is famous for being accessible to fans of winter sports almost all year round. Located in the very center of the country, the Village of Glaciers welcomes not only skiers and climbers, but also just lovers of walking along hiking trails. If you wish, you can stay in a wonderful five-star hotel that will satisfy even the most demanding visitor. You can also choose to stay in one of four or three star hotels at standard Swiss prices. Budget options are presented by simpler hotels, where for a relatively small fee you will get a cozy room with a shared shower.

The largest number of tourists come to Grindelwald from November to April. At their disposal there are more than 50 ski slopes of varying difficulty, trails for skiing and many hiking trails. You can dine at one of the local restaurants, in the evening go to night club or to a disco, and in your free time go shopping. If the weather turns bad, then you will have the opportunity to swim in the indoor pool, go ice skating, play bowling or squash with friends.

Verbier

Alpine winter resort in Switzerland is located in the center of one of the largest areas for skiing. Visitors are provided with 400 km of trails along the most beautiful routes, more than a hundred ski lifts and all the conditions for lovers of cross-country skiing and hiking. You can stay in one of the many hotels or rent a guest house. Tourist service, as in the whole country, is at the highest level - in this place you will feel at home.

If you are interested in Swiss resorts for advanced skiers, then you can safely go to Verbier. These places are famous for off-piste skiing and boundless fields that are not processed by machinery. Under the guidance of a guide, you can make a descent through the virgin lands into the valley and get vivid sensations that will be remembered for a lifetime. However, in order to participate in this exciting adventure, participants must have excellent riding skills. For beginners and intermediate skiers, there are many easy trails here, which you can ride almost without any risk.

Saas Fee

The resort is famous for the fact that teams of skiers and snowboarders from different countries train here in the summer. It is located high in the mountains and consists of four areas for skiing. Difficult trails are more suitable for professionals than for beginners in winter sports. There are few steep slopes here, but all of them are interesting for their relief. Intermediate skiers will enjoy the long and easy pistes, some of which stretch for 14 km. Arriving here in October, you can become a spectator of the Snowboard World Cup. In December, freeride competitions are held here and an international ice sculpture festival is held. At the end of winter in Saas-Fee you can watch the fight for the Ice Climbing World Cup, and in March you can watch the Allalin races.

Zermatt

This fashionable resort in the Swiss mountains is located near the famous Matterhorn peak. Its ski slopes, snowboarding and freestyle trails are considered among the best in the country. It is here that international and European curling competitions are held every year. Professionals who prefer resorts in Switzerland for advanced skiers appreciate the local virgin pistes and steep slopes. It will be quite difficult for beginners to find a suitable route here, since the conditions are basically created for expert skiing.

Zermatt is a very popular but rather expensive resort. Among 600 hotels you will hardly find a budget option accommodation. The best hotels are Zermatterhof or Omnia. You can find shelter in a private house, rent a chalet or live in an apartment. Despite the high prices, bars and entertainment venues are always full of people. In your free time, you can swim in the pool, play billiards and bowling, visit the fitness center or relax in the sauna. Excursions around the resort and its surroundings will not let those who come here for company or just for a relaxing holiday get bored.

Crans Montana

This resort often hosts prestigious and major international congresses. Both beginners and intermediate skiers will feel great here. Ski resorts in Switzerland rarely provide their guests with such wide and uncomplicated slopes. There are not so many slopes for professionals in this place, and they do not arouse much interest among extreme sportsmen.

Guests of Crans-Montana can have fun at the outdoor skating rink, where discos are held on ice from time to time. Guests of some hotels have the opportunity to swim in the pool, visit a beauty salon or play curling. Thrill-seekers can take a helicopter and hot air balloon ride.

Davos

Some ski resorts in Switzerland offer unusual services to their guests. For example, Davos is also a treatment center where all the efforts of the staff are aimed at maintaining your health and high-quality treatment. Prestigious world-famous clinics accept patients with respiratory diseases, allergies and skin diseases. This resort has a large selection of hotels of all categories, but they all have a high level of service. Pensions, chalets and guest houses are not inferior to five-star hotels, and the cuisine in each of them is beyond praise.

Davos has 6 separate ski areas and 99 slopes that stretch over 300 km. The slopes of high mountains will not let even experienced athletes get bored, for whom steep descents and risky sections have been specially designed. This resort is also called the capital of snowboarding, as six fan parks were built here. Lovers of luge and freestyle feel great here, as the best conditions have been created for them at this resort.

St. Moritz

This is one of the oldest and prestigious resorts country, which is a symbol of luxury and a role model. Prices here are quite high even for Switzerland, but its popularity has not suffered from this at all. Thousands of tourists come here every year to enjoy the unique climate and clear sunny weather. Among the guests of honor of this resort, the faces of famous politicians, show business stars, millionaires and even members of royal families often flicker.

In St. Moritz there is something for an athlete of any level. Three sectors for skiing will satisfy all available requests. Beginners and intermediate skiers will be fascinated by the long and comfortable pistes. Thrill-seekers will find here icy slopes, descents on virgin lands and rather difficult “black” segments. Corvatsch has two snowboard parks equipped to the best standard. The Snow Night Party is held here once a week. The participants of this peculiar party ride until two in the morning along the illuminated tracks, and then relax and maintain their tone with strong cocktails.

Gstaad

Some ski resorts in Switzerland still look like mountain villages built at the beginning of the last century. Vehicles are prohibited in Gstaad, and guests settle not only in hotels, but also in chalets. This resort cannot be called very popular, but the creative elite fell in love with it.

Six ski areas are interconnected by bus routes and constantly running trains. 62 lifts rush to the Hornflu massif every day, and you can go down to several towns along the “blue” track. Thanks to this, the slopes have gained great popularity among inexperienced skiers and families with children. But this place will also be interesting for more experienced athletes, for whom there are specially allocated areas for freeride, freestyle and carving. Anyone who wishes, under the guidance of an instructor, can try out such sports equipment as extreme carving skis or snowblades. The Glacier Glacier has the longest run. Fan parks are located on the slopes of Eggli, and fans of luge will find entertainment at the upper stations.

Ski resorts in Switzerland. Reviews of tourists

Despite the unstable political environment and the crisis in the tourism business, our fellow citizens boldly continue to travel abroad and share their feelings from their vacation with pleasure. The Russians, who were lucky enough to visit the ski resorts of Switzerland in 2014, unanimously admire the beauties of nature and unforgettable impressions. Everyone who came here for the first time remembered for a long time the exemplary famous punctuality and friendly attitude of the local population. Tourists note that prices in this country are quite consistent with quality. And this means that you should carefully calculate the possible costs before the trip. Returning home, our compatriots warmly recall the ski resorts in Switzerland. Photos of the most beautiful landscapes take pride of place on pages on social networks and there are already talks about how good it would be to return to this country next winter.

As well as numerous ski resorts are always open for travelers, ready to surprise and give unforgettable experience. Moreover, experienced tourists strongly recommend not to “burrow” into the ski slopes right away: it will be more interesting and useful to first travel a little around small and picturesque Switzerland, visit several towns, acclimatize, and only then go straight to the mountains.

Tours to ski resorts in Switzerland are most in demand in winter. Their cost ranges from 350 to 750 EUR. Usually the cost of skiing is calculated separately, but there are tours that immediately include a visit to the slopes. To get your bearings: on average, in Swiss resorts, a magnetic ski card costs about 50-55 EUR.

How to get there

You can get to Switzerland from Moscow by plane, train and bus. Geneva, Zurich and Basel receive Moscow flights daily. Aeroflot delivers tourists in 3 hours and 40 minutes. The cost of round-trip tickets will cost an average of 900 EUR.

On the train, you will need to make one transfer in Germany. In this case, you must have a Schengen visa. Typically, such a trip takes approximately 36 hours. For the price of such a trip is close to the cost of the flight. However, when buying EuroDomino on trips within the eurozone, there is an opportunity to save money - at least it will be somewhat cheaper to get to Switzerland.

Ski Switzerland

Mountains occupy almost two-thirds of the territory of this Western European country: Swiss Alps deservedly considered the birthplace of skiing and mountaineering. All ski resorts in Switzerland are united by an exceptional level of service, comfort and corresponding prices, and preparation local trails regarded as the benchmark throughout the world.

Significant heights, excellent infrastructure, as well as a favorable climate everywhere guarantee excellent skiing from November to April. And for lovers of snowy landscapes all year round - there are resorts of Zermatt, Saas-Fee and a number of others on the Alpine glaciers, which function even in summer.

On the slopes of Switzerland

Canton of Bern

The Bernese Highlands are the northern spurs of the Bernese Alps, located southeast of the capital of Switzerland. In fact, this is the most easily accessible part of Alpine Switzerland, offering lovers of descents the “magnificent trio” of mountain peaks: Eiger (3970 m), Mönch (4107 m) and Jungfrau (4158 m). The most famous ski slopes in the region are Gstaad and Grindelwald, in the Lauterbrunnen valley, as well as the less popular Adelboden, Kandersteg, Meiringen, Eengelberg.

Gstaad

Gstaad is a secular glacial resort where high society loves to relax all year round. At the same time, excellent ski slopes are organized here, which will also appeal to skiing professionals. However, the resort has its own nuance: those who prefer off-piste skiing will have to get to such sites by helicopter, since all nearby slopes are equipped with markers.

Grindelwald

Grindelwald is one of the most famous ski resorts in Switzerland, which includes three popular ski areas at once: Wengen, Murren and Grindelwald itself. There are quite interesting slopes of varying difficulty, but the main "hit" is the descent from the top of Kleine Scheidegg to Wengen, then a trip to Menlichen and the descent to Grindelwald itself. In addition, this area is amazing in that the mountain glaciers descend almost to the very valley, and are available for lovers of winter recreation almost all year round.

Canton of Valais

The canton of Valais is located in the southwest of Switzerland, stretching along the Rhone River - from its source in the glaciers of the central Alps to its mouth in Lake Geneva. There are many glaciers, and the climate is one of the driest in the region with the highest number of sunny days. The ski resorts of the canton are not very popular with Russians, although Russian tourists are found on the largest of them - in Verbier, Crans-Montana and Zermatt. In addition to those listed here are resort places like Anzer, Leukerbad, Morgin, Nanda, Ovronna, Saas-Fee, Torgon, Champery, Champousin.

Verbier

The Verbier ski resort is located in the "Four Valleys" area, and ranks fourth in the international classification among the largest ski "stadiums" in the world, combining the slopes of Verbier, Nenda, Chumaz and Veysonaz. Ski tours in Verbier are equally interesting for both pros and beginners. The resort has many slopes for all tastes, so it thrives as a place for all categories of skiers. For lovers of flat skiing - 40 km of prepared tracks and beautiful routes.

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Crans Montana

Crans Montana - famous resort area in French-speaking Switzerland, which enjoys worldwide recognition as a year-round mountain resort. This is facilitated by a dry climate, an abundance of sunny days a year and the purest mountain air, combined with active pastime on slopes of varying difficulty. Once it was a small village with ski slopes, and now it is a venue for prestigious sports competitions and a great place to go skiing (there are a lot of ski schools for children and adults).

Zermatt

The glacier ski resort of Zermatt is considered the most romantic resort in Switzerland. Here, from a height of 3883 m, travelers have a breathtaking panorama of the Italian, French and Swiss Alps, as well as an international ski area open for skiing all year round. For fans of winter recreation, not only ski slopes are open, but also snowboarding and freestyle tracks, which offer cool Gravity Park 300 days a year.

Saas Fee

Saas-Fee, despite the usual summer heat in the Rhone Valley, offers excellent conditions for skiing on its glacier at any time! It is located among the highest Alpine peaks, reaching 4000 m, and at the same time has a rather mild and dry climate, perfect for winter holidays. The ski resort of Saas-Fee is 20 km of pistes open all year round, thanks to summer time national and international ski teams of skiers, snowboarders, freestylers train.

Canton of Vaud

The canton of Vaud is even less known as a ski resort, but here in the west of Switzerland, in its French-speaking zone, there are excellent slopes and places for flat skiing. The local mountains go around Lake Geneva, as if diverging in different directions, and offer a view of the most picturesque valley, once covered with forests, and now teeming with picturesque towns and villages. Ski slopes are laid in the towns of Villard, Lezen, Le Diabler, Chateau d'Eu.

villars

The Villars ski resort is famous not only for its slopes (the ski area extends at altitudes from 1250 to 2971 m), but also for its magnificent views of the Welsh and Savoy Alps. And the proximity to other ski areas of the canton (for example, to the glacial Le Diabler, open almost all year round), allows you to find comfortable slopes in any weather and in any season. Among the tourists here are dominated by the French and Belgians.

Canton of Graubünden

The canton of Graubünden is the most extensive region of Switzerland in the southeast of the country. At the same time, Graubünden is one of the least populated regions, since dense pine forests, mountain peaks and small isolated valleys have not contributed to settlement here since ancient times. But today most of the country's ski resorts are located here: Arosa, Val Müstair, Davos, Disentis, Diavolezza-Legalb, Zamnaun, Zedrun, Pontresina, Savognin, St. Moritz, Silvaplana, Scuol, Falbella, Flims, Zuoz.

Davos

Davos, first of all, is the main European health resort: here, it would seem, everything is aimed at high-quality treatment and maintaining health. And among others wellness procedures skiing takes its place of honor, because it is no coincidence that it is included in the world-famous group of specialized resorts "The Best of the Alps". Beginner skiers should head to the areas of Mardis and Derfi, the Parsenn region is suitable for intermediate skiers, and the pistes with the highest level of difficulty are located in the Jakobshorn area.

St. Moritz

A world-famous ski resort, quite expensive even for Switzerland, a symbol of luxury and an active lifestyle for a century and a half - this is all St. Moritz. The unique climate annually gathers hundreds of thousands of tourists here: in total, about 350 km are laid here. ski slopes from the most gentle for beginners to really extreme for the pros. Moreover, the sun shines here 325 days a year, which is a truly unique phenomenon, especially for a ski resort.

Canton of Uri

The canton of Uri is located in the center of Switzerland, in a wooded area in the north of the Swiss Alps. Many mountains here are covered with glaciers, which prolongs the ski season for almost all seasons. The main ski center of the region is Andermatt.

Andermatt

In fact, Andermatt is four ski areas: Gems-Stock, Winterhorn, Realp and Nechen - Gooch. A feature of the slopes of the resort is the alternation of long and relatively narrow slopes at the top with very wide lower slopes. In general, the slopes are not long (up to 4 km), with a height difference of up to 800 m, and their interesting relief brings an element of diversity.

The best ski resorts in Europe and the world

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Switzerland - this word alone is associated with reliability, respectability and light chic. Nature has generously rewarded the Swiss and provided them with great places for living - the highest mountains, clean lakes, green meadows. And we must pay tribute to the Swiss cherish and increase given by nature.

This amazing country, where people of different nationalities live calmly and kindly and officially speak four languages, is truly worth a visit. The Swiss have all the best - cheese, chocolate, and mountains. Having visited Switzerland, you will be able to see for yourself the validity of this. The ski resorts are mainly located here in the old mountain villages, which offer a traditional atmosphere.

Most Swiss ski resorts are located in the regions of Valais, Graubünden, Central Switzerland, Bernese Oberland and Eastern Switzerland. The most famous and popular ski resorts in Switzerland are Zermatt, Verbier, Saas-Fee, Gstaad, Interlaaken, St. Moritz, Laax and Davos-Klosters.

Truly the highlight of Switzerland is Zermatt. This is the most south-western of the great Swiss ski resorts, located on a high plateau at the foot of Switzerland's highest known mountain, the Matterhorn.

Like France, many of the resorts are interconnected by a system of lifts and ski buses, which greatly increases the area of ​​skiing available with a single ski pass. The most famous combined areas are the Four Valleys, Porte du Soleil (international Franco-Swiss region), Jungfrau, Davos-Klosters, Flims-Laas, Aletsch Arena, etc.

The famous Four Valleys is a ski area in the Valais region, which includes the ski resorts of Verbier, Nendaz, Veyson, La Toumaze and Thion, with a total of 410 km of marked pistes. The most famous and fashionable of them is Verbier, the main resort of the French-speaking part of Switzerland.

Porte du Soleil includes 650 km of ski slopes and 12 individual resorts in the Franco-Swiss region; the most popular Swiss resorts of them are Champery and Torgon

The Jungfrau region is a ski area in the resorts of Wengen, Grindelwald and Murren, combined in one ski pass, which also includes all local transport costs.

At some resorts in the glacial zone, you can ski throughout the year. Many resorts in Switzerland are a paradise for freeriders, and Verbier is the recognized capital of freeriding. Only in Switzerland, in addition to the main categories of tracks - green, blue, red and black, you will be offered yellow tracks - absolutely not equipped, sometimes not even marked, as a rule, consisting of hillocks and narrow shelves.

Switzerland offers a huge variety of places to stay - from luxury hotels with a full spa to traditional alpine chalets.

No matter what your budget, great cuisine is always on the menu. Don't forget to try mouth-watering fondue and raclette, these visiting cards of Switzerland will remind you of your trip for a long time.

After an active day of skiing or snowboarding, if you have the energy, you can enjoy the music and entertainment offered in the many bars, nightclubs and restaurants.

All Swiss ski resorts are within easy reach - three hours by car or by train from two international airports Geneva and Zurich.

I recently read an article about winter recreation, and interesting statistics caught my eye: a crisis is a crisis, and demand for expensive resorts fell just the least. And those who rode them did not change their addictions.

So I thought: I still had no time to write something about ski resorts in switzerland , which, fortunately, had a chance to ride. I'm sorry, I'm fixing it. Winter is coming, you can no longer be silent.

Just a warning: there will be a lot of photos. Because one photo sometimes tells better than a hundred words about a particular place. And I will only talk about those ski resorts where I myself have been.

So, if for some reason you have not yet reached the cherished Swiss resorts, but do not lose hope, read this article. In it, I will try to give a brief overview: where it is better to go skiing in Switzerland and which of the resorts you will be at ease with.

Ride with Paris Hilton and Prince William

Why tourists choose Switzerland

Switzerland… What associations do you have? Banks. Chocolate and cheese. Ski resorts.

This country seems to be specially created for those who love outdoor activities in the mountains. After all two-thirds of its territory is occupied by these very mountains. And the ski infrastructure here is one of the best in the world. Because if the Swiss take on something, they do it not just well, but in the best possible way.

That is why many world celebrities prefer Swiss ski resorts. You can be 200% sure of any type of service here.

First class hotels. The healthiest and best cooked food. Immaculately smoothed slopes. The shade of the tablecloth on your table in the restaurant will match the shade of the mountainside outside the restaurant window. A spoon for shoes in the room will certainly be made of environmentally friendly materials.

Many Russian tourists of both star status - Maxim Galkin, Victoria Bonya, etc., and ordinary citizens - modest owners of car dealerships, restaurateurs, hairdressers - also managed to fall in love with swiss mountains. So what? At such resorts it is pleasant to look at others and show yourself.

However, ordinary inhabitants of office prairies from the middle level and above, or, say, the owners of a modest online store, can also afford a fairy tale called the Swiss Alps.

Ski resorts in Switzerland: skiing like in a fairy tale

Once, about 200 years ago, all modern ski resorts in Switzerland were ordinary villages or even just sheds in the mountains, where shepherds grazing cattle in alpine meadows stayed for the night ... But when, in the middle of the 19th century, doctors said that the panacea for tuberculosis is mountain air, Swiss villages began to turn into healing resorts for the nobility. At first they came here only in the summer. And only by the end of the 19th century did the fashion for winter sports in the mountains begin to emerge.

Löchental valley

My acquaintance with ski resorts in Switzerland began back in 2002. It was the resort of Lauchernalp in the Löchental valley, where the Swiss themselves mostly skied. So the Russian word could only be heard from ourselves). The picturesque Swiss Löchental valley is tightly squeezed by steep slopes and powerful three-thousanders, like the Breithorn.

Today there is a railway tunnel. We went there by car. And right on it we drove into the railway train. When all the carriages of the train were filled with cars, the train started moving. Having passed the tunnel, we also got off the train without any problems and drove further along highway. Which led us to a small village

In the valley there is a small (by Alpine standards) skiing area with a center in the villages of Kippel and Wheeler.

But then it seemed to us just huge! Like the Alps themselves, which won my heart once and for all. It was incomprehensible to the mind - how could all this infrastructure be built on these steep slopes? Small hotels and cozy restaurants that work smoothly cable cars, well-groomed slopes - all this was so strikingly different from our Russian ski resorts ...

By the way, it was there that I first got an idea about the work of ski instructors. Our friend Nadezhda then had almost no experience of riding skiing like her five year old daughter. But her Swiss husband - Robert - skated perfectly. But it never occurred to him to teach them both himself! On the very first day of our arrival, he took a personal instructor for Nadezhda for 5 days, and sent their daughter to a children's ski school. After 5 days, both rode quite cheerfully.

Why it is better to start skiing with an instructor, I explained in the article

However, it is worth going to the Löchental valley not only for the sake of skiing. Winters here are beautiful, snowy, lingering, and the atmosphere of mountain life literally captures in the old Kippel. Narrow village streets, log chalets are comfortably buried in snowdrifts, and stone buildings darkened from time to time stand like huts on chicken legs.

The only thing missing is goblin and other fabulous evil spirits. Although if you visit Kipell in February-March, you can see not such devilry. The Chaggatta holiday walks through the streets: people in wooden masks and sheepskins try to scare the winter with all their appearance.

So, if you want to spend a week in the mountains of Switzerland and never meet our "Russo tourist", then the Löchental valley is crying for you. The only thing that can upset you there is the almost complete absence of Apres-ski here. No, there are several cozy restaurants in the resort. But no more.

villars

Another place where there are not so many of our compatriots yet is the village of Villar. Perhaps it cannot be attributed to the most luxurious resorts in Switzerland, but still it is so comfortable here that many people visit it several times. This is a traditional ski resort ideal for beginners, For holidays with children and for those who want to combine skiing and excursions.

Children are especially taken care of at this resort: there are several excellent ski schools, kindergarten Jardin des Neiges in Villars (children 3-8 years old are accepted), nursery and kindergarten Trottinette in Villars (from 3 months to 6 years) is open from 8.00 to 18.00. So crazy moms, like me, who don’t want to miss the season, but are worried that there is no one to leave the baby with, urgently pay attention to this village! By the way, there are also toboggan runs for non-skiers.

You can get to the ski area from Villars in eight-seater cabins or take a train to Bretaye, although this is a little longer. On both sides of the shallow hollow there are simple "red" and "blue" trails, many training grounds. It is generally very comfortable skiing over Villar, there are few truly extreme slopes.

One of the most interesting routes leads from Chaux Ronde to the bottom of the gorge, to La Rasse; from here, pulling up on the ski lift, you can move to the Gryon sector, on the slopes of Chaux (2020). For beginners in this area there is a long calm “blue” track, along which you can slide down to the village itself.

The town is half an hour away from the resort. Lave-les-Bains where to spend a lazy morning enjoying spa treatments. And forty minutes away - winery Bernard Cavet that delivers wine to the best restaurants Switzerland.

The resort made a very positive impression on me. And it is located very well in terms of sightseeing opportunities: a 20-minute drive from Montreux and Veviers, 40 minutes from Lausanne or Gruyères, and a little over an hour from Geneva and Bern, famous for their historical monuments.

Apres-ski here is quite decent: 45 restaurants, 4 bars. For lovers of shopping - shops, fairs and sales.

Nenda-Verbier

The next skiing region will surely appeal to those who are used to getting maximum pleasure for their money. It's called 4 Valleys and includes such resorts as Verbier (VERBIER), Nendaz (NENDAZ), Veyzon (VEYZONNAS) and Thion (THYON). Buy a ski pass and ride in any of the 4 valleys. The main thing is not to get confused in the grid of 100 lifts and 420 kilometers of slopes.

In order for us to have time to explore this region with the greatest efficiency, our group was given a guide - an agile Swiss instructor girl. Following her non-stop, we rushed along the tracks of varying difficulty for more than five hours. And by the end of the skiing, even the most persistent of us gave way to the legs from fatigue. But I really liked the region. Although its picturesque landscapes (and by the way - where are they different in Switzerland?) We managed to look at it only when we got up on the cable car ...

The first two resorts are most popular with our skiers - Nenda and Verbier . They come here to make new skiing trips through the passes, peaks and glaciers of the Four Valleys.

Verbier These are great opportunities for snowboarding. Here you will find several snowboard parks: 1 fun park, 2 halfpipes. There are trails for cross-country skiing of varying difficulty, both short and easy for beginners, and difficult for professionals.

Apres-ski: Verbier boasts a vibrant nightlife with over 100 bars, nightclubs and discos. The resort has a sports center with swimming pool, sauna, Turkish bath, fitness and jacuzzi. indoor ice rink. Also in Verbier is Cultural Center Museum of the Alps with exhibits telling about the history of the region, and a church with a unique organ.

Optimal accommodation in Verbier:

• Hotel Bristol Verbier
• Hotel Montpelier
• Chalet Luxe Terrier
• Apartment Le Mandarin 2*
• Apartment La Toura 2*
• Apartment Stemm-2 3*
• Residence Emeraude 3*

Nenda has 10 tennis courts and a fitness center. Excursions in the mountains with professional guides, descents from the glacier are organized. Many hiking trails (with a total length of 70 km) are laid both in the resort itself and not far from it. There is an artificial ice rink where curling matches and discos are often held. In general, you will definitely not be bored here. Too bad we only had one day to explore this ski area…

Accommodation in Nende:

• Chalet Le Ruisseau
• Chalet Tsamandon 7
• Chalet Les Etoiles
• Chalet Chocolat - Nendaz 4 Vallées

As you can see, the main types of accommodation in this resort are chalets and suites. If you have never had a rest in this option, choosing hotels with meals, try it, because chalets and apartments in Switzerland, like everything else, are of a very good level.

But in general, 4 valleys is the optimal combination of price-quality parameters.

Zermatt

Any skier has ever heard of Zermatt. This resort is considered to be one of the most prestigious ski resorts in the world. His majestic symbol Matterhorn peak , which has the shape of a regular pyramid, on which the glacier is located.

It is thanks to this glacier that skiing in Zermatt can be done all year round. The resort is located at an altitude of 1620 m above sea level in the upper reaches of the Visp valley. It is surrounded by 36 peaks of the Main Alpine Range with a height of more than 4000 meters.

About the resort itself, one can speak only in superlatives. The most fashionable. the most prestigious. The most environmentally friendly. Car traffic is completely prohibited here, and you can only move on electric mini-cars and horse-drawn carriages.

With our large group, we walked to our hotel, leaving our suitcases at the railway station, from where they were picked up by hotel employees (apparently, in an electric car). And even this first walk around the resort put everything in its place. It's great here, friends! This was the general summary of our expert group.

ABOUT

Zermatt is in the top 10 for the quality of pistes. the best resorts peace. Here is the highest lift station - Klein Matterhorn - 3885 m. The mountains in the Zermatt region are quite steep, but there are also suitable slopes for beginners.

The whole territory is divided into 3 different districts: Sunnega, Gornergrat and Klein Matterhorn.

Well, a bonus to this magnificence is the opportunity to make a ski-safari for the pass - to Italy, on the slopes of the popular ski resort of Cervinia . In fact, only topographers and border guards know exactly where exactly the conditional line separating the two countries passes. On skis it can be crossed without any formalities.

What we did on one of the days when it was very frosty in Zermatt in the morning. It will be warmer in Cervinia, our Swiss guides told us. And we went to the "pasta", to test their tracks. Our path lay past the majestic pyramid of the Matterhorn.

We also visited the glacier. More precisely - in the glacier. After all, inside it is a museum of ice figures.

Hotels in Zermatt There are different, the most popular of them: ALEX 4* Super , GRAND HOTEL ZERMATTERHOF 5* Deluxe, MONT CERVIN PALACE 5*.

In addition to these hotels, Zermatt is full of many hotels and apartments: find accommodation in Zermatt.

However, one cannot count on cheap accommodation in Zermatt.

A characteristic feature of Zermatt is the preservation of old buildings, protected as museum exhibits.

Evening Zermatt will please both gourmets and music lovers. Grampi's - the main street of the resort - the concentration of the most popular pubs and bars. These are Gitan, Hexenbar, Elsie's; closer to the river are the trendy Papperla Pub, Ascot, Ex-Bar, Le Mazot.

And I will always remember mine trip to the SPA-center of our hotel which was a culture shock for me. All 5* hotels and most 4* hotels in Zermatt have their own wellness centers. So I decided one day to pamper my tired body from conquering the slopes and go warm up and swim in the pool ...

A polite girl at the counter of the SPA center specified which branch I intended to go to. And there were two of them: one is purely for women, but there are only a couple of saunas in it, the other is common for both men and women, and there are about 15 bathrooms and all sorts of salt rooms and something else, judging by her description - a lot of things. And the second cost twice as much as the first. That is, you generally advise me to visit, I asked her. Yes, mademoiselle, she replies, you are not an "Arabian wife." While I was going down the elevator to the minus first floor, to the general department, I was still trying to understand what she meant ...

But when I got out of the elevator, and two completely naked men were parading towards me, it began to dawn on me ... While I was making my way to my locker past other naked people, I had to painfully decide whether to leave right away or try these wonderful saunas after all. . There must be women in them, even purely theoretically, since this is a general separation. Yes, I got a couple of women, and I persuaded myself to stay. Well, in general, I’ll tell you this: the SPA center is gorgeous, of course, there are no words. Yes, and I don’t seem to be a hypocrite. But I still felt uncomfortable. The rule is that you can not go to these saunas and steam rooms in swimsuits. So, decide for yourself whether you are weak or not weak.

And I also remember shopping in Zermatt . Clothes there, of course, are not cheap. And the choice is not particularly great - either skiing and sports, or purely traditional Swiss. But watch shops are just a dime a dozen! You won't leave Zermatt without a watch! I left with two. And I wear them, satisfied and happy, to this day.

So Zermatt is a resort that suits everyone. Perhaps the only limitation is the size of the wallet. Here you will find guaranteed snow, the best hotels, quality slopes and off-piste skiing, entertainment for non-skiers and programs for families with children, excellent restaurants and excellent shopping.

Now let's move on to the next resort.

Crans Montana

And the last on the list, but not the most important Swiss ski resort, where I had a chance to ride, is Crans-Montana. Thinking about this resort, the first word that comes to my mind is BEAUTIFUL! As I said, there are no ugly resorts in Switzerland (I didn’t come across, at least). But Crans-Montana somehow overshadowed them with its postcard views and inexplicable attraction ...

By Swiss standards, Crans-Montana is a fairly young resort, just over 100 years old. Today there are more than 50 hotels and hundreds of large chalets with apartments.

• Residences Kandahar
• Apartments Nationale
• Le Mayen de Colombire
• Hôtel de la Forêt
• Hotel Splendid
• Sport Palace
• Hotel La Prairie

7,000 people permanently live in Crans-Montana, but at the peak of the season, the population rises to 40,000! This perfect place for lovers of leisurely walks along the picturesque shores of frozen lakes (there are seven of them on the plateau), a fabulous winter forest, snow-covered golf courses. And also from Cran to Montana or from Montana to Cran (between them a quarter of an hour walk) - shopping and boutiques, which abound in both parts of the resort. Huge shopping opportunities: fashionable clothes and shoes of the world's leading brands, watches, cosmetics, sports equipment.

The total length of the slopes over Crans-Montana is 140 km. Red slopes of medium difficulty prevail, although some of them are quite steep, requiring certain skills. A distinctive feature of the region is a comfortable combination of wide open slopes at the top and a large number duplicating each other, picturesque, winding forest paths in the lower part. Almost all slopes are oriented to the south and are well lit throughout the day. This is also their main drawback: the sun mercilessly scans them with its direct rays, and already in March in many areas in the mornings ice mixed with stones, and in the afternoon - "porridge".

We were lucky: the weather that January was sunny, but quite frosty. Therefore, the slopes were in perfect condition. We just rode until we dropped...

A few years ago, a large snow park of 25,000 sq. meters. Now, throughout the season, it constantly hosts various fashionable hangouts, which may soon change our idea of ​​Crans Montana as a resort for serious middle-aged people.

There are no problems with apres-ski in Crans-Montana either. Bars and pubs are everywhere. Aprés-ski is perhaps even more valued here than the skis themselves. Crans-Montana is the perfect place to sunbathe on hotel loungers, enjoy spa treatments, dine at restaurants (there are over eighty!) and shop for the latest gear (and more): the resort claims to be the best shopping destination in Alps.

Only now, after such a crazy ride, I didn’t have any more strength left for all this. Only cuddling with the polar bears at the entrance of the hotel, who seemed to quite share my passion for snow adventures…

Ski insurance

Tour operators usually include medical insurance in their package tours to Swiss ski resorts. But if you organize your vacation on your own, or like to ride in powder, off-piste, all the risks of traveling are your responsibility. Therefore, I recommend to think about buying ski insurance .

You can see how much it will cost and apply for it here: ski insurance. To do this, follow the link, enter your data (country of trip, your age), select the item "Alpine skiing and snowboarding" in the tab "Other types of recreation and sports" - and the system will calculate the cost of your policy. You can also add insurance for cases such as trip cancellation, luggage loss and so on.

Conclusions: the pros and cons of Swiss ski resorts

So, today I tried to persuade you not to deny yourself the pleasure of riding at least once on ideal tracks in the fabulously beautiful country of Switzerland. After all, it's not that expensive. Okay, it's expensive. But trust me - it's worth it! You will enjoy every moment spent there and every euro spent, sorry, Swiss franc (yes, they still have their own currency, and no euros).

So, the advantages of skiing in Switzerland include:

• Very beautiful resorts and mountains
• Long tradition of hospitality, high level hotels, chalets, restaurants, trail preparation.
• Possibility to combine ski holidays with excursions and/or treatment.
• Guaranteed snow cover at high and glacial resorts.

Swiss mountain resorts, equipped with high-tech funiculars, electric cars and other devices, retain the sweet charm and comfort of antiquity. In short, Switzerland is a fairy tale, guys!

There are not so many minuses in this "fairy tale" - but they are:

• Expensive prices for everything: for ski passes (especially for large ski areas), in hotels, restaurants and shops.
• There are very few Russian-speaking staff and instructors in Switzerland.

The choice, as always, is yours. If you have any questions for me about Switzerland - ask in the comments.

See you on the blog!

On the map of Switzerland, ski resorts are presented in all regions. The mountainous landscape of the country contributes to their active development. Athletes from all over the world come here, because the Swiss Alps deservedly received the status of a country of skiing. Ski resorts in Switzerland are, first of all, impeccable service, comfort for vacationers, of course, prices for services are appropriate. Beginners and experienced athletes note that the Swiss resorts demonstrate the standard of trail preparation.

The best ski resorts in the Swiss Alps

Regardless of which part of Switzerland you go to, you will find modern lifts with excellent capacity, which is why even in the peak season there are rarely queues. Skiing is comfortable from November to April, but there are resorts that accept guests even in summer, for example, Zermatt, Staas-Fee.

Zermatt

This mountain resort near the Matterhorn has become a symbol of Switzerland, included in the list of Best of the Alps. Want to explore one of the most recognizable peaks in the world? Choose the ski resort of Zermatt.

Good to know! The territory of the resort is a pedestrian zone, entry by cars is prohibited. Tourists travel in electric vehicles or horse-drawn carriages.

Vacationers are welcomed by the hotel, which has been operating for more than 130 years. One of the reasons for the popularity of Zermatt is picturesque landscapes, beautiful mountain landscapes. The peculiarity of the resort is that it is protected from the winds, and the snow stays all year round.

The Zermatt-Matterhorn region of Switzerland comprises three villages:

• Zermatt;
• Randa;

Interesting fact! Nearby is the Italian resort of Cervinia. In Zermatt, there is a ski pass that gives you the right to ski there.

The mountain resort is built at an altitude of 1620 m, the highest point is at an altitude of 3900 m. The length of the slopes is 360 km. If you are planning a trip to Zermatt, be prepared that the slopes here are high and quite steep, so courage and some preparation will be required.

Descent selection:

• for professionals - black routes (50) - in Triftya, Schwarzsee and below Stockhorn;
• for athletes with an average level of training - red routes (150) - Gornergrat, Hohtali, Sunegga, Klein Matterhorn;
• for less experienced skiers - blue routes (110) - Sunegga, Riffelberg, Trockener Steg.

The resort has 35 ski lifts. The infrastructure is well developed. On the territory of Zermatt there are more than a hundred restaurants, bars, discos, a sports complex, and you can also take a helicopter flight or ride a sleigh. There are many shops, but the price here is very high. Exhibitions and festivals are regularly held.

Prices for ski passes in Zermatt (season 2018/2019):

• adult one-day ski pass - from 75 CHF;
• for children under 9 years old ski pass is free;
• children's one-day ski pass (from 9 to 16 years old) - 50% discount;
• 1-day ski pass for teenagers (from 16 to 20 years old) – 15% discount.

It is important to know! Every Saturday, children under 16 years of age have a free ski pass.

Official websites of the mountain resort:

• zermatt.ch;
• ski-zermatt.

For more information about the resort - services, prices, housing reservations, infrastructure - read and.

St. Moritz

The list of ski resorts in Switzerland undoubtedly adorns St. Moritz, which began to receive guests in 1864, today it has become a special holiday destination. A distinctive feature is a large selection of five-star hotels, so connoisseurs of comfort come here, as well as demanding tourists who like to attend social events, shopping and luxurious restaurants.

Interesting fact! St. Moritz has hosted the Olympic Games twice and important sporting events are held regularly.

Hotel Piz St. Moritz

Are you attracted to social life, and do you like to be in the thick of things? Book a room at the St. Moritz hotel, but, of course, the price of accommodation will be appropriate. They say this about St. Moritz - here the air is like dry champagne.

St. Moritz welcomes guests at an altitude of 1850 m, next to the beautiful mountain lake Lei da Sant Murezzan, the Rosach Peak is 3 km away. highest point– 3303 m. This is the most sunny resort skiing in Switzerland. The bright sun floods the slopes throughout the year.

Ski routes:

• 18 blue slopes - total length of 70 km;
• 61 red runs – total length 245 km;
• 9 black routes - total length 35 km.

Good to know! St. Moritz is not the best place to learn to ski, as the slopes are quite difficult and require some technical training.

St. Moritz regularly hosts exotic, unusual events, such as ice horse racing, ice golf, polo, car parades, cricket.

Ski resort prices in Switzerland:

• one-day ski pass for an adult - 73 CHF;
• one-day ski pass for a child - 24 CHF.

Official site: stmoritz.ch.

Information about prices, infrastructure and accommodation booking.

Grindelwald

It is listed among the most picturesque ski resorts in Switzerland, as well as throughout Europe. Located near the village of Interlaken, the "roof of Europe", and also where the highest Railway in the world.

Interesting fact! Grindelwald is included in the list of Best of the Alps and, of course, is considered the most fashionable in Europe.

There are not many decent, luxurious hotels on the territory of the resort, so it is better to book a chalet or apartment. As for the difficulty of the slopes, this is a great choice for beginners, but if you want more thrills, you can quickly get to the Wengen ski resort.

Grindelwald welcomes guests all year round, the highest point is 2950 m. Grindelwald is part of the Jungfrau region and has been hosting guests since 1947. 213 km of ski routes of all difficulty levels are equipped here:

• black slopes - 28;
• red routes - 120;
• blue slopes - 65.

A snowpark has been built, where snowboarders come with pleasure. In the evening, tourists relax in restaurants and bars.

The most difficult slope is Lauberhohn-Renstrecke, the longest one is from Lauberhorn to Grindelwald. The most popular route is to climb to the top of Kleine Scheidegg, descend to Wengen, ascend to Menlisen, and then descend again to Grindelwald.

In addition to skiing in Grindelwald, they go mountain climbing, conquer mountain peaks, paragliding, skating, sledding, and curling. The resort is equipped with a modern sports complex.

Subscription price for one day:

• for adults - 56 CHF;
• for children - 27 CHF.

Official site: grindelwald.net.

Ski pass prices: at www.jungfrau.ch.

Find out the RATES or book any accommodation using this form

Crans Montana

The French-speaking mountain resort of Switzerland, which is famous for its year-round recreation area, skiing. Almost 365 days here it is sunny, clean air, healthy climate. The resort area is located at an altitude of 1.5 km. From two small villages, the resort has become an international sports arena, where skiing competitions are regularly held.

Crans-Montana is a combination of a modern city, a measured rural idyll, leisurely relaxation, active winter sports, the resort infrastructure meets the needs of the most demanding tourist. In addition to skiing, tourists can enjoy a fitness center with squash halls and swimming pools, tennis courts, horseback riding, hot air ballooning, walking trails. Show programs, auctions are regularly held, about 80 restaurants operate.

If you don't know where to learn skiing in Switzerland, Crans-Montana is the best solution. There are slopes of all difficulty levels, there are not so many professional ones, but you can find steep, bumpy slopes. A popular track - Piste Nationale - for athletes of an average level of training. The resort has a specific ski area, located high in the mountains.

Interesting fact! Most of the slopes are located in the southern part of the mountain slopes.

Most of the routes of the ski resort are adapted for intermediate-level athletes, there are trails for beginners. The length of the slopes is 140 km. There are 24 lifts in operation.

Skiing price:

• an adult one-day ski pass will cost 52 CHF;
• children's one-day ski pass - 27 CHF.

Official Internet resource: crans-montana.ch.

More detailed information about the resort, prices and services is presented.

Leukerbad

Leukerbad is a ski resort in Switzerland with thermal springs. This is one of the most popular thalassotherapy centers in Europe. Tourists are attracted by picturesque landscapes and the opportunity to improve their health. Families with children come here. The complex with thermal springs consists of swimming pools, a spa center, saunas, you can visit hydromassage, Roman-Irish baths.

Leukerbad - the best choice for beginners who master the technique of skiing. There are many snowboard schools on the territory of the resort, they invite those who wish to learn how to ski. There is a sports school for children - students hone their skills in a separate ski area. There are three green slopes for beginners. The length of the trails is 60 km. There are 17 lifts.

Good to know! Most of the slopes are located in the northern part of the resort.

A kindergarten has been built, children are accepted from the age of seven. Competitions of various levels and entertainment programs are regularly held in Leukerbad. There are excellent conditions for a good rest. In addition to skiing, tourists play tennis, golf, do aerobics, and can take a paragliding flight. This is the best place for families with children among the ski resorts in Switzerland.

Day pass price:

• for adults from 30 CHF;
• for children from 18 CHF.

Official site: leukerbad.ch.

Detailed information about the resort, prices and services.

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Engelberg

Translated from German, the name of the resort means "Mountain of Angels", this is the oldest place in Switzerland where you can go skiing. Engelberg is located in the central part of the country, the distance to Lucerne is only 35 km. The resort will satisfy the needs of all vacationers - beginners, experienced skiers and snowboarders.

The highest point of the resort is 3333 m. To fully appreciate the surrounding beauty, be sure to visit Mount Titlis, which offers picturesque views. In terms of skiing, Engelberg offers 82 km of slopes ranging from 1 km to 3028 m.

Interesting fact! Here is the longest ski route in the Swiss region - the Jochstok-Samnieplatz track, 12 km long, with a height difference of approximately 1.5 km.

More than fifty restaurants, bars, discos, a cinema, camping, and a fascinating park are at the service of vacationers.

There are two ski areas for tourists:

• Bruni - located in the northern part, suitable for families;
• Gershnalp and Trubsee - is a step-plateau.
• children's ski pass - 26 CHF;
• teenage ski pass (16-19 years old) - 45 CHF.

Official site resort region: www.titlis.ch.

More information about leisure and accommodation in Engelberg is collected at.

You can safely apply the epithet "the most" to the ski resorts in the Swiss Alps. The most popular Mountain peak, the highest railway, the largest ice grotto, the most luxurious hotels and the highest prices. Nevertheless, if you correctly approach the choice of housing, the rest will turn out to be budgetary and bright. Ski resorts in Switzerland are famous all over the world and if you don't know how to ski yet, it's time to conquer new heights.

All prices on the page are for the 2018/2019 season.

Video: holidays in Zermatt, prices, routes and useful tips.

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