Ski resorts in Switzerland: Best areas and resorts for Brits

Switzerland is known for skiing as much as for chocolate and fondue, and it’s easy to see why. Over half the country is covered by the towering Swiss Alps, including the iconic Matterhorn. Switzerland might not be the cheapest place to ski, but its jaw-dropping scenery and superb snow coverage are hard to beat.

This guide takes you through some of the best Swiss ski resorts from luxury escapes to budget-friendly spots and family favourites. You’ll also find practical tips on travel, packing, après-ski, slope safety and spending money in Swiss francs.

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Why choose a Swiss ski resort?

Switzerland is world-famous for skiing. The Swiss Alps take up around 60% of the country’s area, and more than 100 of its mountains are over 4,000 metres. Visitors flock here for the reliable snow, picturesque villages, hearty food and lively après-ski scene. There’s even year-round skiing on a few glaciers!

Different types of ski resorts in Switzerland

Switzerland is known for world-class resorts like Verbier and Zermatt, which attract millions of visitors each year including celebrities and snowsports pros. But you’ll also find dozens of small and mid-sized resorts that punch well above their weight, many of which are even suitable for beginners or families.

Luxury ski resorts in the Swiss Alps

• St Moritz – St. Moritz is one of the world’s most exclusive ski destinations, offering 326 km of pistes, luxury hotels, 15 Michelin-starred restaurants and a chic nightlife. The frozen lake hosts sports like polo, cricket and even horse racing, giving the resort a unique, high-end charm.
• Verbier – Just a short transfer from Geneva, Verbier blends glamour with traditional Swiss charm. Visitors can enjoy 400 km of varied slopes and a vibrant après-ski scene. Freeriders are drawn by the excellent off-piste terrain and the annual Freeride World Tour finale.
• Zermatt – Sitting under the iconic Matterhorn, Zermatt is a car-free town with 360 km of slopes across three ski areas. It combines modern lifts with rustic charm, boutique hotels, and lively après-ski. Glacier skiing allows for an extended season, and you can ski into Italy if you like.
• Gstaad – Gstaad offers traditional Swiss village charm with a touch of luxury. Its 200 km of mostly blue runs are ideal for beginners and relaxed skiers. The resort features boutique shops, art galleries and fine dining, all in a scenic setting between the French and German-speaking regions.
• Davos – Davos Klosters has 250 km of pistes across five ski areas and world-class off-piste terrain. Global elites come to Davos each year for the annual World Economic Forum. Klosters provides a quieter, traditional Alpine atmosphere and is a favourite of the British royal family.¹

Affordable skiing in Switzerland: Budget-friendly resort options

• Interlaken – Interlaken offers a budget-friendly base for the Jungfrau region. You’ll have access to 160 km of pistes — including iconic runs like the Lauberhorn, a 5km World Cup course. There are also plenty of winter walks, tobogganing and ziplining. The Interlaken youth hostel has dorm beds starting at around £44 per person per night.²
• Portes du Soleil – While not the cheapest option, Portes du Soleil is excellent value. This cross-border ski area has an impressive 600 km of runs with 208 lifts. There are various pass options, ranging from full access to town combos and individual resort passes (Torgon tends to be the cheapest). Snowfall is reliable and runs can reach 11 km in length.³
• Airolo – If you’re looking for a bargain, look no further. Airolo is a small, snow-sure resort with 30 km of slopes, a snowpark and a “Big Air Bag” for practising freestyle jumps. It’s home to many events and competitions, like the European Freestyle Cup. And when it’s time for some peace and quiet, extensive snowshoe routes offer a way to chill out and enjoy the scenery.⁴

Top Swiss ski resorts for families

• Crans-Montana – Crans-Montana is hugely popular with British families thanks to its childcare facilities, kids’ clubs and enormous fun park. Families can enjoy 140 km of runs, 20 slope-side restaurants, and events like the fairy-themed Bella Lui winter festival.⁵
• Aletsch Arena – Just a short train ride from Brig, Aletsch Arena is snow-sure, family-oriented and often uncrowded. The runs are ideal for beginners and intermediates, and the resort is easy to get to via train and cable car.⁶
• Wengen – A car-free resort at the foot of the Jungfrau, Wengen has 110 km of slopes that are ideal for beginners and intermediates. When the family isn’t skiing, there’s plenty of entertainment — from tobogganing and ice skating to a cinema that often shows films in English.⁷
• Engelberg – Once a quiet monastery village, Engelberg is now a cosy ski resort with 51 km of pistes and a dedicated children’s area. Families can also enjoy snowshoeing, snowmobiling, sledding and a visit to the igloo village.⁷

Best areas for beginners and intermediates in Switzerland

• Saas-Fee – Saas-Fee is known for its excellent ski schools and scenic beauty. What’s more, thanks to its elevation and glacial area, Saas-Fee enjoys great snow for almost 10 months a year! Beginners can cruise around on 20 km of easy blue runs, while intermediates can challenge themselves with 60km of red trails.⁸
• Wengen – Quick to reach from Bern airport, around 30% of the slopes in Wengen are suitable for beginners. On top of that, you’ll have access to miles of easy and intermediate runs in the larger Grindelwald area. The Männlichen Children’s Paradise is ideal for kids who’re learning their first turns. Accessible only by cog-wheel railway, Wengen has the feel of a rustic alpine village.⁸

Best areas for advanced and off-piste skiers in Switzerland

• Glacier 3000 – Glacier 3000 offers an extended ski season, challenging off-piste terrain, and the Black Wall — one of the steepest groomed slopes in the world at 46°. Snow-sure and open up to seven months a year, the resort links to nearby villages like Gstaad and Les Diablerets.⁹
• Gemsstock – Located in the Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis (ASD) area, Gemsstock is known for deep powder and long off-piste descents. The resort’s infrastructure has been modernised in recent years, and Epic Pass holders now have unlimited access to the entire ASD area.¹⁰

Planning your perfect ski trip in Switzerland

Best time of year to visit a ski resort in Switzerland

The main ski season in Switzerland runs from November to April. Engelberg and Glacier 3000 operate for seven or eight months, while Zermatt and Saas-Fee are open all year. January, February, and early March generally have the best snow.

Early and late seasons can be quieter and cheaper if you avoid school holidays and major snowsports competitions.

How to get to your Swiss ski resort from the UK

By plane

Access is easy via the major international airports, Geneva (GVA) & Zurich (ZRH). The smaller airport of Basel (BSL) is also an option if you’re travelling from the UK to Switzerland. Switzerland’s excellent railway system provides quick and reliable transfers from the airport to most ski resorts.¹¹

By train

Train travel is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and protect the winters we all enjoy.¹² London to Zürich takes an average of 10.5 hours on services like the Eurostar, TGV and ICE — though it can be as fast as 7.5 hours. The railway system in Switzerland is known for being safe, reliable and very well-connected. Plus, you’ll enjoy some jaw-dropping scenery from your window.¹³

By bus

Switzerland’s bus routes link smoothly with its railway system, offering a cheap and efficient way to get around. PostBus offers long coach journeys around the entire country, while shorter journeys are available with local bus companies. Coaches to ski resorts tend to have underfloor luggage storage, but even local buses have space for bulky luggage.¹¹

By car

Snow tyres aren’t mandatory in Switzerland, but they’re strongly recommended if you’re driving in the mountains.

Snow chains are required in certain areas. Some routes become inaccessible in winter, meaning you’ll need to load your car onto a train for parts of the journey, including:

• Andermatt to Sedrun over the Oberalp Pass
• Kandersteg to Goppenstein
• Davos Klosters to Scuol via the Vereina Tunnel

Switzerland doesn’t have road tolls, but you’ll need a vignette to use the motorways - it costs around CHF 40 (just over £37). Some international border tunnels charge tolls, such as the Grand St Bernard Pass between Switzerland and the Aosta Valley in Italy.

Car hire is available at all major airports and cities. Airports are the most convenient pick-up points, but Brig and Chur are good alternatives if you want to rent closer to the mountains.

Cars can book up quickly around Christmas, New Year and February. When renting, always check the terms carefully as a few Swiss rental companies charge very high security deposits.¹¹

Catered chalets vs hotels vs apartments

Catered chalets are an all-inclusive option where your meals are cooked and the housework’s done for you. Transfers are sometimes included too, and you’ll have plenty of space for socialising, resting and storing your ski equipment.

Chalets are often located close to the slopes, with some offering ski-in/ski-out access.

Hotels range from simple hostels to luxury five-star stays. Apart from breakfast your meals usually aren’t included but this often suits people who want more flexibility over their schedule.

Self-catered apartments give you the most independence and can be the most cost-effective, especially for families and groups. You’ll usually need to handle the shopping, cooking and cleaning yourself.

Apartments are widely available in Swiss resorts, from basic studios to high-end accommodations.

Essential packing list for a ski holiday in Switzerland

• Equipment (unless you’re renting) – skis or snowboard, poles, boots and a helmet.
• Resort wear – ski jacket, salopettes, thermal layers, ski socks, goggles, gloves and buff/balaclava.
• Slope-side essentials – sunglasses, suncream and sensible winter shoes.
• Important documents – your passport, driving licence, travel insurance details and GHIC/EHIC card to access healthcare in Switzerland.
• Travel money – Convert pounds to Swiss francs at fair exchange rates and low transparent fees with the Wise account. Enjoy lightning-quick transfers and manage money in up to 40+ currencies.

Snow sports travel insurance

Standard travel insurance usually won’t cover a skiing or snowboarding holiday. Look for winter sports insurance that covers related injuries, mountain rescue and your equipment. Some policies also cover piste closures, lost ski passes and unused rentals or lessons due to illness or injury.

Slope safety and mountain etiquette in Switzerland

Swiss resorts follow 10 rules of good conduct on the slopes:¹⁴

1. Don’t endanger others
2. Stay in control
3. Skiers ahead of you have priority
4. Leave space when you overtake
5. Check uphill and downhill when starting off
6. Stop where you can be seen
7. Keep to the side of the piste when walking
8. Obey all signs and markings
9. Help out if you see an accident
10. Identify yourself if you witnessed an accident

Activities beyond skiing at Swiss ski resorts

There are plenty of non-skiing activities to enjoy when you’ve left the slopes. Many Swiss ski resorts offer:

• Snowshoeing
• Tobogganing
• Ice skating
• Snowmobiling
• High rope parks
• Winter hiking
• Igloo villages
• Paragliding
• Alpine spas
• Children’s clubs
• Winter festivals

Après-ski in Switzerland: What to expect

Verbier is known as the après-ski capital, with lively bars and DJ sets that carry on well into the night. Zermatt mixes things up with everything from cosy mountain huts to elegant champagne lounges.

St. Moritz leans towards luxury and refinement, while Davos has a younger, more energetic feel. Gstaad is sophisticated and romantic, whereas Engelberg keeps things relaxed and fun.¹⁵

Dining in Swiss ski resorts

Warm, hearty Swiss food hits the spot when you’ve been skiing hard all day. Popular dishes include:¹⁶

• Cheese fondue – bread cubes dipped in melted cheese in a caquelon
• Raclette – melted cheese with potatoes, pickles and onions
• Älplermagronen – potato and macaroni gratin with stewed apple
• Rösti – fried grated potato cake
• *Birchermüesli *– oats with lemon juice, condensed milk, apples, nuts
• Swiss chocolate – world-famous milk and praline chocolates
• Swiss cheese – hundreds of varieties including Emmentaler, Gruyère, Appenzeller and Vacherin

Tipping in Switzerland is not expected, though there’s no harm in giving a little extra for excellent service.

Paying in Swiss ski resorts

Switzerland’s currency is the Swiss franc (CHF). When it comes to payment methods in Switzerland, credit cards and debit cards are accepted almost everywhere.¹⁷ Although a little cash may come in handy for market stalls and other small sellers.

Save on currency conversion and transaction fees with the Wise card. It’s a simple and secure way to spend up to 40+ currencies online, in-store and abroad.

Plus, you pay only a super-low fee* on withdrawals after the first £200. Wise will not charge you for these withdrawals, but some additional charges may occur from independent ATM networks.

Average cost of a ski resort holiday in Switzerland

A recent study by Swiss Info looked at the cost of three types of Swiss skiing trips for a group budget holiday, a family-of-four getaway, and a couple’s 4-star stay.

Below are the average costs for a one-week skiing holiday in Swiss francs (CHF), from the most expensive resorts to the cheapest.¹⁸

	Most expensive	Cheapest
Budget group (sharing a small apartment)	St. Moritz – CHF 2,096 Jungfrau – CHF 1,976 Zermatt – CHF 1,965	Airolo – CHF 1,835 Engelberg-Titlis – CHF 1,143 Adelboden-Lenk – CHF 1,240
Family holiday (mid-range apartment)	Zermatt – CHF 7,697 St. Moritz – CHF 6,707 Verbier – CHF 6,648	Airolo CHF 3,364 Engelberg-Titlis – CHF 4,206 Adelboden-Lenk CHF 4,310
Couple (in a 4-star hotel)	Zermatt – CHF 8,019 Verbier – CHF 7,889 Gstaad – CHF 6,267	Airolo – CHF 2,382 Adelboden-Lenk – CHF 4,141 Andermatt-Sedrun – CHF 4,419

Check out our handy currency converter below when converting CHF to GBP:

Save money on the slopes with Wise

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Sources used in this article:

1. Ski Solutions - luxury ski resorts in Switzerland
2. The Guardian - Interlaken ski resort
3. Powder Hounds - Portes du Soleil ski resort
4. Snow Online - Airolo ski resort
5. Snow Magazine - Crans-Montana ski resort
6. Powder Hounds - Aletsch Arena ski resort
7. Alpen Wild - Wengen and Engelberg ski resorts
8. Snow Magazine - best areas for beginners and intermediates in Switzerland
9. Powder Hounds - areas for advanced skiers
10. Powder Hounds - areas for off-piste skiers
11. Powder Hounds - travelling to Switzerland via plane from UK
12. Protect Our Winters UK - train travel as most carbon neutral option
13. Trainline - trains from the UK to Switzerland
14. Verbier 4 Vallees - good conduct to follow on Swiss slopes
15. Alpin Hub - après-ski in Switzerland
16. My Switzerland - typical Swiss food
17. My Switzerland - payment methods in Switzerland
18. Swiss Info - cost of a ski resort holiday in Switzerland study

Last checked on: 7 December 2025