Find out where insiders go for best skiing in Switzerland
Switzerland’s idyllic location in the heart of the Alps makes it a mecca for winter sports. Nowhere else in Europe are the winter sport resorts so close to heaven than in Switzerland and nowhere else are the ski runs so seemingly endless. In this Alpine country you will find not only world-class conditions for skiing and snowboarding but also cozy mountain villages, fantastic panoramic views and hospitable people. According to the advertising slogan of the Swiss National Tourist Office, the Swiss “do everything for your perfect ski vacation.” So it is not surprising that five Swiss hotels were selected for the Top 10 list of the best hotels in Northern Europe by Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers Choice Awards 2010. Switzerland is simply an top-notch destination for every winter sport fan. Here we present the highlights.
Zurich
Zurich is the international metropolis but not the capital of the attractive Alpine country, and it is the city with the largest Swiss airport, which is highly esteemed internationally because of its transparency, good connections to the city center, and its great efficiency. Zurich is also ideal as a starting point for your ski vacation. However, you should definitely take time for a short trip to the many upscale shopping areas of the city. Here you will find every international luxury brand name as well as traditional shops that offer something for every taste and budget. From Zurich you can travel by Swiss Rail to picturesque Swiss mountain villages such as Zermatt and Sas Fee or just as conveniently to larger towns in Switzerland such as Interlaken or Bern, where you can relax while admiring the breathtaking views of the diverse and pristine scenery of this small but fine Alpine nation.
Our tip: New Year’s Eve in Zurich. Every year more than 200,000 partygoers greet the new year with a sensational firework show. Innumerable events, jamborees and parties set in a historical ambience draw visitors to the city for an unforgettable experience.
Berner Oberland Ski Region – Eiger Jungfrau
No matter whether you want to hit the slopes in the world-class winter sport paradise of Interlaken against the impressive backdrop of the Eiger North Face or prefer to hunt celebrities in exclusive Gstaad, in Berner Oberland your every move will be in view of a breathtaking high mountain backdrop – in direct proximity to the ice-crowned, 13,000-feet peaks of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. The high-society village of Gstaad is certainly the most famous resort town in this ski region, which, with its approximately 155 miles of ski slopes at 9850 feet above sea level, offers the perfect conditions for winter sport fans – naturally with a whiff of glamour.
Our tip: You won’t find a more authentic experience than in Restaurant Aebi in Adelboden. Awaiting you in Aebi is a centuries-old wooden house, fresh regionally-grown ingredients, and a warm-hearted atmosphere.
Graubünden Ski Region
Naming the ski resorts in Graubünden is like reciting the Who’s Who of the world’s most famous winter sport resorts: Moritz, Davos, Klosters, Arosa. These tradition-steeped resort towns and first-class winter sport paradises offer everything that makes a skier’s heart pound. Among them St. Moritz is regarded as the birthplace of alpine winter tourism in 1864 and is legendary for its dry, invigorating climate that is often called a “champagne climate.”
Our tip: Bolgen Plaza in Davos has the best aprés ski party floor. Dancing with a wild party crowd until the wee hours of the morning is guaranteed to leave you with memories of unforgettable nights. The Berghaus Diavolezza in Pontresina has Europe’s highest whirlpool at 9770 feet and offers a breathless view of the Bernina mountain range.
Wallis and Western Switzerland Ski Region
Wallis is home to the highest mountains in Switzerland, as well as impressive glaciers and laid-back chalet villages such as the glacier village Saas-Fee and Crans Montana. Here is where the world-famous Matterhorn towers 14,691 feet above sea level. Awaiting skiers in quiet Zermatt is approximately 200 miles of ski slopes with a variety of levels of difficulty. You can ski from the highest point, the Klein Matterhorn, down to the valley – an unbelievable 7415 feet difference in altitude.
Our Tip: Chalet de Prafandaz in Leysin serves the best fondue in Switzerland. Their menu offers you a choice of twenty different fondues.
How to get there:
Special Winter Season Deals on SWISS International Air Lines
Round trip LAX – Zurich: CHF 949
Round trip New York – Zurich: CHF 649
Round trip San Fransisco – Zurich: CHF 999
SWISS is a member of the Star Alliance and the miles can be used on United Airlines, US Airways and Lufthansa flights.