It would be pretty tricky to not have a luxurious ski holiday in Switzerland. The small Alpine nation packs some of the world’s best ski areas, the most beautiful mountains, luxurious accommodation options and exquisite gastronomy into 41,285 square kilometres. To guide the most discerning travellers, this blog explores the most luxury ski resorts in Switzerland.
Verbier
A glamorous, lively town which retains a traditional and rustic ambience. The justifiably world-renowned skiing in Verbier, with over 80 lifts and 400 kilometres of runs stretching up to 3,330 metres, is simply superb. Combine that with short transfers from Geneva, two Michelin guide and one Michelin-starred restaurants and a bubbling après scene, you quickly land on one of the most luxurious ski resorts in Switzerland.
Despite the vast quantity of pisted ski runs, the skiing in Verbier comes into its own away from the pistes in its outstanding off-piste side- and backcountry terrain. This is epitomised by the annual Xtreme Verbier, the grande finale of the Freeride World Tour where the Freeride World Tour champions are crowned after skiing the legendary Bec des Rosses.
Stay At:
Stay at The Lodge, Sir Richard Branson’s personal stunning nine-bedroom chalet.
Zermatt
Ski in the shadow of the Matterhorn, one of the most iconic and beautiful mountains in the world. The car-free, chocolate-box town stretches back to the Middle Ages, although with modern infrastructure yet rustic charm and a relaxed atmosphere. In terms of skiing, Zermatt boasts some 360 kilometres of quality skiing across three varied ski areas, up to 3,820m guaranteeing almost year-round snow.
On top of a fashionable retail offering, Zermatt hosts a remarkable 11 Michelin starred/guide restaurants and countless boutique accommodation options, combined with a bustling après ski offering too.
Gstaad
Located at the crossroads between German and French-speaking Switzerland, Gstaad combines the best cultural elements of both regions and is quickly building a reputation as an exclusive ski holiday destination. A celebrity hotspot which retains that classic Swiss chocolate box appeal, Gstaad is home to a wide variety of glamorous shops and exclusive art galleries.
Gastronomically, Gstaad ticks all the required boxes for a luxury ski resort in Switzerland with six Michelin-starred/guide restaurants and a wide selection of atmospheric après ski bars and nightlife.
In terms of skiing, Gstaad is also superb with access to 200km of runs serviced by 40 lifts.
Stay At:
The Alpina Hotel boasts two Michelin-starred restaurants, private art decorations, a huge range of stunning room options and a 007-esque underground entrance.
Andermatt
With a long history as a wellness hub, Andermatt also offers brilliant skiing, making this an ideal year-round luxurious holiday destination. A rustic village set in the canton of Uri, Andermatt offers access to 120 kilometres of piste across two ski areas, Sedrun and Gemsstock. Like Verbier, the skiing in Andermatt is best away from the pistes, with high-quality backcountry freeride terrain on Gemsstock and one of the most reliable snow records in Europe.
Almost 2 billion CHF has been invested in Andermatt. This means the picturesque town boasts modern facilities, exclusive shops, delightful bars and four Michelin-starred/guide restaurants.
Stay At:
Fusing Alpine design and Asian expression, the captivating Chedi Andermatt is considered the best five-star hotel in Switzerland and won the GaultMillau Hotel of the Year award in 2017.
Arosa
Arosa is a very traditional ski resort perfect for groups that include some non-skiers. Often dubbed the quaint and unassuming counterpart to St. Moritz, Arosa certainly still delivers on the luxury front. It has numerous opulent hotels and three Michelin-starred/guide restaurants, supplemented by shops from many well-known exclusive brands.
There are plenty of picturesque walking trails and an outdoor ice rink which are brilliant fun. Another plus is that it is snow sure, with a high elevation. It also has 225 kilometres of ski runs, serviced by 43 lifts.
Stay At:
Consider Tschuggen Grand Hotel, a member of “Swiss Deluxe Hotels” and “Leading Hotels of the World”, for a relaxing stay in a wonderful alpine setting.
Davos
The jewel of the canton of Graubünden and well-linked to neighbouring Klosters, Davos is ideal for a luxury ski break. The ski resorts caters to global elites at the World Economic Forum. The top-class facilities in Davos are supplemented by vast shopping possibilities. There is five Michelin-starred/guide restaurants that spread across Davos Dorf and Davos Platz. On top of that, there is also plenty of après ski opportunities.
There is over 250 kilometres of pistes services by 54 lifts. The skiing in Davos is ideal for skiers of all abilities. In addition, there is plenty of scope for backcountry freeride skiing too.
Stay At:
Built to host World Economic Forum delegates, the striking AlpenGold Hotel Davos offers lavish rooms with private balconies and floor-to-ceiling glass windows to make the most of stunning Alpine views.
Crans Montana
With a prime south-facing location on the north side of the Rhone Valley, Crans Montana is ideally situated for breath-taking views over the Valais 4000m peaks and to catch incredible amounts of sun. It is sunny in Crans Montana for a staggering 300 days per year. With prime conditions to attract snow, the 140km of pistes are ideal for cruisy turns.
There are numerous luxury hotels, five Michelin-starred/guide restaurants and a wide selection of après ski options cater to all tastes. In addition, there is over 120 shops and boutiques, including some exclusive luxury outlets. This is the perfect place for some retail therapy.
Stay At:
The spectacularly located LeCrans Hotel & Spa exudes peaceful and refined energy, and houses an exclusive luxury spa complex, as well as a the Michelin-starred Le Mont Blanc restaurant.
Engelberg
A hidden gem just 1hr 30mins from Zürich. Engelberg, which translates to “Mountain of the Angels” is extremely historic, founded by Benedictine monks in 1122. It has a long history of mountain tourism too, offering heavenly skiing in a beautiful setting. With 89 kilometres of quiet pistes serviced by 26 lifts, there is plenty of skiing to go at. The backcountry skiing in Engelberg is also superb.
There are plenty of shops and quality restaurants. All this in an extremely picturesque setting. Engelberg is the ideal place to escape the crowds for a luxury ski break.
Stay At:
The décor in the delightful Hotel Kempinski Palace carefully blends historic detail and modern design, with a large 880sqm spa and farm-to-table restaurant on site.
St. Moritz
Nestled quietly in the heart of the Engadin, St. Moritz’s reputation as one of the most exclusive holiday destinations in the world is anything but quiet. The double winter Olympics host town boasts the Bobsled world-championship Olympia run (reach speeds of up to 135kmph). Also the Cresta Run (the birthplace of the modern skeleton). In addition, it has an outdoor Olympic standard ice rink and cricket, polo and horseracing on its frozen lake.
Choose between countless luxury accommodation options and dine in any of the remarkable fifteen Michelin-starred/guide restaurants. The town centre shopping area is a ‘Who’s Who” of luxury brands. There is also a wide selection of chic bars and nightlife throughout the town. A perfect place to let your hair down after a day skiing the outstanding 326km available in St. Moritz.
Stay At:
The first hotel built in St. Moritz and Leading Hotels of the World member, Hotel Kulm offers discerning travellers historic, tasteful accommodation with breath-taking alpine views.
Villars
Just 1hr 20mins from Geneva, Villars is the perfect resort for a quick ski hit. Equally, with an impressive 174 kilometres of piste, Villars is ideal for longer breaks too. It has a understated rustic charm and delightful forest surroundings. In addition, there’s straightforward connections to the neighbouring resorts of Verbier, Les Diablerets and Gryon. There’s also classy dining options make Villars one of the classic luxury ski resorts in Switzerland.
Stay At:
The ski-in/ski-out Hotel Chalet RoyAlp is the perfect place to relax in luxury after a day skiing with comfortable rooms, an award-winning spa and exquisite gastronomy in three on-site restaurants.
To find out more about luxury ski resorts in Switzerland, please call our ski experts on 020 7471 7700.
