Silvretta Arena

Samnaun/Ischgl, Grisons, Eastern Alps

Total kilometers of slopes: 239 kilometer
Lifts: 45 chairlifts and gondolas
Ski pass price: from approx. CHF 67/adult per day
Ski season: End of November until beginning of May

Samnaun is the only place in Switzerland where duty-free shopping is possible. © Philipp Grassi

The Silvretta Arena is the place to be for all those who like to venture out on their skis in winter: a total of 45 gondolas, chairlifts and T-bar lifts transport snow enthusiasts up to 2,870 meters in altitude. Once on top of the mountain, one can choose from a proud number of 238 kilometers of slopes: In the breathtaking panorama of the Alps, one carves down slopes of every degree of difficulty; especially advanced skiers are at the right address here. Along the way, there are numerous mountain restaurants and ski huts to recharge or celebrate a successful day out in the snow.

Incidentally, the longest route in the Silvretta Arena is Eleven: as the name suggests, it counts eleven kilometers and leads down to Ischgl over around 1,400 meters in altitude. Also not to be missed is the Schmugglerrunde Gold, which leads over 6,463 meters of altitude difference through both countries. After the snow fun, Samnaun awaits with shopping in a class of its own: The mountain village is the only place in all of Switzerland where duty-free shopping is possible.

Where to stay

Chasa Montana Hotel & Spa
Dorfstrasse 30, 7563 Samnaun, Grisons, Switzerland
Tel.: +41 81 861 9000
Web: hotelchasamontana.ch
Price: Doubles from CHF 400

St. Moritz - Corviglia

Grisons, Eastern Switzerland

Total kilometers of slopes: 350 kilometer
Number of slopes: 87 slopes
Lifts: 23 chairlifts and gondolas
Ski pass price: from approx. CHF 77/adult per day
Ski season: Beginning of December until beginning of April

Around St. Moritz, almost ninety slopes are waiting to be "experienced". © Renato Muolo

Hardly any other winter destination stands for cosmopolitan glam and snow idyll as much as sophisticated St. Moritz: The town in the Engadine with its Leaning Tower, the Kulm Country Club Pavilion and the Via Serlas, the highest luxury shopping mile in the world, is located in the extensive ski region of St. Moritz - Corviglia. This invites snowboarders and skiers of all levels up to 3,000 meters on the imposing Piz Nair. The slopes, with its ski areas spanning around 350 kilometers, come with great variety and in excellent condition.

Not only the alpine ski world cups are therefore regularly held in the region - in 1928 and 1948 even the Olympic Games were held here. Snow highlights - in addition to the legendary après-ski parties and the great gourmet restaurants in St. Moritz - include the "Crowland" snow park, the toboggan runs and cross-country ski trails or the regular "Yoga on Snow". 

Where to stay: 

Badrutt's Palace Hotel
Via Serlas 27, CH-7500 St. Moritz
Tel.: +41 81 837 1000
Web: badruttspalace.com
Price: Doubles from CHF 750

Zermatt-Matterhorn

Zermatt/Breuil-Cervinia/Valtournenche, Valais, Lake Geneva

Total kilometers of slopes: 322 kilometer
Number of slopes: 148 slopes
Lifts: 51 chairlifts and gondolas
Ski pass price: from approx. CHF 97/adult per day
Ski season: Beginning of November until beginning of May

The Gornergratbahn at 3,100 meters above sea level in Zermatt is the second highest mountain railroad in Europe. © Kevin Schmid

It's not just the sight of the iconic Matterhorn that makes the trip to Switzerland worthwhile: with 322 kilometers of slopes at almost 4,000 meters above sea level - or, more precisely, between 1,562 to 3,899 meters above sea level - the Matterhorn Ski Paradise is the highest ski resort in the Alps. The region includes car-free Zermatt on the Swiss side and extends into Italy. Skiers embark on their journeys on an extensive network of diverse slopes and trails. Thanks to the Theodul Glacier, you can even take advantage of the slopes here in summer.

Those who crave a bit of variety head to Zermatt to do laps on covered ice skating rinks. Luxury boutiques and memorable restaurants await in the alpine village's Bahnhofstrasse. Speaking of culinary delights and the mountain, the new restaurant at the world's highest mountain station, Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, is a delight to taste buds and eyes alike. Travelers should also pay a visit to the iconic Gornergrat with its viewing platform at 3,089 meters above sea level - it can be reached by the sustainable Gornergrat Bahn.

Design Hotel Matterhorn Focus
Schluhmattstrasse 131, 3920 Zermatt, Valais, Switzerland
Tel.: +41 27 966 24 24
Web: matterhorn-focus.ch
Price: Doubles from CHF 210

Arosa Lenzerheide

Grisons, Eastern Switzerland

Total kilometers of slopes: 225 kilometers
Number of slopes: 117 slopes
Lifts: 43 chairlifts and gondolas
Ski pass price: from approx. CHF 24/adult per day
Ski season: Beginning of December until mid-April

Outstanding mountain panorama, great slopes and a wide range of leisure activities: Arosa Lenzerheide is rightly considered one of the best ski regions in Switzerland. © Khyta

The snow-assured ski region of Arosa Lenzerheide - two ski areas that once stood on their own and were merged in 2013 - is one of the largest ski areas in Switzerland and the largest contiguous ski region in Graubünden. With an extensive 225 kilometers of slopes, all skill levels and preferences are covered by a variety of slopes. In addition, there are exciting events such as full moon and night skiing or freestyle workshops, a snow park and dedicated slopes just for sledding and tobogganing fans. On the way down to the valley, there are around fifty mountain restaurants and rustic huts that invite you to stop for a bite to eat.

And then it's off to Arosa or Lenzerheide: after a long day in the snow, for example, the Lenzerheide Sports Center with its heated outdoor bubble pool and the spa with sauna area provide well-deserved relaxation. Of course, gourmets will also find what they are looking for in the ski region: for example at the La Riva or the Scalottas Terroir.

Where to stay:

Hotel Schweizerhof
Via principala 39, 7078 Lenzerheide, Grisons, Switzerland
Tel.: +41 81 385 25 25
Web: schweizerhof-lenzerheide.ch
Price: Doubles from CHF 305

Aletsch Arena

Riederalp/Bettmeralp/Fiesch/Eggishorn, Valais, Lake Geneva

Total kilometers of slopes: 104 kilometer
Number of slopes: 97 slopes
Lifts: 35 chairlifts and gondolas
Ski pass price: from approx. CHF 50/adult per day
Ski season: Beginning of December until end of April

In addition to numerous top-prepared slopes for skiers and snowboarders, the Aletsch Arena impresses with excursions into the tongue of the Aletsch Glacier. © Howling Red

Those who venture to the Aletsch Glacier in winter will be rewarded with breathtaking views and fun on the slopes at 1,845 to 2,869 meters above sea level. In addition to the usual fun on the slopes on 104 kilometers of trails, winter travelers can also look forward to special events: for example, a gondola ride up the Bettmerhorn with fondue, numerous concerts or the Big Airbag Show at the beginning of January.

The viewpoints at Hohfluh, Moosfluh, Betmmerhorn and Eggishorn are also worth a longer detour: from here, you have a view of the 20-kilometer-long, ten-billion-ton glacier tongue and the forty four-thousand-meter peaks in the region. If you are brave, you can venture into the depths of the ancient ice on a guided tour of the glacier. In the mountain huts and restaurants between Riederalp, Bettmeralp and Fiesch-Eggishorn, on the other hand, you can get to know the region from its culinary side. Perfect for an evening of Valais specialties is, among others, the Restaurant Edelweiss on Riederalp.

Where to stay:

The Onya Resort & Spa
Ritistrasse 141, 3997 Bellwald, Switzerland
Tel.: +41 27 971 21 41
Web: old-street.ch
Price: Doubles from CHF 270