Zermatt

Zermatt + Cervinia

Zermatt is by far the most iconic village in the Alps, rightly known for its even more iconic feature - the Matterhorn. The town is surrounded by three ski areas, each a massive resort in its own right, with a total of over 220 miles of piste terrain. From mellow powder fields on glaciers at the foot of the Matterhorn, to the most challenging skiing off 4000-meter peaks, there are endless opportunities for every level of skier. The area is close enough to Italy that a highlight is to follow your guide across the border for lunch, then an afternoon of glorious powder back to Switzerland in time for a sauna and a well-deserved dinner. Itineraries can include overnight hut experiences in Italy, as well as a shopping day trip to Milan. There is nothing this pretty town doesn’t have in the way of charm, culinary experience and fun. Sooner or later, everyone needs to ski Zermatt.

Highlights: Skiing in front of the Matterhorn. Taking the cog rail train to Gornergrat then ski back for breakfast before anyone else is on the slopes. Micheline star lunch in Italy. Visit the inside of a glacier. Ride a horse-drawn carriage from the train station to your hotel.

Verbier

It's no secret that Verbier gets more snow then most places in the western part of the Rhone valley. And all that snow is yours to be had with 88 lifts and over 250 miles of groomed trails. The off piste skiing is truly outstanding but the area is so big and spread out that one would be foolish to attempt it without a guide. It's basically the only way to experience everything this immense playground has to offer. The town itself is always hopping, filled with fanatic skiers who seem equally obsesesd with partying.

Highlights: Good runs with minimal to little effort. Playful terrain and great views of the Mt. Blanc massif.

Andermatt/Engelberg

Copyright Switzerland Department of Tourism

Combining these two areas on a weeklong trip is every good skier's dream. The sleepy little Swiss village of Andermatt has probably the best combination of free riding, prodigious snowfall and lack of crowds in the Alps. With a guide here you will ski powder every day of the season. The terrain is fantastic from the top of the tram that sits on the summit of Gemsstock. Engelberg is a hopping apres ski party town with 6000 feet of vertical drop. The town sits in a box canyon surrounded by vertical limestone cliffs. There are plenty of charismatic little inns and hotels in Andermatt, including one over-the-top 5-star hotel. The restaurants are incredibly charming and the whole experience feels like a journey back in time.

Highlights: Phenomenal skiing for the advanced skier who is up for adventure. Two ski areas that see more snow then anywhere else in the Alps. Not too crowded or well-known outside the circle of knowledgeable European skiers.

Arosa/Lenzerheide

This pretty little region is ideal for beginner and intermediate skiers, or those looking for a quintessential Alpine family vacation. With a guide, more advanced skiers will find plenty of challenges off the trails and into the ungroomed powder. Stay on the sunny side of Arosa or in the exclusive Walser Hamlet Guardaval in Lenzerheide, featuring a one-star Michelin restaurant. This gem has been remodeled with luxury suites in old barn houses. The region is super easy to get to, and offers authentic Swiss charm. Nightlife is on the quiet side but there are several excellent restaurants serving local specialties such as Pizokel, Bundnerfleish, Gerstensuppe, and Capuns.
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Highlights: Quick and easy access from Zurich. Hidden Swiss gem. Great food and lodging. Easy to visit other areas.

Davos/Klosters

This area was a mecca for skiers long before it became the venue for leaders ad academics attending the annual World Economic Forum. A two stage funicular built at the turn of the 19th century gave skiers 6000 vertical feet over rolling slopes down to Kublis. Here skiers could return via cog rail train back up to Davos. Today there are 7 ski areas to choose from, with 200 miles of well-groomed pistes and a broad variety of terrain for all abilities. A favorite outing is the “Schnitzel Runde”, starting with a long powder run into Austria followed by wienerschnitzel for lunch before the return back to Switzerland. This is one of the most reliable regions in the Alps for snow. The season starts in November and ends in late April, with extended ski touring well into May.

Highlights: Huge ski area. No crowds. Great scenery. Mostly mellow skiing.

Engadine valley, St. Moritz, Pontresina

St.Moritz is the birthplace of winter tourism. With so many activities to distract skiers from the slopes - shopping, curling, watching polo matches as you sip champagne brought to you by an ice-skating waiter - there are endless runs with nobody on them. The high-altitude means plenty of snow early and a long season of tremendous guided powder skiing, including detours into Italy and back. One can access 6 different areas on the same ticket which allows for new ski experiences daily. The accommodations are world-class in these preserved Swiss villages, as is the dining and nightlife. Whatever you imagine skiing in the Alps can be, it's a reality in this winter paradise.

Highlights: No crowds. Great food, culture, and architecture. Extra curricular activities. Ski to Italy.

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