The most beautiful mountain resorts in the Swiss Alps to spend the winter holidays
Imperious landscapes, picturesque villages, ski slopes for all levels... From the Valais to the Graubünden canton, Switzerland is a true winter sports paradise. Here's an overview of the ski resorts in the Swiss Alps where you can speed down a few slopes this winter!
The luxurious: Gstaad, in the Vaud Alps
Famous for its super-luxurious chalets and five-star hotels, Gstaad is a special place in Switzerland: relatively free of crowds, the combined 200 km of slopes in this resort - one of the most exclusive on the planet – come with art galleries, luxury boutiques and high-end restaurants, for an exceptional experience to those who can afford it. As for the skiing side of things, the exquisitely groomed, tree-lined slopes are mostly blue and red, making it ideal for intermediate skiers.
The family resort: Crans-Montana, north of the Rhone Valley
Two hours from Geneva, Crans Montana is one of the largest Swiss ski resorts and one of the best suited to families: the “Family Destination” area has 140 km of runs, most of which face south, and are suitable for beginners to intermediate skiers. At an altitude of 1,500 m on a wooded plateau, the resort hosts several ski schools, almost 90 restaurants and a bevy of activities for young and old alike, some of which are quite original (climbing gym, skatepark, curling, Saint-Bernard dog rides). The ideal resort for a family weekend in the snow.
The postcard-worthy: Zermatt, at the foot of the famous Matterhorn
One of the most beautiful ski areas in Switzerland: at an altitude of 1,600 m, close to Italy, Zermatt - a car-free resort - offers 360 km of marked-out runs in a breathtaking environment, winding little streets with an old-fashioned charm and, far from the traffic and free of crowds, an ever-calm atmosphere. Do try out the cogwheel train from the village to the Gornergrat peak (3,000 m), which offers a unique view of the Matterhorn massif.
The spectacular: Saas-Fee in the heart of the Mischabel range
Surrounded by 18 peaks over 4,000 m high, Saas-Fee is one of the most remarkable resortsin Switzerland. This grandiose setting is home to the world's only “alpine metro”, a 1.4 km long funicular railway dug into the mountain, as well as Europe's highest revolving restaurant, Allalin, which rotates at an altitude of 3,500 m and hosts an impressive ice pavilion in winter. As a bonus, part of the 150 km of its domain is open all year round, even in July!
The socialite: Saint-Moritz, in the Engadine valley
A prized destination for the international who’s-who, St. Moritz, along with Gstaad, is the most chic resort in the Swiss Confederation: the five-star hotels, plush boutiques, six Michelin-starred restaurants and famous yacht club make it one of the country's most glamorous places. This is an accessible and enjoyable resort for everyone, thanks to the three museums (Engadiner, Berry and Segantini), the endless impeccable trails for snowshoeing and Nordic skiing and, most importantly, the Glacier Express, the train that connects the resorts of Zermatt and Saint-Moritz.
The colossal: Verbier 4 Vallées, in the Valais Alps
This resort is truly impressive, both in size (400 km of slopes for skiers of all levels), and in reputation. Topping the annual ranking of the world's best skiing destinations since 2018, Verbier is a little slice of paradise for winter sports enthusiasts. Full of charm, the village is lined with traditional chalets and quality restaurants, with a wide selection of accommodations, and the largest and most varied alpine domain in Switzerland... It's a perfect score for the Val de Bagnes resort, which offers, as a bonus, an incredible view of the Matterhorn and Mont-Blanc.
- https://www.msn.com/en-xl/news/other/the-most-beautiful-mountain-resorts-in-the-swiss-alps-to-spend-the-winter-holidays/ar-AA1uyUmU?ocid=00000000
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