The 16 best ski destinations in Switzerland

When it comes to embarking upon a ski trip to Switzerland, the biggest hurdle is ploughing through the multitude of high quality ski resorts Switzerland has to offer. Situated in the heart of Europe, Switzerland has managed to preserve its unique culture, resulting in endless activities families can enjoy off the snow. On the slopes however is where this winter wonderland comes alive, providing some of the best experiences for families to enjoy.

Switzerland has some of the most epic snowy mountains in Europe. If the kids tire of skiing and boarding, there are glacial caves, horse-drawn carriages, snowtubing, dog-sledding and tobogganing to try.

1. Zermatt

If your kids love Toblerone (let’s face it, who doesn’t?) then a visit to Zermatt is a must.

Zermatt is the highest ski resort in Europe, reaching an altitude of 3,883 metres. This postcard-perfect resort sits at the foot of the Matterhorn, that 4,478-metre pyramid peak immortalised on the packaging of the chocolate bars.

It has 360 kilometres of pistes – some even edging into Italy. Zermatt caters for every skill level and offers a comprehensive ski school. Children under nine ski for free and a Swiss Family Card is available for easy travel.

First-timers can head to an area with gentle runs, a magic carpet and instructors, while more experienced kids head to the snowpark; although there is a beginner line here as well.

On our first night, 20 metres of powder blankets town. The magical white-out it creates has families clambering for their ski gear as soon as the lifts open. Truth be told, there’s no rush – this is the only place in Switzerland where you can ski 365 days a year. It’s the highest altitude and largest winter resort in the Alps.

Things to do in Zermatt when the skis come off

Enjoy the postcard-pretty village of Zermatt, with its charming, vehicle-free streets. Go husky sledding at 3,000 metres. 

At a breathtaking 3,883 metres, Matterhorn also has a Glacier Palace which is located 15 metres beneath the surface of a glacier. It is replete with ice sculptures of huskies and crystals. It takes a cable car then a cogwheel railway to get there. The view from the top shows 29 peaks in Italy, France and Switzerland that are all higher than 4,000 metres.

Check out Zoom the Matterhorn, a VR experience that allows you to soar over the mountains you just witnessed from afar.

The best way to get down? On a toboggan ride from Rotenboden (2,815 metres) to Riffelberg (2,582 metres) that sees people of all ages laughing and squealing in equal measure.

2. Jungfrau

Jungfrau has several amazing places to ride and slide, such as Grindelwald-Wengen, Grindelwald-First, Mürren-Schilthorn or Meiringen-Hasliberg.

The epic terrain spans two valleys, three mountain ranges and 211 kilometres of perfectly prepared pistes. Come here on a Saturday and up to three children (six to 15 years) receive a complimentary day ticket.

In the shadow of Jungfraujoch the new Grindelwald Station is like an airport for skiers. It has places to rent and store gear, restaurants and live entertainment. This is where you jump into the also new Eiger Express tricable gondola. The gondola zips you to the Eiger Glacier station in a thrilling 15 minutes; from here you catch the cogwheel to the top of the mountain.

The Jungfrau also has an Ice Palace to visit. It is perhaps the prettiest in Switzerland with sculptures of eagles, penguins and seals. From Eiger Glacier station there are plenty of gentle runs for little ski legs. Then slip off your ski boots and try tubing and ziplining in the Snow Fun Park.

3. Wengen

Nestled in the Jungfrau region in central Switzerland, Wengen ensures fun for every family all year round. Ski and snowboard lessons are available for all levels of experience, both privately and in groups, giving families the opportunity to learn together at the Swiss Ski and Snowboard School Wengen.

4. St Moritz

St Moritz consists of four incredible skiing and boarding areas: Corviglia, Corvatsch, Diavolezza and Zuoz. While the resort boasts beautiful ski slopes, there are other ways to see the scenery, whether it’s via horse-drawn carriage, sledding, ice skating or cross-country skiing. There really is something for everyone.

5. Pontresina

Pontresina’s glam neighbour of St Moritz might get all the attention, but locals love the quiet life and epic snow in this pretty hamlet.

Beginners are as much at home on the multi-faceted pistes of the small ski resort of Languard as experienced skiers. And families enjoy a particularly good deal here, as children up to the age of 15 ski free of charge.

Pontresina is part of the much larger Engadin region, with four main peaks and 350 kilometres of pistes, some 200 kilometres of cross-country ski trails and 150 kilometres of winter hiking trails. Like at many Swiss resorts, you can toboggan and snow-shoe. You can also jump onto a horse-drawn carriage and ride into the Val Roseg valley with views of the gem-like Roseg Glacier. While in Pontresina, check in to the Grand Hotel Kronenhof, which comes with a colourful dining room just for kids, not to mention an ice-skating rink and bowling alley.

6. Gstaad

The family focused and luxurious Gstaad resort boasts that it is one of the safest ski and snowboard resorts in Switzerland, making it the dream skiing destination for families from around the world. Beginners can choose from a range of learners’ parks as well as specialised family mountains, but if its adrenaline you’re after rest assured that Gstaad also offers a ski cross course riddled with jumps and banked curves to satisfy your need for adventure.

7. Mount Titlis

Mount Titlis, or Engelberg-Titlis is a lesser-known Swiss resort that provides some of the most spectacular skiing in Switzerland. Located just one hour from Zurich Airport, Mt. Titlis is the biggest ski area in Central Switzerland. A holiday here involves dramatic slopes and a quaint traditional village.

The resort has magnificent skiing options, from the sunny Brunni area to the smaller Bannalp and Mt Titlis. All areas can be accessed by the Titlis Rotair – the world’s first revolving aerial cableway. At the top, you can ski or snowboard on the glacier or take the 12-kilometre run back to Engelberg.

A must do at Mount Titlis is sitting in the sun at the restaurant halfway up the mountain. Order wine and pizza while the kids scream down slopes on skis. Other young adventure-seekers can fly overhead on a zipline that offers a bird’s-eye view of the Alps. Or try tubing.

This Swiss alpine region is like winter on steroids. It not only has slopes stretching to dizzying 2,000 plus metre heights but also offers snow-sure conditions for a ridiculously long season which lasts from October through May. The snow is blissfully plentiful and powdery, offering runs that extend as far as you can see. Little ones starting out can develop their skills at ski schools and on gentle slopes, while those aged 12 and above can ditch their skis and zip around on electric snowmobiles.

There are also snow-shoe and crosscountry trails – some even lead to a cheese factory at the base of the mountain. What a way to end the day.

You could easily spend a day just riding all the different types of scenic onmountain transportation: chairlifts, gondolas and the world’s first revolving cable car among them. There are plenty of reasons for families to linger at the summit of Mount Titlis, not in the least an oh-so-cool glacial cave, carved 20 metres below 5,000-year-old ice. Test your mettle walking across the vertiginous suspension bridge – on a clear day, you can see all the way to the Black Forest.

In the pretty pedestrian town centre, our favourite local pastry shop displays oversized meringues right at kids’ eye level. You can also visit the Benedictine Monastery where monks still live, work and make cheese.

8. Grindelwald

Not only do the slopes of Grindelwald provide superb skiing, but the view of surrounding mountains Eiger, Mönch and Joungfrau make the experience even more spectacular. With ski schools available to get you up and running on your skis, Grindelwald is destined make this a long lasting memory for your family.

The mountain village is achingly beautiful thanks to its location at the base of the north face of Eiger Mountain.

The slopes of Grindelwald provide superb skiing and have English speaking ski instructors available for group or private lessons to get you up and running on your skis.

9. Davos Klosters

As the sun-soaked family mountain of Davos-Klosters, Madrisa is a must for little ones. Madrisa-Land is a huge adventure park boasting tubing, a giant slalom and children’s lifts. A ski kindergarten, ski school and nursery are also offered.

10. Saas-fee

Families at Saas-Fee have their every need catered for. The day care provides fun for the kids and peace of mind for the adults, while the kids enjoy a range of off the snow fun including dance parties and craft activities. Sledging and snowboarding also provide opportunities for thrill seeking children and adults alike. 

11. Les Crosets

Located just off the French border, the small size of this resort makes it the perfect setting for a family ski holiday. Centred in the Portes du Soleil, Les Crosets acts as the ideal launch pad for exploring the surrounding areas in both France and Switzerland.

12. Verbier

Covering 410 kilometres and offering 93 lifts, Verbier is just one resort of the six that make up Les 4 Vallées. Verbier, perhaps the best known, offers ski school for young adventurers, and kids under eight ski for free. There is also a snow park, snow gardens for toddlers, snow carousel, baby ski lifts and sledding on the lower nursery slopes for kids over seven.

13. Arosa

This first-timer-friendly resort dedicates 49 per cent of its runs to beginners. Little adventurers can enjoy the toboggan run and ‘Bärenhöhle’ indoor playground. Arosa has plenty of options for family-friendly restaurants and child care.

14. Mürren-Schilthorn Ski Resort

Mürren-Schilthorn is part of the Jungfrau Ski Region. Mürren village sits at the base of the Schilthorn peak, which has some Hollywood history. You’ll find the spectacular Piz Gloria revolving restaurant perched on top of the Schilthorn, with wraparound views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, as well as an array of peaks in the Bernese and Valais Alps and the blue waters of Lake Thun.

Piz Gloria featured in the James Bond movie On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, starring our own George Lazenby as Bond. There is a Bond World 007 exhibit on site, and you can order a martini à la James Bond: shaken, not stirred. To add a bit more Bond to your Swiss experience, try the Bob Run, a toboggan run that runs from Allmendhubelbahn down to Mürren – but perhaps not after a martini!

15. Adelboden Lenk

Adelboden and Lenk are picturesque ski towns in the heart of the Bernese Alps. Here you’ll have a charming swiss ski holiday with the kids.

Families can explore 210 kilometres of terrain across seven diverse resorts from December to Early May. There are excellent beginners trails as well as plenty of terrain for intermediate and advanced skiers.

There’s also snow hiking trails, cross country skiing and tobogganing.

16. Flims and Laax

Laax is a leading freestyle resort for freeskiers and snowboarders in the Alps with the largest halfpipe in the world. It is considered one of the best ski resorts in the world.

LAAX is huge with over 235 kilometres of pistes and receives 720 centimetres of snow each year.

Laax ski resort is accessible from the villages of Laax, Flims & Falera. In Flims, kids can go on an expedition with Ami Sabi, a magical friend of the animals and the forest, to learn all about the beauty of nature.

This article appeared in Ski & Snowboard with Kids magazine. To subscribe to the latest issue, click here.