Winter resorts

The insiders' choice: Although Aletsch has been included on UNESCO World Heritage list since 2001, it remains an insiders' secret among winter resorts.

From the heart: Around Visp the views are glorious: from panoramas taking in Switzerland's highest mountains to dramatic glimpses into deep, unspoilt valleys.

Triple winter fun: From Brig it is easy to reach the famous big ski resorts of the Valais. But the true gems lie much closer. Directly above this alpine town lie three wonderfully intimate resorts offering a variety of pleasures on the pistes: Blatten/Belalp, Rosswald and Rothwald.

Contrasting: The sun loves the Val d’Anniviers: you can tell from the healthy faces of the locals.

The full programme: Idyllic mountain village or alpine metropolis? The twin communities of Crans and Montana embody both, and combine the conveniences of a modern holiday resort with abundant nature and a five-star panorama taking in the finest 4,000 m peaks: the Matterhorn, Mont-Blanc, Weisshorn and Dent-Blanche.

Cross-country heaven: The Goms is a paradise for crosscountry skiers.

Family happiness: When the kids have a good time, so do the parents – and the Valais village of Grächen does all it can to make this happen.

Wellness unlimited: Around four million litres of thermal spring water gush out of the rock every day at Leukerbad – more than anywhere else in Europe.

Highlight: With the Valais stretching out to one side and the Bernese Oberland on the other, you could call Lötschberg the pinnacle of the winter sports world.

Accorded UNESCO World Heritage status, fast and convenient to reach. The original Lötschental has much to offer in the way of tourism attractions apart from upheld traditions such as the Tschäggättä. To cite an example, a new ski lift now leads up onto the glacier on the Lauchneralp at an altitude of 3,111 metres, opening up a near-perfectand sunny skiing region. An excursion to the neighbouring Jeizinen ob Gampel is also well worthwhile.