Winter sport destinations: Regions

Nestled between the mighty Säntis massif and the seven Churfirsten peaks, the resorts of Alt St. Johann, Unterwasser and Wildhaus are among the highest-lying municipalities in Toggenburg. Eastern Switzerland's largest winter sports area is just one hour from the airport and Zurich.

Mighty mountains and glaciers, crystal-clear lakes, rushing waterfalls and pristine valleys – the Bernese Oberland is the very epitome of Switzerland. Experience unforgettable excursions to Interlaken, Thun, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, the Aare Gorge or the Jungfraujoch.

A slightly undulating plateau at an altitude of 1,000 meters above sea level, defined by large pastures, spruce and fir forests as well as characteristic whitewashed individual farms that have their barns and living quarters under the same roof: these are the Jurassic Freiberg Mountains.

The Biosfera Val Müstair nature reserve is a little world of its own on the other side of the Ofen Pass. With its lush green meadows and well-kept villages, it provides a contrast to the untamed nature of the nearby National Park.

Tschappina is the highest-lying community on the Heinzenberg. The area occupied by the Walser community stretches from the Glaspass (Glass Pass) to the Safien Valley and to the immediate vicinity of Safien Platz.

Whether you're on a day trip or a few days' holiday, you certainly won't be bored in the Emmental region. Hiking, snow shoe walking, Nordic walks, panning for gold, golf, cycling, riding, pottery - something to satisfy virtually every desire.

Amden and Weesen, where the mountain meets the lake to create an idyllic holiday resort. Here it's a matter of arriving and taking a deep breath.

The Val de Tavers is characterised by the watch industry and extends from Lake Neuenburg across the Jura all the way to the French border. Asphalt mines and the rock circus of the Creux du Van are features of the Val de Tavers as are a sparkling wine production and steam trains. However, the valley's secret star is the «Grüne Fee» (green fairy).

The three mountain villages of Brigels, Waltensburg and Andiast form a compact and family-friendly holiday region in the Surselva’s Anterior Rhine Valley (Vorderrhein) area.

The hilly landscape of the Appenzellerland stretches from Lake Constance up to the Säntis. You can explore its pretty hamlets and villages along the countless footpaths and experience its traditions and customs right in front of you.

Flumserberg lies high above the southern shore of the Walensee facing the magnificent and geologically fascinating Churfirsten chain. This family-friendly resort is surrounded by varied walking country and offers many attractions for children. In winter, Flumserberg is the biggest winter sports’ region in eastern Switzerland.

Val Lumnezia, Surselva’s largest side valley, which stretches from Ilanz towards the south, is a sunny alpine valley with a stunning panorama. It is regarded as a small but beautiful natural vacation destination.

Lötschental lies embedded in an imposing mountain landscape between the Valaisian and Bernese Alps. The mostly undeveloped valley with its still authentic villages lures visitors to enjoy a vacation in pristine surroundings, far from the large tourism centers.

The diverse vacation region between Lake Walen and Sarganser Land in Eastern Switzerland gets its name from Johanna Spyri’s world famous Heidi story. Well-known destinations include the skiing and hiking regions of Flumserberg and Pizol as well as the thermal, wellness and golf oasis of Bad Ragaz.

Arosa Lenzerheide, with its countless meadows, mountain streams and crystal clear mountain lakes offers a wealth of possibilities in summer. And in winter, diverse cross-country ski tracks, winter hiking paths and ski slopes extending over 225 kilometres are yours to enjoy.

Nendaz high above the Rhône Valley: the Valais holiday resort inspires with its huge “4 Vallées” winter sports area and its extensive hiking network, taking visitors from bisses to glaciers. Experience the “Japanese Garden”, the Cleuson reservoir and Mont Fort with a sensational Alpine backdrop.

The village is regarded as one of the most beautiful in the Upper Engadine and enchants with its intact nature of an authentic Romanesque village. Here, numerous patrician houses such as the Chesa Planta proudly line the way, many of which with typical bay windows and picturesque etchings, and mysterious alleyways invite you to explore the moving past.

The small village of Arolla in the Val d'Hérens (Eringer Valley) lies at the foot of majestic mountain peaks and is the starting point for various hiking and ski tours.

La Tzoumaz is a discreet, tranquil, family resort situated half way between Martigny and Sion.

In addition to Kandersteg and the world-famous Lake Blausee, Reichenbach and the Kiental Valley are true insider tips. The beautiful mountain villages have retained their rural character. A wide range of hotels, apartments, mountain hostels, campsites and cozy restaurants give the villages the typical charm of the Bernese Oberland.

The La Gruyère region invites you to relax and enjoy. Discover Gruyères with its castle, the show dairy and the Giger Museum. Let yourself be surprised by the far-reaching view from the Moléson. Treat yourself to a trip to Lake Gruyère with the Maison Cailler or wellness in Charmey.

Nestled in the foothills of Mont Blanc is the Pays du Saint Bernard, the gateway to Italy. The legendary Hospice du Grand Saint Bernard and its dogs symbolise the welcome and human warmth perpetuated over centuries by the Canons of the Grand Saint Bernard.

Discover the Aletsch Arena, the Valais holiday paradise with the car-free destinations of Riederalp, Bettmeralp and Fiescheralp. The centrepiece is the Great Aletsch Glacier, an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Experience the ice stream up close – while hiking, skiing or on a glacier tour.

Traveling from Lake Thun in a westerly direction, the Simmen Valley opens up. The pyramid-shaped Niesen and the Stockhorn preside over the imposing entrance to the valley. The hiking-mountain and vantage point beckon with an imposing panoramic view of 200 peaks.

Located in the heart of Central Switzerland, between Schwyz and Einsiedeln, the Mythenregion may be quickly and easily reached from all directions. From Zürich in about 45 minutes and from Lucerne/Zug in 30 minutes.

Through the Val Ferrera the way leads to Cröt, from where the road winds up to Cresta over numerous bends. Cresta lies at 1,958 meters above sea level and is the main town of the Avers municipality, and Juf is found at the far end of the valley. Europe’s highest permanently inhabited community lies at an altitude of over 2,100 meters above sea level.

The Bündner Herrschaft, located in the northernmost corner of Graubünden, is the gateway to the canton. Its excellent Blauburgunder wines made the region famous as a winegrowing region. The fairly small vacation region has at its center the town of Maienfeld, home of Heidi - the world-famous children’s book character.

The Trient Valley (Vallée du Trient) links Martigny in Lower Valais via the border town of Le Châtelard with Chamonix, the well-known French resort at the foot of Mont Blanc. The Trient Valley is an untouched natural paradise with wild gorges, grottos, dinosaur tracks, and one of the Alps’ most beautiful glaciers.

The region of Obersaxen Mundaun is a vacation destination for experiencing nature and culture. The hamlets of Obersaxen (a typical Walser community with 29 farms) and Mundaun (Surcuolm & Flond) are located on a 12 km long sun terrace at 1,072 to 1,430 meters above sealevel.

The many sunny days, the clear air, the Maloja wind: the Engadin lends itself perfectly to aquatic and winter sports. Discover the beautiful Engadin lakes, mountains such as the Bernina, Corvatsch and Corviglia, villages such as Pontresina, Bever, Zuoz – and of course St. Moritz.

Lower Engadine guarantees restorative relaxation during your active vacations . With the holiday resorts of Scuol, Valsot and Zernez, its picturesque mountain villages and the Swiss National Park, hiking, biking, rafting and nature adventures await. Many pass crossings enable discovery trips into neighboring valleys and countries.

The tradition-imbued, Bernese Oberland holiday resort of Meiringen lies in the Hasli valley, south east of Lake Brienz. Sherlock Holmes met his maker here – only to be resurrected again several years later. In actual fact, Meiringen-Hasliberg almost offers the unbelievable – and not only in respect of its most famous fictional hero.

Surprisingly versatile: Surselva is located in the heart of the Alps, between the source of the Rhine and the Rhine Gorge. One can find ideal conditions for active and passive leisure enjoyment in and around the cozy mountain villages.

The Leventina is mostly known as a transit axis leading from the Gotthard Mountain to the south. At certain points in the partially narrow valley, where trains, roads and super highway emerge, one does not expect to find scenic beauty and cultural and historic sights - but this assumption is unfair.

The Engadin Samnaun Val Müstair holiday region – from the south-facing Val Müstair, and the Lower Engadin with its rich traditions and typical Engadin villages, to the Alpine village of Samnaun – features a blend of three cultures.

The patricians of the old days knew why they built their stately homes right here: La Punt has a favorable strategic situation at the foot of the former trade route across the Albula pass. The erstwhile farming village Chamues-ch lies at the entrance to the mystical chamois valley, the Val Chamuera.