Winter sport destinations

Zermatt lies at the foot of the Matterhorn. The town's touristic development is closely linked to what is most probably the world's most famous mountain. The vacation destination is a car-free zone, has preserved its original character and offers nearly unlimited possibilities as far as excursions are concerned.

St. Moritz is more than just a holiday resort. It was also the birthplace of Alpine winter tourism (in 1864) and has twice hosted the Winter Olympics. Nevertheless, St. Moritz first became famous thanks to its mineral springs, which were discovered 3,000 years ago and established the town as a summer spa resort early on.

Verbier, the most cosmopolitan holiday resort in Valais, is situated on a sunny plateau and offers a unique panoramic view of the Mont-Blanc and the Combins massif.

With 235 kilometres of pistes stretching across 100+ square kilometres of snow-assured slopes around the 'Crap Sogn Gion', the ski region of the Flims, Laax and Falera resorts constitutes one of Switzerland's very large, connected winter sports regions. In summer, Flims Laax Falera becomes one enormous outdoor 'playground' for active guests.

The Eiger village of Grindelwald in the Bernese Oberland lies embedded in a welcoming and green hollow, surrounded by a commanding mountainscape with the Eiger north face and the Wetterhorn. This mountainscape and the numerous lookout points and activities make Grindelwald one of the most popular and cosmopolitan holiday and excursion destinations in Switzerland, and the largest ski resort in the Jungfrau region.

Davos in Grisons is a place of superlatives: this holiday destination with international ambience is the largest resort in the Alps for mountain holidays, sport and conferences, at 1560 m the highest town in the Alps and a high-altitude health resort with a long tradition.

The holiday resort lies on a wind-protected sun terrace at the foot of the Jungfrau, 400 metres above the Lauterbrunnen valley at an altitude of 1274 m. The tradition-imbued, car-free holiday resort offers a family-friendly ski and rambling area around the Männlichen and the Kleine Scheidegg.

Engelberg-Titlis is the largest winter and summer holiday destination in central Switzerland. The attractive village with the famous monastery offers a wide variety of holiday activities for families, newcomers and those in the know. The many exciting options will make your stay an unforgettable mountain experience.

"Of all the places I know, this is the dearest and most interesting to me", declared Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. He thrice visited the Gotthard area the late 18th century.

The relaxed holiday resort in the middle of the Bernese Alps is characterised by its village atmosphere. In winter the idyllic chalet village and hikers' paradise turns into a winter sports paradise.

The idyllic, park-like countryside of the high valley of Lenzerheide provides the perfect setting for experience-packed and relaxing holidays. In winter a varied ski region awaits winter sports enthusiasts on both sides of the valley.

The tradition-rich Grisons holiday resort of Arosa is located at the end of the romantic Schanfigg Valley at an altitude of about 1800 metres above sea level. With its impressive range of mountain peaks all around, Arosa Lenzerheide is just as attractive for extended hiking tours in summer as it is in winter, offering a great variety of snow sport activities.

Up until the 14th century there was only one community in the Saas Valley: Saas. Four villages arose out of Saas - of those four Saas Fee, also known as "The Pearl of the Alps", is the most renowned; 13 four thousand meter peaks surround the glacier village, which is located at an altitude of 1800 meters above sea level.

The two neighboring resorts of Crans and Montana are situated at an altitude of 1500 m on a sun-drenched plateau high above the Rhone Valley. Together they form one of the biggest holiday destinations in the Valais.

Gstaad is popular with a charming mix of visitors: in addition to celebrity guests in the chalet village of Gstaad itself, the smaller, rustic neighbouring villages offer attractive options for families with children. The centre of Gstaad has developed into a popular shopping area in recent years, and is the shortest shopping street in Switzerland.

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.

Pizol Alp looms at a height of 2,844 meters at the entrance of the St. Gallen Rhine Valley, between Bad Ragaz and Wangs. The hiking and skiing region near the peak, with its variety of offerings, boasts a fantastic and sweeping view across Lake Constance.

Breathtaking views, magnificent mountains, unspoilt nature, glistening lakes and genuine hospitality – the best of Switzerland! The Bern-Bernese Oberland region is well worth a visit at any time of year.

Saas-Almagell is the “Mountain Village Pearl”. Up high where the air is clear, it offers cosy hospitality and breathtaking mountain scenery. A holiday here will get you away from the hustle and bustle but you won’t be bored for a second.

The Vallée de Joux with its lake and long watch-making tradition is a world of its own in rugged and unspoilt countryside nestling between Jura Mountain Ranges.

The Valais holiday resort of Zinal is situated at an altitude of 1670 m at the end of the Val d'Anniviers (Eifischtal) where it becomes the Zinal Valley. It nestles amidst this majestic mountain landscape crowned by the 4000-metre-peaks of the Weisshorn,Bishorn, Zinalrothorn, Obergabelhorn, Matterhorn and Dent Blanche.

The village of Appenzell and the Canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden are situated in a singularly beautiful landscape of rolling hills. The region is known for rural customs and traditions such as the ceremonial descent of the cattle in autumn and cultural events such as folk music and rustic dances, as well as hiking tours in the Alpstein region

Evolène is the fourth largest commune, in area, in Switzerland. Its territory offers an extensive choice of activities for everyone.

Known by nature lovers as ‘little Canada’, this picturesque village is coiled around a breathtaking alpine lake. Between Le Châtelet and Le Catogne, a magnificent plateau with all its natural beauty intact extends a warm welcome to its guests.

The Romans were among the first to recognise the healing properties of the hot springs of Leukerbad. This thermal spa resort lies well protected in a Valais side valley and is now a popular destination for wellness and sports’ enthusiasts.

Flims is a popular Graubünden destination for families, bikers and hikers, and is considered one of the most varied holiday regions. It has plenty of hiking trails, mountain bike routes and bathing lakes for adventure and relaxation.

Lauterbrunnen combines pretty much everything that makes Switzerland special. Marvel at natural spectacles against an alpine backdrop. Stroll through picture-postcard villages. Conquer Switzerland's most beautiful hiking and winter sports areas. And experience the UNESCO World Heritage Jungfrau-Aletsch up close.

Einsiedeln is the most important place of pilgrimage dedicated to the Virgin Mary in Switzerland. The high valley of Einsiedeln located in the heart of Central Switzerland is characterised by moors and Lake Sihl, the biggest reservoir in Switzerland in terms of area. The winter sports region of Hoch Ybrig is just a few kilometres away.

The vital Upper Engadine’s main city is not only a political center but also the cradle of Engadine’s way of life. Samedan is important thanks to its location in the heart of the Upper Engadine: the village is the turning point and pivot of the Rhaetian Railway and the home of the small international airport.

Adventure and authenticity between Lake Geneva and the Dents-du-Midi mountain peaks.

The arrival alone is spectacular – a cable-car takes you high over the rocks to Gimmelwald (1400 m).

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.

Vercorin's position on a plateau high above Sierre in the Rhone valley reminds you of an eagle's eyrie. This holiday resort in the Valais, between the conservation area of the Vallon de Réchy and the entrance to the Val d'Anniviers, is famous for its climate, so mild that you can even see cherry trees in bloom.

Ringgenberg-Goldswil (located near Interlaken) offers vacation visitors a special attraction overlooking Lake Brienz - a lovely lido, the "Burg-seeli". It enjoys a sheltered setting with pleasantly warm water tem-perature, and is popular among swimmers and sunbathers from early summer.

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 city by the water combines urban living with nature. Zurich is abuzz with activity day and night with its countless events, many museums and diverse gastronomic scene, as well as Switzerland’s most vibrant nightlife. And if you’re after rest and relaxation, you can be in the Swiss mountains in less than an hour.