Tiny Winter Resorts

Amden and Weesen unite mountains and lake to form the perfect vacation resort: Time to take a deep breath, sigh of relief and delight in the surroundings.

Their location on the Splügen Pass and on San Bernardino defines the towns in Rheinwald and Val Schons that dot the landscape along the Lower Rhine (Hinterrhein): Splügen is a typical Graubünden town on the mule traders’ pass. It is home to a well-preserved historic town center, proud Palazzi and sun-blackened Walser houses. The resort of Andeer is famous for its salubrious springs and mineral spa.

Anzère lies on a sunny terrace at 1500m above the Rhone Valley, only 15 kilometres from Sitten, the capital of the canton. It emerged as a winter sports centre in the 1960s but, with its beautiful views over the Rhone Valley and the Valais Alps, Anzère is also wonderful walking country in summer with interesting tours along historical irrigation channels known as suonen.

The combination of the harsh Engadine charm, the tranquility, and the proximity to pristine nature are typical of the small and family-friendly village in Upper Engadine. And if someone still yearns for hustle and bustle and luxury, they can quickly reach the famous resort town of St. Moritz.

Saas-Grund, the “Hiking Pearl”, has guaranteed snow in winter and a host of activities in summer. This pleasant holiday destination offers a huge range of exciting experiences for all ages. The inspiring mountain surroundings provide an ideal setting for quality time with the whole family.

The name Bivio means "parting of the ways" and is inseparably bound up with two ancient Roman passes, the Septimer and the Julier. The highest village in Surses with just 260 souls to its name, Bivio has what must be the most extraordinary linguistic make-up in all of Europe, or so one scholar of note has concluded.

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.

Going uphill is rarely this comfortable. The cabins of the steepest funicular in the world adapt to the most extreme inclination. In this way, the passengers are always on a horizontal surface. But there isn't much time to enjoy the comfortable ride, as it takes just four to seven minutes to go up the 743 metres of altitude.

The unspoilt countryside of Visperterminen, the Heida wine village at the entrance to the Visper valley, which lies 1,378m above sea level, is a paradise for walkers and offers a fantastic view of the gleaming white 4,000m peaks of the Valais and Bernese Alps.

Located in the huge skiing area of "Les Portes du Soleil", the resort of Champéry in the Val d'Illiez in the Lower Valais has still managed to preserve much its traditional charm.

The village of Lenk lies right at the top of the Simmental in the Bernese Oberland, in a wide, flat valley against probably the most beautiful mountain backdrop in the Alps, the Wildstrubel. The tranquil holiday location has around 2,300 inhabitants and can be reached by car or train. The village lies at 1,068 m a.s.l., while the highest peak is the Wildstrubel at 3,244 m a.s.l. Wooden Simmental chalets as well as Alpine and mountain farming are typical for the green, tradition-steeped valley. In the winter, the Ski area “Adelboden-Lenk… dänk!” is popular and outdoor experiences can be enjoyed in the spring, summer and autumn.

Sainte-Croix / Les Rasses lies on a protected sunny terrace (1100m) amidst the width of the Jura landscape in the Lake Geneva region. The township is world-renowned for its music boxes and nickelodeons. Rambling and cycling in the natural surroundings of the Jura meadows prevail in the summer. In winter, the region is a much-loved cross-country skiing paradise.

In both summer and winter, Château-d'Oex and Rougemont present a diverse range of holiday experiences and sporting activities. Wonderful mountainscapes and old decorated chalets are typical for the villages of the Pays-d'Enhaut.

In the heart of Graubünden you will find a magnificent natural landscape that is largely designed by the culture of the Walser people. While in winter a white snow-clad landscape delights visitors, in summer they can walk across flower-rich meadows and pastures.

Braunwald is a family-friendly summer and winter holiday resort on a sunny terrace in the Glarus hinterland. The panoramic view to the south is dominated by the glaciated peak of the Tödi.

Beautiful, rural, natural: The small mountain village of Feldis, located on a sunny terrace at the heart of Graubünden - an oasis of tranquility set amid a majestic high Alpine backdrop.

The vacation region around the Black Lake and in the Eastern Freiburg Pre-Alps (Voralpen) is well-known for its authenticity and its wild, romantic natural landscape, which includes the dark appearance of the Black Lake and the Brecca Abyss, an Alpine valley formed by glaciers.

Silvaplana is the lively, young “Trendspot“ in Engadin. Surrounded by pristine nature and embedded in the wide Upper Engadine Lake landscape, the recreational paradise has become an international destination for sports enthusiasts.

Grächen – a fairytale. The mountain village is situated on a broad sun terrace, high above the Zermatt valley, at an altitude of 1,620 m. It extends a particularly warm welcome to families, and offers a lively programme that contrasts with the neighbouring resort of Zermatt.

«My name is Bond, James Bond.» The agent who presented himself in such an unmistakeable way made a decisive contribution to the fame of the Schilthorn. The mountain with its breathtaking panoramic views is today one of the top attractions of the Jungfrau region. Lying at the foot of the Schilthorn, Mürren has nevertheless remained a cosy mountain village.

The unspoilt alpine village of Bergün lies at the foot of the Albula Pass at the gateway to the Engadine. You do not have to be a railway historian to be amazed by the Albula railway line, which is still maintained in its entirety in almost its original condition, 100 years after its construction. In winter, the resort of Bergün is a mecca for sledgers.

Malbun is the main holiday resort in the little Principality of Liechtenstein. This small village is ideal for families in summer or winter. There are many cultural attractions to visit in the nearby capital, Vaduz.

The peaceful holiday region of Elm / Sernftal is surrounded by the mountain scenery of the Glarus peaks. The Tschingelhörner and Martin’s Hole are natural monuments of national significance. Twice a year, the sun shines directly through the 16-metre hole in the rocks on to the church tower of Elm.

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.

Fancy spending some time amid a picture-postcard landscape in the heart of Switzerland? The Fribourg Region, especially the village of Charmey, is a charming place to visit: romantic little towns, fragrant Alpine meadows, steaming thermal baths, enchanting lakes, snowy slopes and ancient customs that survive to this very day. Whatever the time of year, you’re guaranteed to have an experience that will delight all your senses.

Coming from the Valais, emigrants settled in the Middle Ages in the small side valley of the Maggia Valley. These settlers, the Walters, did not traverse the valleys but coming from Pomade (Val Formazza), they crossed the mountains. Bosco Gurin, at 1503 meters the highest mountain village in Ticino, is today one of Switzerland’s most charming villages.

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.

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

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 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.

Wonderful Liechtenstein - the tiny principality between Switzerland and Austria has developed into a preferred holiday destination - in particular for families. At a healthy 1600 meters above sea level, especially the area around Malbun has proven itself as ideal natural paradise both in summer and winter. In other words, the place to be to feel totally relaxed as you actively enjoy!

The sunny, south-west facing little village of Morgins is a popular holiday destination for hikers in summer, while in winter it is part of the mega-sized cross-border skiing area of the "Portes du Soleil". This walking area in the Chablais region offers magnificent scenery with the towering Dents-du-Midi, alpine meadows and countless mountain lakes.

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.

The Sörenberg holiday resort lies in the Entlebuch Unesco biosphere at an altitude of 1165 meters. With its unique plant and animal life, this fantastic moor landscape earned the region the distinction as one of a mere 400-biosphere reserves in the world. A true highlight for nature lovers and families.

The small holiday and health resort of Ovronnaz is located in the French-speaking part of the Valais on a south-facing sun terrace. The three 32 to 35 degree Celsius thermal pools - two of which in the open air - are well-known. Summer holidaymakers and winter sports enthusiasts alike enjoy the panorama view of the Rhone Valley.

Maloja lies at the western end of Lake Sils and connects two fascinating landscapes: the Upper Engadine Lake District and the Graubünden’s southern valley of Bergell. Here one appreciates above all the uncomplicated atmosphere, the spirit of famous painters and traditionally made sausages.