It would be tricky to not have a luxurious ski holiday in Switzerland. The small Alpine nation packs some of the world’s best ski areas, the most beautiful mountains, luxurious accommodation options and exquisite gastronomy into 41,285 square kilometres. To guide the most discerning travellers, this blog explores the most luxury ski resorts in Switzerland.
Verbier
A glamorous, lively town which retains a traditional and rustic ambience – the justifiably world-renowned skiing in Verbier, with over 80 lifts and 400 kilometres of runs stretching up to 3,330 metres, is simply superb. Combine that with short transfers from Geneva, one Michelin-starred and two Michelin guide restaurants and a bubbling après scene, it’ll be easy to see why Verbier is one of the most luxurious ski resorts in Switzerland.
Despite the vast quantity of pisted ski runs, the skiing in Verbier has an outstanding range of off-piste and backcountry terrain. This is epitomised by the annual Xtreme Verbier, the grand finale of the Freeride World Tour where the Freeride World Tour champions are crowned after skiing the legendary Bec des Rosses.
Stay At:
Stay at The Lodge, Sir Richard Branson’s personal stunning nine-bedroom chalet.
Zermatt
Ski in the shadow of the Matterhorn, one of the most iconic and beautiful mountains in the world. With modern infrastructure, rustic charm and a relaxed atmosphere, the car-free, chocolate-box town stretches back to the Middle Ages. Speaking of slopes, Zermatt boasts some 360 kilometres of quality skiing across three varied ski areas – up to 3,820 metres of snow guaranteed.
On top of a fashionable retail offering, the Swiss ski resort hosts a remarkable 11 Michelin starred/guide restaurants and countless boutique accommodation options, combined with a bustling après ski offering.
Gstaad
Located at the crossroads between German and French-speaking Switzerland, Gstaad combines the best cultural elements of both regions and is quickly building a reputation as an exclusive ski holiday destination. A celebrity hotspot which retains that classic Swiss chocolate box appeal, Gstaad is home to a wide variety of glamorous shops and exclusive art galleries.
Gastronomically, Gstaad ticks all the required boxes to be one of the most luxurious ski resorts in Switzerland, boasting six Michelin-starred/guide restaurants and a wide selection of atmospheric après ski bars and nightlife.
Skiing in Gstaad Switzerland, is also superb with access to 200km of runs serviced by 40 lifts. The main sectors – Wispile and Eggli – are accessible directly from towns Wasserngrat and Rinderberg, which can be reached by a short bus ride. Gstaad area is made up of 53 runs, 58% of which are blue, so there’s plenty of terrain to explore for beginners.
Stay At:
The Alpina Hotel boasts two Michelin-starred restaurants, private art decorations, a huge range of stunning room options and a 007-esque underground entrance.
Andermatt
Located at the heart of the Swiss Alps and historically known as a wellness hub, the Andermatt ski resort makes for an ideal year-round, luxurious holiday destination. Picture a rustic village set in the canton of Uri, with access to 120 kilometres of piste across two ski areas, Sedrun and Gemsstock. Similarly to Verbier, skiing in Andermatt is best away from the pistes, with high-quality backcountry freeride terrain on Gemsstock and one of the most snow sure ski climates in Europe.
Picture a rustic village set in the canton of Uri, with access to 120 kilometres of piste across two ski areas, Sedrun and Gemsstock. If you’re a more experienced skier, Sedrun offers 60% of runs perfect for intermediates. Skiing in Andermatt boasts high-quality backcountry freeride terrain on Gemsstock and one of the most snow sure ski resorts in Europe.
Outside of skiing, the picturesque Andermatt is predominantly based around a selection of family-run hotels and bars which create a friendly, warm atmosphere. Explore a variety of exclusive shops, delightful bars and four Michelin-starred/guide restaurants.
Stay At:
Fusing Alpine design and Asian expression, the captivating Chedi Andermatt is considered the best five-star hotel in Switzerland and won the GaultMillau Hotel of the Year award in 2017.
Arosa
Arosa is a very classic ski resort perfect for groups and families that include non-skiers. Often dubbed the quaint counterpart to St. Moritz, Arosa certainly delivers on the luxury front. The isolated Swiss village-style resort is a traditional all-round winter getaway option and has numerous opulent hotels, three Michelin-starred/guide restaurants, supplemented by shops from many well-known exclusive brands.
There are plenty of picturesque walking trails and an outdoor ice rink which are brilliant fun. With 225 kilometres of ski runs serviced by 43 lifts, Arosa is snow sure, with a high elevation.
Stay At:
Consider Tschuggen Grand Hotel, a member of “Swiss Deluxe Hotels” and “Leading Hotels of the World”, for a relaxing stay in a wonderful alpine setting.
Davos
The crown jewel of the canton of Graubünden, Davos is seamlessly connected to neighbouring Klosters, making it an ideal destination for a luxury ski getaway. Known for hosting the global elite at the World Economic Forum, Davos combines world-class facilities with an abundance of high-end shopping opportunities. The town boasts five Michelin-starred restaurants spread across Davos Dorf and Davos Platz, alongside a vibrant après-ski scene – just one more reason why the ski resort remains one of Switzerland’s most luxurious ones.
With over 250 kilometres of pistes and 54 lifts, the skiing here caters to all levels, from beginners to seasoned pros. For those in search of more rugged terrain, Davos also offers plenty of scope for exhilarating backcountry freeride skiing.
Stay At:
Built to host World Economic Forum delegates, the striking AlpenGold Hotel Davos offers lavish rooms with private balconies and floor-to-ceiling glass windows to make the most of stunning Alpine views.
Crans Montana
Nestled in a prime south-facing spot on the northern side of the Rhone Valley, Crans Montana, Switzerland, offers unrivalled views of the majestic Valais peaks and is the perfect place to bask in winter sunshine. With an impressive 300 days of sunshine annually, this snow-sure resort boasts 140km of pistes, perfect for leisurely turns.
Crans Montana is home to an array of luxurious hotels, five Michelin-starred restaurants, and a wide variety of après-ski experiences to suit every taste. For those seeking retail indulgence, the resort offers over 120 shops and boutiques, including exclusive luxury outlets – making it the ideal destination for some well-deserved shopping.
Stay At:
The spectacularly located LeCrans Hotel & Spa exudes peaceful and refined energy, and houses an exclusive luxury spa complex, as well as a the Michelin-starred Le Mont Blanc restaurant.
Engelberg
Central Switzerland’s largest and most gorgeous ski resort, Engelberg is just 1,5hr away from Zürich and 25km south of beautiful Lake Lucerne. Translating to “Mountain of the Angels”, Engelberg is rich in its history and was founded by Benedictine monks in 1122.
Famous for mountain tourism and offering heavenly skiing in a beautiful setting, the Engelberg ski experience offers plenty of skiing spread out across the glaciers and rugged landscape of the resort. With a total of 82 kilometres of skiable terrain, Engelberg has two main sectors: Titlis-Stand and Jochpass, the former tends to be quieter. Consider adding the superb cross-country skiing to your list, with 34 kilometres of perfectly groomed trails weaving through the monastery village.
There are plenty of shops and quality restaurants, all in an extremely picturesque setting. Engelberg is the ideal place to escape the crowds for a luxury ski break.
Stay At:
The décor in the delightful Hotel Kempinski Palace carefully blends historic detail and modern design, with a large 880sqm spa and farm-to-table restaurant on site.
St. Moritz
Nestled quietly in the heart of the Engadin, by far of one of the most exclusive holiday destinations – St. Moritz ski resort – is anything but quiet. The double winter Olympics host town boasts the Bobsled world-championship Olympia run (reaches speeds of up to 135kmph), as well as the Cresta Run. You’ll surely be spoiled for choice of winter sports – St. Moritz offers an outdoor Olympic standard ice rink, cricket, polo and horseracing on its frozen lake.
Choose between countless luxury accommodation options and dine in any of the remarkable fifteen Michelin-starred/guide restaurants. After a thrilling day of skiing 326km, explore the town centre shopping area – a “cream, crème de la crème” of luxury brands – then let your hair down in one of St Moritz’s nightclubs or chic bars.
Stay At:
The first hotel built in St. Moritz and Leading Hotels of the World member, Hotel Kulm offers discerning travellers historic, tasteful accommodation with breath-taking alpine views.
Villars
Just 1hr 20mins South of Geneva, Villars is the perfect resort for short ski breaks. Fancy a longer getaway? With an impressive 174 kilometres of piste, Villars is also ideal for a longer trip. The resort offers an understated rustic charm and delightful forest surroundings. In addition, there are straightforward connections to the neighbouring resorts of Verbier, Les Diablerets and Gryon. Classy dining options make Villars one of the must-visit luxury ski resorts in Switzerland.
Villars faces southwest and is a very sunny location, plus, the traditional wooden chalets, making up the majority of the town, create an idyllic mountain village atmosphere. Offering an efficient lift system and direct access to Gryon and Les Diablerets, the resort is favoured by families and groups, as well as solo skiers.
Stay At:
The ski-in/ski-out Hotel Chalet RoyAlp is the perfect place to relax in luxury after a day skiing with comfortable rooms, an award-winning spa and exquisite gastronomy in three on-site restaurants.
To find out more about luxury ski resorts in Switzerland, please call our ski experts on 020 7471 7700.
