By Alissa Miller
When it comes to bucket-list skiing, the Swiss Alps are at the top of most people’s lists. Their magnificent scenery, powdery slopes, and world-class ski resorts are what ski dreams are made of. The Alps cut straight across Switzerland running east to west, and the abundance of sky-high peaks have created the perfect environment for skiing and other snow sports. There is an astonishingly high concentration of mega-mountains in Switzerland — there are 48 “four-thousanders,” referring to peaks that are 4,000 meters/13,000 feet high or higher in the Swiss Alps.
Mont Blanc is the highest and arguably the most famous of the Swiss Alps, coming in at 15,777 feet, but the Matterhorn (14,692 feet) and Jungfrau (13,642 feet) are solid competitors. These lofty peaks and others are home to optimal skiing conditions, which is why Switzerland is home to more than 300 ski resorts with first-rate amenities, like high-speed chair lifts, panoramic gondolas, and scenic railways that transport skiers from one mountain to the next with rapid efficiency. If skiing (or snowboarding) is your hobby of choice, consider paying a visit to one of Switzerland’s snowy slopes. They’re known as the best in the world — after all, royalty, celebrities, and other high-rollers ski there for a reason. Read on to learn more about the best time to ski in Switzerland, tips for skiing in the Swiss Alps, the best ski resorts in the Swiss Alps, and more.
The Best Time To Ski In Switzerland
Skiing in the Swiss Alps is an amazing adventure, and it’s one that you want to time correctly, to make sure that you have optimal skiing conditions without too much crowding on the slopes. With several notable exceptions, ski season in Switzerland is generally October through March. Naturally Mother Nature has a large part to play in when ski resorts open and close for the season, but it’s fairly predictable that many high-elevation Swiss ski resorts will open in October, and by the end of November most, if not all of the lower-elevation ones will be ready to run.
December, January, and February are typically the best months for skiing, as the temperatures tend to be below freezing and the snow quality is at its best. The December holidays and the month of February tend to be the busiest times, though, so expect crowds and plan accordingly. Ski season tends to end in late March, depending on snowfall, and by mid-April the majority of ski resorts will be closed for the season, although it is not unheard of for some of the higher elevation resorts to be open through April and into May from time to time.
When planning your alpine ski extravaganza, it’s helpful to know that there are two Swiss ski resorts that remain open year round, or nearly year round: Zermatt and Saas-Fee. Zermatt Ski Resort is built on an extremely high-elevation glacier that is perpetually covered in snow, and is able to offer skiing 365 days a year. Similarly, Saas-Fee Ski Resort is also on a high-elevation glacier, and its runs are open from mid-July through April each year. So if your vacation time is in the summer months, you can still plan to go skiing in the Swiss Alps.
Avoiding Crowds On The Slopes
If you’d prefer to avoid long lines at the chairlift and on the slopes, then you’d do best to avoid peak ski times and the high price tags that come with them. Early and late in the season tend to be lower volume times, so visiting October through November, or March through April should be a quieter time (providing the weather cooperates). By mid-December the holiday crowds tend to ramp up, and you can expect that to last through the first week of January, when it usually quiets down for a few weeks.
Mid to late-January tends to incur a moderate volume of skiers on the slopes, but when February rolls around, the crowds will be in full swing. Much of Switzerland has school and regional holidays that fall in February, so the locals tend to hit the slopes in greater numbers. Once February ends, things slow down and tend to remain low through the end of the season, with the exception of the Easter holiday, whenever it may fall. No matter when you plan your trip, remember that weekdays will have fewer skiers than weekends, and that Sundays tend to be the busiest day of the week on the slopes.
Pro Tip: Many Swiss ski resorts host ski competitions from time to time, so it’s a good idea to check the resort’s schedule before you book.
Top Ski Resorts In The Swiss Alps
There are more than 300 ski resorts in the Swiss Alps, and RCI can get you close to some of the best the region has to offer.
1. Crans-Montana Ski Resort
In the ultra-snowy Valais region of Switzerland, this high-elevation resort boasts more than 85 miles of pistes (marked ski runs) and 61 slopes at varying levels of difficulty. Many of this resort’s runs face south, which is why the resort claims to have the sunniest slopes of all the Swiss resorts.
Where To Stay:
Aparthotel Helvetia Intergolf (RCI Gold Crown)
2. Champoussin Ski Resort
Also in the snowy Valais region, this resort is on the smaller side and is best suited to intermediate skiers and above. In addition to its 15 pistes, it is known to offer a vast expanse of off-piste terrain.
Where To Stay:
Portes du Soleil (RCI Hospitality)
3. Villars-Gryon-Les Diablerets Ski Resort
In the also-snowy alpine region of Vaud, this trifecta of interconnected ski villages offers 67 pistes totalling more than 50 miles. It also has 25 chairlift options to get you from the bottom back to the top in record time.
Where To Stay:
Résidence Diablerets - Parc A (RCI Gold Crown)
Residence Panorama Villars (RCI Gold Crown)
4. Leysin-Les Mosses-La Lécherette Ski Resort
Also located in the Vaud region, this interconnected ski territory is linked by a complimentary shuttle bus, which makes it easy to hop from one area to another within the resort. There are more than 60 miles of piste terrain and 12 lift options on these snowy slopes.
Where To Stay:
Castel Club (RCI Silver Crown)
Leysin Parc (RCI Gold Crown)
Residence Chamossaire (RCI Silver Crown)
5. Swiss Ski Resorts That Are Open In Summer
Both the Zermatt Ski Resort and the Saas-Fee Ski Resort offer summer skiing. Both are in the high altitude region of Valais, and you can travel from one to the other in less than an hour by scenic railway.
Where To Stay:
Travel Tips For Visiting The Swiss Alps
If you’ve never visited Switzerland before, this advice may come in handy.
● The best way to travel through Switzerland is by train, as the Alpine region has an extensive railway network. Most of the large ski resorts are accessible by train, and many of the smaller resorts are as well.
● Switzerland is not a member of the European Union, so unlike many of their neighboring countries, they don’t use the Euro — their currency is the Swiss Franc. Euros are accepted in many big city locations, but at some of the smaller ski resorts, you’ll want to have Swiss Francs handy.
● Bring a universal power adapter with you for charging personal items on your trip, as power requirements in Switzerland vary. If you’re planning on skiing off-piste, you’ll want your phone to be fully charged so your GPS app is operational.
● The most common languages spoken in Switzerland are German, Italian, and French, and will vary by town and region. Research the ski resort you’re visiting ahead of time so you know what the local language is.
● If this is your first time traveling abroad, this article has a handy first-timer’s checklist for international travel. You may also find this packing checklist for international travel useful, and these travel tips for long flights.
If you’re not a skier, there are still many wonderful things to see and do in Switzerland and the Alps that don’t involve snow. Check out a few of the non-skiing activities the area has to offer, and plan your Alpine adventure around history, nature, cheese, and more.
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