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Ski Holidays in Switzerland
Whether it’s watches, chocolates or skiing, this nation has a reputation for quality and Switzerland ski holidays are no different. With pristine slopes, breathtaking views of world-famous mountains like the Matterhorn and authentic yet alpine villages frequented by the world’s elite, all serving to cement the prestige of Swiss ski holidays.
- Flight Time
- 1.5 hours
- From London
- Nearest Airports
- Geneva
- Zurich
- Time zone
- GMT + 1 hour
- Language
- German, French
- Italian, Romansh
- Currency
- Swiss Franc
- Ski Season
- Dec - April
Switzerland Ski Stats
Overall: Verbier
Why Go Skiing in Switzerland
Switzerland is a long time favourite among Brits, thanks to the reliability of the snow. High altitude resorts like Zermatt and Saas Fee enjoy exceptional skiing conditions well into Spring and vast ski areas like The 4 Valleys provide an exciting variety of terrain to explore. Add to this efficient lifts and impeccable hospitality and it’s no wonder Switzerland is such an alluring ski destination.
Beyond skiing, Switzerland will delight visitors with its picture-perfect town squares, jaw-dropping natural scenery, delicious fondue and laid-back yet classy attitude. Take our advice and explore our selection of Swiss ski holidays. If it’s to your taste, we can’t recommend anything better than experiencing this, the elite among alpine nations.
WHERE TO BOOK YOUR SKI HOLIDAY IN Switzerland
Most of Switzerland’s resorts developed from ancient mountain villages meaning picturesque alpine chalets dot every corner whilst purpose-built blocks are a rarity. These beautiful towns buzz with characterful bars, gourmet restaurants, lavish spas, and glitzy boutiques blending traditional charm with modern luxuries in the most wonderful way.
Over the years we’ve spent exploring Switzerland’s ski areas, from its world-famous glaciers to best-kept secrets, we’ve compiled our team’s experiences to share a comprehensive guide to the Swiss ski resorts that deserve your precious vacation time. If you know what you’re looking for in a Swiss ski holiday, our ‘top ten’ lists will help you find the resort of your dreams.
WHICH ARE THE MOST POPULAR SKI RESORTS IN Switzerland
The five most popular destinations for a Swiss ski holiday are Verbier, Zermatt, Davos, Wengen and St Moritz. Here are the Top 10:
Switzerland Ski Resort Guide
Top Ten Best Ski Resorts in Switzerland
Excellent snow, modern lifts and fantastic accommodation are standard across Switzerland, so a resort must be truly exceptional to make our top 10 Swiss ski resorts list. Zermatt has all of the above, with 360km of pistes, gourmet restaurants and gobsmackingly glorious views of the mighty Matterhorn. Verbier is high on the list thanks to its awesome off-piste, excellent après and access to Switzerland’s biggest ski area, The 4 Valleys where you can take lessons from our friend Warren who is perhaps the most famous ski instructor from the UK. St. Moritz wows visitors with the natural beauty of its lakeside location, two snow-sure glaciers and annual average of 322 days of sunshine, which makes bluebird skiing a common occurrence.
Best Après Ski in Switzerland
Swiss après ski has a more sophisticated tone, but that doesn’t mean it’s tame. Dance to big name DJs under Farinet’s huge sliding roof in Verbier, or take the ultimate Swiss apres ski right of passage by downing a metre-long ‘shot ski’ lined up in a row with your friends in the Hennu Stall in Zermatt. Switzerland knows how to party. Some of the best après in Switzerland can be found in the Crans part of Crans Montana. Ditch the salopettes, dress to the nines and head to Ratatouille for wine tastings or swanky club Pacha where the tunes play until the early hours of the morning. Just make sure you make it to the first lifts - sleeping’s cheating.
Snow Sure Resorts in Switzerland
With 48 peaks rising over 4,000m and more glaciers than you can shake a waxed stick at, Switzerland is home to some of the most snow-sure resorts in Europe. Not only is Zermatt part of the high altitude Matterhorn Ski Paradise area, where great conditions can be enjoyed well into April, but it also has access to the Theodul glacier which sits at 3,883m and offers year round skiing. Set in a snowy bowl surrounded by 13 4,000m+ peaks, Saas Fee has an impressively long season stretching from November to May. Les Diablerets’ Glacier 3000 and Verbier’s Mont Fort Glacier also earn these resorts a spot on our list of the very best of Switzerland’s snow sure destinations.
Switzerland’s Luxury Ski Destinations
Switzerland is synonymous with luxury ski holidays. Five star hotels, Michelin-starred restaurants and glamorous bars are found across most resorts. For the ultimate combination of quality skiing and soothing relaxation, we love the spa resort of Arosa where pampering, cocktail bars and sleigh rides complement 225km of pistes. The grand hotels, refined bars and a stunning lakeside location of St Moritz attract a classy clientele - with famous guests of yesteryear like Audrey Hepburn, Coco Chanel and Princess Diana paving the way for the great and the good of today such as Mariah Carey and Paris Hilton (hmm) staying it posh party pads like Padrutt’s Palace. A list of Switzerland’s luxury ski resorts would be incomplete without mentioning Verbier, a glamorous resort filled with gourmet restaurants, extravagant bars and celebrities such as Leondardo Di Caprio and Prince Harry - this is where the younger glam crowd ski.
Family Friendly Swiss Ski Resorts
Switzerland combines safe slopes and a peaceful atmosphere with plenty of activities, making the country a great choice for family ski holidays. Klosters has been given the “families welcome” stamp of approval from the Swiss tourist board and, with snow bikes for littlies, a 7 km sledge run down to Saas for daredevils and 302km of piste for mum and dad, the whole family is catered for. Davos is a family friendly Swiss ski resort with a great variety of beginner and intermediate slopes, a huge natural ice rink and 9 toboggan runs that SNOman’s kids go wild for. The nursery slopes and Figeller Children’s Area in Wengen are perfect for new skiers to find their feet and there’s also some cruisy slopes and the 4.5km long downhill racing track at the Lauberhorn for more experienced family members.
Switzerland Group Ski Holiday Destinations
Switzerland has all the ingredients for a cracking group ski holiday, from huge ski areas that accommodate all abilities, to impressive accommodation and top-drawer restaurants and nightlife. Verbier tops the list for groups who party as hard as they ski - put your legs to the test by tackling the mogul ridden Col de Chassoure before dancing in ski boots in Le Rouge. In Davos, powder hounds can shred the Pischa whilst calmer friends enjoy the cruisey slopes of the Schatzalp before meeting in Bar 360’s for a classy fireside cocktail. Grindelwald also makes our top 10 best Swiss ski resorts for groups for its high-end restaurants and fantastic post-ski activities such as the natural ice rink at Bärplatz and the ‘First Flieger’ zip wire, all set beneath the imposing north face of the Eiger.
Food in the Swiss Alps
Like everything else Switzerland serves up, the food here is impeccable. From hearty alpine meals starring lashings of cheese (the country is home to 450 varieties of cheese after all) to sophisticated Michelin-starred dishes for refined palates, Switzerland’s culinary scene is a treat for the tastebuds. We love Whymper Stube where you can tuck into a feast of potatoes and cured meats slathered with raclette and of course, a Swiss ski holiday would be incomplete without a gloriously thick mountainside hot chocolate.
Swiss Ski Resorts for Beginners
Switzerland cossets beginners with innovative nursery slopes, expert ski instructors and seriously sumptuous hot chocolate breaks. In Crans Montana the gentle debutante slopes and magic carpets of the Snow Island Area ease new skiers into the sport and the Discovery Area and rolling blue pistes are perfect for steady progression. With snow-sure nursery slopes, a kids fun park and British ski schools, Saas Fee is one of the best resorts in Switzerland for beginners. Nendaz and Arosa are also great for learning thanks to their dedicated beginner zones and high proportion of leisurely blues.
Swiss Resorts for Intermediate Skiers
Intermediate skiers are in for a treat in Switzerland, where miles of varied piste mean a new adventure on every day of your holiday. Across the valleys shared by Davos and Klosters we love the huge number of intermediate-friendly slopes including the enjoyably-long 12km red from Weissfluhjoch to Küblis and a majestic tree-lined blue into Davos which makes for a dreamy climax to a long day’s skiing. In St Moritz, 70% of the 305km of piste are reds (perhaps they expect posher guests to have skied most of their lives) with a selection of gorgeous blues for gentle cruising and a few thrilling blacks for a challenge. Zermatt is a top Swiss resort for intermediates thanks to its vast area, we mean literally enormous, with everything from leisurely blues and pacey reds to fluffy powder fields and thigh burning moguls all up in the great high altitude conditions of the Matterhorn glacier.
Swiss Resorts for Advanced Skiers
Switzerland’s towering peaks and equally-big snowfall creates epic skiing for experts. With notorious runs like the FIS race track from Attelas and the mogul-mad Mont Fort black, Verbier is a bucket list destination for many expert skiers. Add to this some awesome off-piste like ‘the wall’ to Tortin and the steeps of Mont Gele and it’s easy to see why Verbs attracts seasoned skiers. Zermatt is home to 36km of black runs and enough off-piste to satisfy even the most powder-hungry. Our other top destinations for advanced skiing in Switzerland include Murren which we love for the 15km long black Inferno run and Davos, home to powder-covered Pischa.
Best Off-Piste Skiing in Switzerland
Powderhounds choose Switzerland for its sprawling backcountry and frequent snow dumps. Verbier is a SNO favourite thanks to the Chassoure-Tortin “Wall” and the Stairway to Heaven run from the top of the Jumbo. You can also access these wild rides from the neighbouring resort of Nendaz. Davos offers some of the best off-piste skiing in Switzerland with a dedicated freeriding area making Pischa a playground for off piste aficionados.
Best Snowboarding in Switzerland
Switzerland is heaven for snowboarding holidays, thanks to its’ modern lift infrastructure, wicked snow parks and fresh powder. Whether you’re a serious shredder or taking your first turns Davos should be on your bucket list. This resort has groomers aplenty, fantastic forested backcountry routes and one of the largest half-pipes in Europe. Another of our top Swiss resorts for snowboarders is Crans Montana - the Adrenaline Zone will keep freestylers occupied all week with its half pipe, boardercross, modules and rails - fledgling riders get expert tuition at the local ski school. In Verbier and Zermatt boarders will find miles of pristine slopes for perfecting your carving but also deep powder for legendary off-piste days. Take your GoPro!
Pettiest Swiss Ski Resorts
From big beautiful resorts to tiny tucked-away treasures, Switzerland’s prettiest ski resorts have us reaching for the camera again and again. The scalloped trimmed chalets of Grindelwald ooze chocolate-box charm and the railway line that runs up the north face of the Eiger to Europe’s highest train station provides a uniquely picturesque way to marvel at the natural majesty of this region. Car-free Villars is a true winter wonderland with rustic chalets peeking out behind fir trees and a cog railway to Col de Bretaye which provides endless insta-worthy photo opportunities. Overlooking a lake and flanked by the majestic Upper Engadine valley, St. Moritz has natural beauty by the bucketload, as well as elegant architecture reminiscent of an Old Hollywood style.
Budget Swiss Ski Holidays
It’s renowned as a high-class skiing nation but, with our list of top 10 Swiss resorts on a budget, you can book a glamorous holiday that won’t break the bank. In Nendaz you can enjoy the huge 4 Valleys area but avoid the premium attached to trendier resorts such as the neighbouring Verbier. Interlaken is great for the budget-minded - it’s cheaper because you’re not directly on the slopes but great rail links whisk you into the Jungfrau ski area in no time. To really bag a bargain, browse our Switzerland ski deals.
Ski Accommodation in Switzerland
Some of the finest ski hotels in the world can be found in Switzerland, from glamorous stays in Hotel Kulm where Alpine tourism first took root in 1864, to the award winning Chedi in Andermatt where the well-heeled young skiers of today hang out, and the aptly named Grand Hotel Zermatterhof where they still insist gents wear a jacket in one of the restuaurants. Even the more budget-friendly hotels come with excellent restaurants, pools and spas attached.
The epitome of alpine charm, Switzerland’s ski chalets are a home away from home with an added touch of luxury. The finest are replete with grand fireplaces, hot tubs and catering team, while self-catered chalets are perfect for a laid-back holiday.
Swiss ski apartments are rapidly rising in popularity among our customers for their combination of convenience and comfort. With a huge variety of price points, ski apartments can range from homely self-catered pads to luxury ski apartments where private masseurs come to you.
Biggest Ski Areas in Switzerland
There are over 7,000km of pistes spread across the vast glaciers, undulating slopes and towering peaks of Switzerland’s ski areas. Our favourite mega-domains for a Swiss ski holiday are:
For a top-notch week of skiing, explore these areas from one of Switzerland’s biggest ski resorts. Speak to one of our friendly experts and we’ll help the perfect base for an unforgettable Swiss ski adventure.
Stretching between Verbier, Nendaz, Veysonnaz and La Tzoumaz, this ski area is the third largest in Europe and contains a whopping 412km of piste. As you’d expect, such a huge area has a massive variety of terrain but it’s the breathtaking views of the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc as well as the dependable snow conditions which make The 4 Valleys extra special. View The 4 Valleys ski holidays.
Rising to 3,303m and with glacier skiing in Diavolezza and Corvatsch, this ski area enjoys snow sure conditions and a season that spans from November to May. The region is home to glitzy St Moritz as well as freestylers’ paradise Laax where the first ever half-pipe was built. View Graubünden ski holidays.
Whilst the 213km of piste provide an exceptional ski experience, Jungfrau’s historic towns and traditional cogwheel railways give this ski area a distinct Swiss charm that has our guests returning year after year. View Jungfrau ski holidays.
BEST TIME TO GO ON SKI HOLIDAY TO Switzerland
Ski Conditions & Snow Record
Switzerland can usually be depended on for great ski conditions between December and April thanks to 4,000m plus peaks, huge glaciers and hefty and regular dumps of the white stuff. The Theodul glacier offers skiing 365 days a year and resorts like Les Diablerets and Engelberg are the proud possessors of extra long seasons. Get a clearer idea of snow conditions in a specific resort by looking at the Switzerland snow report. If your holiday is in the next few weeks, check the Switzerland snow forecast to see what snow’s on the horizon.
Switzerland Ski Deals & Last Minute Holidays
With its sparkles and splendour, Switzerland might seem like an unaffordable ski destination but our selection of Swiss Ski Deals can help you bring the cost down. We have discounts on choc-box chalets and deluxe hotels as well as ski hire and lift pass offers.
If Switzerland’s majestic slopes and picturesque towns are calling to you right now, it’s never too late to book a last minute ski holiday to Switzerland. Talk to our experts and you’ll be shussing down the mountain in SNO time!
Switzerland Ski Weekends
Switzerland is known for its efficiency, which comes in handy when you’re planning a quick trip, as you can depend on speedy transfers and minimal lift queues. The best resorts for a ski weekend in Switzerland include Klosters and Grindelwald which have train stations for a fast and incredibly scenic transfer from the airport. Verbier is another great option with more terrain than you could cover in a week, never mind a weekend, and ski-in/ski-out accommodation to maximise your time on the slopes.
Summer Ski Holidays in Switzerland
Switzerland hogs the title for Most Peaks over 4,000m in the Alps and has some of the biggest glaciers in Europe, making it the top destination for summer skiing. For beautifully wide slopes and stupidly scenic skiing, head to the Theodul Glacier in Zermatt which welcomes skiers year-round. Swiss summer skiing is big in Saas Fee where The Allalin Glacier is open 12 months of the year and offers 20km of red runs and a huge snow park. For more challenging summer skiing, Les Diablerets has some awesome off-piste terrain and the exhilarating 7km long black Olden run which can be skied as late as July.
All Switzerland Ski Holiday Destinations
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Adelboden
- Pretty chalet village
- Stunning scenery
- Hour from Jungfrau resorts
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Andermatt
- Amazing off-piste
- Undergoing big investments
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Arosa
- Awesome off-piste
- New linked ski-area
- Sunny, high altitude skiing
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Crans Montana
- Sunny ski area
- Quiet intermediate skiing
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Davos
- Off-piste mecca
- long ski season
- Classic mountain town
-
Engelberg
- 2000m vertical
- Glacier skiing
- Historic town
- Snow sure
-
Flims
- Authentic Swiss village
- Snow sure
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Grindelwald
- Classic ski destination
- Exciting excursions
- Linked to the Jungfrau ski area
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Gstaad
- Numerous ski areas
- Glacier skiing
- Celebrity ski resort
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Interlaken
- Access to Jungfrau Ski Area
- Lots of non ski activities
- Scenic lakeside position
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Kandersteg
- Beautiful scenery
- New ski jumping centre
- Incredible ski tours
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Klosters
- Impressive off-piste
- Beautiful scenery
- Favourite of the rich and royal
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Laax
- World’s biggest superpipe
- Pretty village
- Good snow record
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Lauterbrunnen
- Outstanding natural beauty
- Jungfrau ski area
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Lenzerheide
- Michelin star restaurants
- Linked ski area
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Les Diablerets
- Charming Swiss village
- Glacier skiing
- Linked ski area
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Leukerbad / Loeche-les-Bains
- Big spa resort
- Small ski area
- Ski & Spa holidays
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Murren
- Stunning location
- Chocolate-box village
- Fascinating history
- Jungfrau ski area
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Nendaz
- Vast 4 Valleys area
- Fantastic off piste
- Fascinating history
- Reasonably priced
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Saas Fee
- Traditional pedestrianised resort
- Dramatic setting
- High- altitude skiing
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St Moritz
- Stylish town centre
- High-altitude glacier skiing
- Glamorous après-ski
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Verbier
- Vast interlinked 4 Valleys area
- Vibrant and varied après ski
- Chocolate box Swiss chalets
- Incredible scenery
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Veysonnaz
- Vast interlinked 4 Valleys area
- Fantastic off piste
- Traditional Swiss charm
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Villars
- Linked ski area
- Access to glacier skiing
- Charming Swiss village
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Wengen
- Part of the Jungfrau ski area
- Quintessential mountain village
- Lauberhorn World Cup piste
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Zermatt
- High-altitude skiing
- Europe's highest slopes
- Picturesque
- Ski in Zermatt & Cervinia
Swiss ski resorts FAQ:
You can ski right across the Swiss Alps. Verbier is one of the most desirable ski resorts in the world and is often visited by the Royal Family and celebs alike. Other ski areas in Switzerland include Graubünden, 4 Vallees and Jungfrau region.
Zermatt has to be number one on the list-of-resorts to visit in Switzerland. With stunning views of the Matterhorn, the charming town and the perfect snow-sure slopes up to 3899m - Zermatt is ideal for skiing at all times of the year.
338 was the total number of Swiss resorts on last count - that’s almost one for every day of the year! (This information was accurate when written)
Davos is a sizable town and the biggest stand-alone resort in terms of kilometres of pistes. The linked 4 Valleys ski area tops this distance, which includes the resorts Nendaz and Verbier (Verbier being the biggest town). See our list of the 10 biggest Swiss resorts to read about other big ski resorts/areas in Switzerland.
Home to the highest ski slope in Europe at 3899m, Zermatt has fantastic early season snowfall and the best slope conditions for skiing in December. Views of the world-renowned Matterhorn aren't bad either! Saas Fee and the 4 Vallees are also great options for early season skiing in December due to their high ski areas.
Crans Montana is a fantastic place to go away this January. The resort sits at 1500m with skiing up to 3000m – perfect for retaining that earlier season snow. With mainly south-facing slopes and averaging over 300 days of sunshine a year, you'll be able to enjoy lunch outside too. Grindlewald, Klosters and Arosa are also firm favourites among skiers looking to beat those January blues.
St Moritz is perfect for February skiing. With over 350km of downhill pistes and a variety of runs, it has something for all skiers and snowboarders. It's sunny all year round with picturesque views of the lakes and pine forests.
Davos is one of the most desirable ski resorts in the world. The town has that chocolate box feel to it and there's plenty of non-skiing activities - you won't get cabin fever here! There are over 320km of pistes to explore and a varied range terrain suitable for all abilities. Nendaz, Laax and Verbier also come top of the list for sunny skiing in March.
Are you looking for the best end of season snow in Switzerland? Saas Fee is the place to be! It's one of the highest resorts in Switzerland at 1800m and has skiing up to 3600m - the conditions don't get much better than Saas Fee. The resort sits in the valley between 4000m high mountain peaks. If you're feeling adventurous Zermatt is a 50-minute train away!
You can drive to these Swiss resorts from Calais in one day: Grindelwald, Verbier, Crans Montana, Nendaz and Wengen. Ski resorts with a short transfer from the nearest airport include Lauterbrunnen - 1 hour, Grindelwald - 1 hour 10 min, Crans Montana - 2 hour 10 min, Davos - 2 hour 15 min and Verbier - 2 hour 30 min
Switzerland is the ideal country to learn to ski. It doesn't get much better than Samnaun in the Silvretta ski area. With over 40% of slopes suited to beginners and plenty of lovely wide slopes, Sumnaun is the best place to perfect those turns.
- St Moritz, Zermatt and Grindelwald have train stations that can be reached via the Eurostar via Paris and Zurich followed by regional trains.
- Nendaz, Verbier and Villars are less than a 30 minute bus/taxi transfer from the nearest stations, which can be reached by a combination of Eurostar and regional trains.
- Champery, Les Diablerets and Crans Montana can be reached by train transfer from Geneva airport (with one change and taking about 3 hours).
Zermatt’s heaven for couples, with view of the mighty Matterhorn that’ll take your breath away plus seriously swoon-worthy snow conditions. The postcard-ready village (all choc-box lodges and cobbled streets) is full of restaurants serving top-quality cuisine, private spas for pampering and chic cocktail bars.
Verbier is the liveliest ski resort in Switzerland and quite possibly the world. If you love a post-ski party, this is the place to come with the famous Farinet bar and Farm Club among the many après-ski and nightlife venues. Check out our Switzerland après-ski top 10 page for more information.
The cheapest ski resorts in Switzerland include Davos, a href="/ski-holidays/switzerland/les-diablerets/">Les Diablerets, Interlaken, Nendaz and Crans Montana.
The most snow-sure ski resorts in Switzerland are Saas Fee, Zermatt and Verbier.
St Moritz wins top-prize for most luxurious resort in Switzerland with its grand hotels, designer shopping and gourmet dining. Verbier and Zermatt are very close contenders. Discover more luxury ski resorts in Switzerland.
The best family-friends ski resorts in Switzerland are Klosters, Wengen, Murren and Saas Fee.
Yes, it’s best practice these days. Children especially should wear a helmet and they’re often mandatory for ski school. Make sure it’s a ski/snow helmet, as cycling, skating or horse riding helmets are made differently and don’t give the same protection. Read more here about safety tips in the mountains.
Zermatt sits in sight of the magnificent Matterhorn, Switzerland’s national landmark, and the most photographed mountain on the planet! The village is a treat for the eyes, with its car-free cobbled streets, boutique chocolate shops and elegant church steeples. Read more on our Prettiest resorts in Switzerland page.
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