In Switzerland, excellence is not an ideal, but the bottom line. The country’s smallest ski resort will become a crown jewel elsewhere, while its major destinations are in a category entirely of their own. The way each method is handled sets the tone. The season officially begins during the holidays, but the timing pays off for those who know better. Early December brings empty slopes and perfect corduroy. January and February offer the deepest powder, with temperatures that keep it pristine. The arrival of March brings with it long, sun-drenched afternoons that make a three-hour mountain lunch feel entirely reasonable. While these are loose guidelines at best, Zermatt’s glaciers operate year-round, and St. Moritz’s more than 300 days of sunshine per year have long overturned conventional wisdom about winter.
The way each method is approached sets the tone. The best way to reach most attractions is to take a morning flight to Zurich or Geneva, connected to the rail system, and through the panoramic windows the scenery changes from meticulous farmland to alpine drama. These train journeys have become so fundamental to the experience that operators like Scott Dunn are elevating the transportation itself into the cornerstone of the journey, notably Glacier Express’s Swiss Ski Tours, which take guests by rail to the Swiss ski mecca of Zell Matt, St. Moritz and Andermatt.
What makes Switzerland unique is not only the skiing, but also the culture that strikes an incredible balance between tradition and innovation. Those century-old farmhouses? They hide the Michelin star kitchen. Glass-walled mountain lounges look strangely at home compared to mountains that have remained unchanged for millennia. You’ll find third-generation farmers discussing contemporary art installations over cheese boards, while tech billionaires seek advice from mountain guides whose families worked the slopes before skiing became a sport. Each resort has developed its own unique character, completing different aspects of the alpine experience. Here’s a guide to Switzerland’s most compelling winter destinations, because standing still is never an option in a country where hospitality is a competitive sport.
