Ski and Snowboard Switzerland from Basel

Bern is close to some of the best resorts in the Alps


Basel is a great city if you enjoy winter sports, and I hope this site helps you. I have lived in Basel for many years and got to visit all of the resorts listed here, frequently on day outings, from Basel.

I developed this web site because I found that most ski websites assume you are a package holidaymaker and they don't provide any guidance on how to actually get to the resorts, or how to weigh up transport options.

The nearest resort to Basel is actually in the Black Forest, in Germany, at Feldberg, a short train or car ride away. Basel also lies in the mountain range known as the Jura, after which the Jurassic age is named, and for some of the season there are various winter sports you can indulge in here, with the closest resort to Basel in Switzerland at Langenbruck, in Baselland. I have to tell you it is rather underwhelming.

The Alpine resorts all lie at least an hour or more from Basel, but getting to the resorts is easy with an efficient road network and public transport system. I sometimes take the car, but usually I have relied upon public transport. Despite the sometimes multiple connections, I have only ever missed one connection in almost 20 years. Furthermore the getting there, and back, has been for me a large part of the enjoyment of a day out in the mountains using public transport. There is no stress, indeed the trip out there is therapeutic and the journey back is a great opportunity to enjoy some apres ski beers as a most amazing backdrop passes by. For one, two and six day outings, Swiss Rail runs the outstanding Snow'n'Rail scheme with significant discounts on both public transport and lift passes.

Incidentally, whether you use public transport or not, A Swisspass can be used as a ski pass at most resorts. You go online to the resort website, enter the Swisspass card number and then you can get straight onto the lifts. If you don't have a SwissPass, you can get one for free from the SBB station if you take along a passport photo. There are photo booths in the station.

If you are flying into Basel, the airport is 23 minutes by bus from the Basel SBB railway station (with a tram connection under construction), and there are several timetabled buses an hour. Car hire is available from the airport from all the usual suspects. The motorway network effectively begins with the Basel ring road, 5 minutes drive from the airport and Basel is as well situated as Geneva or Zurich for getting to many Swiss ski resorts.

I am not going too much into the ins and outs of travelling within Switzerland - individual resort pages provide more detail for each resort - but below you will find a summary of information on significant resorts, sortable by column. Just click on a column heading to sort or reverse the listings, e.g. by least travel time.

For families who want to make the most of other winter activities closer to Basel than the Alps, please check out the Tips for Families in the Basel Area.

As an alternative to public transport or private car, there is the option of using one of the many tour operators who run bus trips to and from selected resorts. Usually these operators advertise in the local papers, and they offer great value - Erich Saner runs day trips at weekends from various stops in the Basel area to places like Sorenberg, Gstaad Mountain Rides and Meiringen-Hasliberg for around SFr 65 inclusive of lift pass. For parties, there are also operators who can provide minbus or coach transport with or without drivers from Basel or the airport, e.g. Busmiete.ch.


Resort Region Language Locality Bottom m Top m Piste km Fam­ily Day Price Snow'n'­Rail Stat­ion Basel Car-free Basel Distance
Adelboden Bernese Oberland Swiss German Bern 1068 2362 205 66 SFr Y 2 hrs 35 mins 2 hrs 158 km
Airolo Ticino Italian Ticino 1700 2250 30 45 SFr Y Y 2 hrs 57 mins 2 hrs 183 km
Aletsch Arena Valais Swiss German Valais 1845 2869 104 Y 60 SFr Y Y 2 hrs 38 mins Y 3 hrs 221 km
Alt St Johann Eastern Switzerland Swiss German St Gallen 900 2262 50 Y 59 SFr 3 hrs 20 mins 2 hrs 179 km
Andermatt Central Switzerland Swiss German Uri 1444 2963 120 57 SFr Y Y 2 hrs 56 mins 2 hrs 167 km
Anzère Valais French Valais 1500 2420 58 55 SFr 3 hrs 22 mins 3 hrs 265 km
Arolla Valais French Valais 2000 2980 47 39 SFr 3 hrs 53 mins 3 hrs 14 mins 287 km
Arosa Graubünden Swiss German Graubünden 1230 2865 225 Y 84 SFr Y Y 3 hrs 36 mins 3 hrs 232 km
Belalp Valais Swiss German Valais 1750 3112 60 58 SFr Y 2 hrs 39 mins Y 3 hrs 30 mins 214 km
Bettmeralp Valais Swiss German Valais 1970 2647 104 60 SFr Y Y 2 hrs 38 mins Y 3 hrs 40 mins 236 km
Braunwald Eastern Switzerland Swiss German Glarus 1300 1905 30 Y 49 SFr Y Y 2 hrs 37 mins Y 2 hrs 172 km
Brigels Graubünden Romansh Graubünden 1100 2418 75 Y 56 SFr Y 3 hrs 29 mins 3 hrs 220 km
Bruson Valais French Valais 1080 2220 26 49 SFr Y 3 hrs 21 mins 2 hrs 38 mins 246 km
Caux Lake Geneva Region French Vaud 1161 2322 8 35 SFr 3 hrs 37 mins 2 hrs 8 mins 190 km
Celerina Graubünden Swiss German Graubünden 1750 3057 163 79 SFr Y Y 4 hrs 20 mins 3 hrs 28 mins 291 km
Chamonix France French Haute-Savoie 1035 3842 170 Euro Y 5 hrs 3 hrs 10 mins 268 km
Champéry Valais French Valais 1050 2250 603 67 SFr Y Y 3 hrs 57 mins 2 hrs 30 mins 226 km
Chandolin Valais French Valais 2000 3000 60 58 SFr 2 hrs 43 mins 3 hrs 11 mins 289 km
Château-d'Oex Lake Geneva Region French Vaud 1001 1650 30 Y 36 SFr Y 3 hrs 11 mins 2 hrs 15 mins 182 km
Crans-Montana Valais French Valais 1500 3000 140 Y 89 SFr Y Y 3 hrs 7 mins 3 hrs 273 km
Davos Graubünden Swiss German Graubünden 810 2844 279 Y 71 SFr Y Y 3 hrs 22 mins 2 hrs 45 mins 232 km
Diavolezza Graubünden Swiss German Graubünden 2093 2978 35 67 SFr Y Y 4 hrs 50 mins 3 hrs 39 mins 306 km
Disentis Graubünden Swiss German Graubünden 1227 2833 60 62 SFr Y Y 3 hrs 38 mins 3 hrs 15 mins 262 km
Elm Eastern Switzerland Swiss German Glarus 1000 2100 40 49 SFr 2 hrs 48 mins 2 hrs 2 mins 174 km
Engelberg Central Switzerland Swiss German Obwalden 1050 3020 82 Y 68 SFr Y Y 1 hr 49 mins 1 hr 40 mins 131 km
Feldberg Germany German Black Forest 945 1493 55 Y 36 Euro Y 1 hr 45 mins 1 hr 10 mins 73 km
Fiescheralp Valais Swiss German Valais 1845 2869 104 60 SFr Y Y 2 hrs 58 mins Y 3 hrs 221 km
Flims Laax Falera Graubünden Swiss German Graubünden 1100 3018 224 Y 85 SFr Y 2 hrs 48 mins 2 hrs 30 mins 222 km
Flumserberg Eastern Switzerland Swiss German St Gallen 1220 2222 65 Y 63 SFr Y Y 2 hrs 29 mins 2 hrs 180 km
Glacier 3000 Lake Geneva Region French Vaud 1350 3000 28 64 SFr 3 hrs 47 mins 2 hrs 30 mins 222 km
Goms Valais Swiss German Valais 1400 1580 5 16 SFr 3 hrs 7 mins 2 hrs 40 mins 210 km
Grächen Valais Swiss German Valais 1619 2864 44 Y 56 SFr Y 3 hrs 14 mins 3 hrs 30 mins 216 km
Grimentz Valais French Valais 1572 2900 115 62 SFr 3 hrs 43 mins 3 hrs 10 mins 286 km
Grindelwald Bernese Oberland Swiss German Bern 1049 2500 160 65 SFr Y Y 2 hrs 38 mins 2 hrs 10 mins 166 km
Grüsch-Danusa Graubünden Swiss German Graubünden 1250 1800 32 55 SFr 2 hrs 21 mins 2 hrs 196 km
Gstaad Bernese Oberland Swiss German Bern 1200 2971 58 65 SFr Y 2 hrs 52 mins 2 hrs 10 mins 178 km
Hoch-Ybrig Central Switzerland Swiss German Schwyz 1050 1831 50 55 SFr 2 hrs 31 mins 2 hrs 143 km
Klewenalp Central Switzerland Swiss German Nidwalden 1279 2001 40 51 SFr Y 1 hr 53 mins Y 1 hr 35 mins 127 km
Klosters Graubünden Swiss German Graubünden 810 2844 279 Y 71 SFr Y 2 hrs 52 mins 2 hrs 30 mins 221 km
Lenk i. S. Bernese Oberland Swiss German Bern 1068 2362 182 Y 66 SFr Y Y 3 hrs 2 hrs 20 mins 179 km
Lenzerheide Graubünden Swiss German Graubünden 1230 2865 225 Y 84 SFr Y 3 hrs 6 mins 2 hrs 30 mins 223 km
Les Diablerets Lake Geneva Region French Vaud 1200 3000 84 56 SFr Y 3 hrs 47 mins 2 hrs 20 mins 226 km
Les Marécottes Valais French Valais 1100 2200 28 44 SFr Y 3 hrs 33 mins 2 hrs 24 mins 232 km
Leukerbad Valais Swiss German Valais 1411 2610 55 Y 55 SFr 3 hrs 16 mins 3 hrs 10 mins 285 km
Leysin Lake Geneva Region French Vaud 1350 2205 100 Y 55 SFr Y 3 hrs 48 mins 2 hrs 30 mins 215 km
Lötschental Valais Swiss German Valais 1968 3111 55 57 SFr Y 2 hrs 47 mins Y 2 hrs 45 mins 184 km
Lungern Central Switzerland Swiss German Obwalden 1550 2205 24 SFr 2 hrs 26 mins 1 hr 30 mins 131 km
Malbun Eastern Switzerland Swiss German Liechtenstein 1300 2000 23 Y 49 SFr 2 hrs 52 mins 2 hrs 25 mins 202 km
Meiringen Bernese Oberland Swiss German Bern 1061 2433 60 Y 59 SFr Y Y 2 hrs 34 mins 1 hr 30 mins 145 km
Melchsee-Frutt Central Switzerland Swiss German Obwalden 1080 2255 36 50 SFr Y 2 hrs 12 mins 1 hr 40 mins 137 km
Moléson Fribourg Region French Fribourg 1100 2002 30 35 SFr 2 hrs 53 mins Y 1 hr 45 mins 161 km
Mürren Bernese Oberland Swiss German Bern 1650 2971 54 65 SFr Y Y 2 hrs 14 mins Y 2 hrs 171 km
Nendaz Valais French Valais 1350 3330 412 Y 59 SFr Y 3 hrs 21 mins 2 hrs 50 mins 254 km
Obersaxen Graubünden Swiss German Graubünden 1201 2310 120 59 SFr 3 hrs 22 mins 2 hrs 40 mins 242 km
Ovronnaz Valais French Valais 1350 2500 30 53 SFr 3 hrs 40 mins 2 hrs 36 mins 245 km
Pizol Eastern Switzerland Swiss German St Gallen 1045 2250 43 54 SFr Y Y 2 hrs 20 mins 2 hrs 40 mins 205 km
Pontresina Graubünden Swiss German Graubünden 2093 2978 9 79 SFr Y Y 4 hrs 50 mins 3 hrs 40 mins 295 km
Riederalp Valais Swiss German Valais 1950 2335 104 60 SFr Y Y 2 hrs 35 mins Y 3 hrs 30 mins 230 km
Rougemont Lake Geneva Region French Vaud 992 2284 62 63 SFr 3 hrs 05 mins 2 hrs 10 mins 180 km
Saanen Bernese Oberland Swiss German Bern 992 2284 86 65 SFr Y 3 hrs 1 min 2 hrs 11 mins 176 km
Saas-Fee Valais Swiss German Valais 1483 3600 100 Y 73 SFr 3 hrs 10 mins Y 3 hrs 30 mins 219 km
Saas-Grund Valais Swiss German Valais 1560 3200 35 Y 54 SFr 2 hrs 44 mins 3 hrs 28 mins 220 km
Savognin Graubünden Romansh Graubünden 1200 2713 80 Y 57 SFr 3 hrs 42 mins 2 hrs 40 mins 249 km
Scuol Graubünden Romansh Graubünden 1250 2783 70 57 SFr Y Y 3 hrs 43 mins 3 hrs 30 mins 262 km
Sedrun Graubünden Romansh Graubünden 1500 2350 120 SFr Y Y 4 hrs 02 mins 3 hrs 20 mins 271 km
Silvaplana Graubünden Swiss German Graubünden 1750 3303 120 79 SFr Y 4 hrs 50 mins 3 hrs 16 mins 282 km
Sörenberg Central Switzerland Swiss German Luzern 1166 2350 53 52 SFr Y 2 hrs 32 mins 1 hr 30 mins 106 km
Splügen Graubünden Swiss German Graubünden 1460 2215 30 51 SFr 3 hrs 30 mins 3 hrs 253 km
St Moritz Graubünden Swiss German Graubünden 1750 3303 163 Y 79 SFr Y Y 4 hrs 25 mins 3 hrs 20 mins 295 km
St-Luc Valais French Valais 1650 3000 60 58 SFr 3 hrs 43 mins 3 hrs 10 mins 284 km
Stoos Central Switzerland Swiss German Schwyz 1300 1935 35 52 SFr Y 2 hrs 21 mins Y 1 hr 55 mins 151 km
Unterwasser Eastern Switzerland Swiss German St Gallen 900 2262 60 Y 59 SFr 3 hrs 20 mins 2 hrs 8 mins 181 km
Vals Graubünden Swiss German Graubünden 1250 3000 25 49 SFr 3 hrs 38 mins 2 hrs 58 mins 253 km
Verbier Valais French Valais 1500 3330 412 67 SFr Y Y 3 hrs 21 mins 2 hrs 50 mins 251 km
Veysonnaz Valais French Valais 1350 3330 412 59 SFr Y 3 hrs 17 mins 2 hrs 45 mins 260 km
Villars Lake Geneva Region French Vaud 1300 3000 84 Y 56 SFr Y 3 hrs 31 mins 2 hrs 25 mins 212 km
Wengen Bernese Oberland Swiss German Bern 1274 2320 162 66 SFr Y Y 2 hrs 14 mins Y 1 hr 50 mins 159 km
Wildhaus Eastern Switzerland Swiss German St Gallen 900 2262 60 Y 59 SFr 3 hrs 20 mins 2 hrs 10 mins 184 km
Zermatt Valais Swiss German Valais 1620 3899 360 92 SFr Y 3 hrs 24 mins Y 3 hrs 40 mins 229 km
Zinal Valais French Valais 1670 3000 115 62 SFr 3 hrs 43 mins 3 hrs 30 mins 290 km
Zweisimmen Bernese Oberland Swiss German Bern 950 2008 85 65 SFr Y Y 2 hrs 19 mins 1 hr 55 mins 163 km
St Anton Austria German Tyrol 1304 2811 340 53 Euro Y 4 hrs 7 mins 3 hrs 10 mins 268 km