Zurich is very near to some of the best ski resorts in the world and makes a great starting point for a winter sports holiday - some resorts are barely an hour away. If you are living in the city as an expat you are sure to want to try out the world's best ski and snowboard destinations during your assignment. And if you are here on business it seems rude not to take at least a day out to visit the slopes. Also Kloten, where Zurich's international airport is located, is a convenient gateway for skiers and snowboarders looking for a weekend or midweek break or who want to avoid being treated like cattle by a package holiday operator. In fact Zurich is almost certainly the easiest airport to use to get to the Alps, with a station in the airport itself and fast train links to a number of world class resorts.
For one, two and six day outings, Swiss Rail runs the outstanding Snow'n'Rail scheme with a 20% discount on both public transport and lift passes. These can be purchased from the SBB ticket machines or from the railway service desk, both in the Airport Centre. If you plan to travel a lot in Switzerland during a year, you can also purchase a 1/2 price railcard which will also apply to Snow'n'Rail tickets. If you have a SwissPass you can log onto most ski resort web sites, provide your SwissPass ID, pay for your ski pass and your SwissPass can be used as a keycard.
Incidentally Zurich is not only convenient for Swiss resorts - there is a direct rail service to St Anton in Austria, and the drive to the other Arlberg resorts or Ischgl is pretty straightforward too. I've driven between Zurich and St Anton in a little over 2 hours without breaking a speed limit once. See my blog article on driving from Switzerland to St Anton for more information. There is also a daily shuttle bus from Zurich Airport provided by the Arlberg Express.
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 I will include here a selection of journey times from Zurich to convenient resorts, sortable on any column.
Resort | Region | Language | Locality | Bottom m | Top m | Piste km | Family | Day | Price | Snow'n'Rail | Station | Zurich | Zurich | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adelboden | Bernese Oberland | Swiss German | Bern | 1068 | 2362 | 205 | 66 | SFr | Y | 2 hrs 32 mins | 2 hrs 10 mins | 163 km | ||
Airolo | Ticino | Italian | Ticino | 1700 | 2250 | 30 | 45 | SFr | Y | Y | 1 hr 44 mins | 1 hr 29 mins | 123 km | |
Aletsch Arena | Valais | Swiss German | Valais | 1845 | 2869 | 104 | Y | 60 | SFr | Y | Y | 2 hrs 37 mins | 2 hrs 40 mins | 159 km |
Alt St Johann | Eastern Switzerland | Swiss German | St Gallen | 900 | 2262 | 50 | Y | 59 | SFr | 1 hr 55 mins | 1 hr 15 mins | 95 km | ||
Andermatt | Central Switzerland | Swiss German | Uri | 1444 | 2963 | 120 | 57 | SFr | Y | Y | 1 hr 53 mins | 1 hr 25 mins | 109 km | |
Anzère | Valais | French | Valais | 1500 | 2420 | 58 | 55 | SFr | 3 hrs 15 mins | 3 hrs 15 mins | 291 km | |||
Arolla | Valais | French | Valais | 2000 | 2980 | 47 | 39 | SFr | 3 hrs 50 mins | 3 hrs 31 mins | 314 km | |||
Arosa | Graubünden | Swiss German | Graubünden | 1230 | 2865 | 225 | Y | 84 | SFr | Y | Y | 2 hrs 32 mins | 2 hrs 10 mins | 148 km |
Belalp | Valais | Swiss German | Valais | 1750 | 3112 | 60 | 58 | SFr | Y | 2 hrs 36 mins | 3 hrs 10 mins | 186 km | ||
Bettmeralp | Valais | Swiss German | Valais | 1970 | 2647 | 104 | 60 | SFr | Y | Y | 2 hrs 37 mins | 3 hrs 46 mins | 341 km | |
Braunwald | Eastern Switzerland | Swiss German | Glarus | 1300 | 1905 | 30 | Y | 49 | SFr | Y | Y | 1 hr 30 mins | 1 hr 15 mins | 87 km |
Brigels | Graubünden | Romansh | Graubünden | 1100 | 2418 | 75 | Y | 56 | SFr | Y | 2 hrs 25 mins | 2 hrs 10 mins | 165 km | |
Celerina | Graubünden | Swiss German | Graubünden | 1750 | 3057 | 163 | 79 | SFr | Y | Y | 3 hrs 8 mins | 2 hrs 36 mins | 207 km | |
Champéry | Valais | French | Valais | 1050 | 2250 | 603 | 67 | SFr | Y | Y | 3 hrs 51 mins | 2 hrs 50 mins | 250 km | |
Chandolin | Valais | French | Valais | 2000 | 3000 | 60 | 58 | SFr | 2 hrs 43 mins | 3 hrs 29 mins | 316 km | |||
Château-d'Oex | Lake Geneva Region | French | Vaud | 1001 | 1650 | 30 | Y | 36 | SFr | Y | 3 hrs 10 mins | 2 hrs 29 mins | 208 km | |
Crans-Montana | Valais | French | Valais | 1500 | 3000 | 140 | Y | 89 | SFr | Y | Y | 3 hrs 21 mins | 3 hrs 20 mins | 300 km |
Davos | Graubünden | Swiss German | Graubünden | 810 | 2844 | 279 | Y | 71 | SFr | Y | Y | 2 hrs 13 mins | 1 hr 55 mins | 148 km |
Diavolezza | Graubünden | Swiss German | Graubünden | 2093 | 2978 | 35 | 67 | SFr | Y | Y | 3 hrs 44 mins | 2 hrs 48 mins | 222 km | |
Disentis | Graubünden | Swiss German | Graubünden | 1227 | 2833 | 60 | 62 | SFr | Y | Y | 2 hrs 34 mins | 2 hrs 25 mins | 178 km | |
Elm | Eastern Switzerland | Swiss German | Glarus | 1000 | 2100 | 40 | 49 | SFr | 1 hr 42 mins | 1 hr 10 mins | 89 km | |||
Engelberg | Central Switzerland | Swiss German | Obwalden | 1050 | 3020 | 82 | Y | 68 | SFr | Y | Y | 1 hr 49 mins | 1 hr 10 mins | 86 km |
Fiescheralp | Valais | Swiss German | Valais | 1845 | 2869 | 104 | 60 | SFr | Y | Y | 2 hrs 57 mins | 2 hrs 40 mins | 159 km | |
Flims Laax Falera | Graubünden | Swiss German | Graubünden | 1100 | 3018 | 224 | Y | 85 | SFr | Y | 1 hr 50 mins | 1 hr 45 mins | 138 km | |
Flumserberg | Eastern Switzerland | Swiss German | St Gallen | 1220 | 2222 | 65 | Y | 63 | SFr | Y | Y | 1 hr 4 mins | 1 hr 15 mins | 96 km |
Glacier 3000 | Lake Geneva Region | French | Vaud | 1350 | 3000 | 28 | 64 | SFr | 3 hrs 38 mins | 2 hrs 30 mins | 203 km | |||
Goms | Valais | Swiss German | Valais | 1400 | 1580 | 5 | 16 | SFr | 3 hrs 7 mins | 2 hrs 20 mins | 164 km | |||
Grächen | Valais | Swiss German | Valais | 1619 | 2864 | 44 | Y | 56 | SFr | Y | 2 hrs 48 mins | 3 hrs 47 mins | 341 km | |
Grimentz | Valais | French | Valais | 1572 | 2900 | 115 | 62 | SFr | 3 hrs 43 mins | 3 hrs 30 mins | 313 km | |||
Grindelwald | Bernese Oberland | Swiss German | Bern | 1049 | 2500 | 160 | 65 | SFr | Y | Y | 2 hrs 37 mins | 1 hr 50 mins | 135 km | |
Gstaad | Bernese Oberland | Swiss German | Bern | 1200 | 2971 | 58 | 65 | SFr | Y | 2 hrs 49 mins | 2 hrs 25 mins | 187 km | ||
Hoch-Ybrig | Central Switzerland | Swiss German | Schwyz | 1050 | 1831 | 50 | 55 | SFr | 1 hr 28 mins | 1 hr 10 mins | 59 km | |||
Klewenalp | Central Switzerland | Swiss German | Nidwalden | 1279 | 2001 | 40 | 51 | SFr | Y | 1 hr 53 mins | 1 hr 10 mins | 83 km | ||
Klosters | Graubünden | Swiss German | Graubünden | 810 | 2844 | 279 | Y | 71 | SFr | Y | 1 hr 48 mins | 1 hr 45 mins | 136 km | |
Lenk i. S. | Bernese Oberland | Swiss German | Bern | 1068 | 2362 | 182 | Y | 66 | SFr | Y | Y | 2 hrs 59 mins | 2 hrs 30 mins | 187 km |
Lenzerheide | Graubünden | Swiss German | Graubünden | 1230 | 2865 | 225 | Y | 84 | SFr | Y | 1 hr 55 mins | 1 hr 45 mins | 139 km | |
Les Diablerets | Lake Geneva Region | French | Vaud | 1200 | 3000 | 84 | 56 | SFr | Y | 3 hrs 38 mins | 2 hrs 45 mins | 246 km | ||
Les Marécottes | Valais | French | Valais | 1100 | 2200 | 28 | 44 | SFr | Y | 3 hrs 32 mins | 2 hrs 45 mins | 259 km | ||
Leukerbad | Valais | Swiss German | Valais | 1411 | 2610 | 55 | Y | 55 | SFr | 3 hrs 5 mins | 3 hrs 25 mins | 312 km | ||
Leysin | Lake Geneva Region | French | Vaud | 1350 | 2205 | 100 | Y | 55 | SFr | Y | 3 hrs 19 mins | 2 hrs 45 mins | 242 km | |
Lötschental | Valais | Swiss German | Valais | 1968 | 3111 | 55 | 57 | SFr | Y | 2 hrs 41 mins | 3 hrs | 187 km | ||
Meiringen | Bernese Oberland | Swiss German | Bern | 1061 | 2433 | 60 | Y | 59 | SFr | Y | Y | 2 hrs 8 mins | 1 hr 15 mins | 100 km |
Melchsee-Frutt | Central Switzerland | Swiss German | Obwalden | 1080 | 2255 | 36 | 50 | SFr | Y | 2 hrs 12 mins | 1 hr 20 mins | 92 km | ||
Mürren | Bernese Oberland | Swiss German | Bern | 1650 | 2971 | 54 | 65 | SFr | Y | Y | 2 hrs 49 mins | 1 hr 50 mins | 132 km | |
Nendaz | Valais | French | Valais | 1350 | 3330 | 412 | Y | 59 | SFr | Y | 3 hrs 15 mins | 3 hrs 10 mins | 281 km | |
Obersaxen | Graubünden | Swiss German | Graubünden | 1201 | 2310 | 120 | 59 | SFr | 2 hrs 38 mins | 2 hrs | 158 km | |||
Pizol | Eastern Switzerland | Swiss German | St Gallen | 1045 | 2250 | 43 | 54 | SFr | Y | Y | 1 hr 18 mins | 1 hr 50 mins | 120 km | |
Pontresina | Graubünden | Swiss German | Graubünden | 2093 | 2978 | 9 | 79 | SFr | Y | Y | 3 hrs 44 mins | 2 hrs 50 mins | 211 km | |
Riederalp | Valais | Swiss German | Valais | 1950 | 2335 | 104 | 60 | SFr | Y | Y | 2 hrs 34 mins | 4 hrs 4 mins | 350 km | |
Rougemont | Lake Geneva Region | French | Vaud | 992 | 2284 | 62 | 63 | SFr | 3 hrs | 2 hrs 25 mins | 189 km | |||
Saanen | Bernese Oberland | Swiss German | Bern | 992 | 2284 | 86 | 65 | SFr | Y | 2 hrs 59 mins | 2 hrs 29 mins | 203 km | ||
Saas-Fee | Valais | Swiss German | Valais | 1483 | 3600 | 100 | Y | 73 | SFr | 2 hrs 57 mins | 3 hrs 35 mins | 212 km | ||
Saas-Grund | Valais | Swiss German | Valais | 1560 | 3200 | 35 | Y | 54 | SFr | 2 hrs 44 mins | 3 hrs 46 mins | 341 km | ||
Savognin | Graubünden | Romansh | Graubünden | 1200 | 2713 | 80 | Y | 57 | SFr | 2 hrs 37 mins | 1 hr 50 mins | 164 km | ||
Scuol | Graubünden | Romansh | Graubünden | 1250 | 2783 | 70 | 57 | SFr | Y | Y | 2 hrs 39 mins | 2 hrs 45 mins | 177 km | |
Sedrun | Graubünden | Romansh | Graubünden | 1500 | 2350 | 120 | SFr | Y | Y | 2 hrs 53 mins | 2 hrs 30 mins | 186 km | ||
Sörenberg | Central Switzerland | Swiss German | Luzern | 1166 | 2350 | 53 | 52 | SFr | Y | 1 hr 53 mins | 1 hr 25 mins | 100 km | ||
Splügen | Graubünden | Swiss German | Graubünden | 1460 | 2215 | 30 | 51 | SFr | 2 hrs 26 mins | 1 hr 45 mins | 168 km | |||
St Moritz | Graubünden | Swiss German | Graubünden | 1750 | 3303 | 163 | Y | 79 | SFr | Y | Y | 3 hrs 26 mins | 2 hrs 40 mins | 203 km |
St-Luc | Valais | French | Valais | 1650 | 3000 | 60 | 58 | SFr | 3 hrs 42 mins | 3 hrs 30 mins | 311 km | |||
Stoos | Central Switzerland | Swiss German | Schwyz | 1300 | 1935 | 35 | 52 | SFr | Y | 1 hr 15 mins | 1 hr 15 mins | 69 km | ||
Unterwasser | Eastern Switzerland | Swiss German | St Gallen | 900 | 2262 | 60 | Y | 59 | SFr | 1 hr 55 mins | 1 hr 18 mins | 80 km | ||
Vals | Graubünden | Swiss German | Graubünden | 1250 | 3000 | 25 | 49 | SFr | 2 hrs 34 mins | 2 hrs 7 mins | 168 km | |||
Verbier | Valais | French | Valais | 1500 | 3330 | 412 | 67 | SFr | Y | Y | 3 hrs 17 mins | 3 hrs 10 mins | 278 km | |
Veysonnaz | Valais | French | Valais | 1350 | 3330 | 412 | 59 | SFr | Y | 3 hrs 11 mins | 3 hrs 10 mins | 288 km | ||
Villars | Lake Geneva Region | French | Vaud | 1300 | 3000 | 84 | Y | 56 | SFr | Y | 3 hrs 58 mins | 2 hrs 45 mins | 239 km | |
Wengen | Bernese Oberland | Swiss German | Bern | 1274 | 2320 | 162 | 66 | SFr | Y | Y | 2 hrs 49 mins | 1 hr 45 mins | 128 km | |
Wildhaus | Eastern Switzerland | Swiss German | St Gallen | 900 | 2262 | 60 | Y | 59 | SFr | 1 hr 55 mins | 1 hr 25 mins | 100 km | ||
Zermatt | Valais | Swiss German | Valais | 1620 | 3899 | 360 | 92 | SFr | Y | 3 hrs 11 mins | 3 hrs 50 mins | 221 km | ||
Zinal | Valais | French | Valais | 1670 | 3000 | 115 | 62 | SFr | 3 hrs 47 mins | 3 hrs 40 mins | 317 km | |||
Zweisimmen | Bernese Oberland | Swiss German | Bern | 950 | 2008 | 85 | 65 | SFr | Y | Y | 2 hrs 17 mins | 2 hrs 15 mins | 190 km | |
St Anton | Austria | German | Tyrol | 1304 | 2811 | 340 | 53 | Euro | Y | 2 hrs 17 mins | 2 hrs 15 mins | 200 km |