Skiing in Switzerland
If skiing is a totally new term in your vocabulary, and gaper, schussing, and yard sale are unheard of, then skiing in Switzerland’s famous Alps is not for you.
The Swiss Alps may be the number one choice for avid skiers, but it does not mean that beginners can’t have the feel of the genuine Alpine experience. Skiing in Switzerland is definitely not for the weak-hearted. Even though there are slopes intended for beginners, generally, the country’s ski areas are a big challenge for most people.
Skiing in Switzerland spells Z-E-R-M-A-T-T. It is the home of Matterhorn, one of the most popular peaks of Europe, which beckons tourists from all over the world. Zermatt is a panoramic village that is free from cars. It provides a nice base for several of the best skiing venues in the country. It is made up of three major ski areas: the Sunnegga, the Klein Matterhorn, and the Gornergrat. All three areas provide first-class thrills for all skier levels.
Zermatt offer around 250 kilometers of ski areas. It does not only welcome intermediates but those who hardly know what their getting themselves into. Half of the total number of trails, or about 15 of them, is considered as beginner-friendly. Experts claim 28% of them, and those who crave off-trails will rejoice in knowing that Zermatt offers these as well.
There are several other winter sports than skiing in Switzerland. Snowboarders have their own terrains too. Ice hiking, tobogganing, ice climbing, and snowshoeing may all sound strange to some of us, but all these are actually very common in Switzerland.
For those who’d rather watch all the winter activities from the sidelines, they can all rejoice in the fun excursions available. A trip to the highest ice museum in the world, the Glacier Grotto, will surely be a good alternative to skiing in Switzerland. This doesn’t even deprive them of the thrill that most skiers feel because they’ll be lifted on top of the Matterhorn by cable cars.
Skiing in Switzerland can happen all year-round in some areas. Though generally, the downhill season runs from the middle of December towards the end of March. But those in the higher altitudes can last beyond that time.
If you’ve got wobbly legs and poor balance, it doesn’t mean that you abhor skiing in Switzerland for good. Practice may not guarantee to turn you into an expert, but will definitely let you have a feel of the great Swiss ski experience. But if after a thousand falls and a bad sprain you still don’t get better at it, try sleigh riding. Even Santa will like riding it in the Alps.
When someone asks about Switzerland, among the first things that come to mind are Swiss cheese – delectable treats – and, of course, the magnificent Swiss Alps. And when talking about the Swiss Alps, the sport that is most associated with it is skiing.
Skiing in Switzerland is big. One would hardly call it a Swiss winter vacation if you don’t have skiing in Switzerland somewhere in the agenda.
Long been renowned for its breathtaking views and magnificent scenery, Switzerland has something to offer for everyone. Skiing in Switzerland could mean being at a family-oriented resort in the serene setting of a quiet Alpine village. Or it could mean vibrant laces with superb après ski. Anything that suits your taste or fancy actually.
So if you are planning on going skiing in Switzerland, consider our list of top most visited ski resorts:
Zermatt
Hugging the foot of the most famous mountain in Switzerland, the Matterhorn, Zermatt is a car-free resort that offers skiing in Switzerland among various things. The resort combines the beautiful scenery of an Alpine village with the sophistication of a prime holiday destination, making it one of the top places to visit when you go to Switzerland.
The Zermatt provides its guests with a modern lift system, practical holiday apartments, attractive hotels and friendly hosts. In addition to the 1,620-3,882 meters of skiing right at its doorstep, the Zermatt may also prove to be a great starting point for skiing in Italy with no less than 62 mountain trains providing you access across the border.
Andermatt-Gotthard
For the most reliable areas for snow cover in Switzerland, Andermatt in the Ursern Valley is the place to go. The Valley is surrounded by the magnificent mountain passes of Gotthard, Furka, and Oberalp, offering you a total of 74 km of descents and pistes.
With so much ground to cover, you can rest assured that you will enjoy skiing in Switzerland, especially at Andermatt, whether you are a beginner, advanced or expert. The powder snow lasts until late in the spring, so you can actually book your vacation when the season is almost over to get a better deal.
Adelboden
At 1,350 m above sea level, the idyllic chalet village of Adelboden is completely surrounded by the beautiful mountains of the Bernese Oberland. Skiing here is extravagant with an area stretching from 1,350 up to 2,400 m of the linked resort Adelboden-Lenk. As one of the top skiing areas in Switzerland, Adelboden offers rare features not often found in other ski resorts – altitude, variety, and snow-assuredness.
The resort has 56 lift facilities, plus a network of runs which extend over 170 km. There are also a wide variety of leisure, including child-friendly activities. So if you are planning on skiing in Switzerland with your family in tow, this is a great place to visit.
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