Luxury Ski Chalets Switzerland
Home to some of the top resorts in the Alps, ski holidays in Switzerland are a must for both skiers and non-skiers. Combining resort charm and spectacular scenery with impressive slopes, including some of the biggest, highest and toughest runs in the Alps, Swiss ski holidays are hard to beat. Luxury chalets in Switzerland are considered to be some of the best in the world with exquisite service and unbeatable facilities.
Why choose Switzerland for a luxury ski holiday?
- Spectacular scenery including the famous Matterhorn
- The incredibly high standard of luxury ski chalets in the Swiss Alps
- Fast, queue-free lift systems
- Swiss ski resorts are home to some of the world’s best mountain restaurants
- The extensive and reliable Swiss railway network
Luxury Ski Holidays Switzerland
Renowned for its spectacular scenery, Switzerland is home to some of the world’s greatest mountains including the Matterhorn and Eiger. Framed by snow-capped mountains, picture postcard villages are full of chocolate-box Swiss chalets and five-star hotels, providing the perfect mix of tradition and style. With a number of international airports including Zurich, Geneva and Basel, as well as a fantastic railway network, its central location couldn’t be easier to reach, providing a vast selection of options for your luxury ski holiday in Switzerland.
Luxury chalets in Switzerland provide the perfect base for exploring this incredible region. From skiing in the 4 Valleys to dining in one of the exquisite mountain restaurants, there is so much to discover and experience during a luxury ski holiday in the Swiss Alps in both summer and winter.
While France is the home of the purpose-built ski resort, Switzerland is the home of the mountain village which has transformed from a traditional farming community into a year-round resort for Swiss ski holidays. Therefore, ski holidays to Switzerland take place in resorts with a much more lived-in feel to them, providing opportunities to engage with the local culture of the region more intimately.
However, ski holidays in Switzerland are not entirely traditional. Switzerland is home to some of Europe's best terrain parks, targeting the youth and freestyle markets as well as families. Heli-skiing is also readily available whereas in France and Austria it is a lot more restricted.
Luxury Ski Resorts in Switzerland
Whether you are a family looking for child-friendly slopes or are an expert skier searching for fresh powder, luxury Switzerland ski resorts cater for all.
For unique scenery and superb skiing head to Zermatt at the foot of the Matterhorn, a resort sure to lure you back year after year. Car-free and retaining much of its original character, Zermatt has managed to transform itself into a holiday hub without compromising its authenticity. The village pulses with life, with shops, cafes and bars sitting alongside state-of-the-art Zermatt chalets, traditional churches and houses dating back more than 500 years, whilst the ski area is one of the world’s biggest and snow-sure.
Favoured by world-class athletes, Verbier is as famous for its nightlife as its skiing whilst Gstaad and St. Moritz are glamorous retreats enjoyed by those who love to shop as much as they love to ski.
When renting a luxury Swiss chalet in Verbier, Savoleyres and the Swedish Quarter are the most prestigious and private areas to stay, whilst Place Centrale is the place to be if you’re looking to be in the heart of the action.
Compared to other resorts, Gstaad has an extraordinarily diverse winter offering. Home to 200 km of ski slopes and the only glacier ski area in the Bernese Oberland, there is plenty of skiing in Gstaad to keep you amused during your stay. Cross-country skiing is also popular here whilst non-skiers have 185 km of scenic winter hiking trails and 80 km of snowshoeing trails to choose from.
If you're thinking about staying in a luxury chalet in St Moritz, make sure you plan to be there for one of the fabulous events that are held throughout the season including the Snow Polo World Cup, White Turf, St. Moritz Gourmet Festival and Cricket on Ice.
Further options for your luxury ski holiday in Switzerland include Davos and Klosters, which share a sweeping network of ski lifts and slopes, whilst Crans Montana and Saas Fee are ideal for families. Andermatt has earned its place in the hearts of free-riders and whilst under the radar at the moment, a luxury redevelopment means it won’t remain that way for long.
Luxury Catered Ski Chalets Switzerland
Whilst Switzerland has many fantastic restaurants to choose from, the convenience of a catered ski chalet is hard to beat. Both Verbier and Zermatt in particular have an array of luxury Swiss chalets with a full team of staff ready to attend to your every need. Wake up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee and set yourself up for a day exploring the well-groomed pistes, before returning to your luxury Swiss chalet for afternoon tea, champagne, canapes and a bespoke dinner created for you by your private chalet.
Luxury catered ski chalets in Switzerland which come fully staffed are certainly one of the most relaxing options for your luxury ski holiday. With daily cleaning included and often a driver at your disposal to chauffeur you to the ski lifts and back, you can revel in a hassle-free ski holiday.
Top Catered Ski Chalets in Switzerland:
- Chalet Zermatt Peak, Zermatt - for daily breakfast and multi-course dinners prepared by a gourmet chef
- Chalet Grace, Zermatt - for Perrier Jouet champagne & bespoke dinners on 6 evenings
- Chalet Chouqui, Verbier - for a premium selection of house champagnes and wines and fabulous dinners on five evenings
- Ultima Crans Montana, Crans Montana - for full breakfast menu and butler on hand
- Tivoli Lodge, Davos - for Bollinger champagne reception & daily tea in bed
Skiing in Switzerland
As well as the high standard of Switzerland luxury chalets, the country is also renowned for the quality of skiing on offer. Famous for its off-piste skiing and mogul fields, Verbier attracts powder hounds from all over the world. Linked to the 4 Vallées, Verbier forms part of Switzerland’s largest ski area with 410 km of pistes to explore. Stretching from 1,500 to 3,330 metres, Verbier is one of the top ski areas for advanced skiers.
Surrounded by 38 summits above 4,000m, Zermatt is Switzerland’s highest ski resort with slopes reaching an altitude of 3,883m. Zermatt’s 200 km ski area is made up of three linked sectors - Sunnegga-Blauherd-Rothorn, Gornergrat-Stockhorn and Trockener Steg-Schwarzee. Zermatt is also linked to the Italian resort of Cervinia and together they provide an impressive 360 km of terrain to explore.
The epitome of the all-round winter sports resort is St. Moritz. Located in the Engadin Valley close to the Italian border, it has that rare combination of both sun and snow reliability. St Moritz has hosted two Winter Olympic Games and five Alpine Ski World Championships, making it a fantastic resort for experienced skiers.
From your luxury ski chalet rental in Switzerland, don’t miss out on the six separate ski areas across the Grisons (Graubünden) canton. Accessible from Davos-Klosters, Slopes range from 1,560 to 2,844m in altitude, resulting in reliable snow conditions and there’s some epic off-piste terrain for free-riders too.
For beginner and intermediate skiers, look no further than Saas Fee. First-time skiers can make use of the large nursery area at the edge of the village before progressing to the slopes found on the glacier whilst intermediate skiers can enjoy the steeper reds on the lower runs back to the village and on the glacier.
Eating & Drinking in Switzerland
Switzerland chalet holidays are well known for the quality of cuisine on offer. Famous for its mountain restaurants, Zermatt is ‘the’ culinary hotspot in the Swiss Alps. The options cover everything from traditional Swiss cuisine to the latest in fine dining and innovation. Meanwhile, Verbier is well-known for its lively apres-ski with a variety of bars and nightclubs offering live music after hours.
From local specialties to international cuisine, Davos and Klosters’ culinary scene caters to everyone’s taste, whilst Gstaad has a fantastic array of bars and restaurants to match its exclusive clientele. In fact, over 20 restaurants in the region have been included in the Gault & Millau food guide and several have Michelin stars.
Frequently asked questions
What month is best for skiing in Switzerland?
Whilst we generally think of ski holidays in Switzerland taking place between December and April, it is also possible to ski in the summer months in some luxury Swiss ski resorts including Zermatt and Saas Fee. However, which month you feel is best for skiing in Switzerland depends on what you want to get out of your ski holiday in Switzerland.
December: Incorporating Christmas and New Year, December is a wonderful time to enjoy luxury ski holidays in Switzerland with festive celebrations and events taking place in resorts across the Swiss Alps.
January: Quieter slopes and good snowfall make January an ideal time to get away for a Swiss ski holiday.
February: Popular with families looking to get away for half-term, this is one of the busiest periods of the ski season in Switzerland.
March: Throw off your layers and enjoy the warmer weather as Spring arrives in the Swiss Alps.
April: Soak up the sun and celebrate Easter on your Switzerland ski holiday.
What is the most luxurious ski resort in Switzerland?
When it comes to luxury ski resorts in Switzerland, there is certainly no shortage of choice. With new luxury chalets in Switzerland popping up each year in luxury resorts such as St. Moritz, an exclusive winter sports resort and Zermatt, home to the majestic Matterhorn, there is plenty of opulence at your fingertips. Other luxury Swiss ski resorts include Gstaad, a luxury shoppers paradise and Klosters, a popular choice with the British Royal Family.
Where is the best place to ski in Switzerland?
The best place to ski in Switzerland depends on a number of factors, most of all your ability on the slopes. For example, Zermatt is a fantastic Swiss ski resort with 360 km of terrain to explore, but it would not be the best resort for beginners. For off-piste skiing, Verbier would be a popular choice whilst Saas Fee is well-suited to first-time skiers due to its large nursery area on the edge of the village.
Is Switzerland expensive for skiing?
Skiing in Switzerland is well known for being at the higher end of the price scale for skiing in Europe. However, the standard of service is generally high as is the cuisine. You will also find a fantastic range of luxury catered ski chalets in Switzerland where you won't have to lift a finger, which goes some way to justify the high price tag.