Verbiers quiet neighbour
Finding somewhere with world-renowned snow but near empty slopes seems impossible. Not so, writes Chris Sayer.
Snow Travel Articles 
Europe Switzerland
Europe Switzerland
Switzerland
The resorts tend to be small and, thankfully, escaped the excesses of the development explosion in the Sixties and Seventies that scars other Alpine destinations. They range from world-renowned, ritzy resorts such as St Moritz and Gstaad, to quiet, family bases such as Saas Fee and Arosa. Good ski schools, excellent transfer options, lots of other activities such as tobogganing and skating. Prices in other Alpine destinations have caught up and often now exceed those in Switzerland. Zermatt, Wengen and Klosters all offer first- division skiing in pretty village settings. Boarding is extremely popular and nearly all resorts have decent parks with half-pipes.
Unusual and ergonomicRiders Palace has raised the style bar for contemporary alpine lodging.A classic example of 21st century minimalism, its architecture and décor give more of a nod to Manhattan loft living than Swiss chocolate box chalets.
Swiss air
Colin Nicholson has his eyes opened when he kicks off his trusty skis and saddles up on a snowbike in Arosa, Switzerland.
Cool lodgingsIf you’re the type that can’t resist branded clothes, then you can live in label nirvana at The Arena, a snowboarding hotel where you sleep in rooms designed and dressed to match your togs.
Glorious Graubunden
Switzerland is about the same size as Wales, and in the east of the country the canton (county) of Graubünden is the largest, occupying about a sixth of all Swiss territory. Within this relatively tiny area there are packed 362 mountain peaks above 3,000m and 45 ski resorts.
More Articles...
Page 1 of 2
Destination of the month
Lying at the heart of the massive Three Valleys ski area, Méribel is one of the most popular resorts in the Alps. It has 200 lifts and 600km of well groomed pistes and is ideal for intermediates – but like all the big resorts, caters for the less experienced extremely well. Boarders and free skiers have two parks and access to five more in the other Three Valleys resorts. The main village kept a rustic chalet feel during the building boom of the Seventies and many of the traditional buildings have been recently refurbished to the highest standards. The resorts is famous for its high spirited après scene.
Login Form
The Snow Poll
Should helmets be compulsory?
Find Your Weather
30°
-1°
°F | °C
Cloudy
Humidity: 69%
Wind: N at 5 mph
Fri
14 |
33
-10 |
0
Sat
13 |
31
-10 |
0
Sun
13 |
33
-10 |
0
