Switzerland, the home of winter holidays, was where we Brits first fell in love with winter in the snow more than 150 years ago.
We’re still drawn back every season to see the most spectacular peaks and vistas in the Alps, arguably the whole world, enjoy the great quality and service, and of course some superb skiing and boarding.
There are hundreds of great Swiss destinations to choose from, then fall in love with, but some are better known than others and have their particular charms, as well as, happily, some special offers this winter.
Here are five of our favourites that we have already fallen in love with …
The Jungfrau Region
The Jungfrau in the stunning Bernese Oberland dominates a winter-sports region of powder slopes rising to 3000m – with attractions culminating in the thrilling ride up the Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe (Europe’s highest railway station and also home to the continent’s highest chocolate shop, among many other attractions !).
The resorts of Grindelwald, Wengen, Mürren and Lauterbrunnen together form one of Switzerland’s most varied snow-sports regions – extending from the Lauberhorn race above Wengen, one of the biggest events in the annual World Cup downhill calendar every January, to the Schilthorn above Mürren, immortalised in a classic James Bond film.
Today there are 260km of pistes and nearly 250km of sledging and winter-walking trails too, among other attractions, which provide everything from adrenalin kicks to pure winter romance.
The region has one of the strongest connections with the Brits of all the world’s ski areas – dating back to the late 19th century when the first Brits tried skiing here for the first time and later pioneered what has since become downhill ski racing. Venerable organisations like the Kandahar and Downhill Only (DHO) ski clubs are still based here, and British guests are counted as “locals!”
Davos Klosters
Another resort that’s been welcoming Brits since the early years of winter sports, the traditional winter spa resort of Davos combines mountain magic with urban flair while its neighbour, Klosters, is a quaint village and foodie heaven, with outstanding gourmet restaurants. Pristine valleys lead to dreamy winter walks, and skiers are in their element with endless downhill runs and rustic and relaxed mountain huts. That’s not to mention the parks, pipes and parties for snowboarders and freeriders.
Credit – Davos Klosters
Deal : Guests who stay in a partner hotel or holiday apartment of the destination between 21 November and 20 December 2015 get a ski pass for free for each night. www.davos.ch
The Portes du Soleil
One of the world’s largest ski areas, whichever way you measure it, the Portes du Soleil officially encompasses more than 650km of groomed pistes, divided into almost 300 runs, served by nearly 200 ski lifts – all on the one ticket. The list of superlatives goes on – 13 snow parks, 90 mountain restaurants … the stats are staggering.
Credit – Jean-Baptiste Bieuville
Around a dozen villages sit below the slopes of the Portes du Soleil as the giant area seamlessly crosses the border to include French and Swiss resorts. On the Swiss side the pass covers the picturesque villages of Champery and Morgins.
The border is marked by the infamous “Swiss Wall” – a steep, giant mogul field that advanced skiers will wish to tackle, but there are easier routes, including a chairlift ride down the side of the slopes, for those who don’t. Once at the bottom on the Swiss side, the wonderful Paradise run is a very different affair – a long, easy slope that goes for miles through stunning scenery.
Engadin St Moritz
Combing the four large ski areas of Corviglia, Corvatsch, Diavolezza and Zuoz, as well as five more smaller but charming areas, skiers and snowboarders will find 350km of beautiful pistes on the Engadin St Moritz pass, waiting to be explored.
The high-altitude valley is framed by snow-capped peaks – yet also strikingly wide, and flooded with sunlight, and there’s a wide range of choices for your stay from unspoilt villages to glitzy St Moritz, the FIS Alpine World Ski Championship host in 2017, with its amazing luxury hotels, frozen lake and stunning scenery.
One of the world’s most snow-sure destinations, the ski season starts up on the Diavolezza glacier as early as 17 October 2015.
Deal : Engadin St Moritz ski pass offer, “Hotel and Ski Pass”, is available on stays of 2 nights or more and entitles you to buy your Engadin lift pass for just CHF35 (£22) per day from 17 October to 22 May.
Engelberg
The glacier-capped slopes of Engelberg are located 2000 vertical metres above this famous ski resort and offer amazing views which you can even enjoy from Europe’s highest suspension bridge, a slim metal foot bridge suspended 3000m up, if you can overcome your vertigo! But if you just want to ski, the great news is that along with a ride on the remarkable Titlis Rotair cable car, which rotates through 360 degrees as you ascend the last stretch to the glacier and the very top of the slopes and was replaced with an all new lift last winter, this season will see the opening of a new eight-person gondola from the resort to the base station of the Rotair at 2428m, cutting the ascent time by two thirds to just 15 minutes. From the top, one of the world’s longest ski runs awaits, a glorious 12km run through stunning scenery on great snow. Indeed snow-sports enthusiasts enjoy superb conditions from October to May and fans of Engelberg’s Olympic gold medallist, Dominique Gisin, will enjoy that 12km descent known as the downhill ski racer’s “home run” and one of Switzerland’s longest descents.
Credit – Engelberg Titlis
Deal : Early booking deals are already available for skiers and boarders ready to hit the slopes between the start of the ski season on 14 November and 17 December 2015. www.engelberg.ch
Where and when did you fall in love with Switzerland ?
If you’ve already skied in Switzerland, you’ll already have fallen in love. Switzerland Tourism are asking anyone who wants to, to tell them their love story at MySwitzerland.com/yourstory or using the hashtag #INLOVEWITHSWITZERLAND to share it via Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Switzerland Tourism will pick their favourite stories, and you could win a trip back to the destination you fell in love with !
