They are snow-white – the peaks of the four-thousand-metre peaks in Switzerland. The people who are lucky enough to live in this wonderful piece of the European continent enjoy their own personal limitless freedom. On the snowiest areas of their homeland and on sunny winter days in the most beautiful winter sports resorts. There are so many of them between Adelboden and St. Moritz that it is almost impossible to classify, but some of these white paradises with their breathtaking panoramas are worth looking at a little more closely.
Zermatt
Zermatt – Wedeling in the powder snow of the Gornergrat or on the glacier under the magnificent backdrop of the Matterhorn – this is the fulfilment of a dream for many winter sports enthusiasts. The Matterhorn ski paradise ski region has 322 kilometres of slopes. No less than 38 four-thousand-metre peaks look down on the infinitely large crowd of people in search of the perfect jump. The slopes are first-class groomed, and if you want to quickly go to a mountain hut in Italy for a cappuccino, you can easily reach the Breuil-Cervinia ski area.
Les Portes du Soleil
In this ski area, freedom must be limitless, because those who have booked their holiday in the Les Portes du Soleil region can look forward to 580 kilometres of slopes and thus to the largest international ski area in the world. Twelve ski resorts have created an association and enable all skiers and snowboarders to switch between Switzerland and France. The experts measure themselves and their skills on 60 kilometres of black downhill runs. In the region, however, sympathizers for tobogganing, cross-country skiing and ice climbing also let off steam.
Laax
The towns of Flims, Laax and Falera are something like the heart of the canton of Graubünden. This is mainly a preferred area for winter sports enthusiasts who have found their way from skiing to snowboarding. Nowhere else in Switzerland are there as many fun parks as in the Laax region. And above all towers the Vorab with its little more than three thousand meters.
Silvretta Arena
It is the proximity to Austria that makes the Silvretta Arena particularly appealing. Away from the ski slopes, cosy mountain huts and restaurants invite you to take a breather and enjoy culinary delights. The arena connects the Swiss ski resort of Samnaun with the area of Ischgl, the Austrian party stronghold. Numerous smaller shops and boutiques have established themselves in Samnaun, because Switzerland grants duty-free shopping in this small town.
Jungfrau Ski Region
For skiers of all levels, the Jungfrau ski region offers ideal conditions for practicing the white sport. In two valleys, against the magnificent backdrop of the Jungfrau, Eiger and Mönch, there are not only steep slopes but also gentle slopes. The legendary Lauberhorn original course is also open to everyone, unless a World Cup race is taking place there. Grindelwald and Wengen are among other things the starting points for unlimited winter sports fun. And if you don’t want to strap on your boards, which mean the world to some, on one day, you can go on one of the numerous winter hiking trails.
Piz Corvatsch
The tranquil village of Sils Maria, which has always attracted numerous artists and to which Hermann Hesse became home, is the starting point for the entrance to the Piz Corvatsch ski area. From there it goes over the local mountain Furtschellas up to altitudes of 3,300 meters. The offer there for families with their children is enormous. The biggest attraction of this interesting ski area is the Corvatsch Snowpark, an ideal training area for freeriders. Kids receive lessons here under the professional guidance of snowboard professionals.
St. Moritz-Corviglia
Snow reliability is one of the trump cards of the St. Moritz-Corviglia ski area. Even though the Upper Engadine is spoiled by the sun, good conditions can be expected at altitudes between 1,800 and 3,000 metres on wintry days. In the “White Carpet”, which is freshly prepared every day, the early risers among the holidaymakers can make their tracks from 7.45 a.m. onwards. In St. Moritz-Corviglia, surrounded by a wild mountain landscape, the offer ranges from shallow slopes to challenging descents. By the way: The noble ski resort of St. Moritz prides itself on being the birthplace of winter sports tourism. As early as 1865, ice skaters and curlers gathered here on the lake. Horse races also took place on ice.
Adelboden
Winter sports also look back on a long history in Adelboden. Today, the region is one of the most interesting ski resorts in Switzerland as the venue for the attractive World Cup races on the Chuenisbärgli. If you take it a little more leisurely on your skis than on the exciting professional track, you will find the best conditions at Tschentenalp. The system of lifts in Adelboden and the neighbouring village of Lenk is seamless, and ski buses run everywhere. The Gran Masta Park is the Eldorado of the sworn freestyle community and the Bühlberg slope guarantees leisure fun for young and old. Sixty percent of the slopes in the Adelboden-Lenk region are equipped with snow cannons.
Les 4 Vallées
In the French-speaking part of Switzerland, four valleys guarantee skiing fun without limits. The Les 4 Vallées ski area connects – as the name suggests – four areas: Verbier, Nendaz, Veysonnaz and Thyon. You are in the high mountains here and move on skis between altitudes of 820 and 3,300 meters. Experts have classified the slopes. After that, 140 kilometers are relatively easy to master, 180 kilometers require a certain degree of safety and 18 kilometers are reserved for absolute experts. If you prefer long descents, Les 4 Vallées is the right place for you. All places in the four valleys are very easy to reach with a network of lifts.
