Skiing in Switzerland: Why It Should Be on Your Ski Programme

Back in 2016 when I moved to Switzerland, I was fortunate enough to be able to choose where I lived. The only condition was that I needed to be in the office in Zürich twice a week. So I chose Wengen. To my Swiss colleagues, a three hour each-way commute was madness. But if it meant I could live in Wengen, I was able to fulfil a childhood dream. Plus, three hours each way on a train was nothing for me, as I had done it regularly back in England.

A Childhood Dream of Skiing in Wengen

Lauberhorn World Cup ski race course in Wengen, Switzerland — *The legendary Lauberhorn race course in Wengen.*

My earliest memories of Wengen were from watching Ski Sunday, every Sunday during the winter. For someone growing up in the North-West of England, skiing in Switzerland was nothing more than a distant dream and something that seemed completely impossible, certainly back then. It was the mystique of the place that had a profound effect on me plus the excitement of the Lauberhorn races really captured my imagination, so much so that even then, something was telling me that I should try and get to Wengen some day. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Skiing in the Jungfrau Region

Skiers on the slopes at Kleine Scheidegg in the Jungfrau Region — *Skiing at Kleine Scheidegg in the Jungfrau Region. © Switzerland Tourism / Christof Sonderegger*

Living in Wengen affords me a luxury that I still can’t quite believe, in that I can go skiing whenever I have a spare hour or two. It’s something that I will never take for granted, nor ever get bored of. Wengen lies in the heart of the Jungfrau Region on a plateau overlooking the Lauterbrunnen valley. Across the valley lies Mürren, and over the other side of the Männlichen lies Grindelwald. All three villages are included on the one ski pass, and with over 200km of pistes, there is plenty to keep every level of skier occupied.

Exploring Switzerland’s Other Ski Resorts

Skiers descending a snowy slope in Adelboden, Switzerland — *Skiing in Adelboden, another of Switzerland’s World Cup destinations. © Switzerland Tourism / Christof Sonderegger*

Having been here for ten years, there are still no signs of me ever tiring of skiing the same slopes over and over again but I will also treat myself to a few days elsewhere during the course of the ski season. With Switzerland being blessed with its amazing public transport system, plenty of other ski resorts are within easy reach not only from the Jungfrau Region but from whichever arrival point you have chosen. Adelboden is another Swiss resort that hosts World Cup races, and together with Lenk, form another fantastic ski area. Our partner hotel in Lenk, the 5* Lenkerhof Gourmet Spa Resort is the perfect base from which to ski these two ski areas. Away from the Bernese Oberland altogether, there are too many other ski resorts to mention. One thing that they all have in common however, when compared to other European resorts, is how quiet they are.

Quiet Slopes and Better Value Than You Might Think

Skier on a wide, quiet piste in Grindelwald, Switzerland — *Quiet slopes in Grindelwald, part of the Jungfrau ski region. © Switzerland Tourism / Sebastien Staub*

Rarely have I ever had to stand in a queue for a ski lift anywhere in Switzerland. Of course, as it is everywhere else in February, the first lift up in the morning can be busy. But once you’re up on the slopes, it can often feel like you have the place to yourself. Lift pass prices are also very competitively priced and often cheaper than in other European resorts. Obviously, costs can add up, especially for families, but skiing holidays should be about the skiing, and not having to worry about the queues for the lifts. So whilst it may look more expensive, the time you actually get to ski can be significantly higher than elsewhere which in itself makes Switzerland much better value for money than some people think.

Swiss Scenery and Traditional Alpine Charm

Snow-covered Eiger mountain in the Jungfrau Region in winter — *A winter view of the Eiger in the Jungfrau Region.*

Then there’s the scenery. Switzerland is a stunningly beautiful country and the ski resorts are no exception. Furthermore, a lot of resorts (Wengen being a prime example) have heavy building restrictions imposed on them meaning that their chocolate box style and charm will remain that way, with no high-rise buildings permitted.

Add Switzerland to Your Ski Programme

I could write and talk about how good the skiing is over here for hours on end but rather than me do that, please just consider incorporating Switzerland into your own ski programs if you haven’t done so already, or try to add more of Switzerland to it. Whatever the case, please contact us to find out more about how we can help you achieve that.

Our Swiss Winter Resort Partners

Lenkerhof Gourmet Spa Resort and outdoor pool surrounded by snow in Lenk — *Lenkerhof Gourmet Spa Resort in Lenk. © Jan Stiller*

We work with a selection of fantastic partners in and around Switzerland’s winter resorts, giving you plenty of options when putting together your clients’ ski programmes: