Ski Holidays Switzerland

Switzerland, home to the traditional Swiss chocolate-box-chalet has fallen out of favour with the Brits of late and I think that is such a pity. Whilst the chalet market contracted by around 90% the weakening of the GBP against the CHF exacerbated matters. At the turn of the millennium we were getting 2.69 CHF to the pound, now it is a lowly 1.26, that being a reduction in spending power of a staggering 53%. Nevertheless, Swiss skiing isn’t dead to us Brits, the wealthy are still heading out to Verbier, Zermatt, Klosters, and Davos with many others skiing in Saas Fee, Wengen, Flims, and Laax to name but a few. One resort on the up is the beautiful village of Grimentz in the Valais region. Here you will find stone built mazot chalets on their characteristic rock plinths and charming side streets that meander through this winter wonderland.

Zermatt, home to the world’s most visually iconic mountain, The Matterhorn, offers skiing 365 days a year and the traffic free village is popular all round, especially with the Asian market during the summer.For those wishing to ski Zermatt on a budget then staying in the italian resort of Cervinia is an option. If you do this you have to be aware that the proximity is great to ski the Klein Matterhorn, not too bad for skiing the Gornergrat, but very far for accessing the Sunnegga mountain.
Verbier has been a long standing favourite with us Brits but the market nowadays is for those with very deep pockets. This is a shame as the ski region offers some of the most challenging piste skiing and the best off-piste in the Alps, if not world. The resort enjoys a reputation as being a millionaire’s playground and rightly so, it wouldn’t be unusual to bump into James Blunt, Richard Branson, or Roger Taylor of Queen.

The gateway airports for skiing in Switzerland are mainly Geneva, to the South West and Zurich to the North East. Bern is conveniently placed too but flights are less ubiquitous here. Basle is a cheeky one for those looking to keep costs down as long as you don’t mind increasing your transfer time from port to resort. For environmental reasons taxi transfers are highly taxed in Switzerland and are therefore expensive. Many opt to transfer via the Swiss railway system and this is both an excellent and civilised way not just to travel but also to enjoy the most stunning scenery, it becomes a memorable part of your holiday.

the beautiful village of Grimentz, Switzerland.