Best ski resorts in Switzerland: A guide with pro snowboarder Moritz Boll
Swiss pro snowboarder and Dope team rider Moritz Boll gave us his top three Swiss resorts. We’ve paired his picks with Dope’s wider shortlist to help you find the right spot for your trip.
Dope athlete Moritz Boll first joined the Davos sports school at 14 and has since unleashed his signature powerful and playful riding style on snow, from The Nines to sunset sessions in Laax.
Now, Moritz lets us in on his fave Swiss spots, a focused follow-up to our best ski resorts in Europe shortlist. So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to shred: Swiss-style!
A quick comparison
Switzerland ski resorts map
Moritz’s top 3 Swiss resort picks
Other resorts worth mentioning
Moritz’s trip tips
FAQs
A quick comparison
Switzerland ski resorts map
Moritz’s top 3 Swiss resort picks
First up, Moritz’s own top three: the Swiss resorts he’d point riders toward first.
LAAX
- Best for: Terrain parks
“LAAX has a great vibe overall with an amazing infrastructure, and, in my opinion, the best parks in the world! Park riders are pretty much guaranteed good times.”
If riding park gets you pumped, head straight for LAAX. This resort has five big terrain parks for all levels (all immaculately shaped, of course) with two halfpipes. Every year, LAAX holds the LAAX OPEN, one of Europe’s top freestyle comps, but it isn’t just pro-sized manmade kickers and rails to discover here, though. You’ll also find natural features off the back (made even more epic after a pow day) and party laps on the glacier.
Davos Klosters
- Best for: Resort riding
“Davos is great for resort riding and a quick park lift to zoom you to the top. You get so many laps there!”
Moritz isn’t wrong about securing endless laps in Davos! The resort is part of the massive Davos Klosters ski area, a group of six mountains offering over 186 miles (300 kilometers) of groomed runs! Parsenn connects Davos and Klosters and is full of long, winding slopes, perfect for cruising. There’s also plenty of off-piste to explore (check out Pischa), along with the JatzPark and a superpipe on Jakobshorn.
Corvatsch
- Best for: Views and night riding
“I would send all my friends to Corvatsch if they were after gorgeous views, epic jumps, great resort riding, and luxury vibes.“
Corvatsch is an absolute gem! This resort regularly provides fresh pow until late April, is home to the mega-fun Corvatsch Park (one of the region’s largest terrain parks), and hosts Snow Night so you can night shred on the longest illuminated slope in Switzerland. Oh, and when paired with Furtschellas, Corvatsch–Furtschellas offers a whopping 74.5 miles (120 kilometers) of rideable terrain. And don’t forget to check out the mind-blowing 360-degree panoramic view from Corvatsch’s top station at 3,303 meters (10,837 ft).
Other resorts worth mentioning
Moritz’s top three picks are all amazing spots. But we recommend having a few more Swiss ski resorts on your radar so you can really make a fair comparison. These resorts are awesome options for families, freeriders, those after a bit of luxury, those after some epic après, and more.
Zermatt
- Best for: Extensive, snow-sure terrain
We had to mention the highest ski area in the Alps (3,899 meters/12,792 feet), especially if you are comparing the highest ski resorts in the world, right? But that’s not Zermatt’s only claim to fame. Along with pretty much year-round riding, Zermatt offers Switzerland’s longest vertical drop (2,263 meters/7,424.5 feet) and the world’s highest 3S cableway (the Matterhorn Glacier Ride II). You’ll also find over 224 miles (360 kilometers) of rideable terrain with trails for all abilities and insane après for afters.
St. Moritz
- Best for: High-end luxury and high-altitude cruising
With over 217 miles (349 km) of impeccably groomed, snow-sure slopes, St. Moritz belongs on everyone’s hit list. Okay, we know it has a reputation for being eye-wateringly expensive. However, there are ways to do St. Moritz cheaper (head to St. Moritz Bad instead of St. Moritz Dorf, for example). Plus, we think the terrain is well worth exchanging your hard-earned cash for. Pow-hounds, park rats, progressing riders, and more will have tons to play with here.
Verbier
- Best for: Freeriding and après
Verbier attracts the world’s top freeriders to its gnarly steeps, craggy chutes, bottomless powder, and off-piste playground, making it a dream stop for anyone learning what freeride skiing involves. In fact, it’s not hard to see why the annual Verbier Xtreme is held here (as part of the iconic Freeride World Tour). But Verbier also lures après-lovers, too. The resort raises the bar on high-altitude partying with incredible spots and watering holes (hello, Farinet), especially if you already know what après ski means. Of course, non-experts have more than enough to ride in Verbier 4 Vallées. And if you’re looking to progress, Verbier is home to the legendary Warren Smith Ski Academy.
Saas-Fee
- Best for: Intermediates and glacier riding
Known as the “pearl of the Alps”, Saas-Fee shines in every way. It has over 62 miles (100 kilometers) of trails, nearly 1,829 meters (6,000 feet) of vertical, lifts topping out at 3,500 meters (11,483 feet), and neighboring peaks reaching over 4,000 meters (13,100 feet). Saas-Fee also perfectly blends expert-level terrain with family-friendly slopes. What a combo!
Grindelwald-Wengen
- Best for: Families and intermediates
Love freshies? Then you’ll love Grindelwald. Over five meters (17 feet) of snow falls on this picturesque resort every year. And if you want to push your stamina, Grindelwald connects to Wengen, offering over 64 miles (103 kilometers) of rideable terrain for all abilities, including families and intermediates. How much of the trail map do you think you can cover before throwing in the towel? Off the mountain, you have to try one of Europe’s longest sled runs.
Moritz’s trip tips
Growing up in Switzerland and regularly riding its resorts means you know a few insider tips and tricks. Moritz’s top three tips are…
- Head to Switzerland in January or February. These are the best months for perfect park conditions and a high chance of pow.
- Pack your swim shorts! You’ll need them for those spa days to maximise recovery.
- Order the amazing tartare at Hotel Adula in Flims-Waldhaus (within the shared Flims-LAAX-Falera ski region).
FAQs
Now that Moritz has divulged his trade secrets, the Dope Crew answers other burning questions…
When is the best time to ski in Switzerland?
January and February are typically considered the best time to ski in Switzerland (as Moritz says above). Snow conditions tend to be near-perfect during these months, but thanks to the Swiss Alps’ high-altitude terrain, snow cover is generally reliable all season (from December to March, and even later in the really high resorts!).
Is skiing in Switzerland expensive?
Yes, skiing in Switzerland can be expensive, especially compared to other European ski destinations, such as France. For example, a daily adult lift ticket in Zermatt costs around 94 CHF (€99/$112.5). There are ways to save money, though. These include heading to smaller resorts, staying in local villages, and choosing self-catering over eating out.
Is skiing better in Zermatt or St. Moritz?
Zermatt isn’t necessarily “better” than St. Moritz for skiing, it depends on what you’re after. Both offer expansive rideable terrain. But Zermatt has a picturesque village, epic views (hello, Matterhorn), and the chance to zoom over to Italy for a coffee. More into glamor, fine-dining, and wide-open, sun-soaked slopes? St. Moritz is your vibe.
Signing off
That’s my take on Switzerland’s top spots, plus a few extra Dope picks to help you compare the options. Have more questions about Switzerland’s ski resorts, or just want to chat about what gear to bring? Reach out to the crew at crew@dopesnow.com.