Ski Switzerland

Welcome to the Ski Switzerland page, providing a regular round-up of the skiing conditions and current snow reports for the main ski resorts in the Swiss Alps. Over recent years some of the most consistent good piste conditions have been reported at Saas Fee, Davos, Zermatt, Klosters, Andermatt, Verbier, and Engelberg showing a mix of high glacial resorts and those most exposed to the prevailing north westerly storm tracks. However, in any given week or season the best slope conditions may be found at any of the numerous other high Swiss resorts or at lower elevation ski stations in poor weather amongst the trees.

For off-piste powder, resorts such as Zinal, Grimentz, Davos, Les Diablerets, Arosa, Andermatt, and Engelberg have proven among the most consistent over several seasons either because of regular heavy snowfalls, favourable sun aspect, or in some cases because they are high and quite so they don't get tracked out quickly.

In terms of accumulating snow depth throughout the season, Andermatt and Engelberg excel and are a regular match for anywhere in Europe, however every season is different and there are no guarantees. Slope conditions change day by day so check out the reports summaries below for the latest news and of course the snow forecasts we produce for summit, mid-station and resort level elevations at every major ski station in Switzerland.

Switzerland is for many people the country most immediately associated with skiing. Known for its spectacular mountain scenery, efficient infrastructure, high quality and yes, high prices, the country does have the world’s longest history as a winter sports tourism destination – with the very first holiday taking place in St Moritz one and a half centuries ago, shortly before downhill skiing was invented in Norway, in the Telemark style.

The Kulm Hotel St Moritz was the first hotel to be built in St Moritz, the Kulm opened its doors in 1856 and immediately became popular for summer spa and painting holidays, particularly among the British who comprised around 75% of the hotel guests.

The owner of the Kulm Hotel, Johannes Badrutt, initiated winter holidays to St Moritz from 1864, when he laid a bet with his last departing summer guests that the local weather was so good they could sun themselves on the hotel’s terrace even in deep December; if not, he would cover the cost of their holiday himself. He won the bet and within two years, the hotel was fully booked with guests staying for the entire winter season. The Kulm Hotel St Moritz can, therefore, take credit for starting the trend for winter sports holidays which developed in to Swiss ski holidays and the Kulm itself is now a huge five star hotel – one of five in the famous resort – is still in business to this day.

Since then around 400 Swiss ski resorts have opened in every canton including many of the world’s best known destinations. Europe’s highest ski lifts are here at Zermatt, 3899m up, which is one of only two resorts in the world open 365 days a year. As well as St Moritz there are glitzy resorts like Verbier, Crans Montana and Gstaad; resorts with long histories and particularly stunning mountain scenery like Grindelwald, Wengen and Murren in the Jungfrau – a favourite British destination for more than a century - or Davos, where Sherlock Holmes creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was a ski pioneer.

Architecture can be more problematic in Switzerland’s ski resorts. Although there are none of the entirely concrete-block developments that have blighted some areas in the French Alps, many of the bigger Swiss resorts contain a few similar ugly buildings as they do not have the same building restrictions as Austria, where a traditional chalet style design is normally required for all new buildings. There are however unspoilt villages to be found such as Grimentz.

Switzerland offers skiing in resorts in the West of the country where French is spoken, the East where it’s German and in the southerly canton of Ticino, Italian. There are ski areas of all sizes including the 350km cross-border area shared by Zermatt and Italy’s Cervinia and the 400km of the 4 Valleys. Thanks to the glaciers and high altitude skiing of many resorts including Engelberg and Laax, snow cover is rarely a problem and sunshine is a strength, particularly for St Moritz again, which claims more than 300 days of it each year.

Another idea pioneered by the Swiss is car-free ski resorts. There are about a dozen including Saas Fee, Wengen and Zermatt. In some cases they have been so successful that permitted hotel electric buggys throng the streets making them almost as busy as they would be with motor traffic, but the noise isn’t there, nor the polluting fumes, making these very special and relaxing places to stay.

Spectacular mountain restaurants are yet another forte, be they the revolving restaurant built with money generated by the James Bond film crew that filmed On His Majesty’s Secret Service at Murren in the late 1950s, or similar establishments above Leysin and Saas Fee, or the ultra-cool Botta restaurant at Les Diablerets.

Switzerland is expensive although just how expensive depends on the strength of the Franc against other currencies. In the 1990s its strength made Switzerland the most expensive destination in Europe for skiers, but through the first decade of the current century prices gradually dropped below those of the Euro, and the French 3 Valleys around Courchevel became more expensive than the Swiss 4 Valleys around Verbier. That changed with the global economic collapse in 2008 when investors seeking a safe haven invested in the Franc and by autumn 2011 the currency was riding so high that one version of Zermatt’s international pass became the most expensive lift ticket in the world – overtaking the usually ‘most pricey’ in Western USA for the first time in decades. The Swiss national bank intervened to limit the strength of the franc and prevent the collapse of Swiss tourism.

Many fans of Swiss skiing do say that the higher costs are worthwhile anyway, so long as they are affordable, for the higher quality experience. Swiss Airlines provide a high quality service to skiers which is continually recognised in user polls and industry awards and, once you land in Geneva or Zurich, many resorts are accessible by an ultra efficient rail and bus network direct from the airports.

It’s also worth noting that, although lift tickets for adults can be expensive, Switzerland offers the best prices in Europe for children. Indeed more than 50 resorts don’t charge for children at all until age 8 or 9 and then offers at least 50% off until adulthood at age 16 or 18 and even then there’s usually a 15-30% discount for young adults or students to their early 20s. This compares to France where children usually pay from age 4 or 5 and then 60-80% of the full adult price, which is payable in total from age 11 to 13. So some family configurations may find that, even with a higher adult lift pass cost, overall they pay less.
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Switzerland: latest snow conditions round-up


SWITZERLAND REPORT The snowy weather on Swiss slopes over the past three weeks has been easing through the weekend, with the snow still falling but lighter showers on higher slopes. Arosa Lenzerheide (45/228cm / 18/91") posted one of the last sizable accumulations of the past week, posting 25cm (10") over the weekend.

Adelboden (0/150 / 0/60") and Andermatt (70/220cm / 28/88") added about 15cm (6") each. It is springlike of course, with valley temperatures reaching +10C in the afternoons, so freeze-thaw and the next conditions earlier in the day on higher ground, but most Swiss areas report 80-100%v of their slopes still open and a number including Saas Fee (94/420cm / 37/168") and Laax (0/445cm / 178") have more than four metres (160") of snow lying on higher slopes.

Summary of forecast snowfall and ski conditions for resorts in Switzerland. Fresh snow is forecast at 5 resorts. Powder is reported at 1 resorts and 2 are reporting good piste conditions.

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A–C

D–G H–K L–M N–R S–U V–Z Best powder (1)Best piste conditions (2)

Ski resorts in Switzerland from A to C

Resort
snow depth
top and bottom

on-piste

off-piste

Last Snow

Next 9 Days
0–3 | 3–6 | 6–9
snow (cm)
Next 5 days weather forecast.
Freezing level (m)
Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed

(1259m — 1974m)

snow report today

Adelboden webcam
opens in 62 days 3.0 cm
yesterday
clear light rain clear light rain part cloud
Mid station 1616 m
2350m 2800m 3300m 2850m 2700m

(999m — 1626m)

snow report 22 days ago

2.0 cm
22 days ago
part cloud rain showers part cloud light rain part cloud
Mid station 1312 m
2200m 2850m 3250m 2800m 2700m

(1175m — 2249m)

snow report yesterday

opens in 70 days 1.0 cm
yesterday
part cloud rain showers cloud heavy rain light rain
Mid station 1712 m
2250m 2800m 3100m 3000m 2800m

(1045m — 2627m)

snow report today

No Info
8 cm
yesterday
snow showers part cloud part cloud light rain clear
Mid station 1836 m
1800m 2600m 3200m 2950m 2750m

(910m — 1634m)

snow report today

2.0 cm
22 days ago
rain showers part cloud part cloud light rain clear
Mid station 1272 m
1850m 2700m 3300m 2950m 2800m

(1436m — 2963m)

snow report today

opens in 42 days 5 cm
yesterday
part cloud light rain part cloud heavy rain rain showers
Mid station 2200 m
2150m 2900m 3300m 2950m 2750m

(1500m — 2420m)

snow report yesterday

opens in 69 days 2.0 cm
yesterday
clear light rain part cloud mod rain part cloud
Mid station 1960 m
2450m 3000m 3300m 2850m 2700m

(2000m — 3000m)

snow report yesterday

Arolla webcam
opens in 62 days 2.0 cm
yesterday
6.0
clear light rain cloud heavy rain cloud
Mid station 2500 m
2500m 3050m 3300m 2850m 2650m

(1493m — 2865m)

snow report today

opens in 35 days 8 cm
yesterday
2.0
cloud cloud part cloud mod rain part cloud
Mid station 2179 m
1900m 2400m 3350m 3100m 2750m

(920m — 1300m)

snow report 4 days ago

opens in 70 days 2.0 cm
23 days ago
rain showers cloud part cloud cloud part cloud
Mid station 1110 m
1800m 2800m 3200m 2850m 2800m

(1963m — 2601m)

snow report today

4 cm
yesterday
1.0
cloud cloud part cloud heavy rain rain showers
Mid station 2282 m
2050m 2500m 3200m 3050m 2750m

(1200m — 1951m)

snow report today

Beatenberg webcam
5 cm
yesterday
part cloud rain showers part cloud light rain part cloud
Mid station 1576 m
2150m 2850m 3300m 2800m 2700m

(1322m — 3110m)

snow report today

opens in 70 days 3.0 cm
yesterday
clear light rain part cloud heavy rain light rain
Mid station 2216 m
2400m 3100m 3100m 2900m 2750m

(1609m — 2559m)

snow report today

opens in 70 days 2.0 cm
yesterday
clear light rain cloud heavy rain light rain
Mid station 2084 m
2400m 3050m 3050m 2900m 2750m

(1594m — 3019m)

snow report today

5 cm
yesterday
2.0
cloud cloud part cloud heavy rain part cloud
Mid station 2306 m
1950m 2450m 3300m 3050m 2800m

(1623m — 2647m)

snow report yesterday

opens in 63 days 1.0 cm
yesterday
clear light rain part cloud heavy rain light rain
Mid station 2135 m
2400m 3050m 3100m 2900m 2800m

(1707m — 2560m)

snow report today

opens in 70 days 2.0 cm
yesterday
cloud cloud part cloud heavy rain rain showers
Mid station 2134 m
2050m 2450m 3250m 3050m 2800m

(1500m — 2301m)

snow report today

No Info
No Info
1.0 cm
22 days ago
part cloud light rain cloud heavy rain light rain
Mid station 1900 m
2400m 2750m 3050m 3050m 2750m

(1256m — 1905m)

snow report today

opens in 77 days 6 cm
yesterday
cloud light rain part cloud light rain part cloud
Mid station 1580 m
1950m 2800m 3400m 2950m 2800m

(1684m — 2322m)

snow report today

6 cm
yesterday
part cloud light rain part cloud mod rain part cloud
Mid station 2003 m
2200m 3000m 3300m 2850m 2750m

(1103m — 2418m)

snow report today

opens in 77 days 4 cm
yesterday
part cloud cloud part cloud mod rain part cloud
Mid station 1760 m
1950m 2600m 3250m 3000m 2850m

(1210m — 2578m)

snow report today

No Info
1.0 cm
yesterday
clear light rain part cloud mod rain part cloud
Mid station 1894 m
2550m 3050m 3350m 2800m 2700m

(929m — 1707m)

4 cm
on 2 May
clear light rain part cloud light rain part cloud
Mid station 1318 m
2300m 3150m 3250m 2700m 2700m

(1069m — 1585m)

snow report yesterday

1.0 cm
yesterday
part cloud light rain part cloud light rain part cloud
Mid station 1327 m
2050m 2900m 3300m 2800m 2700m

(1718m — 2550m)

snow report yesterday

opens in 77 days 1.0 cm
yesterday
clear light rain part cloud heavy rain part cloud
Mid station 2134 m
2450m 3150m 3200m 2900m 2750m

(1720m — 2270m)

snow report today

193
No Info
2.0 cm
yesterday
cloud cloud part cloud heavy rain part cloud
Mid station 1995 m
2000m 2350m 3200m 3000m 2800m

(1040m — 2277m)

snow report today

No Info
4 cm
7 days ago
part cloud light rain thunderstorm light rain part cloud
Mid station 1658 m
2600m 3200m 3300m 2750m 2700m

(1702m — 2671m)

snow report today

No Info
No Info
2.0 cm
yesterday
clear light rain part cloud mod rain part cloud
Mid station 2186 m
2600m 3150m 3300m 2800m 2750m

(1310m — 2150m)

snow report 7 days ago

5 cm
7 days ago
part cloud light rain thunderstorm light rain part cloud
Mid station 1730 m
2600m 3200m 3300m 2750m 2700m

(1650m — 3001m)

snow report yesterday

Chandolin webcam
opens in 76 days 2.0 cm
yesterday
clear light rain part cloud heavy rain part cloud
Mid station 2326 m
2450m 3050m 3300m 2850m 2750m

(1045m — 1893m)

snow report 21 days ago

2.0 cm
22 days ago
clear part cloud clear light rain part cloud
Mid station 1469 m
2300m 3150m 3250m 2750m 2650m

(1000m — 2200m)

snow report 7 days ago

Château d'Oex webcam
3.0 cm
7 days ago
clear rain showers clear light rain part cloud
Mid station 1600 m
2450m 3150m 3250m 2750m 2650m

(600m — 2175m)

snow report today

6 cm
yesterday
light rain cloud part cloud mod rain part cloud
Mid station 1388 m
1850m 2300m 3300m 3100m 2750m

(1480m — 2210m)

snow report today

6 cm
yesterday
light snow cloud part cloud mod rain part cloud
Mid station 1845 m
1850m 2300m 3300m 3100m 2750m

(1797m — 3303m)

snow report yesterday

opens in 49 days 3.0 cm
yesterday
4.0
cloud cloud part cloud heavy rain rain showers
Mid station 2550 m
2100m 2350m 3250m 3000m 2800m

(1720m — 3057m)

snow report yesterday

3.0 cm
yesterday
3.0
cloud cloud part cloud heavy rain part cloud
Mid station 2388 m
2000m 2350m 3200m 3000m 2800m

(1500m — 3000m)

snow report yesterday

opens in 42 days 2.0 cm
yesterday
clear light rain part cloud mod rain part cloud
Mid station 2250 m
2500m 3000m 3300m 2850m 2700m