Like a dazzling jewel, Switzerland’s alpine peaks glisten in the winter, covered in snow, they provide the perfect backdrop for a variety of winter activities, including skiing. On this enticing landscape, resorts and hotels are quickly opening up, adding more to the luster of the area.
Regions like Gstaad, Grindelwald, Engelberg, and Engadin are perfect for hitting the slopes this season and also for enjoying some tranquil time in Switzerland’s serene landscape. Here are a few inspiring places to start your Swiss winter vacation.
Gstaad
Unique in its own right, Gstaad provides the perfect backdrop for skiing enthusiasts. A popular mountain destination for many decades, Gstaad has pristine snowy peaks, along with four separate mountain peaks. Renowned for its delightful shopping, Gstaad has a large selection of pastry shops and a village-like atmosphere with gourmet restaurants, high-end boutiques, and world-class resorts and hotels. Renowned as the playground of the rich and famous, the Christmas season kicks off with celebrities and millionaires descending on the town in droves. When in Gstaad, don’t miss out on the opportunity to explore Glacier 3000, a major attraction offering a unique high-altitude experience with a summit-to-summit footbridge with captivating views of the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc.
Grindelwald
With a special village-like feeling, you can get to Grindelwald from Zurich in just three hours. Surrounded by stunning glaciers, a visit to Grindelwald beckons with a far from boring experience. For starters, you can stroll through the traditional villages surrounded by mountains and wooden houses. There are many things to see and do. You can take in your surroundings and explore the Big Pintenfritz, one of the longest toboggan runs in Europe. Alternatively, you can also take a gondola ride on the Mannlichen. Once you get to Mannlichen, hiking trails and winter slopes will lead you to Kleine Scheidegg, where you can explore winter activities like sledging, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.
Engelberg
Renowned for its rustic character, the town of Engelberg is one of the top ten ski regions in Switzerland. The stunning two-hour ride on the SBB train line from Zurich will mesmerize you with the spectacular scenic beauty of the Alpine landscape. Once there, don’t miss out on exploring the Titlis mountain with its glaciers. A unique project is underway, set to be unveiled in May 2026, and it is the opening of the Titlis tower. The project is considered one of the highest mountain constructions in Europe. Once completed, it will offer stunning, picturesque views of the unique alpine region. Electricity on the cable cars leading to the Titlis mountain is all generated by solar power, reinforcing Switzerland’s commitment to sustainable and renewable energy.
Engadin
Considered Switzerland’s paradise, Engadin has four large mountain lakes surrounded by other smaller ones. Promising an exceptional trip, Engadin beckons with mountains, valleys, and lakes, all of which have picturesque views. The best time to explore Engadin and see its snowy peaks is in winter, when the town comes alive with its legendary cross-country skiing, ski trails, and snow parks. In the summer, Engadin is also mesmerizing; it boasts mountain bike trails with stunning scenery, golf courses, and a variety of aquatic sports activities.
With all they have to offer, the Swiss Alps certainly beckon with a far from boring, exceptional winter and summer excursion. For what they are worth, they are a scenic paradise of sorts, and most importantly, they provide a blissful hiking and skiing experience like no other!