Switzerland

Switzerland is a strange mix of vast, untamed natural beauty and extreme man-made precision.

Trains in Switzerland don't just arrive the second they're scheduled to - they glide into the station with such apparent effortlessness that it'd be far easier to believe they weren't on wheels at all. There's none of the usual commotion you expect on the platform. No banging of doors, no shouting and no 'tick tock' from the perpetual motion station clock.

However, if life in the Swiss towns is ordered and predictable, it's a different matter at 2,000 metres. Not even the Swiss have managed to tame the mountains.

When it comes to skiing and snowboarding in Switzerland, there is something for everyone: from the snow-ploughing beginner to the powder-hungry off-piste rider; from the Alpine traditionalist, to fans of start-of-the-art resorts. It's also possible to go heli-skiing in Switzerland, unlike France (where there's a total ban) and Italy (where the sport is restricted to a couple of resorts).

Experienced skiers looking to party still flock to Verbier. It combines the high-altitude terrain, big vertical and snow coverage off-pisters love with extensive runs and a seemingly unstoppable nightlife. Villars, on the other hand, is always popular with families and beginners.

No introduction to skiing and snowboarding in Switzerland is complete without mentioning St.Moritz. Prices here may be at the higher end of the scale, but with some fantastic terrain, including over 180 kms of cross country trails, this resort remains a favourite.

Cost

Although Switzerland has never traditionally been the cheapest European destination, there is normally a good range of hotels to choose from in Swiss resorts. The average price of an adult lift ticket for a week's skiing is likely to set you back around 320 Swiss Francs (US$300).

Getting here

The infrastructure in Switzerland is good and getting around is pretty easy. Most ski resorts in Switzerland are within four hours drive or rail link of Geneva, Zurich or Milan airports - several are a good deal closer.

To compare ski resorts in Switzerland by nearest town, city or airport, see our Resort Comparison pages.