The Swiss have an amazing reputation when it comes to skiing. Not only is Switzerland home to some of the best resorts in the world, but for many years the country has also been at the forefront of the skiing industry. Now, however, the country can no longer keep up with demand and many of its famous ski resorts have started to close down. Some, in fact, have been completely redeveloped and are now part of larger resorts.
In this article, we will tell you about the current state of affairs and how you can make the most of the situation. We will also provide you with useful tips on how to get the most out of your visit to a Swiss ski resort.
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The Biggest And Most Popular Resorts
Let’s start by taking a look at the biggest and most popular Swiss ski resorts. The biggest and most popular resort in Switzerland is undoubtedly St. Moritz. With a peak elevation of 2,343 meters and over 160 kilometers of slopes, the town is a mecca for skiers from around the world. In fact, it’s the largest and most popular resort in the World that features both traditional and extreme skiing. It’s also the second-largest in the European Union after Zoi Sadowsky-Synnott’s home resort, Val d’Isère. In 2016, over 1.7 million skiers visited St. Moritz.
Another major resort is the Gstaad. Situated in the Swiss Alps, the resort features a 120 kilometer trail system that is one of the longest in the world. It was also the first winter sports resort to be awarded UNESCO World Heritage status. In 2016, over 840,000 visits were made to the Gstaad resort.
The biggest and most popular resort in the German part of Switzerland is the Baderbrau. This ski resort is located in the canton of Schwyz and features 168 kilometers of slopes and an elevation of 2,085 meters. Similar to St. Moritz and Gstaad, the Baderbrau resort is home to traditional and extreme skiing and has also been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status. In 2016, over 794,000 skiers visited the Baderbrau resort.
The biggest and most popular resort in the French speaking part of Switzerland is Val d’Isere. This resort is located in the Alps and features 222 kilometers of slopes, an elevation of 2,240 meters, and over 100 years of history. The resort is home to many famous buildings and has been classified a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 2016, over 755,000 skiers visited the resort.
Another major French-speaking ski resort worth mentioning is Chamonix, which is located in the French Alps and features 190 kilometers of slopes, an elevation of 2,200 meters, and over 100 years of history. In 2016, over 732,000 visits were made to the resort.
Then there is Zoi Sadowsky-Synnott’s Val d’Isère. The hometown hero (and my personal favorite) of the Swiss ski industry visited over 500,000 times last year and continues to amaze visitors with its exquisite ski-in/ski-out accommodations and incredible slopes. In 2019, Val d’Isère will mark its 100-year anniversary and is looking to celebrate by welcoming even more visitors.
The Current State Of Affairs
In addition to the above-mentioned resorts, there are also a number of smaller and lesser-known resorts throughout the country. These resorts typically offer a different type of skiing or attract locals rather than international skiers. However, given their small size and lack of popularity, it’s unlikely that you’ll see many Swiss tourists at these places.
The above-mentioned resorts are just some of the most popular ones. In fact, there are so many that it would be impossible to list them all. In cases where a resort has been built on top of an existing site, the old buildings and infrastructure remain in use for the most part and are often used as backdrops against which the new construction can be showcased.
However, despite their popularity, not all of the Swiss resorts are doing okay. The number of visitors to some of the smaller and lesser-known resorts has declined by 20% over the past five years.
The above numbers don’t even begin to tell the whole story. For example, in the last five years, Meribel has seen an 87% drop in the number of daily visitors and, in the same time frame, Grand-Sévelle saw a decrease in average daily visitors of 16%. Many smaller and lesser-known resorts are struggling to find their place in the shadow of the bigger and better-known destinations.
Some resorts have adjusted their operations to try and attract more tourists. For example, Leysin has started charging for parking and introducing new routes and trails. In some cases, a resort has closed down and been redeveloped into something new and exciting.
Skiing In The Countryside
In addition to the abovementioned resorts, there are also a number of smaller and lesser-known resorts throughout the country. These resorts typically offer a different type of skiing or attract locals rather than international skiers. However, given their small size and lack of popularity, it’s unlikely that you’ll see many Swiss tourists at these places.
If you visit one of these smaller and lesser-known resorts, you’ll likely find that it’s still possible to ski in the countryside. There are generally two types of skiing in the Swiss countryside: traditional and modern. Traditional skiing is made up of small runs, with the occasional chairlift or cable car adding variety to the experience. The runs can be quite steep and beautiful, but the lack of tourist infrastructure makes it difficult to offer the best possible experience to visitors.
On modern, or heli-skiing, tours, you will be bundled up and taken to various locations that are equipped with snowmaking machines and ski-in/ski-out accommodations. These are the sorts of resorts that you might find in the popular movie franchise, “The Swiss Cheese Fantasy.”
The advantage of a heli-skiing experience is that you will be transported to the location of your choice and made use of the all the amenities that the resort has to offer. The disadvantage is that you won’t be able to fully appreciate the beauty of the Swiss countryside, with all its snow, mountains, and wooden chalets, if you are looking down at your skis. Also, during the week, many smaller and lesser-known resorts close down, which means there will be fewer people around, making it a little less interesting for young children.
The Effect Of Travel On Climate Change
One of the side effects of visiting a country like Switzerland is that it will affect the climate of the home you left behind. Traveling to Switzerland in a car will contribute to significantly increased levels of CO2 in the air. The emissions caused by cars will make a significant contribution to climate change. If you are interested in making a positive impact on climate change, traveling to Switzerland, taking a bus, or renting a bike are all viable ways to get around.
Another side effect of traveling to a country like Switzerland is that it will change the way you look at domestic flights, with hotels, and other means of mass travel. If you are planning a trip to Switzerland, you might want to consider whether or not to fly domestically, especially if you plan on renting a car or taking a bus. In many cases, it’s not necessary to fly, with the nearest major airport being almost an hour away from the smaller airports of most of the resorts.
However, if you do decide to fly, be sure to check the climate of the airport you are planning on landing at, as well as the flight route. If you are picking up a connecting flight at another airport, you might find that your original departure airport has a significantly cooler climate than your destination airport. This is usually the case in the winter, especially during the colder months. In the summer, the reverse is often true and you might find that the climate of your final destination airport is significantly cooler than that of your departure airport. Regardless, it’s always a good idea to check the weather before you leave, especially if you are traveling during a particularly hot time of the year. If you find that the climate of your final destination airport is significantly cooler or hot than that of your original departure airport, you might consider changing your travel itinerary to ensure that you arrive at your destination in a more comfortable state. Cooler or hot temperatures can make a significant difference to your travel experience and how you feel after you land. In some cases, this can even affect the way you feel about the place you have traveled to. A good rule of thumb is to check the weather in advance and be sure to pack accordingly.