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With its reputation for cleanliness, friendliness and generally getting things done well, you'd expect Swiss resorts to be of a high calibre. And they don't disappoint. The country has some of the best known, most historic, astonishingly beautiful, and well-respected ski resorts in the world. Combine all of this with Switzerland's legendary transport system, it's reputation for great hotels and service, and you have a great skiing destination, particularly for families.

With all it's history, its no surprise to learn that Switzerland is one of the traditional destinations for British skiers, it's where our idea of ski holidays all began back at the turn of the 20th century when Sir Henry Lunn started the first organised snow sports holidays to classic old resorts like Murren, Wengen, Grindelwald and Adelboden. Switzerland has a seemingly never-ending supply of these classic destinations, the sort of ski resorts that are known worldwide... the likes of Davos, Zermatt, St. Moritz, Wengen, Grindelwald, Murren, Verbier, Klosters, Crans Montana, Gstaad. All of them great skiing names, with great histories and great appeal.

Things have obviously changed a lot since Henry Lunn's day, and Swiss resorts now offer plenty of modern facilities to go hand-in-hand with the old-school vibe that some of the resorts still possess. But it's the special character and timeless atmosphere that appeals to many, and the reason why so many of it's visitors loyally go back year after year.

So forget the concrete carbuncles that have blighted many of the purpose-built French resorts that have been built in the last 50 years and embrace the magical feel some of these traditional Swiss villages have managed to retain.

Of course, these Swiss villages are lucky enough to be set amongst some of Europe's most dramatic locations, and with awe-inspiring views almost everywhere you turn. We've done a list of the most scenic resorts in the world and it's a top-ten dominated by Switzerland. Hardly surprising when you consider that the Swiss Alps are home to some of the most iconic mountains in the world, with great rocky monsters such as the Matterhorn and Eiger looming over the Swiss countryside. Switzerland is renowned for it's amazing scenery, and quite rightly so. If you've got it, flaunt it.

For lovers of high society, or recent lottery winners, you'll be pleased to discover that Switzerland also has some of the World's most upmarket resorts, the likes of Klosters, Davos, Gstaad and St Moritz are frequented by European royalty, celebs and general glamour-pusses.

But it's not just about the fur-coat and caviar brigade, it genuinely is a country that has a bit of everything... great resorts for beginners such as Saas Fee and Kandersteg, family-friendly spots such as Les Diablerets and Villars, relatively unknown gems like Flims-Laax and Adelboden, wonderful intermediate-havens such as the Jungfrau resorts - Grindelwald, Wengen and Murren. And for advanced skiers there are world renowned top-level resorts such as Zermatt, Verbier, Engelberg.

Switzerland also benefits from having some of Europe highest natural skiing resorts. Forgot some of the monstrous purpose-built resorts that France and Italy were quickly knocking up in that most terrible of architectural periods - the 1960s. If you want high-altitude skiing in Switzerland you do it from a chocolate-box resort like Zermatt and Saas Fee. Pretty resorts, awesome scenery, great skiing, snow-sure glaciers ....what more could you want ? How about the best transport system in Europe ? with trains feeding almost every resort, and buses too, all totally integrated, running together and on-time. Just like er... clockwork.

So for those of you who've only ever tried skiing in France, or Austria, we say jump over the border to neighbouring Switzerland and give the Swiss a chance...

SWISS SKI RESORT ARTICLES

Switzerland Webcams

See what's happening in the Swiss ski resorts with live streams and a list of web-cams for Switzerland.

Switzerland Ski-gear

Details of all of the ski-wear and snowboarding clothing brands and companies of Switzerland Ski-gear.

Annual Events in Switzerland

Details and dates for all of the annual skiing, snowboarding and other mountain-related events in Switzerland.

Swiss Travel Guide

Travel guide to the skiing and snowboarding areas of Switzerland, featuring information and tips on Switzerland's rail system and driving, as well as flights to the Swiss ski regions.

Switzerland Ski Areas

Details of skiing and snowboarding in Switzerland, with lists of the main Swiss ski areas and regions, including which ski resorts are covered by them, piste and lift info, webcams, piste-maps etc.




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