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The Best Ski Resorts up to 40km of Trails in Switzerland

Zermatt, Davos, or Laax – do these places ring a bell? These well-known ski resorts offer anything winter sports enthusiasts love. Even though the following selected ski resorts seem to be small compared to these, one may encounter a great deal of attractions. Numerous Swiss ski resorts live up to their excellent reputation. Visitors are attracted here due to the ski region´s charm, picturesque mountain world, and family friendliness. We are happy to present 10 remarkable ski resorts up to 40km of trails that will leave you stunned.

Skiing at Lake Vierwaldstätter See

High above Lake Vierwaldstätter See lies the beautiful ski resort Klewenalp Stockhütte. The breathtaking view on the lake makes skiing a very special experience. Not only will you find the extra portion of thrill here, but also on the the Airboard run Chälen. It offers a 3.7km long chute. If you like it rather quiet, Klewenalp Stockhütte is the perfect place for you. Dreamlike Nordic Walking trails and snowshoe hiking tours will make you instantly forget about your everyday stress. 

The cosy mountain village Stoos is also sited high above the Vierwaldstätter See. Stoos is the perfect skiing place for you if you feel like escaping fuss and stress. The car-free village offers quietness, relaxation and any kind of leisure facilities instead. Apart from recreation at the wellness hotel, one can try out various snowshoe trails, participate in winter hiking tours, and leave your kids to enjoy themselves in the “Kinderskiland” with a magic carpet. The longest 6 seat chair lift of Central Switzerland will take you up to the Klingenstock peak on 1935m (2116yd) difference in altitude to start from the black Franz-Heinzer ski-run. Up here, one will not only be able to enjoy a breathtaking view, but also have access to almost 35km of ski trails. It promises to be fun! From this season on, a ski movie run is offered. You can have yourself filmed while carving down a slope and receive an analysis afterwards.

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Ski fun in Valais

On the ski area Saas Grund – Hohsaas in Valais one may experience an authentic glacier feeling. The lifts will take you up to a height of 3145m (3439yd) altitude. High on top of the mountain, you will have the chance to ski along the glacier. Hohsaas is the fifth highest ski area in Switzerland. You may enjoy yourself on 35km of sun-kissed ski-runs, which are suitable for any age and level of difficulty. The spectacular view on 18 mountains above  4000m (4374yd) altitude will make your stay an unforgettable one.

You may also experience wonderful views in the skiing area Grächen, which stuns visitors with its beautiful landscape. There is a total of 40km of trails to explore here. Most of them are designated red ski-runs. The ski area is particularly popular among families as it offers the vast children´s paradise (“SiSu”) at the mountain station. On the fairy-tale gondola, children are accompanied by snow white, red riding hood and other fairy-tale figures on their way to the slope. 

Located in the valley of Valais lies also the ski area Ovronnaz. It is the ideal place for rather untrained skiers and those in favour of pleasure skiing. 20 out of 30km of ski trails are designated red slopes. This is why this ski region is especially suitable for beginners. Off the pistes, there are plenty of offers too. Wonderful hiking trails and cross-country ski trails will stretch throughout the entire area. This landscape is particularly beautiful during the winter season and allows a view on the Rhône valley and the Wallis Alps. When in Ovronnaz, make sure you don´t miss to pay a visit to the thermal spa after skiing. The spas offer pools with a water temperature ranging from 32° to 35°C (90-95°F) giving your body and mind an extra treat of indulgence.

Dreamlike ski areas in East Switzerland

Braunwald, the ski area in East Switzerland, is known for pure snow excitement. The 32km of ski trails offer any level of difficulty and are complemented by free ride facilities in the Bächtal valley and a snow park at the Grotzenbüel. Advanced skiers will feel at home here as much as families will. Braunwald is the ideal winter holiday resort to make your children truly happy. In “Snowli-Kinderland”, little skiers learn to practise their first turns and swings on skis together with our mascot Snowli. Breaking records at sledging and try out new and freshly learned moves in the snow park is bound to be good fun.

A range of winter sports activities await the visitors at the ski resort Elm. 40km of ski trails are available and suitable for beginners as well as advanced skiers. This small ski region is a true gem and an insider´s tip for free riders as skiing is also allowed outside the forest off the slopes. Even if you do not ski, Elm has a lot of fun leisure facilities to offer alternative to skiing: night night sledging, snow tubing or snow shoe hiking. Anyone will find a facility offer to match their personal taste.

Small ski areas for advanced skiers

One thing you will experience while spending your winter holidays in Graubünden at Vals is of course plenty of snow! The skiing area is located on a height between 1810 and 2941m (1979-3216yd) altitude. Offering only 25km of ski trails, Vals 3000 is a relatively small ski resort. Despite of this there are 5km of designated black ski slopes. Vals is, off the slopes, attractive for free riders too. This is why Vals is a suitable place for advanced skiers. When here, you will come to see that Gadastatt is a fantastic and beautiful starting point for any winter hiking tour through the snowy landscapes.

The ski area Melchsee Frutt is characterised by 32km of ski trails, 14 lifts and plenty of snow until spring. Due to its central location, any of the bordering countries is in any direction only a 2 hours drive away. Visitors may expect anything between gentle slopes and challenging ski-runs. The designated black slopes at Bonistock are even a challenge for advanced skiers. Free stylers can enjoy themselves in the “fruttpark”, the largest fun park in central Switzerland. And the lovely designed kids park “Frutti-Land” will make any child happy.

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created on 22 Jan 2014

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