Sports Realm

Often overlooked with the might of Austria and, in particularly France, on its doorstep, Switzerland is a fantastic ski choice with lots on offer for all skiers and all budgets. The shedding of the conservative, anti-nightlife image once perceived by visitors to the European country is now complete and there is some serious fun to be had.

Fancy a glamorous trip? Head over to St Moritz where the rich and famous have been skiing and being entertained for decades. Aside from an extensive, all encompassing ski area, you’ll be sure to experience other activities such as the International Snow Polo event and Cresta run during your stay. Throw in an extensive boutique shopping range, top restaurants and spas and it’s easy to see why this had been the playground for the rich and famous for so long.

Now are you the skier that values a top quality piste along with a top quality schnitzel? Zermatt is a charming resort preferring horse-drawn sleighs to cars and offering some of Europe’s top skiing for intermediate and advanced skiers backed up by being extremely snow-secure. Equally impressive is the dining in Zermatt. Both on and away from the mountain, you can experience Europe’s finest dining experiences – Zum See, Franz and Heidi’s and Chez Vrony are just a selection of some of the fantastic restaurants in this quaint resort.

If you’ll be wanting to catch the first run of the day and carry on skiing through to the end, then head to Verbier. With thousands of acres of off-piste terrain and 250 miles of pistes in this beautiful landscape, you’ll be well catered for. The only drawback to this famous four-valley landscape is in the fact that the areas aren’t very well connected, but enthusiastic skiers will only see this as a positive and head to the off-piste for kicks. With an improved nightlife too, Verbier has grown into a top town for skiing and partying alike.

Val d’Annivers is perhaps one of Switzerland’s best kept secrets. It’s comprised of twelve small villages set in the French speaking part of the country lining a narrow valley, and the area is encircled by five mountains, including the Matterhorn. A picturesque and quiet region, there isn’t a lot in the way of nightlife – but it would suit family skiers who would appreciate the beautiful scenery and are after something a little different.

Those skiing on a budget should seriously consider the Jungfrau area. With snow for the majority of the entire ski season, there is also a large community of budget chalets, particularly in the Lauterbrunnen area. However whilst the prices may be relatively cheap, the resort is in no way lacking. Wengen is a town situated halfway up the mountain, car-free and quaint it’s the perfect setting for a post-ski dinner. With miles and miles of piste across a host of different terrains, the Jungfrau skiing experience can be tailored to every skier.

If you love to ski, have a shop around to get some great ski holiday deals.