A Ski Guide to Valais: Discovering Your Ideal Slope in Southern Switzerland

Switzerland may seem compact on a map, but it's a vast playground once you gaze upward. Welcome to one of Europe’s most mountainous nations, where the Alps span 60% of the landscape. With impressive elevation, peak performance is key here—the Swiss practically come out of the womb on skis, and four-year-olds often zoom past you on the slopes. The excitement peaks where the glacier-clad Alps soar the highest: Valais, a canton nestled in southern Switzerland, right by the Italian border.

As the first snowflakes descend in winter, the realm of the majestic Matterhorn and the towering Dufourspitze—Switzerland's highest peak at 4634m—has skiers eager to speed down the slopes or carve out fresh tracks in the backcountry. Whether you’re a black-diamond daredevil, a cruiser who enjoys scenic blues, or a complete novice, there’s a trail waiting just for you. Continue reading for our top seven favorites.

Zermatt

Ideal for breathtaking Matterhorn views and skiing into Italy

Let’s start with the iconic Matterhorn… You’ll never forget your first sighting of the 4478m peak: that perfect pyramid that epitomizes Switzerland (and Toblerone) like no other. Most likely, you’ll catch a glimpse while aboard the little red train from Visp to Zermatt. Upon arrival, the stunning views from the slopes—Switzerland’s highest—are complemented by the 3883m Matterhorn Glacier Paradise cable car station, offering breathtaking panoramas of 14 glaciers and 38 mountain peaks soaring over 4000m.

Zermatt, a car-free zone, serves as an excellent hub for exploring 360km of pistes, especially when combined with the over-the-mountain Cervinia in Italy, which is now easier to access since the 2023 launch of the Matterhorn Alpine Crossing. The gentle slopes around Rothorn, Stockhorn, and Klein Matterhorn cater to confident intermediates, while off-piste areas delight powder enthusiasts (a guide is advisable). Beginners and families will also find great skiing at Wolli Park Sunnegga, plus a snowpark equipped with rails, boxes, jumps, and kickers for snowboarders. A family-friendly perk is that kids under nine ski for free.

Travel tip: Experience one of the world’s most picturesque train journeys on the Glacier Express, which traverses the 290km route between Zermatt and St Moritz twice daily from mid-December to early May, taking about eight hours.

Arolla

Ideal for serene, uncrowded slopes and fantastic off-piste skiing

Nestled in the traditional Val d'Hérens, with stunning views of glacier-clad 4000m peaks, the quaint hamlet of Arolla offers a dramatic backdrop far beyond its modest size (population 200). Perched at an impressive altitude of 1998m, this charming Alpine village boasts a remarkable snow record, breathtaking scenery, and 47km of downhill runs—primarily blues for beginners and reds for intermediates. Compared to other Swiss locations, it remains quite affordable.

Due to its secluded nature, Arolla features excellent off-piste terrain for ski touring (best experienced with a knowledgeable guide). The village is part of the renowned Haute Route, a week-long trek from Zermatt to Chamonix that traverses the Mont Blanc massif. This route is one of Europe’s most challenging and memorable skiing experiences, intended for expert ski tourers only.

Travel tip: Beyond downhill skiing, you can enjoy 42km of cross-country ski tracks, allowing you to glide peacefully to a glacier, along with an extensive network of snowshoe trails, including a scenic 5km trek from La Gouille to the picturesque, forest-surrounded Lac Bleu.

Verbier

Ideal for challenging runs and spotting celebrities

Nestled in a sun-drenched bowl, the glamorous Verbier is a hotspot for celebrities and the Swiss epicenter of cool, offering intense skiing from 1500m (the village) to 3330m (Mont Fort). The heart-pounding black runs, stunning off-piste options, narrow couloirs, and mogul-filled itineraries test even the most adventurous skiers, with the legendary freeride Tortin being the toughest. Freeriders and snowboarders thrive at the 2250m La Chaux snowpark. Situated in the heart of Les 4 Vallées ski area, boasting breathtaking views of Mont Blanc and the Combins massif, this resort features an impressive snow record and access to over 400km of marked pistes, many designed for daring intermediates.

The crowd here includes royals, celebrities like James Blunt (who even has a lift named after him), Richard Branson (owner of the exclusive mountain retreat The Lodge), the Beckhams, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Ed Sheeran, all of whom enjoy an après-ski scene as lively as the slopes themselves. The champagne-fueled parties are truly legendary.

Planning tip: For those seeking fresh powder in the backcountry, check out Les Guides de Verbier. They offer not just off-piste guiding but also ski touring, ice climbing, and snowshoeing adventures.

Crans-Montana

Perfect for sunshine and luxury

Perched on a high plateau above the Rhône Valley, the luxurious ski resort of Crans-Montana boasts 160km of mostly south-facing slopes, seamlessly connected by state-of-the-art cable cars. This destination is ideal for confident beginners and leisurely intermediates, particularly in the Cry d'Er area. Plus, the panoramic views are breathtaking, featuring majestic peaks like the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc.

Among the slopes, you'll discover some thrilling black runs, including the incredibly steep World Cup Piste Nationale, recognized as one of the longest downhill runs in the Alps. But that's just the beginning: there are ski mountaineering trails, a snowpark complete with a superpipe for snowboarders and freestylers, and the Plaine Morte glacier for cross-country skiing at altitude. The après-ski scene is vibrant, particularly during the end-of-season Caprices music festival, which features top musical acts on the slopes.

Planning tip: One of the trendiest mountain spots in the Swiss Alps at 2112m, Chetzeron offers jaw-dropping views from its terrace, where you can relax in a hammock or a sheepskin-covered deckchair while enjoying a cup of chocolat chaud (hot chocolate) after skiing. Access it via ski or snowboard from the summit of the Cry d’Er cable car.

Bettmeralp-Aletsch

Best for tranquil slopes and stunning glacier views

Picture the idyllic Swiss Alpine village of your dreams, then amplify it by ten—that's Bettmeralp for you: a snow-covered gem framed by mountains, dotted with dark-timber chalets, and perched at an elevation of 1970m above the Upper Rhône Valley. In winter, it resembles a scene straight out of a Christmas card. With just 452 permanent residents, this family-oriented village exudes a relaxed atmosphere compared to the larger resorts.

On this often sunny, car-free plateau, you'll find 104km of pistes that make up the Aletsch Arena. Situated in the heart of the Unesco World Heritage Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch region, these slopes primarily cater to intermediates, snowboarders, and off-piste enthusiasts, while also providing plenty of terrain for beginners and experts alike.

Planning tip: Skiing doesn’t get any more breathtaking than on the route from the 2627m Bettmerhorn cable car station, which trails alongside the 23km Aletsch Glacier, the longest glacier in the European Alps.

Champéry

Extensive slopes and skiing into France

Nestled close to France in the northwest region of Valais, Champéry is part of the expansive Les Portes du Soleil (“Gates of the Sun”) ski area, boasting an impressive 600km of pistes that span two countries and 12 resorts, making it one of the largest ski regions globally. A single lift pass grants access to all of it.

Surrounded by the towering, jagged peaks of the Dents du Midi, Champéry offers wide slopes and long valley runs that cater primarily to intermediates (though beginners might find them challenging). Snowboarders often venture to Avoriaz and Les Crosets for their terrain parks, while black runs and substantial off-piste areas provide a true test for experts.

Planning tip: La Chavanette, known as the “Swiss Wall,” is a leg-burner of a slope—featuring a 37° angle and 76% gradient, it’s almost like diving into a void, with countless moguls providing no break from the bumps throughout its length. It’s categorized as an itinéraire (avalanche-controlled but not groomed).

Saas Fee

Ideal for freeriders and snowboarders

Nestled within an amphitheater of 13 formidable peaks soaring above 4000m, glacier-kissed Saas Fee lies at the base of the 4546m Dom—the second-highest peak in Switzerland and the third-highest in the Alps. As expected, the breathtaking scenery is unparalleled. With skiing ranging from 1800m to 3550m, exceptional powder can always be found.

Once a remote outpost accessible only by mule trail until 1951, Saas Fee is now a vibrant, car-free resort featuring a blend of traditional dark-wood granaries and contemporary chalets. The resort offers 145km of runs, primarily gentle terrain perfect for beginners and relaxed intermediates, while the impressive 1700m vertical descent provides added challenge. Experts can tackle the Weisse Perle black run and join guided ski tours, while snowboarders can enjoy big air at the Morenia snowpark.

Planning tip: For a scenic post-ski snack, take the underground funicular up to 3500m at Allalin, where you'll find the world’s highest revolving restaurant.

Make it happen

Geneva Airport (GVA) serves as the gateway to the Valais region, offering quick, frequent, and picturesque SBB train connections to all major ski resorts. Traveling by train is often more convenient than driving, especially since many resorts are car-free. Buses and cable cars help fill any transportation gaps.

The ski season typically spans from December to April. For the best deals and availability, steer clear of peak times like Christmas and Easter. You can often skip the lines and save money by booking ski passes and rentals online with Intersport. For group lessons, look into Swiss Ski Schools.