Saying that skiing in Switzerland is comfortable and interesting is as inappropriate as saying that Da Vinci's paintings are beautiful. It is the truth, which is obvious. So it is better to start with the practical part.
Most ski resorts in Switzerland are located at an altitude above 1,000 meters. The highest resort in the country is Zermatt. In Zermatt skiing and snowboarding is possible all year round due to the glacier. Hotels in Zermatt are one of the most expensive in Switzerland. The same applies to resort chalets and apartments.
The term "inexpensive ski resort" is hardly ever used in Switzerland. "Affordable" winter resorts are located in Bulgaria. Almost all ski resorts of the country offer accommodation and ski passes for the price by 10-20% higher than in Austria or Italy.
Many ski resorts of Switzerland are well-known throughout the world. So, Davos is famous due to the World Economic Forum, while St. Moritz enjoys the reputation of one of the best spa centers in Europe.
As for the reputation, each resort in Switzerland has been establishing it during many years. Mentioned above Davos, St. Moritz and Zermatt are respectable winter resorts with an abundance of hotels, luxurious restaurants and a small selection of private apartments. They are the resorts for the "higher middle class". Grindelwald and Verbier are Swiss ski resorts with rich nightlife. Saas Fe is one of the best sports resorts in the world. Gshtaadt is famous for its architecture.
There are some peculiarities of accommodation at Swiss ski resorts. In Switzerland can be found the so-called "alcohol-free hotels" (alkoholfrei), where alcoholic drinks are not available. There are also garni hotels, where meals are presented only by breakfasts. Among the chains represented in Switzerland are many such well-known luxury brands as IHG, Hilton, or the German network Steigenberger. The number of stars reflects the level of quality similar to the adopted worldwide classification. Virtually all hotels, including low-cost, can boast of it cleanliness and tidiness.
Private sector is flourishing in the Swiss Alps. Numerous mountain ski chalets Zimmer Frei or Chambre A Louer («for rent») offer to live in an old Swiss home for 30-50 Euros. On the portal ski-holidays.ru tourists can find a great selection of accommodation: ski apartments in Switzerland, winter houses and cottages, winter mini-hotels and ski hotels of the world's leading chains.
Photo: Bernd Hermann, neandertours.de
