The Skiers' Guide to Gstaad

Very expensive and exclusive resort but a wonderful place to ski with a variety of very skiable slopes which are always very empty.

This resort of rarely crowded and lift queues are never an issue. Great for beginner and intermediate skiers. Not much of a nightlife unless the high class options are available to you.

Low attitude ski centre, not much snow beginning or end of winter. Need to travel to other higher ski areas. Nice village but quite expensive.

Lovely town in a great setting. Very useful to have the airport in Saanen.

Skiing not always the best as quite low but great shopping and restaurants and some of the higher towns have better skiing such as Launen.

There is the Glacier 3000 nearby which usually has better snow.

Overall definitely need a car and everything rather pricey.

This was my first time as a beginner to Switzerland. The scenery was simply stunning, so picturesque. It was so cold so taking the correct ski clothing is imperative. We hired skis through the accommodation. We did 2 hours skiing per day which was adequate as a beginner especially so with the falling over. However, we were taught snow ploughs on our 2nd day! The ski lifts were challenging. Learning to ski was rewarding and exhilarating and most certainly gives you an appetite. It is not the cheapest country to learn to ski but certainly worth visiting for the scenery alone.