Sam Jackson
Dec, 10 2025- 3 mins
Best Ski Resorts Near Zurich
Switzerland is home to some of the best ski resorts in the world, and I’m sure most skiers can tell me they’ve flown into Geneva airport to visit the 3 Valleys, but which are the best ski resorts found near Zurich? I’ll use my knowledge alongside the wisdom of the Snomad community to run you through 5 of the best resorts.
Laax (4.50/5.00) 2 hours from Zurich (by train)
I realised pretty early into my skiing career that I have quite a lot of fun when my skis aren’t actually touching the ground. I don’t mean when I’m tomahawking down a couloir (although my friends would probably enjoy seeing that). I found my calling in the park. Laax scores a perfect score for its parks (5.00/5.00) and has proved itself year after year. For anyone who grew up watching Stomp It Tutorials on YouTube, you’ll probably know every feature by heart. For those who don’t, Laax is the ultimate freestyle destination in Europe.
Whilst the parks are worth going for in their own right, Laax is no slouch in other categories. Scoring in the high 4’s for most means that you don’t have to be a park rat to enjoy the resort. From calm blue runs where you can find your feet to steep black runs which will push you to the edge of your carving ability.
Ready to start your freestyle career? Read the full Laax resort review!
Davos Klosters (4.36/5.00) - 2 hours from Zurich
Davos Klosters is a resort that oozes class and luxury. This resort is just 2 hours from Zurich and recently won the award for Best Ski Schools in the world. 320km of pistes split into 70 runs with a large amount for every level of skier. Davos is the perfect place to learn, improve or perfect your skiing!
Davos Klosters excels for the snowboarders as well, with tiny flat areas on the slopes. The food and accommodation options are plentiful and of impeccable quality, but just like a lot of Swiss resorts the prices can be steep.
Fancy going back to school? Check out what the Snomad Community thinks in the Davos Klosters resort guide.
Engelberg (4.38/5.00) - 1:45 hours from Zurich by Train
This is a smaller resort, definitely one for the freeriders out there. The amount of pistes that you can ski may leave you wanting, but if you catch the resort on a powder day, you’ll have the time of your life! The resort earns a perfect 5.00/5.00 rating for its powder skiing. If you’re after a few days of high-quality skiing, then Engelberg is definitely worth considering.
The resort features a dizzying 2000m vertical drop and can be easily accessed by train, making it an excellent option for people who don’t feel like winding their way up to the resort on a coach. The après-ski scene isn’t as glamorous as some resorts across the border but trust me, you’ll want to be up early to get some fresh tracks anyway.
To learn more about this freeride mecca, read the Engelberg resort guide!
Grindelwald Wengen (4.25/5.00) - 2 hours from Zurich
Grindelwald is one of the prettiest ski resorts in Europe (link prettiest article when live). If you’re looking for a classic alpine experience, there aren't many better resorts. The views are sensational, and the skiing isn’t bad either. Grindelwald - Wengen scores well for accommodation (4.66/5.00), groomed runs (4.60/5.00), and intermediates (4.64/5.00), showing that it’s a good all-rounder.
The backdrop of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains is spectacular and actually towers over the perfect learning area. Grindelwald-Wengen scores 4.71/5.00 for its ski schools. The resort won the European Silver Medal for its ski school at the Snomad Ski Resort Awards. I actually learned to ski here about 20 years ago, and it was the perfect place to learn. The town is fantastic, and if you have kids, you should definitely check out the swimming pool - it’s got slides and diving boards, which make it a great place to have some off-slope fun!
Need some breathtaking views on your next trip? Get excited with the Grindelwald resort guide.
Lech Zürs am Arlberg (Austria) (4.65/5.00) - 2:20 hours from Zurich.
I couldn’t create this list without including an Austrian resort. Lech Zürs am Arlberg was actually the 2024 overall winner for Snomad’s Best Ski Resort in the World. The Arlberg is Austria’s largest ski area and the 5th largest in the world. The area has gained a serious reputation for upmarket hotels, sensational freeride terrain, and some of the best après-ski in the world!
Lech Zürs am Arlberg scores fantastically for lift efficiency (4.89/5.00), snowboarding (4.83/5.00), and expert skiing (4.73/5.00), and also earns strong marks in the critical categories that make a successful family ski trip. This is a powerhouse resort that definitely offers a different experience compared to some of the megaresorts in France.
Check out the Lech Zürs am Arlberg resort guide to learn more!
© Alex Kaiser
Flying into Geneva? We’ve got you covered with this guide! Or if you want some Austrian fun, we've prepared a guide on the Best Ski Resorts near Innsbruck
