Leysin

Olympic heritage shapes winter sports at Leysin, where Switzerland's National Sports Centre trains elite athletes alongside recreational skiers across 60km of varied terrain. This south-facing balcony overlooks the Rhône Valley from elevations reaching 2,205m at the Berneuse summit, creating spectacular panoramas extending to Lake Geneva and the French Alps beyond. From gentle learning plateaus to challenging black runs, the area balances accessible skiing with technical sections that once hosted World Cup freestyle events. The distinctive revolving restaurant "Le Kuklos" crowns the Berneuse summit, offering 360° views while symbolizing the area's innovative approach to Alpine tourism in a resort that smoothly combines athletic tradition with family-friendly facilities. South-facing excellence characterizes Anzère, where 58km of varied terrain combines reliable sunshine with quality skiing reaching 2,362m. The area's distinctive circular village design places car-free convenience at the heart of the winter experience, with accommodations and amenities radiating from the central Place du Village. This purpose-built development successfully balances architectural cohesion with authentic Swiss character, creating a unified atmosphere without the disconnected sprawl common in many expanded resort destinations. The ski terrain excels in intermediate cruising runs perfect for confident beginners progressing to longer descents, while several challenging black pistes satisfy advanced skiers in a resort that specializes in comfortable, sun-filled winter experiences. Eastern Switzerland reveals its winter character at Toggenburg, where 60km of uncrowded slopes spread across the scenic Chäserrugg massif reaching 2,262m. This authentic Alpine region balances family-friendly terrain with surprising technical challenges, all set against the dramatic backdrop of the Churfirsten mountain range's seven distinctive peaks. The area's architectural highlight arrived in 2015 when renowned Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron designed the remarkable Chäserrugg summit station—a timber masterpiece harmonizing contemporary design with traditional Alpine building traditions. This cultural sophistication extends throughout a region where working farms operate alongside tourism facilities, creating a skiing experience that integrates authentically with local mountain life.

Connectivity defines Leysin's lift system, where the integrated mountain railway provides direct access from the Swiss Federal Railways network to the resort base without bus transfers—a significant convenience for public transport travelers. Once in the village, 14 installations efficiently serve the mountain's varied terrain, with the main gondola providing rapid access to the panoramic Berneuse summit. This well-designed system maintains the area's relaxed character while ensuring minimal waiting even during busy periods. From valley floor to scenic summit, vertical drops approaching 1,000m deliver satisfying descents through varied terrain, with spectacular views accompanying nearly every run in this remarkably panoramic skiing environment. Rising from the purpose-built village center, Anzère's lift system provides efficient access to 58km of varied terrain across a surprisingly diverse ski area. Twelve installations, including the primary gondola and several chairlifts, serve the mountain's predominantly south-facing slopes with minimal waiting even during peak periods. The thoughtful lift placement creates natural progression throughout the resort, with beginners enjoying dedicated learning zones before graduating to longer slopes as confidence builds. From village elevation to the Pas de Maimbré summit at 2,362m, vertical drops approaching 900m deliver satisfying descents with spectacular panoramic views across the Rhône Valley and surrounding Alpine peaks throughout nearly every skiing section. Modern efficiency meets historic charm throughout Toggenburg's 18 lift installations connecting the villages of Unterwasser, Alt St. Johann, and Wildhaus with the Chäserrugg summit. The system's highlight arrived in 2015 with the remarkable 10-person Chäserrugg cable car, which complements older installations maintained with characteristic Swiss precision. This balanced approach preserves authentic mountain character while ensuring comfortable access to diverse skiing zones with minimal waiting even during busy periods. From village bases to panoramic summits, vertical drops approaching 1,160m deliver satisfying descents through dramatically changing landscapes, from high-alpine bowls to beautiful forest sections perfect during stormy periods when visibility challenges higher elevations.