Switzerland, Europe
Stoos Ski Resort
Stoos ski resort Switzerland with world's steepest funicular. 35km slopes, FIS racing piste, Lake Lucerne views.
Season 2025 - 2026
Opens
13 Dec 2025
Closes
6 Apr 2026
Days open
114
Annual snow
4m
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Stoos ski resort Switzerland delivers an extraordinary alpine experience high above Lake Lucerne, accessed by the world record-holding Stoosbahn funicular railway. This car-free mountain village at 1,300 metres offers 35 kilometres of varied terrain spread across the spectacular Fronalpstock and Klingenstock peaks, reaching elevations up to 1,935 metres. The resort combines family-friendly slopes with challenging black runs, including the renowned Franz Heinzer FIS-approved racing piste. Stoos skiing provides breathtaking panoramic views over 11 Swiss lakes and countless Alpine peaks, making it a truly unique destination where the journey aboard the world's steepest funicular railway is as memorable as the skiing itself.
635m
Vertical
9
Runs
35 km
Piste
4m
Annual snow
The Terrain
9 runs across 35 km of piste
Stoos Ski Resort spreads 9 runs across 35 km of piste of terrain. It leans intermediate at 60%, with 1 beginner run to find your feet and 3 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.
Terrain split
9
runs
9 runs across 4 grades
Beginner1 run · 11%
Intermediate5 runs · 60%
Advanced3 runs · 29%
Expert0 runs · 0%
Time it right
When to visit Stoos Ski Resort
Stoos ski resort Switzerland typically operates from December through April, with peak conditions occurring during January, February, and March. The resort benefits from its elevated position above Lake Lucerne in Central Switzerland, receiving substantial natural snowfall enhanced by snowmaking systems covering 40% of the slopes. The high-altitude terrain between 1,300 and 1,935 metres ensures reliable snow conditions throughout the winter season, with predominantly north-facing slopes on Klingenstock maintaining excellent powder quality. March offers the perfect combination of reliable snow coverage and extended daylight hours, providing optimal conditions for skiing whilst enjoying the spectacular panoramic views that make Stoos Switzerland a standout destination in the Central Swiss Alps.
Season 2025 - 2026
13 Dec 2025
Opens
6 Apr 2026
Closes
114
Days open
4 m
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Stoos Ski Resort, and where to stay
Located in Central Switzerland's Canton Schwyz, Stoos ski resort sits majestically above Lake Lucerne, approximately 40 kilometres southeast of Lucerne city and 50 kilometres from Zurich. The resort occupies a unique position on a sunny high plateau accessible only by the world's steepest funicular railway from Schwyz or via cable car from Morschach. This car-free mountain village provides easy access to Switzerland's most famous peaks including views of the Grosser and Kleiner Mythen, Rigi, and Pilatus mountains. The strategic location offers guests opportunities to explore the historic town of Schwyz, visit the renowned Hölloch caves in the nearby Muotatal valley, or enjoy excursions to Lake Lucerne. The resort's position in the heart of Switzerland makes it easily accessible by public transport, with regular bus connections from Schwyz train station to the Stoosbahn funicular base station.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Stoos Ski Resort, powered by Stay22.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
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Sugar Bowl, California, Rebuilds Its Historic Village Gondola
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Two Confirmed Dead as Search Continues After Swiss Alps Fire
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22 Aug 2026
Selwyn Snow Resort Closes Early as Rain Ends Its 2026 Season
Selwyn Snow Resort has called an early end to its 2026 season, a day after Victoria's Mount Baw Baw did the same. Rain on Thursday stripped what was left of the snowpack, and the cold nights needed to rebuild it through snowmaking never arrived. It's a rough result for a resort that only just found its footing again after being burned to the ground in the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires and a multi-year rebuild. Here's how the season fell apart, and where Selwyn's been since the fire.
22 Aug 2026
Mt Baw Baw Becomes First Australian Resort to Close for 2026
Mt Baw Baw is calling time on its 2026 season this Sunday at 5pm, becoming the first Australian resort to close for the year after warm spells and rain wore through its snowpack. Lifts stop, but the resort stays open, entry fees get waived, and there's one last Bollywood Weekend before the lights go out. Fifty-seven days after opening, here's how the season ended and what it means for the rest of Australia's struggling snowpack.
21 Aug 2026
Arosa to Replace 40-Year-Old Hörnli Lifts With New Gondola and Chair
Arosa's Hörnli sector is getting its biggest overhaul in decades. The 1986 gondola and 1994 chairlift linking toward Lenzerheide are both being replaced, with capacity up, tower count down and a new base station lower on the hill. At roughly CHF 67 million, it is the largest single investment Arosa Bergbahnen has ever made - and the target opening has already slipped a year, to December 2028. Here is what is changing, and why the timeline moved.
20 Aug 2026
Sundance Mountain Resort Is Getting a New High-Speed Quad and More Back Mountain Terrain This Winter
Sundance Mountain Resort's back mountain is finally getting a proper lift. The Electric Horseman Express opens for 2026-27, unlocking a new bowl next to Bishop's Bowl and three expert gladed chutes across roughly 105 fresh acres - on top of the Storyteller ridge run that debuted in preview form last season. It's Sundance's biggest expansion since 1985, and it turns a three-lift slog into a single six-minute ride to Bearclaw Summit.
19 Aug 2026
Lift system
The lift system at Stoos ski resort features eight modern installations efficiently serving the mountain's diverse terrain across two distinct ski areas. The network includes the world-famous Stoosbahn funicular railway with its record-breaking 110% gradient (47.7 degrees), transporting up to 1,500 passengers per hour from Schwyz valley to the car-free village. Two chairlift systems provide access to the main skiing areas: the Fronalpstock chairlift offering two sections to reach the summit at 1,922 metres, and the Klingenstock chairlift accessing the steeper terrain and Franz Heinzer racing piste. Surface lifts at Sternegg and Maggiweid serve the beginner areas with magic carpets providing gentle learning slopes. The innovative barrel-shaped funicular cabins automatically level themselves during the steep ascent, ensuring passenger comfort throughout the remarkable 744-metre altitude gain.
10lifts across 6 types
1
Train
1
Aerial Tram
1
6-Person Chair
2
Quad Chairs
3
T-Bars
2
Surface Lifts
Stoos Ski Resort lift system
Stoos Ski Resort is served by 10 lifts, listed here by type. Check which lifts are turning against the live conditions before you plan your first laps - early lifts and high-speed chairs get you to the best snow fastest.
More Stoos Ski Resort intelligence: trail map, snow report, webcams, resort overview.