There's nothing more heartbreaking than arriving at your long-awaited ski holiday only to find brown hills and a couple of cows grazing! When you've scheduled holiday time, invested money and spent hours researching your ski area and accommodation, the last thing you want is a ski area with unreliable snow cover. The good news is that you don't have to be completely at the mercy of the elements this year. Switzerland is known for its especially high-altitude ski areas and the following ski areas have a decent track record. Unless something goes very wrong, these Swiss ski areas should have guaranteed snow for your holiday.
Thanks to its high altitude - from 1229m to 2865m above sea level -Arosa Lenzerheide is one of the most reliable ski areas in Switzerland for snow cover. The virtually guaranteed snow and frequent springtime powder dumps make this a popular spot for freeriding. Regular ski season at Arosa-Lenzerheide runs from December to mid-April, plenty of time to explore the 220 kilometres of pistes.
There's a reason Davos Klosters is so famous - and a favourite with the royal family. Known for its luxurious and exclusive winter sport scene, this snow-sure ski area has 300 kilometres of pistes spread out across six mountains. Most slopes lie above 2000m, making for guaranteed snow almost all winter long.
Engelberg-Titlis is also a well-known skiing destination, not least for its annual hosting of the ski jumping World Cup. If you're on the hunt for a Swiss ski area with really reliable snow cover then look no further: Engelberg-Titlis has its own glacier, so snow should be 100% guaranteed. Because of this, the ski season at Engelberg-Titlis stretches from October to May. While you're here, don't miss the chance to try the 12km-long valley run, which has a whopping 2-kilometre altitude drop!
Otherwise known as the "Roof of Europe", the Jungfrau Region has the handy Eiger glacier making sure there's never any lack of the white stuff. The Jungfrau (4158m), Mönch (4170m) and Eiger (3907m) form a fantastic backdrop to the ski area. Since the slopes reach altitudes of 2970 metres above sea level, skiing and snowboarding are possible here until mid-April.
The self-proclaimed Free Republic of Holidays is incredible in every way, and perhaps most importantly, for its excellent snow cover. This is thanks to the glacier ski area, which opens during the summer for skiing as well. While your lame friends are at the beach, let off steam at Saas-Fee on 20km of slopes and a freestyle park with a 120m-long halfpipe!
It's impossible to discuss snow-sure ski areas in Switzerland and not mention Samnaun, which joins up with the Austrian ski resort of Ischgl to form the Silvretta Arena. 90% of the pistes here lie more than 2000 metres above sea level - and in total there are 230 kilometres of pistes, so you do the math. Our verdict: 5/5 for snow reliability!
The name "Flims, Laax & Falera" is synonymous with guaranteed snow. Together, these three well-known ski resorts form the largest contiguous winter sports area in Graubünden, lying at altitudes between 1100m and 3018m above sea level. No need to confirm what you've already guessed: snow is virtually guaranteed at these lofty heights! The highest point in the ski area is the Vorab glacier, at 3018 metres. Come here to enjoy the beautiful views from the top and then take the 17km-long slope back down to the heart of the ski area.
The Aletsch Glacier is currently the largest glacier in the Alps, stretching an astonishing 23 kilometres long. So, it probably won't come as a surprise that the Aletsch Arena offers guaranteed snow. On the other hand, you'll be pleasantly surprised to learn that this ski area also receives loads of sunshine, always a nice perk in the middle of winter.
Between them, Andermatt and Sedrun offer 180 kilometres of slopes at altitudes of up to 2961 metres. The ski area is divided into three ski areas, the Gemsstock, Nätschen and Sedrun, which enjoy reliable snow cover thanks to the Gemsstock Glacier. This is the perfect destination for spring skiing, especially for expert skiers, who will find five challenging black pistes to tackle.
At the foot of the towering Matterhorn (4478m) mountain you'll find one of Switzerland's premier ski areas. Zermatt has 350 kilometres of pistes and not one but three glaciers, ensuring guaranteed snow cover all year round. That's right, Zermatt is one of few glacier ski resorts that open for skiing in the summer months as well, with 21km of slopes to enjoy.
Born and raised in the ski paradise of Vancouver, Canada, I learned to ski before I can remember, balancing precariously on my parents’ skis as they sailed down the hill. I started snowboarding in my teens and am now delighted to be exploring everything Europe’s ski scene has to offer!
