5 reasons why Verbier, Zermatt and St. Moritz are the world’s best ski resorts
Since Zermatt has recently been voted “Best Resort in the Alps”, we decided to have a look at why we think that the three homes of ES are not just the best ski resorts in the Alps, but in the world! 5 reasons why Verbier, Zermatt and St. Moritz are the world’s best ski resorts.
World’s best skiing.
Verbier is well-known as the world’s freeride capital, having hosted the Verbier Xtreme for 20 years on the awe-inspiring Bec des Rosses. The powder turns and deep couloirs are famous in Verbier with a large proportion of them being accessible from the chairlifts and telecabins. St. Moritz boasts a huge 350km of pistes but is famous not just for the skiing. A range of activities take place on the huge frozen lake throughout the winter, including polo, horseracing and cricket, and the town has the last natural bob run in the world. Zermatt’s ski terrain is unrivaled by being in the shadow of the stunning Matterhorn and offers a huge area sprawling over into Italy, thanks to the linked valleys at a snow-sure altitude.
Iconic scenery in both summer and winter.
These alpine towns offer access to some of the most iconic mountain vistas in the world. With Mont Fort and Le Bec des Rosses in Verbier and the famous Matterhorn towering above Zermatt, there’s some seriously stunning alpine scenery to absorb. And with mountains come lakes and rivers. Zermatt has over 50 mountain lakes, making it a beautiful summer destination. Verbier is home to some stunning hikes, whilst St. Moritz lays claim to having over 300 sunny days per year.
High-end hotels.
Switzerland is not just about chocolate box chalets fronting postcard-perfect vistas. The recent arrival of contemporary and fashionable hotels is determining these Swiss ski towns as modern luxury ski destinations. The recently opened W Hotel in Verbier has brought the W designer hotel concept to the heart of the Alps. Zermatt also has exciting new locations such as the Backstage Hotel, a recent project by world-renowned alpine architect Heinz Julen. Though for traditional luxury, Badrutt’s Palace in St. Moritz remains one of the most exclusive and gracious retreats in the Alps, having been frequented in the past by Audrey Hepburn, Charlie Chaplin and Alfred Hitchcock.
Going Out.
In ski towns, the après-ski is as important as the late night haunts and Verbier, Zermatt and St. Moritz have the best of both on offer. St. Moritz do après-ski with class, a favourite spot being the Hanselmann Tea Room near the Hotel Albana, for civilized tea and cake. The evening offers the glamorous King’s Club; a black tie venue where one goes to see and be seen. The long-running Après-Ski at the Farinet Hotel in Verbier is an infamously carnivalesque post-ski party, whilst the Farm Club is one of the most famous nightclubs in the Alps and is still run by the Italian brothers who first opened it in the 70s. Zermatt is home to some of the liveliest bars in the Alps such as Hennu Stall, for on-slope dancing until dark. The Hotel Post is the best late night destination, with the Broken Bar Disco, a legendary Zermatt institution.
International resorts.
Verbier, Zermatt and St. Moritz are international playgrounds. Tourists from a mix of different nationalities travel from far and wide to enjoy some of the best alpine destinations Switzerland has to offer. That’s why our ski schools in Verbier, Zermatt and St. Moritz, can teach lessons in a whole host of different languages! And with our Italian dedicated ES Azzurra and the Swedish ESSE in Verbier, the international diversity in these towns is clear!
5 reasons why Verbier, Zermatt and St. Moritz are the world’s best ski resorts
Written by Harriet Coton
5 reasons why Verbier, Zermatt and St. Moritz are the world’s best ski resorts