The Best Ski Resorts From Zurich Airport: Travel Times, Snow Reliability and a Relaxed Transfer

Switzerland has hundreds of ski areas, and from Zurich Airport a surprising number of them are within half a day's reach. Land in the morning and you can be sitting in a chalet in Davos, Grindelwald or Engelberg by the afternoon – provided the journey with suitcases, ski bags and children is well planned.

This guide presents the most important ski resorts from Zurich, sorted by travel time, groups them by type of traveller and explains what to watch out for when travelling in winter.

Ski resorts by travel time from Zurich Airport

Times for fixed routes are our planning values including a buffer; for the other destinations we give guide values. On changeover Saturdays and in snowfall it can take longer.

Close and quick: skiing on arrival day

Engelberg-Titlis is the large ski area closest to Zurich. The Titlis glacier ensures a long season, often from autumn, and snow well into spring. Engelberg is a place for freeriders and families alike, with hotels that can be reached directly by car.

Flumserberg above Lake Walen and Hoch-Ybrig in the canton of Schwyz are classic day-trip destinations for Zurich locals: family-friendly, with lovely views and a short drive. Being lower, they are less snow-sure early and late in the season. Stoos is car-free and reached from Schwyz by the world's steepest funicular – the driver takes you to the valley station.

Graubünden: the big names

Davos and Klosters together form one of Switzerland's largest ski areas, with slopes for every level and a town that offers plenty off the piste too. In January Davos is an exception because of the WEF; what applies then is explained in our WEF transfer guide.

Laax-Flims is the centre for snowboarders and freestylers, Lenzerheide together with Arosa a huge, family-friendly area. St. Moritz in the Engadin stands for glamour, sunny days and dry powder snow; the journey over the Julier Pass is described in detail in St. Moritz and the Engadin.

Bernese Oberland: Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau

Grindelwald can be reached by car and, with the Eiger Express, offers quick access to the Kleine Scheidegg–Männlichen ski area. Wengen and Mürren, by contrast, are car-free: the transfer ends in Lauterbrunnen or Stechelberg respectively, from where you continue by cogwheel train or cable car. The driver carries your luggage to the platform.

Which village suits whom is described in Jungfrau region for beginners. Further destinations in the Oberland are Adelboden and Gstaad, which we also drive to directly.

Valais: snow reliability and glaciers

Zermatt offers one of the highest ski areas in the Alps beneath the Matterhorn, with glacier skiing almost all year round. The village is car-free; the transfer ends in Täsch, from where the shuttle train reaches Zermatt in a few minutes – everything about it in Zermatt transfer via Täsch.

Saas-Fee is also car-free, high and very snow-sure; the driver drops you at the village entrance. Verbier in the Valais Alps is the destination for demanding skiers and freeriders and can be reached directly by car. Depending on traffic, we drive to Valais via the Lötschberg car train or entirely by road.

Which ski resort suits you?

A quick orientation by type of traveller:

• Short stay or skiing on arrival day: Engelberg, Flumserberg, Hoch-Ybrig, Stoos.
• Families with children: Lenzerheide, Laax-Flims, Grindelwald, Engelberg – wide slopes, ski schools, short distances.
• Maximum snow reliability: Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Engelberg with the Titlis glacier, Davos.
• Luxury and après-ski: St. Moritz, Gstaad, Verbier, Zermatt.
• Freeride and freestyle: Verbier, Engelberg, Laax, Andermatt.

Changeover Saturday: when it gets tight

In many resorts guests change over on Saturdays. The roads to the mountains are then busy, especially the A3 along Lake Walen towards Graubünden and the routes into the Bernese Oberland. If you land around midday on a Saturday, expect delays.

Your driver knows the alternative routes and tracks your flight; you need not worry about anything. For a Saturday departure: better be picked up earlier and have a coffee at the airport than watch the clock in a traffic jam. The exact calculation is in When to leave for Zurich Airport?.

Ski luggage, vehicle and children

We carry ski bags free of charge, up to four per vehicle. In the E-Class two people with skis fit thanks to the ski hatch; for families or groups with full equipment the V-Class is the right choice. How we count luggage is explained in How many suitcases really fit?.

Child seats are free; state the number and ages of the children when booking. In the last step, enter the name of the chalet or hotel – in mountain villages with winding lanes this saves time. More on the winter season in general is in Ski transfers from Zurich.

Frequently asked questions about ski transfers from Zurich

Which large ski resort is closest to Zurich Airport?

Engelberg-Titlis. We plan just under two hours; Flumserberg and Hoch-Ybrig are a little closer but smaller and lower.

When does the ski season start?

In most areas in early to mid-December, running into April. Glacier areas such as Zermatt, Saas-Fee and the Titlis open earlier and close later.

Does ski luggage cost extra?

No. Up to four ski bags per vehicle are included in the fixed price.

Do you drive to car-free resorts?

To the last point reachable by car: Täsch for Zermatt, Lauterbrunnen for Wengen, Stechelberg for Mürren, the village entrance of Saas-Fee, the valley station for Stoos.

What happens in heavy snowfall?

We drive as long as the roads are open and allow more time. If passes or roads are closed, we get in touch and discuss the alternative with you.

Book your ski transfer now – fixed price per vehicle, ski luggage included.