Skiing in the Swiss Alps is a classic winter experience that you should add to your bucketlist if you love skiing like I do!
Getting There
My friends and I all live in different US states now, but we managed to find a flight that connected via a layover in Iceland to get us together before we landed in Zurich, Switzerland. I flew from Seattle which meant I literally got to fly over icebergs and see the curvature of the Earth; it was so breathtaking!
When we arrived in Zurich we got our ski bags and then hopped on the train. The train station is connected to the airport for convenience. I sat next a Swiss train operator on my flight to Zurich and he said they're not quite as good as Japan in terms of punctuality, but they're close! I grabbed a pretzel for the ride after arriving at the airport and it was so convenient and easy to figure out the transportation. We booked our train tickets ahead of time through this website. I don't think they really sell out, but it's nice for peace of mind when you arrive. We got day trip train tickets on the train pretty easily during our trip.
Taking the train in Switzerland is a classic experience. The staff were so friendly and willing to help capture group photos for us. We had a little coffee, croissant and prosecco for the ride; it's about 4 hours to the resort, but train rides make it too easy! I learned from that train operator that there is even a service that will directly ship your luggage (ski bags!) directly to your resort; i would have done this if i knew it existed!
Best Time to Visit
Winter Months. Explore the peak skiing season from December to March when the snowfall is at its best. Snow storms can be unpredictable, so manage your expectations! We visited during the fist week of January and the crowds were low.
Spring Skiing. Enjoy milder temperatures and longer days in late March and April, perfect for skiing under the sun.
Accommodation Options
Luxury Hotels. Discover plush accommodations that provide luxurious amenities and stunning views of the mountains. Sonne Hotel is high-quality and perfectly located in central Andermatt, where much more is going on. If you're going for extremely nice location, then THE BASE is a great choice as it's located right on the train stop and ski gondola.
Cozy Chalets. Consider renting a traditional Swiss chalet for a more intimate and authentic experience with family or friends. Ski in ski out resorts make it easy for you; we stayed at Catrina resort and it was incredible for the value. Our place had a spa on the first floor with steam and dry saunas and a hot tub; the floors were also heated in our bathroom. We arranged for the hotel to pick us up from the train station to the hotel to/from so we wouldn't need to lug our heavy ski bags around! This place was CHEAP compared to US resorts in Colorado and Canada where i mostly take ski trips.
Skiing and on the Mountain
You can purchase ski tickets directly from the website or in-person while you're there. I bought an additional half day ticket when I was there because the snow was good! If you have an EPIC ski pass, then you're already good to go! The MGBahn train (from one part of Andermatt ski to another) comes included with the ski pass, but not with EPIC. The day passes are much cheaper than in the states, but if you're skiing for longer than a week you should probably just get a pass. Andermatt can be broken into several different resorts. If you dont have the EPIC ski pass, then you can just do a day pass or half day pass for the days you would like to go; that is what I did as it was very cheap comparatively. When you book the ski pass you also get access to the train, so it was super nice!
Stunning Alpine Scenery. The breathtaking views of the Swiss Alps provide a perfect backdrop and the iconic red train you've seen on instagram goes right through the resort! This was the first time I've ever seen a train station at the bottom of a ski run. It was super convenient and such a change from the states.
Less Crowded Slopes. Unlike some of the larger resorts like Zermatt, Andermatt offers a more serene skiing experience with fewer tourists. We did not wait in line once which is unheard of at popular resorts in the US like Breckenridge, Copper, and Whistler.
Sledding and Tobogganing. If you don't like skiing, you can also go sledding at the resort with your kids or dog! I was so jealous of all the girls with their dogs there; I would absolutely take Sora if she was with me!
Local Swiss Cuisine. Savor traditional dishes like raclette and fondue at cozy mountain restaurants. There's plenty of traditional restaurants scattered around and in the mountain, so you can enjoy your fondue and some wine mid-day!
Fine Dining Experiences. Treat yourself to gourmet meals at upscale eateries featuring local and international flavors. We had lunch at a 1-Michelin star restaurant, Gutsch, you need a day use pass for the gondola to access the restaurant, they will not let you up without one. we made a reservation a day out, so you can probably do the same or walk-in. Enjoy your après-ski drink like an aperol spritz!
8. Navigating the Resort
Transportation Options. If you get a day pass for skiing, it will include the train that takes you between different parts of the Andermatt resort, otherwise you can
Maps and Apps. Download offline maps for easy use since signal can be spotty.
Tips!
The water is very fresh and clean from the sinks in Switzerland; save yourself some money and the environment by packing your reusable water bottle!
Bring a backpack for the slopes and easy to change out of shoes; also for water! The stations have lockers if you wanna take your boots off midday and store them while you walk around.
Your skis can be checked as baggage with no extra costs, so it makes sense to bring them and then just have a small carry-on for your ski boots bag. I use this dakine padded ski bag, in 190cm so that i have extra space for my helmet.
