Big Mountains: the Swiss Alps are the most dramatic scenic ski mountains anywhere. Skiing in the shadows of The Eiger’s North Face in the Jungfrau Region is as breathtaking as it gets. The Schilthorn, Matterhorn, Titlis Glacier, Mont Fort, the list of abrupt alpine peaks goes on.
Where to eat and drink nearby: At Berggasthaus First, a mountain inn situated directly next to the Firstbahn gondola station roughly 7,200 feet above sea level, hungry skiers can satisfy an appetite for hearty fare and mountain views at the same time. Its casual, self-serve restaurant offers everything from Alsatian sausage salads to goulash soup, and, of course, rösti and raclette served with all types of trimmings. At the self-service restaurant Berghaus Männlichen, in picturesque Männlichen-Kleine Scheidegg, skiers and hikers can refuel with stick-to-your-bones dishes like grilled sausages, burgers, and chili-cheese hash browns. Traveling with a crew who can’t agree on a single style of cuisine? Head to the new Hotel Restaurant Fiescherblick, whose restaurant features Japanese-, Scandinavian-, and French-influenced dishes. Second only to the food are views of the Eiger North Face, the Fiescherlicka, Männlichen, and the village’s charming church. Located just above the town of Grindelwald, directly on ski run number three, cozy and rustic Jägerstübli serves burgers, bar bites, and cold beer—the perfect formula for an apres-ski feast. Travelers who don’t mind venturing a bit farther for a five-star dining experience will find it at the Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa, in Interlaken.
Where to stay: Set in a formerly vacant building just behind Grindelwald’s white, steepled church, the new Hotel Restaurant Fiescherblick has just 19 Scandinavian-inspired rooms and is surrounded by jaw-dropping mountain views. At Hotel Eiger Selfness, staff take pride in getting to know guests on a first-name basis and helping them reconnect with both nature and themselves. Upon completion of a renovation spanning from fall into December, the hotel will unveil a refreshed entrance area.
Verbier
If you’re looking for proof that Verbier is a worthy winter vacation destination, note that the village was named Switzerland’s Best Ski Resort in 2022 and 2021 by World Ski Awards voters. Verbier is the gateway to the 4 Vallées ski area, which is home to nearly 100 lifts and more than 250 miles of ski runs of all levels, plus plenty of off-piste options. With varying conditions and extremely steep runs, this compound in southwestern Switzerland is an advanced skier’s dream. Many of the area’s most famous off-piste runs—including Bec des Étagnes, Marlenaz, Croix de Coeur, Col des Mines, and Couloir de la “Banane”—are known and respected around the world. Newbies can also learn a thing or two from the resort’s renowned ski school, which gives lessons to guests of varying ages and skill levels. Keep an eye out for royalty and celebs, who frequent the resort.
