Winter sports resorts near Zurich for skiing or hiking
It doesn’t always have to be Graubünden or Zermatt – there are also beautiful places for skiing near Zurich. (Image: Pexels / Samuel Walker)
Excursion tips
If you want to take a day or weekend trip to the mountains, you don’t necessarily have to put up with a two-hour drive. These nine excursion destinations are located near Zurich and are just as exciting.
1. Amden: Snowshoeing on the sunny slope
In and around Amden, which lies high above Lake Walen, you are spoiled with sunshine all day long when the weather is nice – the area on the southern slope is rightly called the sun terrace on and above Lake Walen. The village itself is 900 meters above sea level, from where you can quickly reach various destinations in nature. The area with the excellent view of the Glarner Alps is ideal for snowshoeing – suitable equipment for the up to nine kilometers long, marked paths can be rented right at the “Arvenbühl, Arven” bus stop. Various winter hiking trails and toboggan runs can also be explored without snowshoes.
In addition, there is also a rather small, family ski area with 20 kilometers of pistes, which is divided into the two districts of Mattstock and Arvenbüel: In the Mattstock area, which is located directly above the village, more experienced snow sports enthusiasts will find intermediate slopes in the Arvenbüel district is the light and medium weight.
50 minutes by car and 90 minutes by train.
More information: amden-weesen.ch
2. Flumserberg: skiing with short waiting times
The largest winter sports destination between Zurich and Chur attracts visitors with 17 cable cars that take winter sports enthusiasts up to 2,222 meters above sea level. There, ski and snowboard enthusiasts can look forward to numerous kilometers of easy, moderately difficult and challenging slopes. As a rule, there is no danger of queuing for a table at the cable cars and in restaurants for as long as in famous ski resorts.
Tannenboden is a good starting point at 1,400 meters above sea level, where the ski area and a variety of winter hiking trails begin. The region is also ideal for tobogganing, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, and you can also go on ski tours on Flumserberg. And always with a brilliant view of the Churfirsten.
50 minutes by car and 80 minutes by train.
More information: flumserberg.ch
3. Mythen region: Special fun for snowboard and freeski fans
The Mythen region with its landmark, the Great Mythen, is around 60 kilometers from Zurich. With 50 kilometers of pistes and a direct connection to the Hoch-Ybrig winter sports area, it is the largest ski area in the canton of Schwyz – and with its “Mythenpark” freestyle park, it is an insider tip for everyone with snowboards and freeskis.
With its 36 kilometers of sunny winter hiking trails, snowshoe routes, toboggan runs and a cross-country ski run, the Mythen region is also suitable for less fast-paced winter sports.
50 minutes by car and 100 minutes by train.
More information: mythenregion.ch
4. Hoch-Ybrig: The classic near Zurich
The Hoch-Ybrig in the Schwyz foothills of the Alps is one of Zurich’s fastest winter sports areas and can be reached in just under an hour. A total of 12 lifts provide access to 22 pistes of various levels of difficulty, a fun park and two toboggan runs. The winter hiking trails are rather short and leisurely, but are still varied, often with a beautiful view of the Muotathal.
If the snow has fallen enough, a total of 27 kilometers of “classic” and “skating” trails are groomed in Studen/Unteriberg, most of which are flat and sunny.
55 minutes by car and 90 minutes by train.
More information: hoch-ybrig.ch
5. Rigi: Ideally suited for enjoyment
55 kilometers from Zurich, the Rigi attracts with its panoramic view of the Alps. Arriving at the top with the comfortable, heated rack railway, around 35 kilometers of groomed winter hiking trails await you, ranging from easy walks and high-altitude hikes to panorama hikes lasting several hours. The younger ones will also enjoy the four different toboggan runs with a total length of around ten kilometers.
In addition to a seven kilometer long, classically groomed trail that leads from Rigi Kaltbad to Rigi Scheidegg, you can even ski on Lucerne’s local mountain. After all, you don’t have to expect long waiting times at the ski lifts in the small area with 20 kilometers of groomed slopes.
50 minutes by car and 90 minutes by train.
More information: rigi.ch
6. Titlis: Numerous winter adventures
The ski area at 3,062 meters is not only the largest ski area in Central Switzerland, but thanks to its altitude it is also pretty snow-sure: From October to May it invites you to ski and snowboard on 82 kilometers of ski slopes for every level.
Since the only accessible glacier in Central Switzerland is on the Titlis, there is a lot to explore in the area: after a gondola ride in the world’s first revolving cable car, you can dare a walk over Europe’s highest suspension bridge, explore frozen crevasses or go on a cliff hike.
Those who like it more leisurely can enjoy the 360 degree panoramic view over the Engelberg valley or explore the five cross-country ski trails, the kilometer-long toboggan runs, snowshoe trails and winter hiking trails.
70 minutes by car and 110 minutes by train.
More information: titlis.ch
7. Chäserrugg: A winter sports area with an architectural highlight and the best view
Whether in winter or in summer: the view from the Chäserrugg is unbeatable – you can see over six countries and around 500 peaks at 2262 meters above sea level. Architecture-interested trips because of the summit restaurant by Herzog & de Meuron on the mountain at Walensee, winter sports enthusiasts because of the eight slopes of varying difficulty or the varied winter hiking routes.
The Chäserrugg area also has two toboggan runs to offer: the easy, leisurely toboggan run from the Iltios and the mountain route on the Stöfeli for more sporty tobogganists.
90 minutes by car and 110 minutes by train.
More information: chaeserrugg.ch
8. Wildhaus: Particularly family-friendly
Nestled between the Säntis and the Churfirsten mountain range and also in the Toggenburg region is the village of Wildhaus. Compared to the Chäserrugg, Wildhaus is the smaller ski area with its eight lifts and 23 kilometers of slopes. However, with several children’s lifts and the family-friendly chairlift that opened in October 2020, the area is particularly attractive for families with smaller children.
Thanks to the twelve kilometers of ski route, eight red, two black and two blue pistes, a fun slope with a piano that can be driven on and the Snowland fun park with 20 obstacles, adults will not be bored on the mountain either. There are also snowshoe trails and toboggan runs, cross-country ski runs and winter hiking trails.
80 minutes by car and 120 minutes by train.
More information: wildhaus.ch
9. Zugerberg: cross-country skiing with a view
With the Zugerbergbahn (due to the construction of the new route, replacement buses are currently going up) you can reach the Zugerberg, which lies directly on the shores of Lake Zug, in just a few minutes. At 925 meters above sea level, four groomed winter hiking trails and a total of 27 kilometers of cross-country skiing trails, divided into 11 kilometers “classic” and 15 kilometers “skating”, await you here. You will be rewarded on Zug’s local mountain with a view of the foothills of the Alps. Instead of taking the cable car down again, there is a 2.5 kilometer long toboggan run – provided there is enough snow.
44 minutes by car and 40 minutes by train.
More information: zbb.ch
