The best snowboard resort in Switzerland is Laax, home to the largest and best built snow parks in Europe and a freestyle culture that runs the whole mountain. Engelberg and Verbier follow for freeride and powder, while Davos and its Jakobshorn deliver a freestyle and party scene at a friendlier price. The thing every rider should know before booking Switzerland is that a few resorts hide long flat traverses that punish a snowboard, so choosing the right mountain matters more here than almost anywhere.
A great snowboard resort gives you three things: terrain that flows without long flat link runs, a snow park that is actually maintained, and reliable snow to ride it on. Switzerland scores high on snow and scenery but is uneven on the flats, since some of its biggest linked areas were laid out for skiers and string together cat tracks that leave a boarder skating or unbuckling. We weight flow and parks heavily, because nothing kills a riding day faster than a flat valley run.
For freestyle, park quality is everything, and Laax sits in a league of its own in Europe. For freeride, it is about access to powder and the steep open faces that Engelberg, Verbier and Andermatt are built around. Most riders want a bit of both, so we favor mountains that combine a credible park with real off piste rather than specializing in only one.
On budget, Switzerland is never cheap, but the value gap between resorts is large. Davos and Lenzerheide deliver strong riding for far less than Verbier or Zermatt, and a self catered apartment with a packed lunch on the mountain saves a small fortune over the famous slopeside restaurants. Pick the right mountain and Switzerland rewards riders as well as anywhere in the Alps.
A snowboarder jumping in a terrain parkA snowboarder riding through powderA skier on a groomed slope in GraubundenVerbier Switzerland ski village
The ranking
Our snowboard picks for Switzerland
Ranked on park quality, freeride access, flow without flat traverses, snow reliability and value, with a budget pick for riders who want the most mountain for the money.
The best snowboard resort in Switzerland and the freestyle capital of Europe.
Laax is built around snowboarding, with the largest snow park in Europe, several progression parks, a giant indoor halfpipe and an open, flowing mountain that suits riders at every level. The whole resort, from the parks to the laid back base, is geared to freestyle culture.
It is not cheap, and the most famous park features are for confident riders, but the progression setup means beginners improve fast here too. For any snowboarder, this is the first place to look in Switzerland.
The best freeride resort for snowboarders in Switzerland, with huge open powder runs from the Titlis glacier.
Engelberg is a powder magnet, with long, open descents from the high Titlis glacier and famous freeride lines like the Laub that boarders love for their steady, fall line flow. The snow record is strong and the terrain rarely forces a flat traverse.
It is light on park and the village is functional rather than charming, so this is a powder hunter's mountain first. For riders who live for open faces and deep days, it is the pick of central Switzerland.
A world class freeride mountain for advanced snowboarders, with steep open terrain and legendary off piste.
Verbier offers some of the most exciting lift served freeride in the Alps, with steep faces, couloirs and powder bowls that reward a strong rider. The apres ski is among the liveliest anywhere, which adds to the appeal for groups.
The wider Four Valleys links via some flat sections that boarders should plan around, and prices are high. For confident riders chasing steep powder with a big night out attached, it is hard to beat.
The best value freestyle and party mountain in Switzerland, centered on the rider friendly Jakobshorn.
Davos spreads across several mountains, but for snowboarders the Jakobshorn is the draw, a freestyle focused peak with a good park, open freeride and a famously lively young scene. The broad town keeps costs down compared with the boutique resorts.
Davos itself is a large, functional town rather than a pretty village, and the ski areas are spread out. For riders who want park, powder and apres ski without the premium price, it is excellent value.
The best resort for early and late season snowboarding, with a high glacier park that opens before the rest.
Saas-Fee sits under a high glacier that hosts a well regarded park into autumn and spring, making it the go to for riders wanting to start the season early or stretch it late. The car free village is pretty and the snow reliable.
The lower terrain is limited and the resort is quiet on nightlife, so it suits the dedicated rider more than the party crowd. For glacier laps and a long riding season, it is the standout.
A serious freeride mountain for advanced snowboarders, with steep snow sure terrain off the Gemsstock.
Andermatt's Gemsstock is a freeride classic, a steep, high and snowy peak with long open descents that strong riders rate among the best in Switzerland. Heavy investment has added modern lifts and smart lodging at the base.
The hardest terrain is genuinely advanced and the resort lacks a major park, so it is wrong for beginners and freestylers. For experienced riders chasing steep, reliable powder, it is a top tier choice.
The best resort for summer snowboarding in Switzerland, with year round glacier riding under the Matterhorn.
Zermatt offers the highest lift served terrain in the Alps and a glacier park that runs through summer, so riders can board in July under the most famous mountain in the world. In winter the cruising terrain is vast and the scenery unmatched.
It is expensive, and getting around the huge area involves some flat sections, so plan your routes. For glacier riding, summer sessions and once in a lifetime scenery, nothing compares.
The best resort for beginner and intermediate snowboarders, with sunny, wide and forgiving terrain.
Crans Montana catches the sun on a broad balcony above the Rhone valley, with wide, gentle groomers that suit riders finding their feet and a relaxed, upscale base. The mellow layout is easy to navigate on a board.
Advanced riders and park hounds will find it tame, and it lacks the freeride credentials of the Valais big names. For progressing riders and families who want sunshine and space, it is a comfortable pick.
The value pick, a big, uncrowded and rider friendly area linked to Arosa at a gentler price.
Lenzerheide offers a large, sunny and well flowing ski area linked to Arosa, with plenty of room, a decent park and prices below the marquee Swiss resorts. The terrain suits cruising riders and improving freestylers without long flat traps.
It lacks the steep freeride of Verbier or the park pedigree of Laax, so specialists will look elsewhere. For groups and families who want a relaxed, spacious week on a board without overpaying, it is the smart choice.
Whichever mountain you choose, the lift pass, board hire, lessons and transfer are where a Swiss trip leaks money, and booking ahead beats the resort window almost every time. A pre booked board and boots, fitted before you arrive, save a queue and usually a few dollars too.
Book the extras and save
The lift pass, board and boot hire, lessons and transfer are where a Swiss trip leaks money, and booking ahead beats the resort window almost every time.
Laax is our overall pick, with the largest and best built snow parks in Europe, a giant indoor halfpipe and a flowing mountain that suits every level. Engelberg and Verbier follow for freeride and powder, while Davos offers the best value freestyle and party scene.
Is Switzerland good for snowboarders?
Yes, with superb snow, scenery and parks, but with one caveat. Several large linked areas include long flat traverses laid out for skiers, which can leave a boarder skating, so choosing a mountain that flows well, such as Laax, Engelberg or Davos, matters more here than in many countries.
Which Swiss resort has the best snow park?
Laax, comfortably. It runs the largest park in Europe, several progression parks and a full size indoor pipe, and the whole resort is built around freestyle culture. Davos, Saas-Fee and Crans Montana also have solid parks at a friendlier price.
What is the best value snowboard resort in Switzerland?
Davos and Lenzerheide. Davos delivers a strong park, freeride and a lively scene on the Jakobshorn for far less than the boutique resorts, while Lenzerheide offers a big, uncrowded and well flowing area at a gentle price. Both beat Verbier or Zermatt on cost.
Can you snowboard in summer in Switzerland?
Yes. Zermatt has year round glacier riding under the Matterhorn, and Saas-Fee runs a high glacier park into autumn and spring. These are the places to go for summer sessions or to start and end the season early and late.
Which Swiss resorts have flat sections snowboarders should avoid?
Parts of the large linked areas, including sections of the Four Valleys around Verbier and some links in the bigger Valais and Graubunden domains, include flat cat tracks that are hard work on a board. Plan your routes, stay on the fall line terrain, and favor mountains like Laax and Engelberg that flow naturally.
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