Ski Resorts Near Zurich
Zurich is the best gateway to eastern Switzerland and the Austrian Arlberg, with excellent resorts reachable by car or by an outstanding train network. For a quick day trip, Laax, Flims and Engelberg sit about ninety minutes away. For a full week, Davos Klosters, St Moritz and the Arlberg are worth the slightly longer drive. Transfer time is the deciding factor, so we have ranked every resort by it below.
Every resort, ranked by how far it is
Zurich opens up the eastern Alps, from the broad sunny mountains of Graubunden to the snowy giants of the Austrian Arlberg just across the border. The resorts closest to the airport make easy day trips and weekends, while the famous names sit a little further on. Here is every resort worth the trip, ordered by how long it takes to reach.
| Resort | Transfer | Ski area | The verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laax | Around 1h 30m | Graubunden | A huge, modern, snowboard friendly area with superb intermediate cruising, the smart quick escape from Zurich. |
| Flims | Around 1h 30m | Graubunden | The calmer, more traditional half of the same big mountain as Laax, good for families. |
| Engelberg | Around 1h 30m | Central Switzerland | Big vertical and famous off piste under the Titlis glacier, snow sure and close in. |
| Andermatt | Around 1h 45m | Central Switzerland | Reborn and snowy, with serious freeride terrain and a fast growing village, a connoisseur's pick. |
| Arosa | Around 2h | Graubunden | Sunny, gentle and family friendly, linked to Lenzerheide for a surprisingly large area. |
| St Anton | Around 2h 15m | Ski Arlberg | Just over the Austrian border, demanding terrain, deep off piste and the wildest apres ski in the Alps. |
| Davos | Around 2h 15m | Davos Klosters | A big, high, snow sure town with five separate mountains, ideal for a varied full week. |
| Klosters | Around 2h 15m | Davos Klosters | The pretty, low key village sharing Davos's slopes, quieter and more charming. |
| Lech | Around 2h 15m | Ski Arlberg | Refined, snowy and family friendly, the polished side of the Arlberg, just into Austria. |
| St Moritz | Around 2h 45m | Engadin | Glamour, sunshine and wide civilized pistes, worth the longer drive for a grand full week. |
Best for a day, a weekend, a full week
For a day trip, head for Laax, Flims or Engelberg, all around ninety minutes from the airport and all reachable by train. Laax is the largest and best for confident intermediates and snowboarders, Flims the gentler family option, and Engelberg the one for big vertical and famous off piste under the Titlis glacier.
For a weekend, Andermatt and Arosa add variety within about two hours, Andermatt for snow and freeride, Arosa for sunshine and families. Just over the Austrian border, the Ski Arlberg resorts of St Anton and Lech are within reach for a short, high energy break.
For a full week, the longer transfer pays off. Davos Klosters gives a mixed group five separate mountains and reliable snow, while St Moritz adds glamour and sunshine for a grander trip. All sit comfortably under three hours from Zurich.
Transfers and the practical bits
Switzerland's railways are among the best in the world, and many resorts near Zurich, including Laax, Flims, Davos, Klosters and Arosa, are reachable by train with a short connecting bus or funicular, which makes a car free trip genuinely easy. For Engelberg, Andermatt and the Arlberg, a private transfer or hire car is usually faster door to door.
Lift passes, transfers and lessons are where a trip quietly leaks money, and booking ahead almost always beats the resort window price. If you are weighing up the wider country, our Switzerland guide covers the full picture, and our region pages go deeper on each area.
Book the extras and save
Lift passes, airport transfers and lessons are where a trip quietly leaks money. Booking ahead almost always beats the resort window price.
Compare lift passes Book a transfer Find lessons Reserve ski hire Travel insuranceSkiing near Zurich FAQs
What is the closest ski resort to Zurich?
Laax, Flims and Engelberg are the closest big resorts to Zurich, all around an hour and a half by road. Laax is the largest and most modern, Flims the gentler family half of the same mountain, and Engelberg the one for big vertical and off piste.
Can you do a ski day trip from Zurich?
Yes. Laax, Flims and Engelberg are all comfortable day trips at roughly ninety minutes each way, and all three are reachable by train. Leave early, and you can be on the snow well before lunch and back in the city by evening.
Which ski resort near Zurich is best for a week?
For a full week, Davos Klosters offers five mountains and dependable high altitude snow at around two and a quarter hours, while St Moritz brings glamour and sunshine a little further on. Just over the border, the linked Arlberg resorts of St Anton and Lech are also within easy reach.
Are there ski resorts near Zurich for families?
Yes. Flims and Arosa are both excellent for families, with gentle, sunny terrain and a relaxed pace, while Lech across the Austrian border combines easy valley runs with a refined base. Laax also has strong beginner areas and a famous ski school.
How do I get from Zurich airport to the resorts?
Switzerland's train network is superb, and many resorts including Laax, Flims, Davos, Klosters and Arosa are reachable by rail with a short connecting bus or funicular. A private transfer or hire car is faster door to door for resorts like Engelberg, Andermatt and the Arlberg.
Should I fly to Zurich for Swiss or Austrian resorts?
Zurich is the natural gateway for eastern Switzerland, including Graubunden, Davos Klosters and St Moritz, and for the Austrian Arlberg just over the border. For the western Swiss and French Alps around Verbier, Chamonix and the Tarentaise, Geneva is usually the better airport.
Tell us the dates.
We price the trip.
If you want a trip from Zurich priced by specialists, give us the dates and budget below. Send one brief and our partner chalet companies and tour operators return tailored proposals covering flights, transfers, lift passes and lessons. No fee to you, ever.
Every brief is read by a real planner. You will hear back within two working days, in season.