Call of the Mountain: Switzerland Ski Resorts

When you get the call of the mountain, there is no better way to answer it than during winter. The ground is covered in smooth white snow, the air is crisp, the ski villages get ready to tend to visitors needs and desires, and the atmosphere is vibrant. Carve your presence on and off the slopes as you make your grand arrival aboard one of our luxury 4X4 SUVs and get ready to face the infamous mountains of Switzerland’s most renowned ski resorts.

Verbier

Undoubtedly one of the world’s premier ski resorts, Verbier possesses a glorious contrast of luxury and ruggedness, making it the skiers “seventh heaven” across the 4 Vallées. Arrive in Verbier from Geneva, the closest airport to the resort, aboard a Mercedes Benz GL, a powerful SUV that combines maximum comfort with high performance abilities, or the Audi Q7, a seven seater SUV with room for the whole family and their gear. Get ready to glide down the notorious black or itinerary runs for a true adrenaline rush or go off-piste, as Verbier is recognized as one of the premiere "off-piste" resorts in the world.

Once you’ve conquered the mountain on your skis, trade your skiing boots for dancing shoes and join the legendary nightlife of Verbier. Mingle with retired international Rugby players, millionaires, jetsetters and members of the British Royal family while sipping mojitos at Farinet Lounge Bar.

Chamonix

Although officially in France and not Swiss territory, Chamonix is at the junction of France, Switzerland and Italy and it is such an unforgettable destination, that we thought we could nudge it into this list.

“Cham” as it has affectionately been dubbed by locals and seasonaires fierce enough to face the mountain like they mean it, has an immense variety of extreme outdoor sports, some so hardcore that it has earned it a reputation as the death-sport capital of the world.

Hire the robust and elegant Range Rover Autobiography at the Geneva Airport, and enjoy this 4WD’s LR-V8 supercharged engine and multitude of comfort features as you make your way up to Chamonix. Once you get settled at the village, ride up to the Aiguille du Midi and snowboard down the infamous off-piste ski run of the Vallée Blanche, a 2,807 meter vertical ascent or drive towards the Swiss Valley of Trient, take out your crampons and ice axes, and go on an ice climbing adventure that will get your adrenaline levels on overdrive. The apre ski scene in Chamonix is as legendary as its skiing. Join the fun in the multitude of bars, restaurants and joints along the mountain and in the chic and charming village.

Zermatt

A snow lover’s paradise, Zermatt offers everything from phenomenal skiing at levels from beginners through to experts, to stunning chalets and a lively nightlife. Drive a BMW X5 from Milan Airport, the closest airport to the Matterhorn region. Take this powerful and luxurious 4X4 towards Tasch, where you would hop on board the world famous Glacier Express and into Zermatt, a thoroughly pedestrianized resort. Besides incredible skiing and snowboarding opportunities, Zermatt offers a full catalogue of other snow sports, such as winter hiking, snowshoeing, tobogganing and paragliding. Off the slopes, Zermatt is considered by many as the gourmet capital of the Alps. Indulge in a wealth of restaurants offering hearty local favourites as well as haute cuisine flaunting an international flavour.

St Moritz

In the words of Mick Jagger, “Anything worth doing is worth overdoing”. These words never applied to anything so well as they did to a holiday in St Moritz. Positioned high in the magnificent Engadine Valley, with a frozen lake as its focal point and the sun shining over it, St Moritz is truly magnificent.

Fly into Zurich or Milan Airport, drive a Porsche Cayenne rental towards St Moritz and immerse yourself in the town’s legendary “bubbly champagne atmosphere” and cosmopolitan ambience.With a varied range of winter sports both on snow and ice, like horse-racing on ice, the annual polo tournament, ice-golf and cricket and over half a dozen distinct ski areas, St Moritz has created quite a reputation for itself as a dream destination for winter lovers.

Off the skis, St Moritz is chic and elegant. If so much skiing has opened up your appetite, head to El Paradiso, where St Moritz’ winter glitterati dressed in their chinchilla trimmed ski wear, enjoy lavish lunches from the restaurant's sumptuous Swiss mountain truffle based menu.

When the ground turns white and the chill of winter invades the air, head out to any of our favourite ski resorts in Switzerland. Come face to face with the mountain in a snazzy and fun winter adventure.