Winter resorts

Beauty comes from above: Anyone taking ski lessons in Adelboden will, with luck, meet the bestlooking ski instructor in Switzerland.

The insiders' choice: Although Aletsch has been included on UNESCO World Heritage list since 2001, it remains an insiders' secret among winter resorts.

Three cantons, one ski area: You should be able to trust an Olympic champion: “The run down from the Gemsstock is my favourite piste, and one of the most beautiful in the Alps,” says Bernhard Russi.

Snowsure and carbon-neutral: Arosa enjoys a wonderful location: at the far end of the Schanfigg valley, at an altitude of 1,800 m, with no through traffic and few – if any – day-trippers.

From the heart: Around Visp the views are glorious: from panoramas taking in Switzerland's highest mountains to dramatic glimpses into deep, unspoilt valleys.

Car-free, fog-free, carefree: Anyone who rides the funicular up to snowy Braunwald on a sunny winter’s day understands the talk of a “fairytale world”.

Triple winter fun: From Brig it is easy to reach the famous big ski resorts of the Valais. But the true gems lie much closer. Directly above this alpine town lie three wonderfully intimate resorts offering a variety of pleasures on the pistes: Blatten/Belalp, Rosswald and Rothwald.

Excellently prepared wide sweeping pistes and a wide range of winter sport activities to choose from - this is the Rhaeto-Romanic holiday region of Brigels Waltensburg Andiast.

Guaranteed connection: You can take a narrow view of the Pays-d’Enhaut – and still enjoy 40 km of attractive piste at the small but diverse ski area of La Braye above Château-d’Oex, especially appealing to families.

Contrasting: The sun loves the Val d’Anniviers: you can tell from the healthy faces of the locals.