Situated in the middle of the Alps, it isn’t surprising that Switzerland is one of the world’s most popular skiing destinations.
Among the 57 HI hostels in Switzerland, several are located in fantastic skiing areas such as Zermatt, Grindelwald, Davos, St Moritz and Scuol, just to name a few.
Imagine snow-capped mountains, a bright blue sky, gliding down the slopes, breathing in the fresh mountain air, sitting in a ski hut drinking hot chocolate or coffee with schnapps, then at the end of the day returning to a cosy, welcoming hostel where a delicious dinner awaits you. Wouldn’t that be the perfect winter holiday?
Take off and spend your winter holidays in Switzerland and stay in a Swiss Youth Hostel! Have an unforgettable trip with the winter fun inspired hostels and places of interest listed below:
Graubünden – The Winter Wonderland
In the south-east of Switzerland – Graubünden is not just Switzerland’s number one winter holiday destination it is also the highest holiday region in the Alps. Graubünden is the largest region in Switzerland where the people speak German, Italian and – you’ll only hear it here – Romansh!
With St. Moritz, Davos and Klosters, Graubünden is home to world-renowned holiday resorts. There are also such treasures as Valbella-Lenzerheide, Pontresina and Scuol, amongst other beautiful places. Whether it’s skiing or a snowshoeing tour, snow-kiting or tobogganing that you’re after – Graubünden scores high on variety.
Hostels in Graubünden:
The newly built and modern Scuol Youth Hostel is perfectly located near the station and next to the mountain cableways. It offers rooms with 2, 4 and 6 beds, and many of the rooms have ensuite bathrooms.
Valbella-Lenzerheide Youth Hostel
This comprehensively renovated building reopened its doors to guests in December 2006. The view across Lake Heid, the mountainous landscape and the ski piste located directly adjacent to the building are grandiose. The hostel offers rooms from 2 to 6 beds and most rooms have ensuite bathrooms. After a sporting day in the snow, the hostels own Tepee bar is an inviting spot for a cosy get-together and a hot drink.
The Youthpalace is the most exclusive Swiss Youth Hostel, located only a few minutes on foot from the Parsennbahn funicular (cable car) and also directly in front of the ski runs and high-altitude hiking trail. Spectacular views of Davos, Lake Davos and the mountain landscapes, can be witnessed from each of the hostel’s sun terraces.
Situated in one of the most exclusive and quietest locations in the village, this hostel offers superb views of the majestic mountains. The snug wooden house is an ideal place for fascinating summit meetings.
Pontresina “Tolais” Youth Hostel
This hostel boasts an ideal location. The Pontresina Youth Hostel is situated next to the railway station, the cross-country tracks and the winter hiking path. The “Tolais” sport and leisure hostel offers you perfect, yet simple accommodation in rooms from 2 to 6 beds.
Click here to see all hostels in Graubünden
The Bernese Oberland
Situated in the south-west of Switzerland, Bernese Oberland covers the southern part of the Bern region, stretching from Gstaad in the west to the Susten Pass (2,224m) in the east. Bernese Oberland is one of the most spectacularly beautiful regions of Switzerland and should come with a health warning – caution: may cause trembling in the north face of Eiger, uncontrollable bouts of euphoria at the foot of Jungfrau, 007 delusions at Schilthorn and A-list fever in Gstaad. It’s the sort of region where visitors look out the train window on a clear day and can be heard saying “Oh my, isn’t it beautiful?”
Hostels in Bernese Oberland:
The Saanen-Gstaad Youth Hostel, a cosy chalet, is located slightly outside the Saanen village. The comfortable wooden building offers rooms from 2 to 8 beds, many of which have balconies with breathtaking views.
This is undoubtedly one of the most comfortable hostels in the Alps. The welcoming cosiness has remained, but modern bedrooms and practical facilities have been added. Guests can stay in either the rustic main building or in the modern annexe. The main house still bears all the hallmarks of the original Grindelwald construction method. Our various recreation rooms radiate that cosiness which is so typical of houses in this area.
>>> Check out all HI Hostels in Bernese Oberland
Zermatt
Zermatt is one of Switzerland’s most famous holiday resorts and a central attraction for many international guests. It is dominated by the world-renowned Matterhorn, the world’s most photographed summit.
In spite of its high profile, Zermatt retains the charm of a Swiss mountain village. Electric vehicles and horse-drawn cabs and sledges are the principal means of transportation in this car-free town.
Zermatt is the starting point of the Glacier Express which operates throughout the year and offers a panoramic journey through the high Alps in the heart of Switzerland, with St. Moritz in the Grisons as its finishing point.
The world-famous Matterhorn, or ‘Horu’, peeps directly into the rooms of the youth hostel at the edge of Zermatt village. It is not just the first-class location that is exclusive but also the youth hostel itself. Among the most modern of its kind in the world, it welcomes guests from every corner of the world. Enjoy your stay in one of the modern 2 to 8 bedded rooms, most of which have en suite bathroom facilities and views of the Matterhorn.
Further information and booking
Swiss YHA offer a number of ski packages. For more details and to book online please visit the Swiss YHA website.
To book your hostels directly please visit the hostel page using the links above.
