Winter resorts

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

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

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.

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

The full programme: Idyllic mountain village or alpine metropolis? The twin communities of Crans and Montana embody both, and combine the conveniences of a modern holiday resort with abundant nature and a five-star panorama taking in the finest 4,000 m peaks: the Matterhorn, Mont-Blanc, Weisshorn and Dent-Blanche.

Cross-country heaven: The Goms is a paradise for crosscountry skiers.

Family happiness: When the kids have a good time, so do the parents – and the Valais village of Grächen does all it can to make this happen.

Wellness unlimited: Around four million litres of thermal spring water gush out of the rock every day at Leukerbad – more than anywhere else in Europe.

Highlight: With the Valais stretching out to one side and the Bernese Oberland on the other, you could call Lötschberg the pinnacle of the winter sports world.

A wealth of possibilities: Located at the heart of the famous "4 Vallées" winter sports area below the 3,330 m Mont-Fort, Nendaz offers an impressive 400-plus kilometres of piste.