Bruson lies across from Verbier in the Quattre Vallées, served by bus from Le Châble, and whilst the pass for the more famous area includes Bruson, the areas are not linked (and a separate, cheaper, pass is available for Bruson alone). Despite being a small resort, the slopes are quiet and good for intermediate skiers and snowboarders.
Between the Säntis mountain and the peaks of the Churfirsten lies the picturesque Toggenburg valley, with the villages of Wildhaus, Unterwasser and Alt St. Johann sharing a reasonably-sized ski area. Unterwasser is probably the most convenient destination for day-trippers using public transport, but you can get here in around an hour from Zurich by car and there is ample car parking in all three villages at the base stations. The villages and slopes are very family-friendly. However the runs are graded mainly red, so the skiing and snowboarding is best for intermediates, and it is difficult to avoid using surface lifts to get around.
Johann.
Ski Area
Obertoggenburg
Resorts
Alt St. Johann, Ebnat, Kappel, Toggenburg, Krummenau , Wolzenalp, Obertoggenburg, Unterwasser, Wildhaus
This family-friendly resort has a surprisingly good range of slopes for all abilities and styles, albeit in modest quantities. Famous for being where Sherlock Holmes met his demise, it makes a good day out from Interlaken or Luzern or a pleasant destination for a short break.
The main ski and snowboard area near Brig is Belalp, although Rothwald and Rosswald each provide about 25km of additional piste. As well as 60km of piste at Belalp, from the Hohstock at 3112m you go through a 160m long tunnel out to a fabulous area for freeriding. The resorts can all be reached quite quickly by bus from the town. In addition a number of the major resorts in Switzerland are within an hour of Brig by public transport.
Ski Area
Brig
Resorts
Belalp, Blatten b. Naters, Rosswald, Rothwald
Ski Region
Valais
Piste (km)
60
Top run (m)
3100
Bottom (m)
1501
Max Drop
1599
Snow’n’Rail
Y
Black (km)
20
Red (km)
34
Blue (km)
20
Lifts (#/hr)
9870
My Rating
4
Alpine
3
SnowPark
3
Nordic
5
Hiking
2
Family
4
Apres Ski
4
Free Ride
Y
Snow making
Y
Fun park
Y
Snow park
Half pipes
Spa
In Brief
Brig Station
Brig is an elegant small town at the start of the Simplon pass, high up in the Rhone Valley. The town has excellent rail and bus links to a number of winter sports destinations including the Aletsch Arena (e.g. via Fiesch), Belalp, Goms, Saas-Fee, Andermatt, Lauchernalp and Zermatt. There is also a thermal spa nearby, but it is only open in summer – however the wonderful spas at Leukerbad are only one hour away.
The nearest significant ski area to Brig is Belalp, reached by cable car from the pretty village of Blatten b. Naters. Blatten (not to be confused with another Valais village in the Lötschental of the same name) has regular buses from Brig station that cover the breathtaking 8km journey in less than half an hour.
Belalp is a small jewel of a ski area, with two bowls under the Hohstock (3226m) and Sparrhorn (3020m) providing acres of relatively safe and accessible off-piste as well as perfectly groomed pistes to suit all abilities. See the separate post on Belalp for more details.
