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Scuol

Scuol, where the official language is Romansh, lies in the valley of the Inn river, majestically set below the peaks of the Silvretta and Lower Engadin Dolomites. It has been a well-heeled spa town since the 19th Century. With it’s range of beautiful, south-facing slopes, suitable for all levels, and ample off-piste it is a resort well worth a visit, although quite a hike from any large metropolitan areas. Fortunately Scuol station is next to the gondola, which takes you to the pistes and off-piste terrain over 2000m, and from where there are runs down to Ftan, Scuol and Sent. Note that the wonderful 14km run down to Sent requires you to take a courtesy bus back to Scuol to get you back up.

Ski Area Scuol
Resorts Scuol, Ftan, Sent, Motta NaLuns
Ski Region Graubünden
Piste (km) 80
Top run (m) 2783
Bottom (m) 1250
Max Drop 1533
Snow’n’Rail Y
Black (km) 13
Red (km) 37
Blue (km) 30
Lifts (#/hr) 17000
My Rating 4
Alpine 3
SnowPark 3
Nordic 4
Hiking 5
Family 3
Apres Ski 3
Free Ride Y
Snow making Y
Fun park Y
Snow park
Half pipes
Spa Y

In Brief

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Savognin

About 2-3 hours from Zurich by car or a combination of train and bus, Savognin is a historic Romansh-speaking village, in the Surses valley on the route to the Julier Pass, south of Chur and Lenzerheide and north of the Engadin. It’s a good family-friendly base for visiting other ski areas and attractions in the area (with winter tyres and sometimes snow chains). It has some very good pistes itself, particularly for learners and intermediates, but also with a few challenging runs and off-piste areas. Unfortunately there are only surface lifts to reach all but the main runs from Piz Martegnas down to the village.

Ski Area Savognin
Resorts Savognin
Ski Region Graubünden
Piste (km) 80
Top run (m) 2713
Bottom (m) 1200
Max Drop 1513
Snow’n’Rail
Black (km) 10
Red (km) 37
Blue (km) 33
Lifts (#/hr) 13700
My Rating 4
Alpine 3
SnowPark 2
Nordic 3
Hiking 3
Family 5
Apres Ski 2
Free Ride Y
Snow making Y
Fun park Y
Snow park
Half pipes
Spa Alvaneu (15km away)

In Brief

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Leysin

Although Leysin is a sprawl, it has a reasonable amount going on and some good slopes, particularly for boarders and intermediates. It makes a good base for trying out the runs in neignbouring resorts like Villars.

Ski Area Leysin
Resorts Leysin. Les Mosses
Ski Region Vaud Alps
Piste (km) 100
Top run (m) 1870
Bottom (m) 1445
Max Drop 425
Snow’n’Rail Y
Black (km) 4
Red (km) 30
Blue (km) 66
Lifts (#/hr) 22000
My Rating 4
Alpine 3
SnowPark 5
Nordic 3
Hiking 2
Family 5
Apres Ski 2
Free Ride Y
Snow making Y
Fun park Y
Snow park  
Half pipes Y
Spa  

In Brief

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Obersaxen

I’ve not got to visit Obersaxen yet, so I can’t speak with any authority on skiing or snowboarding there. Not sure how I got to overlook it, but it looks fab on paper. The area seems to be extensive and is conveniently close to other areas like Flims and Brigels, so could well form part of a trip involving multiple locations. Ilanz is close, so a train/bus combination from Zurich is probably do-able. I plan to check the resort out in the 2010/2011 season but any info on it would be welcome.

Ski Area Obersaxen
Resorts Obersaxen,  Mundaun, Val Lumnezia
Ski Region Graubünden
Piste (km) 120
Top run (m) 2310
Bottom (m) 1201
Max Drop 1109
Snow’n’Rail
Black (km) 20
Red (km) 40
Blue (km) 60
Lifts (#/hr) 4000
My Rating 4
Alpine 3
SnowPark 3
Nordic 4
Hiking 4
Family 3
Apres Ski 2
Free Ride
Snow making
Fun park Y
Snow park
Half pipes Y
Spa

In Brief

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