Holidays in the Swiss Alps: Tips for your chalet vacation
A holiday is an opportunity to switch off completely, to let your hair down and to get away from the hustle and bustle and out into nature. For many people, a holiday in the Swiss mountains, in a quiet location with a beautiful view, is a symbol of pure relaxation. The demand for individual holiday apartments or entire holiday homes to rent by the week in a mountain region of Switzerland is increasing, not least because holidays in a Swiss chalet are a trendy option in both summer and winter.
What is a chalet?
The term “chalet” was originally used to describe alpine huts in rural regions. They were simple wooden mountain huts where cattle farmers could find shelter. Over the years, these wooden houses became steadily more popular. These days, they are picturesque buildings with their own romantic charm and unforgettable views of the Swiss Alpine landscape. In many mountain communities in Switzerland, all new houses must be built in the chalet style in order to preserve the townscape.
Holiday home with lake view – chalets to rent in the Bernese Oberland
Thousands of tourists flock to the Bernese Oberland every year to explore what is probably Switzerland’s most famous mountain range, the Eiger-Mönch-Jungfrau. The view of these three peaks is simply incomparable. The village of Grindelwald in particular, surrounded by this imposing mountain world, has become a household name. Situated at the foot of the Eiger, Grindelwald is considered the gateway to the Jungfrau region and is a popular starting point for climbers of the Eiger’s north face as well as for hikers and skiers.
In addition, more than 800 mountain lakes make this region even more attractive. Those who prefer a holiday home or apartment with a mountain and lake view will find just what they are looking for here. Whether with direct access to the lake or simply with a view of the crystal-clear water reflecting the surrounding mountains, the range of chalets in the Bernese Oberland is wide.
Holiday homes with a view of snow-capped mountains – chalets to rent in Valais
365 days of skiing – 365 days of white mountains – 365 days drinking in views of THE landmark of Switzerland: the Matterhorn. Probably the most famous mountain in Switzerland can be found in western Switzerland, more precisely in the canton of Valais. At its feet lies Zermatt. This car-free village is located at an altitude of over 1,600 m and is popular with mountain-lovers from all over the world. Skiers in particular flock to Europe’s highest all-year ski area in both summer and winter. In addition, cyclists and hikers appreciate the extensive paths that have been prepared for them. And if you are a fan of shopping, you can browse through all the well-known luxury brands on Zermatt’s Bahnhofstrasse.
Back to skiing. The ski area Les 4 Vallées (or “4 Täler” in German) is also located in the canton of Valais. With Verbier as its centre, this flagship ski resort is the largest ski area in Switzerland with 410 kilometres of pistes as well as 95 ski lifts and mountain railways. While Les 4 Vallées has really made a name for itself among freeriders seeking the thrill of challenging off-piste deep snow routes, the area is also popular with families. Holiday apartments and homes in the chalet villages of La Tzoumaz and Les Collons enjoy particularly high demand. Visitors who choose accommodation here can enjoy, among other things, a far-reaching view of the Rhone Valley and the four-thousand-metre peaks of Dent Blanch and the Matterhorn in the Valais. Verbier is also characterised by chalets designed in the Valais mountain village style. Other well-known tourist resorts in the region are Saas-Fee and Crans-Montana.
Basically, the largest choice of privately rented holiday apartments and holiday homes in Switzerland awaits you in Valais. From the simple rustic but cosy alpine chalets of Les Collons to the luxury chalets in Zermatt or Verbier, you will simply be spoilt for choice in the Valais – as long as you start looking in good time.
Holiday homes on a ski slope – chalets to rent in Graubünden
Up-market ski resorts and a UNESCO world heritage site – that’s Graubünden in a nutshell. Especially when the days get shorter and the nights longer, the sophisticated ski resorts of St. Moritz and Davos Dorf attract visitors from high society. From the start to the end of the season, stars and starlets swish down the ski slopes or turn up at one of the numerous winter events. Besides finding a room or apartment in one of the premium hotels, renting one of the luxurious spacious chalets is also at the top of the list for many of Graubünden’s guests. These chalets offer an abundance of privacy, several bedrooms, their own sauna and lift, and above all, enough room for large groups. The downside is that for the most part, these holiday homes are often booked up for several years in advance, especially during public holidays, Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
Adventurous skiers and families will get their money’s worth in the Flims-Laax ski area. Highlights include the world’s largest half-pipe, a freestyle academy and hundreds of kilometres of slopes with varying degrees of difficulty. In addition to the rocksresort Design hotel, cosy chalets also dominate the landscape here, which are either rented out as complete holiday homes or as individual apartments.
Holidays on one of the “Graubündner Maiensässe” (local mountain pastures) are popular with nature lovers and anyone seeking peace and quiet. In recent years, many of the previously small, rustic and sporadically furnished alpine huts have been converted into cosy and modern holiday homes equipped with Wi-Fi.
Rent luxury chalets in Switzerland
If you think this is everything that’s on offer, then you clearly haven’t heard of the luxurious chalets in Switzerland. An open fireplace, an outdoor jacuzzi, a sauna, a lift, the finest materials in all rooms and the ski slope right on your doorstep – you can find all of this on offer in one chalet! These luxury chalets typically have many bedrooms, usually with their own bathrooms, making them ideal for larger groups – for example, for a holiday with the whole family or with friends. And what’s more, you can share the costs! The best selection of luxury chalets can be found in Zermatt.
In a nutshell, holidays in Switzerland are varied and popular, as is the range of accommodation on offer. From a simple cottage to a cosy apartment to a spacious luxury chalet, you will find a holiday home or apartment for rent to suit your budget in every holiday region in Switzerland.