Switzerland has always known how to put on a winter. Deep snow, immaculate lifts and villages with church spires and woodsmoke, all arranged with the quiet precision the country is loved for. Pierre & Vacances has now added four premium residences to its SWISSPEAK Resorts collection, in Thyon, Zinal, Vercorin and Meiringen, and each one lands somewhere rather lovely.
The pleasures on offer are the ones that keep skiers coming back to the Alps year after year. Vast linked ski areas, modern gondolas that move quickly and warmly, and mountain towns easy to reach from the UK. Thyon reaches the same slopes as Verbier from a very comfortable base.
Thyon and Zinal lead the collection and set its character beautifully. Both hold serious ski domains and real local charm without carrying an internationally famous name, which tends to mean uncrowded pistes, unhurried mornings and a warmer welcome at the end of the day.
Thyon
Perched at 2,000m, the resort opens straight onto the 4 Vallées and its 410km of pistes, the same glorious network served by Verbier. The Valais neighbour takes most of the international attention, which leaves this base delightfully under the radar with British skiers. The parallel is Les Menuires within the Three Valleys, a relaxed and easy entry point to an enormous mountain, much loved by skiers.
Pierre & Vacances Premium Residence Thyon holds 78 apartments sleeping between four and ten guests, with generous space for groups and family parties. A restaurant, wellness area and yoga studio look after the evening, while dedicated children’s facilities and a gaming room keep the younger skiers happily occupied once the lifts stop turning.
Zinal
Tucked deep into the Val d’Anniviers, Zinal pairs a traditional Swiss mountain village with the Zinal-Grimentz ski area and around 210 kilometres of pistes. The resort has long attracted skiers away from the headline destinations, offering wonderful terrain inside a genuine mountain community. Smart lifts, varied runs and a village that still feels like one make it among the most rewarding choices in the region.
Pierre & Vacances Premium Residence Zinal sits roughly 300 metres from the gondola, a short and pleasant walk with boots in hand. Its 93 apartments sleep between two and eight guests, and the residence includes sports equipment facilities alongside children’s activities and games rooms.
Vercorin
Smaller in scale and gloriously generous with sunshine, Vercorin occupies a plateau high above the Rhône Valley with long views down its length. Pierre & Vacances Premium Residence Vercorin sits beside the Crêt du Midi lift with ski-in, ski-out access, so first tracks arrive almost before breakfast has settled.
The residence runs to 90 apartments accommodating between two and eighteen guests, the most flexible address in the collection for larger private parties. A sauna and hammam, leisure facilities, fitness room and an onsite restaurant make the slow afternoons every bit as appealing as the busy mornings.
Meiringen
Cradled in the Bernese Oberland, Meiringen opens onto around 60km of pistes and acts as a gateway to one of the most beloved mountain regions in the country. The valley is also home to the Reichenbach Falls, which lends an afternoon away from the snow a rather charming literary detour.
Pierre & Vacances Premium Residence Meiringen offers 79 apartments sleeping between four and eight guests. A relaxation area and games rooms give the property a space designed for long evenings once boots come off and the fire is lit.