Nestled in the heart of Switzerland lies a small ski resort that stands out from the rest: Stoos. We visited this picturesque mountain village in mid-January. It became an unforgettable winter sports experience that began even before we hit the slopes. The journey to Stoos was an adventure in itself, thanks to the Stoosbahn, the world’s steepest funicular railway that brought us from the valley to the car-free Stoos. The ski area of Stoos is not large but incredibly quiet. And there’s more to experience than just skiing or snowboarding. That’s why we find it a winter sports destination where you can certainly enjoy yourself for a midweek (or longer). If only for the breathtaking panoramas of the Swiss Alps!

Arrival in the ski area of Stoos

After a fairly long but wonderfully relaxed train journey, we finally arrive in Schwyz. We stretch our legs and breathe in the fresh mountain air. With our luggage in hand, we walk to the station of the famous Stoosbahn. There we see it: the world’s steepest funicular railway!

With a mixture of excitement and anticipation, we step into the futuristic cabin. The doors close and off we go! As we climb higher and higher, the view changes before our eyes. The houses become smaller, the mountains larger, and the air seems to become clearer. We can’t take our eyes off the spectacular panorama that unfolds.

After a short but impressive ride, we arrive in Stoos. Our ski guide Jurgen from the Swiss Tourist Board is already waiting for us at the lift. In the fresh mountain air, we follow him through the crunching snow and realise: our winter sports holiday has really begun! Less than a minute later, we check in at our hotel, Stoos Lodge. We freshen up and then enjoy a delicious meal in our lodge’s restaurant. Somewhat tired from the travel day but full of anticipation for what’s to come, we head to our room. Good night!

Winter sports in the ski area of Stoos

The next morning starts well: a clear blue sky with only a few wispy clouds in the far distance. But the view from our hotel room also delights us. We see nothing but snow with the idyllically located Maria Hilf chapel in the background. This is the authentic Swiss mountain landscape as we had imagined it.

After an extensive breakfast, we prepare for our ski adventure. After a short visit to the modern Stoos Shop for ski rental, we’re finally ready. The drag lift first takes us to one of the blue slopes. This is quite pleasant as it’s been almost a year since we last stood on skis. After this, we’re ready for the big work: the challenging slopes from the Klingenstock.

Descents at the Klingenstock

The chairlift brings us to the top of the Klingenstock in no time. Here, a breathtaking 360-degree panorama of the Swiss Alps unfolds. Thanks to the clear blue sky and the pleasant warm sun, we stand here for a good five minutes. We take one photo after another and then decide which slope to take. Do we start with a black one or rather a red one?

Some of our group immediately go for the famous Franz-Heinzer-Piste. This challenging black slope is named after the Swiss former ski world champion Franz Heinzer. The 3.5-kilometre long slope, with a height difference of 800 metres, is known for its steep slopes and technical sections. This makes it a favourite descent for advanced skiers.

The others, including myself, opt for Mauri’s Carving-Piste: a red slope specially designed for carving enthusiasts. This slope offers a perfect combination of width and gradient, allowing us to fully enjoy making long, flowing turns. The slope is named after Maurice Raess, a local ski instructor and carving expert.

After the first descents, we also explore the other slopes at the Klingenstock. We do a few runs on the red slopes that wind like ribbons through the beautiful landscape. Some of us also venture onto the two other black slopes. By lunchtime, we take stock. We conclude that we can enjoy ourselves for days at the Klingenstock. If only for the particularly quiet, well-prepared and fairly challenging slopes.

Descents at the Fronalpstock

Still thrilled by our ski adventures at the Klingenstock, we step into the Fronalpstock chairlift with great anticipation. During the ride up, we enjoy the increasingly impressive view. Once at the top, we are rewarded with a truly breathtaking panorama. The Swiss Alps stretch out in all directions, and in the distance, the Lake of the Four Cantons glistens in the winter sun.

After a fairly long pause to take photos and take in the view, we make a few descents. The snow crunches under our skis as we glide smoothly downhill, enjoying the perfect conditions and the clear blue sky. We find the skiing here delightful. It is a bit busier than at the Klingenstock, though.

We decide that you should be at the Fronalpstock if you want to enjoy long, varied descents and breathtaking views. The Klingenstock, on the other hand, is more for when you want to perfect your technique or seek a real challenge. To end the ski day in style, we make a few more red descents from the Klingenstock.

Other winter activities in the ski area of Stoos

The group with which we explore the Stoos ski area consists of five skiers and snowboarders, and six non-skiers. While we hit the slopes, the group of non-skiers sets out for what later turns out to be an adventurous, beautiful snowshoe hike. During lunch on the sunny terrace of restaurant Alpstubli, they fill us in. The photos shown below, by the way, are from one of the hikers, Marleen Kuijpers.

With sparkling eyes, they enthusiastically describe how they stepped through the winter wonderland of the Brunnerboden. The silence was only broken by the crunching of their snowshoes and their own breathing. Along the way, they enjoyed breathtaking views of the Alps and the Lake of the Four Cantons in the distance. Occasionally there were steep sections where they had to slide down on their bottoms. But overall, the group was full of praise for this unique way to discover the winter beauty of Stoos.

The snowshoe hike is just one example of what you can do in the Stoos ski area besides skiing. The area offers a range of winter activities for all ages and preferences. For example, you can enjoy an exciting sledge ride or a romantic horse-drawn sleigh ride. There are also beautiful winter hiking trails with breathtaking views of the Alps. After a day full of activities, you can relax in one of the wellness centres or enjoy the local gastronomy in cosy mountain restaurants. Whether you want to be active or just want to relax, Stoos offers something for everyone in the winter months.

The Swiss ski area of Stoos outside the winter season

What really sets Stoos apart from other ski areas is the unparalleled 360-degree view you get from the mountain tops. Standing on the Klingenstock-Fronalpstock ridge, overlooking the Lake of the Four Cantons and the majestic Alps, you realise that you’re in a truly unique place. However, this visual splendour is not reserved for the winter months alone!

In spring and summer, Stoos transforms into a colourful paradise of alpine meadows. Avid hikers, like us, can then enjoy an extensive network of hiking routes. For the more adventurous, Stoos offers challenging mountain bike routes. The area is also popular among paragliders. But nature lovers also get their money’s worth in this area. During guided herb walks, for example, you learn about the rich alpine flora and the medicinal properties of mountain plants. Along the way, you might spot wild animals such as chamois and marmots.

Finally, you can relax wonderfully in one of the wellness centres. Here you can enjoy spa treatments with a view of the mountains. For many, this is the perfect end to a day full of activities in the fresh mountain air.

Our findings of the Stoos ski area

Our findings of the Stoos ski area are predominantly positive. This charming Swiss ski area pleasantly surprised us with its cosy atmosphere. And especially with its particularly quiet slopes. What certainly helped was that we weren’t there during the high season (school holidays). But we’ve actually never experienced so few people on the slopes as we did now.

We were also very charmed by the alpine landscape. Wherever we looked, the impressively high, snow-covered rock peaks and Alpine giants were never far away. We often took a break during the descent to capture the magnificent views. We could enjoy the view at the Fronalpstock for hours, so to speak.

However, we found the ski area relatively small: there are only 35 kilometres of slopes. For fanatical skiers looking for endless descents and extensive off-piste possibilities, the area is too limited. Yet this doesn’t have to be a stumbling block. The average skier can manage well here with the varied, quiet slopes. Moreover, the picturesque and authentic Swiss Stoos offers more than just skiing. From winter hiking to cosy mountain restaurants, there’s plenty to experience for a wonderful winter sports holiday!

We visited the Stoos ski area at the invitation of Switzerland Tourism. We have independently and objectively compiled the content of the blog based on our own impressions.

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