Brig & the Valais
The Powderhounds rate Brig as one of the more important ski towns in Switzerland. At the head of the Rhône valley in the canton of Valais (a.k.a. Wallis), Brig is a major transport hub for trains, trams & buses connecting to Switzerland's best ski resorts. These include Aletsch Arena, Lauchernalp, Andermatt Sedrun, Saas Fee & even Zermatt (plus so many more!). Aside from skiing & snowboarding, Brig has plenty to offer winter visitors, amongst other things, as a starting point for some of the world's best rail journeys and as a base for an awesome family sledding safari!
Pros & Cons for Brig
Pros
- Convenient central transport hub for ski safaris into the Valais, Uri & into Italy.
- Easy access to numerous ski resorts by public transport.
- Cheap accommodation compared to within (or closer to) the local ski resorts.
- Historic old town quarter with interesting nooks & crannies.
- Extensive range of shops, restaurants, services & markets.
Cons
- Travel times to & from ski resorts after a long ski day can be arduous.
- Limited non-ski activities actually in the town.
- Other than the town centre, Brig is not that pretty.
Pro or Con (depending on your perspective!)
- Low elevation so may, or may not, have snow.
- If day-tripping from Brig, by the time one gets back from a ski day, après is almost out of the question.
Skiing & Snowboarding from Brig
The Swiss canton of Valais is rightfully a world class skiing mecca and Brig is its most important city when it comes to skiing and snowboarding there. The ski resorts offer every ski experience imaginable. From small traditional resorts to ultra-modern, budget to high end, beginner to expert terrain, perfectly groomed piste to deep powder off piste, tree skiing to high alpine glaciers.
In the immediate vicinity of Brig are a whole lot of fun ski resorts that most skiers have never heard of. Lauchernalp, Aletsch Arena, Belalp & Rosswald to name but four. Each has its merits, and they all benefit from having most of their ski terrain above the magic 2000m elevation mark. Aletsch Arena has its beautiful alpine villages and viewpoints, easy access via train and perfect terrain for families and intermediates. Lauchernalp has a huge skiable vertical and superb off-piste powder. Belalp is a mixture of the two, smaller than Aletsch Arena, and with wonderful on-piste groomers for lower intermediates & a deserted off-piste for the advanced among us. Rosswald is the local's ski hill, full of tradition, but with its own meritorious advanced freeride terrain off the highest lift. Snowboarders may not appreciate Rosswald's long surface tows.
The Rhone valley is lined with other Valais ski resorts on the alpine 'terrace'. These include the fantastic Crans Montana (accessible via funicular from Sierre (Siders) train station), Anzere & Leukerbad on the sunny north side, plus at least 8 small to medium ski resorts on the shaded south side, culminating in the huge 4 Vallees ski resort (which includes Verbier). To the east at the headwaters of the valley is the amazing Andermatt Sedrun ski resort in the neighbouring Uri canton.
In the side valleys south of the Rhone, toward the Italian border and the high spine of the Alps, are a host of other wonderful ski resorts. South of Visp, the valley splits into the Mattertal for Zermatt and the Saastal for Saas Fee. Both ski resort villages are combustion engine car free & are equipped with ski lifts extending higher than anywhere else in Switzerland. Smaller, lesser-known ski areas include family-friendly Grauchen (Grächen), the wonderful Val d'Anniviers' resorts of Vercorin, Saint Luc-Chandolin & Grimentz Zinal, plus the secret stashes of Evolene and Arolla.
For more information on each ski area, click on the links in the text above, select the ski resort pages from the main menu, or click the links in the right column.
Summer Skiing near Brig
Two ski resorts near Brig have glacier skiing in the summer months. Both Zermatt and Saas Fee ski resort offers skiing on the high glaciers in summer. Zermatt turns ski lifts all year round, whilst Saas Fee starts turning ski lifts from the start of July.
Things to Do in Brig
The city of Brig has a historic old quarter with cobbled lanes and alleyways culminating in the 17th century Stockalper Palace - a stunning baroque castle containing an informative museum tracing the history of Brig and its relationship to the important Simplon Pass.
Numerous cosy cafes, bars and restaurants line Brig's main square and shopping district and an ice-skating rink in the centre of town is available during the colder months of winter from late December to January.
A thermal spa complex, Brigerbad, is locating 7km down the valley across the river from the train station, Eyholz. The baths include indoor and outdoor pools reminiscent of a Japanese onsen when covered in snow. Brigerbad is open every day of the year. Despite its location near a train station, the route 621 bus is the most direct option to reach Brigerbad from central Brig.
See the Brig city map.
Outside town, to the north of Brig, is the Aletsch Glacier extending 20km+ south from the Jungfrau. The Alps largest glacier, the Aletsch, can be viewed via winter walking trails at Aletsch Arena and Belalp ski resorts. The walks are best combined with cable car rides to the alpine 'terrace' and a fine traditional lunch in one of the many mountain restaurants like the Hotel Belalp. Starting points are the town of Blatten bei Naters and then cable car up to Belalp, or from Betten train station and cable car up to Bettmeralp. Betten is accessible by train and Blatten bei Naters by bus from outside the Brig train station.
Another non-ski activities in the area for families or groups looking to have a bit of fun are the two 9km sledding trails near Brig. The ski resorts of Rosswald & Belalp have a trail to test yourself on. It is almost mandatory to have a meal and drink in a mountain restaurant before descending. Both sled trails are accessed via gondolas from the base of the ski resorts. There are long sled trails at Aletsch Arena which can be added to a regional 'Sledding Safari'.
Europe's most scenic railways extend east and west from Brig. The Glacier Express is a train that travels the fascinating journey from Zermatt, through Brig and via Andermatt all the way to sensational St Moritz. The train carriages are designed to make the most of the extensive views and have full restaurant and bar facilities. Even doing a day trip on a regional train to Zermatt is worth it.
Where is Brig Switzerland?
Brig is the main transport hub of the renown Valais in Switzerland. Perfectly located in the Rhone valley, Brig has quick access to some of the best ski resorts in Europe. The Valais extends across the southwestern quarter of Switzerland from the headwaters of the Rhone via Brig, Visp, Sion & Martigny to the shores of Lac Lemon (Lake Geneva) on the French border.
As the crow flies, Brig is 130km north west of Milan, 140km east of Geneva, and 80km south of Bern. Gateway international airports are Milan (MXP), Geneva (GVA) & Zurich (ZRH).
Travelling to Brig from anywhere in Europe is recommended by train. Direct trains from the airports in Geneva or Zurich take only 2½hr, and even less from Bern. It may come as a surprise to many that direct trains from Milano Centrale in Milan Italy take just under 2hr to complete the journey under the Simplon Pass.
Search & book train tickets to Brig & the Valais.
The Valais can also be easily accessed from the west via Montreux, or through the mountains of the Aosta valley via the Great Saint Bernard Pass.
For more information see the Travel to Brig page.
Travelling Around Brig & the Local Ski Resorts
Brig is all about public transport, so one can forget the car and take a train, tram or bus just about anywhere. The central train station has all the up to date information easily laid out in the station itself, or outside near the bus stops and platforms 11, 12 & 13. Buses leave from out the front of the station and the trains/trams to Zermatt and Andermatt leave from the outside platforms.
Brig Accommodation
Brig is a medium sized cosmopolitan city with a full range of hotel, apartment & guesthouse accommodation options. Several classically traditional hotels are located near the 'old town', only a short distance from the train station.
Budget room options that still provide quality are available at several hotels located across the road from the train station. Innumerable wonderful hotels are located out of town near the ski resorts.
Search & book all Brig accommodation.
Review
The Powderhounds have visited many times in our travels & understand its importance when exploring all the ski resorts of the Swiss Alps by train. Click on the review link in the left column (or top of the page if on a mobile) to read our eyewitness insights!
See how the European ski resorts compare on the Europe ski resort ratings page.
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