Winter in Switzerland - in pictures

Visit the Benedictine Einsiedeln Abbey, an 18th century baroque masterpiece and one of the most important places of pilgrimage in Switzerland. At Christmas an atmospheric Christmas market takes place in front of its imposing facade.
Photograph: Christof Sonderegger

The Engadin valley has 250km of the most majestic cross-country trails in the Alps. These include snow-sure routes across glaciers and frozen lakes, and through enchanted forests and pretty villages.
Photograph: Thomas Senf

Snowboarding is popular at Davos Klosters, especially at Jakobshorn mountain, which hosts the annual O’Neill Evolution Halfpipe and Big Air contests as part of the World Snowboard Tour. It is also renowned for its off-piste.
Photograph: Raphael Koch

Many visitors choose to stay in Klosters rather than Davos for a more quintessentially Alpine experience. It’s a firm favourite with the Prince of Wales, but republicans shouldn’t be put off as it’s a friendly village and free from airs and graces.
Photograph: Cedric Kienscherff

There's no need to fret when cross-country skiing across frozen lakes – it's all been tried and tested for you by the 10,000 skiers who traverse them annually for the Engadin Skimarathon.
Photograph: Robert Boesch

Freeriders love Engelberg’s long descents over steep terrain flanked by spectacular scenery. They also like to relax on its sun decks and soak up the rays when they’re done.
Photograph: Photopress-A Wey

Taking the train direct to your resort in Switzerland is quick, cost-effective and refreshingly efficient. Plus it means you can relax, enjoy the view and not worry about such details as how on earth snow chains work.
Photograph: Andrea Badrutt

When you picture your perfect ski resort, few places actually measure up. Yet in Switzerland, high altitude, snow-sure resorts with sublime skiing for all levels are what they do best.
Photograph: Christian Perret

The champagne bars, super-luxe shops and other high-end distractions in St Moritz also make for blissfully empty slopes, and the scope for skiing here is vast with 350km of pistes over nine areas.
Photograph: Christof Sonderegger

Davos Klosters has ample alternative winter sports options including tobogganing. The region held the first ever sledge race in 1883 and today visitors can enjoy long scenic runs and rapid descents on closed off trails.
Photograph: Christian Perret