Elm Ski Resort Switzerland
Elm is a sneaky traditional ski resort in the eastern Switzerland canton of Glarus. Northeast-aspect slopes in a favourable location for snow from multiple directions, Elm has numerous top to bottom valley trails from 4 to 8km long down its full 1,085m of skiable vertical. At just 90km from central Zurich, it is easily done as a daytrip. Let 'em rip!
Skiing & Snowboarding, Lift & Terrain
The Elm skiing & snowboarding terrain includes around 40km of pistes up to 8km long. The 1,085m skiable vertical starts from a low base altitude of just 1,020m. of Terrain is mostly east to southeast aspect, getting the morning sun and avoiding the hottest afternoon rays from the burning orb in the sky. It includes both alpine up high & forested/semi-rural terrain in the lower half. Wide open upper mountain alpine off-piste terrain can be expanded with a little human-powered uphill effort toward the flanks of 2,794m Kärpf.
The 5 ski lifts at Elm serve the available lifted terrain efficiently. From the valley a 6-person gondola rises 450m up to Aempächli. From there a modern six-seater chair, Schabell, rises another 550m vertical, plus there is a short T-bar for beginners to play on. Further on an old double chair, Pleus, heads up to the highest lifted point of 2,105m. Further out wide, the Bischof T-bar opens up all sorts of opportunities for the more adventurous.
Snowmaking
To help future-proof the ski area, snow making coverage is doubling for season 26/27 to include more of the valley trails (currently it is just on the sled trail) plus along the Pleus double chair (which currently has no snowmaking - it is all on the Schabell chair). In total it will cover 35% of the pistes.
Before we get there to see it for ourselves, check out the Elm Ski Trail Map below.
Where is Elm Switzerland?
The Elm ski resort is on canton Glarus, eastern Switzerland. The ski resort is above the village of the same name, Elm, which is just 90km south of Zurich (1¼ to 1½hr by road). The closest gateway airport is Zurich (ZRH).
Unless you already have a rental car or prefer a private transfer, the recommended mode of travel is a combination of train and bus, direct from the airport or central Zurich. A combination of trains & the route 541 bus from Zurich HB (main station) make the journey to the ‘Elm Sportbahnen’ bus stop opposite the gondola in 1hr 40min to 2hr 10min (depending on connections and time of day). From Zurich take the train to Ziegelbrücke, where a change is necessary for the local train (S6 line). At Schwanden station just before Glarus Süd, another change is required onto the regular 541 bus to Elm.
Search & book here for tickets to Elm.
Elm Accommodation
The accommodations available in Elm are on the mountain, at the base of the ski area, a short distance away in the resort’s main village of Elm or down valley in the villages of Matt & Engi or the nearby town of Glarus Süd (on the railway line from Zurich).
At around 1,650m altitude in a ski-in ski-out position next to the Bischof T-bar, the best place on the hill to stay is the Berghotel Bischofalp. In the valley, either side of the gondola lift station, the superb Hotel Bergführer and the perfectly located Sternen B&B.
Elm is a beautiful Swiss village set at just under 1,000m altitude in a pristine rural valley surrounded by stunning alpine peaks. Traditional-style buildings abound and the main street through the village is bypassed by all the ski traffic, so it maintains its sense of calm during even the busiest periods. To the south, the peak of Vorab looms (& behind it the massive ski resort of Laax), 2,200m above the valley. Elm village has numerous hotels, guesthouses & apartments for holiday rental.
Search & book a place to stay via the Elm Ski Accommodation Listings.
Non-Ski Winter Activities
Elm is a convenient location to pop your sledding cherry in Switzerland! The 4km long trail is fully covered by snowmaking to guarantee a fun descent. Winter walking trails link the major mountain restaurants in the resort’s mid-mountain sector from the top of the gondola.
Reviews & More Info
The Powderhounds will review Elm in the coming season. More information about this European ski resort will come after our visit. Stay tuned for our sparkling repartee, new photos & insights.
See how Elm compares to the rest of the Swiss ski resorts on the Switzerland ski resort ratings page, or compare to the rest of Europe on the European ski resort ratings page.
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If you have a question about skiing & snowboarding at Elm or elsewhere in Europe, CONTACT US.