Graubunden, Switzerland

Capital City: Chur
Closest Airport: Zurich
Population: 187,920
Resort Area: Chur - Davos - St Moritz
Snow Season: Mid-December - end March
Main Language: German - Italian
Currency: Swiss Franc

Graubunden is in south east Switzerland, bordering Austria, Italy and Liechtenstein. Like nearby Ticino, the Italian influence is strong here (think decent coffee, great food and a general "where's the fire?" attitude to staying relaxed) despite German being the predominant language. Just about.

Whilst perhaps not your first choice, Graubunden is a bona fide skiing region with 2,200kms of piste, a cross-country spec to match and a bunch of peaks in the high 3000 metre range. The most well-known resort round here is St Moritz - a slick, five star operation with awesome on- and off-piste and a price tag to match. Klosters is also nearby (if hobnobbing with royalty's your sort of thang).