Having just arrived to Zurich a few months ago with my wife and son we are planning to take our first trip to the mountains this weekend and was hoping we could get some advice as to best resorts close to the city.
Our son is just 3 and half so we just want our first trip to be relaxed and introduce him to the joys of winter sports in his new home.
So, if anyone knows of what resort would suit us best for that early introduction please get in touch. i am thinking not too busy but with plenty of bunny slopes. Will probably take him for a spin on a small sleigh too.
The only concern I have is that from my own experience of skiing in Austria that would mean staying close to the valley and with the mild winter we've had so far I don't want to choose the one resort that has just gravel and mud at the bottom of the slope. So if anyone has any knowledge of how conditions are up there that would be great too.
Also, we invested in the half price card for the year so will be traveling by train.
So, any tips or advice for us would be appreciated.
Don't know the current weather conditions up there but you can try Einsiedeln , not far from Zurich. Suggest you check the snow report before hitting the road.
There is no snow in Einsiedeln, ski lift and cross country trails are currently closed. There is forecast for snow tomorrow Tuesday so maybe it will be open again later this week.
On the advice of a neighbour we went to Rigi Kulm yesterday.
Took some time to get up there but well worth it just for the view alone.
Just terrific and with blue skies too.
Even at that height of 1800m there was more ice than snow but we found a few small slopes to get my 3 year old son onto his first sleigh ride and he loved it.
So much so that I took him down the taboggan run to the next train stop below.
Would be interested in returning to check out the ski runs but will certainly do some research into the places posted here over the rest of the winter.
Pizol is free for under 6s. Conditions were pretty good up there (above 1500m) at the weekend. There's also a good prepared sledge run which is fun for kids (31⁄2 Km long) although currently closed as it needs snow down to 1000m.
31⁄2 is perhaps a fraction early for skiing - don't expect too much!
In my opinion you cant go past Lenzerheide. Ok, i live here so im biased. If traveling by train, its a very easy 2hrs. Plenty of sun and besides xmas it never really gets too busy. The beginner area is free to use and you can even take single trips up some of the chairs or by day passes just for certain areas so the trip wont break the bank.
Does anyone have suggestions on where to take our 3 and 6 year old for a few weekend ski school lessons? Also, do you recommend renting equipment from the mountain or from a local ski shop. We live near the airport.
You have a couple of options if you don't mind the 1.5 - 2 hour drive up to Lenzerheide.
The local Swiss Ski School has the tradional groups lessons and are very good, i highly reccomend them for groups lessons. If you prefer a more private situation then id reccomend contacting Epic Snowsports. There is an add on another forum section. here is the link.
Ski hire can also be easierly done in Lenzerheide with several ski shops having equipment for young and old. Lenzerheide also has a free to use beginners / kids area.
Are there any ski schools which pick up kids from Zurich for ski lessons and drop them back (not expecting door to door but say HB to HB)...found one company but that is offering only 3 day course...
My eldest has been quite a few times with the Hoch-yBrig set up and rates it as really good with structured tuition with lots of teaching of new skills.