[From Zürich] A Guide to Skiing Day Trips

I hope this comes in handy for all you Skiiers and Snowboarders. There are loads more resorts on our doorstep but these are a few relatively near to Zürich. The times to get to the resorts or all pretty approximate so it's worth double checking for different services etc. and can be checked on www.railaway.ch or www.sbb.ch and all the ski passes can be extended to a 2 day pass for weekends (hotels and stuff are on the resorts website)

Happy Skiing!

Graigela · 10 December 2007 12:07

Hoch-ybrig

www.ybrig.ch

www.hoch-ybrig.ch

Piste: 40km

Snow Park: Yes

Piste Map: http://ski.intermaps.ch/hoch-ybrig/flash/index.swf

Approx time from Zurich HB: 1h 30mins

Snow'n'Rail day pass: 74.80hf (55.80 1/2)

Elm

www.elm.ch

Piste: 40km

Snow Park: Yes

Piste Map: http://winter.sportbahnenelm.ch/site...istenplan.aspx

Approx time from Zurich HB: 1h 46mins

Snow'n'Rail day pass: N/A

raytonia · 17 December 2007 22:49

I recommend

Brunni-Alpthal

The resort is just about 40 mins from Zürich (by car) and cheap. And its not so crowded like hoch-ybrig.

www.skiliftbrunni.ch

www.brunnialpthal.ch

Its a lovely resort near the "Mythen" mountains.

qublinstajan · 1 January 2008 18:54

I was on the website for Brunni although was having a hard time figuring out whether this mountain is accessible by train. Do you know? Thank you.

Alectruffa · 1 January 2008 18:59

You need to take a bus from Einsiedeln to Brunni.

can_zeal · 23 January 2008 16:54

Could anyone guess which of the resorts near to Zurich will have good powder snow conditions this weekend ( Flumserberg, Elm, Hoch Ybrig etc.)...went last week to Flumserberg and lots of pistes were very icy in compared to the powdery slopes of Hoch Ybrig where I went the week before and loved it.

Does every resort have a specific snow condition ?

Graigela · 23 January 2008 17:05

Not to state the obvious... but for powder snow you need a snow fall. The snow that fell yesterday was not very much, and I'm not sure how much is expected to fall on Friday but I don't think it will be that much.

If you are talking about riding on the pistes then they are at their best in all resorts directly after a snowfall. The resorts that use snow making equipment tend to have icier snow then the ones that don't. You can always look on my Switzerland.com for the amount of new snow that fell in the last 24 hours in the valley or on the mountain and the number of kilometres of piste with artificial snow and weigh up your options from that.

You can also check this site

http://www.slf.ch/avalanche/hn1-dec.html

and this one

http://www.slf.ch/avalanche/hn3-dec.html

to see where most of the snow has been falling, the resorts in those areas should be better!

If you plan on going off piste then you need to check this

http://www.slf.ch/avalanche/nbk-dec.html

and

http://www.slf.ch/avalanche/bulletin-de.html

to make an informed decision if it is safe or not.

In general Hoch-ybrig seems to be a region that gets reasonably ok snow, and is not as shaded nor has such long ques as Flumserberg. The disadvantage is that all the powder runs are tracked over within hours of a fresh snowfall.

oanah · 23 January 2008 17:09

It depends on the weather, If it is isn't that cold then the top layer of snow melts and then re-freezes and you get an icy piste.

So generally the higher you go, the colder it is so the less likely it is to be icy. Also the busier the piste the more icy it gets, so quieter resorts will have better snow

Flumserberg has snow making machines they use to blow snow on the icy areas.

Graigela · 23 January 2008 17:18

These snow making machines actually will make the piste icier in the long run.

oanah · 23 January 2008 17:20

I agree, and you also get a face full of damp snow when you go past them on the lifts.

jean_in_lucko · 23 January 2008 17:42

Ah, but then they're better for racing. ;-)

Graigela · 24 January 2008 00:03

If that's what floats your boat!!!

Michoose · 24 January 2008 23:29

Brilliant! Just what I was looking for. Moving to Zurich for 2 months from Feb with work and want to make the most of the season and ski every weekend! Do you know if there are any groups that go as I dont know a soul in the city, but hoping to use this forum to maybe find some ski and beer buddies! Thanks again.

can_zeal · 25 January 2008 18:06

We will be going to Hoch-ybrig tomorrow, if anyone of you fancies to join..just pm me...

jean_in_lucko · 25 January 2008 18:27

Just sharpen up the edges from time to time, you'll be right. :-)

Swedericky · 26 January 2008 19:45

just got a warning from a german colleague of mine: a large part of Germany (particularly the southern part) has spring break next week (Feb 2 to Feb 10), meaning that loads and loads of people will come for a ski vacation in Switzerland. If you can restrain yourself at all, avoid going on ski/board trips during these two weekends and even during that week, as the slopes will be fully packed. I'm guessing this counts particularly for the german speaking part of Switzerland.

I hope the weather will be nice that week so I can get my bike out instead of my board...

Jules_Weihaas · 10 February 2008 20:22

Hi Guys and Galls

Just moved here a couple of weeks ago, and are looking for somebody to ride back country with.

And if anybody have any ideas about groups forums or other stuff for back country riders I would be more than delighted to get some insight.

The level is not that important, but it is back country skiing to needless to say, avalanche beeper, shovel etc.

Thanx for a splendid forum with loads of good information.

BR

Frederik

Alectruffa · 11 February 2008 10:32

Stoos: 30 km pistes

Location: above Schwyz

Insider tip: Klingenstock

Price for familes: SFr. 119.-- (Warning: they might ask you if you have proof that the kids are yours. They told me I needed to bring a copy of my Familiebuch but would make an exception for that day. The idea of bringing a copy of family identification really ticked me off for a bit.)

Located above Schwyz, Stoos has two skiing areas: Fronalpstock and Klingenstock.

Fronalpstock has the sunnier and easier pistes. There's also a beautiful restaurant at the top with incredible views. Fronalpstock has family slopes, not too hard but still interesting.

Klingenstock has just been revamped. The pistes have been lengthened and they've built a 6-er lift with heated seats. Klingenstock is an inside tip for skiers who enjoy steep uncrowded slopes. The views on top are again stunning but because the runs are steeper and the area is less sunny, fewer skiers tend to make to this part of Stoos.

Getting to Stoos: drive to Schlattli (towards Muotathal) and take the funicular car or drive to Morschach and take the lift. Most locals take the funicular because the lines are shorter.

I'd recommend looking at a map of the Stoos pistes before going so you can get an idea where everything is. To get to Klingenstock, you need to use two rope lifts, a T-bar and then the lift. But it's worth it!

Stoos: http://www.stoos.ch/winterenglish.html

Gadian · 11 February 2008 18:25

NickyB - I am happy to go skiing every weekend and have been since end of December. So we can organize something together.

Michoose · 11 February 2008 22:07

Hey Am853. Thanks for that. Managed to get to Pizol last weekend with a couple of people I met through here and not sure of plans for next couple of weeks as friends visiting but keep me posted via PM and I'll do the same. Always good to know there is someone planning on going to the mountains!