My girlfriend and I are residing in Lausanne and are keen on trying skiing this winter for the first time. We are looking at Zermatt given its beautiful landscapes. However, we are complete novices and are looking for a hassle-free experience. We're interested in a package deal that includes hotel accommodation, equipment rental, and beginner ski lessons.
Does anyone know any such deals in Zermatt for the end of December? We're looking for something beginner-friendly with a cozy atmosphere, slopes good for our level, and picturesque views. Any recommendations for how to go about booking such a package or any particular hotels, ski schools, or rental shops you'd suggest?
Your insights would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
Firstly - it’s not the ideal resort for beginners. Slopes are difficult and there is a lot of carrying equipment and taking taxis or busses depending on where you stay.
You will find hotels that give packages with lift passes, but not with instruction and equipment.
For instruction - there are about 11 ski schools in Zermatt now. Have a look at Stoked and Summit, but there are many other good options.
If you want someone to literally organise everything for you, you could try chalet companies such as mountain exposure - but will be pricey.
Zermatt is not the place to learn to ski. Very few beginners slopes, particularly absolute beginners. It is beautiful but VERY expensive, even by Swiss standards.
You should check out the alpes vaudoise, Villars or Diableret, for example. You can even do day trips from Lausanne.
Initially you may want to do a couple of hrs a day only as will be exhausting and in Zermatt it takes ages to get to the slopes etc.
If you want an alpine experience in Zermatt (which I thoroughly recommend as it's beautiful) then I would suggest snowshoeing. They have a couple of trails with beautiful Matterhorn views.
The kind of package you are looking for is rare to find in CH - you will find hotel+ski pass but almost never school for adults. School is easy enough to organize though.
Except Club Med - the only one left in Switzerland is at St Moritz. Not cheap but totally inclusive including ski pass, Swiss Ski School at all levels, 3 meals a day and limitless free bar and wine with meals.
Another thing: if you can, choose another date! The "end of december" if that is after Christmas everyone will be skiing if there is snow. This is the worst time of the year!
That's a good point which many beginners overlook.
I did a week's beginner group snowboard course in France a few years ago and I was the only one left by the end of the week as everyone dropped out due to exhaustion.
To the OP- if you are not fit and active (and even if you are): Look on Youtube for skiing-specific exercises such as lunges, squats etc and ensure you have fairly good cardio fitness before you go.
That's probably more important to the enjoyment of your week than where you go.
That has the knock-on effect of helping to prevent injury when learning, too. A decent core strength and some muscle around your hips, legs, etc., will help keep you upright and in control better.
Indeed. Discomfort with the boots, and overexerting your muscles because beginner can leave you with cramps in 2 hours. Heck, even properly carrying the skis without hitting anything or anyone takes a couple weekends. After ski only think you want is eat, a warm shower, and sleep. Better to account for this.
I was once in Glacier 3000 near Les Diablerets and it has a nice, wide, and gently blue slope. Perfect for learning and also nice views
If you guys are true beginners I think the best bets within a day's travel from Lausanne are the blue slopes at Champéry or Diablerets/Glaciers 3000 for maybe 2-3 days: you can get the train/bus to the lifts up to the pistes and have excellent instruction combined with good views on slopes that aren't too steep, and you can get the lift back down at the end of the day.
If you are really new to skiing, as others have said, even 2 hours per day will be exhausting, so please don't try to overdo it at the beginning. Also prioritize nice accommodation, and ideally a sauna or hot tub to relax at the end of the day.
And also, the end of December is a crap time of year to try to learn to ski, the pistes will be flooded with 50 gabillion British and Dutch tourists in addition to Swiss families on holiday. I avoid ski resorts like the plague at this time of year. Could you postpone by a week or two, or are you restricted to the Xmas holidays?
Does Métabief still operate reliably, or has it fallen foul to climate change and lack of snow? Used to be a very good beginner's option (and not far from Lausanne) when I lived over in that direction.
I had overlooked this. In Switzerland,ou have to book almost a year in advance to secure highly sought after periods - read new year's week and some Feb weeks. Once you are "in" you typical book from one year to the next. If you can at all go the first full week of Jan you will have a lot more choice - I suspect Zermatt to be booked out for new year's week by now, probably some spots left at the 5 star hotel with the horse cart