Where is the longest beginners ski slope (i.e. green/blue) within 1.5 hours driving of Zurich which is accessed by a Gondola?
Many thanks!
So I have quite a specific ski related question which I would be delighted if someone could help me with;
Going by car or public transport? As this might differ significantly.
There are no green slopes in Switzerland as far as I know. If they exist there is probably not that many of them.
What's your definition of beginner? Complete novice or someone with some experience?
With a complete Novice I wouldn't recommend anything more than a baby slope to start with.
For beginners with a certain level of experience, there are many options depending on how you plan to get to the resort. Make sure you go to a resort that offers discounted tickets for access to smaller parts of the resort suitable for beginners.
Long blues / greens are not necessarily good for beginners as they tend to be quite narrow so very difficult to get the best out of them. As a beginner myself I prefer a short wide blue slope where I could practice offering regular periods of rest in between. I would then venture out down a reasonable red every now and then to test the waters. You have to challenge your ability a little bit to learn but do take an instructor with you every now and then to correct bad habits.
The Oberiberg area of Hoch-Ybrig has a long wide blue slope accessed by a T-bar and from memory costs CHF18 to ride all day.
As the good doctor says there are no green slopes, however the nomenclature between US and Europe is different. US Green = EU Blue, US Blue = EU Red.
Can't help you on long green slopes but I learnt snow boarding abt 7 years ago on the green learner slopes at Flumsiberg which are short. The lower blue runs are a decent length for a beginner and some of the easiest I have ever done.
Thanks all. I appreciate the replies.
Regarding mode of transport I am looking at a car only (hence the word "drive" in my question J )
I am familiar with some of the resorts around Zurich. I am asking for my kids actually who are beginners but can stop on a “gentle“ slope.
I have been to Atzmaennig and Oberiberg and neither have a gondola to a beginner slope. As far as I can remember the gondolas as Tannenheim & Tannenboden (in Flumserberg) go to red slopes.
Again – I know it’s a very specific question but just checking on the off chance.
Cheers,
Stoos - take the finicular up and then walk over to the blue slope.
In Laax the blue slope from Crap Sogn Gion (gondola from Laax) down to Falera is a good, long easy ride. Chairlifts back up, however.
Hoch Ybrig and Brunni are both good for beginners.
But both are chairlifts though.... Sorry!
why specifically a gondola?? The only place that I can think that might come close to your needs is Davos, where you can take a cable railway to the midstation and Summit, then ski a blue run to the mid-station, but Davos is probably a good 2.5 hours drive from Zurich.
Just a guess - but maybe because the op is not comfortable on a chair lift? Not everyone is comfortable hanging 10s of metres above the hillside on a cable blowing from side to side in the wind.
Actually, obvious reason when I think about it .... 1 adult trying to get 2 small kids on a chairlift - never an easy thing to do!
What's wrong with T-Bars?
You get to practise on the way up as well as down!
They don't serve coffee.