We are based in Basel and took our first ski lesson in Dec but consider us true beginners. We would like to go on a ski holiday with our 5yo son and get lessons.
We went to Engelberg and spent 70CHF/person/day on the ski lifts for slopes that were more for advanced skiers
So I would love your recommendations for ski destinations where we could just get some lessons and not spend a fortune on getting up the slopes. Also anywhere near Basel ofcourse will be a bonus
Resorts in the Jura mountains are so much cheaper, both for passes, lessons and accommodation. Depends when you want to go and when your kid has school holidays.
I'd recommend the Jura French resort of Métabief/Mt d'Or. Perfect for beginners, and with 2 ski schools, ESF and ESI, and a kiddies snowpark. It gets very busy during French ski holidays.
Maybe ask on Basel specific facebook groups like Basel Expats and/or Skiing in Switzerland facebook group. I would suppose some of the 'lesser' resorts might be what you want. There's even a ski area on the Feldberg.
Local ski shops away from resorts and near your home will hire skis for a season at a good price. You can take them back without having to travel far too. Also it removes the slight stress of not finding decent skis, well fitting boots, learning the new skis each trip.
A really naff looking local slope in a field with a slight hill, a simple motor lift and a rope with some handles can be a perfect find. You can learn too and pretend you are helping your kid.
Maybe the local kindergarten will know of your nearest? Even if your kid doesn't attend you could ask them.
Failing that you can go to a hill with kids sledging, park up and ski down it, and walk up. Maybe ask to make sure it is not a private garden/field!
Engelberg is good, but go to the nursery slopes at Klostermatt and get lessons there.
For practice, if there's snow, Belchen Seilbahn is great. https://www.belchen-seilbahn.de/ Worst case, you can follow the sledge path down. But get there for 9. Family tickets allow three children to ski with 2 parents - essentially the kids go for free. They have morning and afternoon cards, as well as all day. I basically learned to ski there. I still enjoy it now.
Ok, here is my tip: We are pretty decent skiers, but for some reasons only the wife will understand did she decide this season that she wants to learn snowboard from scratch... we went to Saas Fee for some days and they are extremely beginner friendly: There are massive beginner areas with "magic carpet", plates and t-bars in the village. Two big ski schools operating there, we used "Eskimos" and the wife was happy. Best part: If you only use the beginner area are the ski tickets some 25-30 CHF a day. (See under "Dorflifte": https://www.saas-fee.ch/de/winter-im...reise/saas-fee )
Not my favourite ski resort for experienced skiers, but for families and beginners probably the best I have seen.
I liked Saas Fee a lot. Long time ago sadly. I guess it is still high up. Snow was great. I would of course like to say I am an expert skiier. I really enjoyed it.