Me - can't ski, love hiking and exploring villages and enjoy après skiing
Visitors - early 40's couple with 2 small kids aged 3 and 5. He skis, she doesn't and first time to Switzerland mainly to realise his long awaited dram of skiing in Switzerland.
I know quite a few of the mountains and where is nice to hike but I know zilch about where to take such a family for 2 or 3 days of skiing. Idea is I take them (don't have car but can rent or use public transport) to a nice village/cottage where we set up as base. He then can go skiing and she spends time with the kids and I tag along the kids or ideally mange to hike.
Time will be last week of February
I've been to Grindelwald and liked it both for skiing and hiking. I've never been to Zermatt or St.Moritz cause I am not a super skier and never bothered to go and see the villages which I hear are quite nice and probably could be a good opportunity for me too.
What you reckon?
Any of these seem reasonable?
Better suggestions?
Train or rent?
Also suggestion for nice hotels child friendly would be welcomed.
Many thanks if you reply. Have a fab weekend in any case!
I think that most resorts have hiking, er, snowshoeing trails. The larger ones typically also have a few km of sled run.
If they are making this trip for one person to realize his dream of skiing in Switzerland, what does he like to ski? Personally, I think that anybody who skis should try to ski at least once Zermatt. The scenery is really something special.
Zermatt is gorgeous! It's just not "easy" for kids. To get to the snow, sledging etc involves taking ski lifts or a train, it's not all on the door step! Hiking and snow showing is great.
You can't drive to Zermatt. You can either drive to Täsch, park and get the shuttle train or a taxi, or you can take the train all the way!
What kind of hotel do you want? Zermatt has millions! Try looking on Zermatt.ch
A lot of hotels will only book Saturday to Saturday in high ski season! But in low season you might get something different or you can get shorter stays down in Täsch!
I am keen to see people's responses here, as we have the same question. We looked at Zermatt but the accommodation rates are very high. Anyone has a good suggestion for an apartment which is suitable for 4 adults and 2 kids (3.5 zimmer is fine)?
OP, perhaps Laax? We are also looking in that area as it seems a bit more child-friendly.
Arosa is easy and child friendly. Family orientated and a great train ride up to 1700m . There is walking, sledging, nursery and intermediate skiing ( but now linked with Lenzerheide so can stretch to 3 days without doing same run too many times) and great places to sit and soak up the sun and scenery with a drink . Our kids learnt here many years ago.
Flims/Laax is a great ski area, quite large by Swiss standards, and caters for a wide range of skiing levels (and styles). If you're with kids and/or beginners I'd recommend staying in Flims rather than Laax, as it has several blue runs with their own chair lifts, so a cheaper pass and a less busy area to learn in.
I'll be running a holiday there this coming season, and for the third time will be staying at the Sunstar in Flims Waldhuis. I couldn't recommend it more, really nice place, friendly staff (with character, particularly Happy Lenny the minibus driver ), great food and nice rooms. Nothing's too much trouble.
Oh, and nearby micro-brewery of Aktienbrauerei is definitely worth a visit too.
I wouldn't really recommend Zermatt for the OP - far too much hassle getting around and very limited skiing lower down. Nice enough place, if you avoid the tourists, but not ideal for what was described, IMV.
Ace1, agree re Flims vs Laax! We went there yesterday to check out the place, and I found flims a bit more livelier. But I find ultimately it depends where we find the accommodation.
Are you giving lessons there? I might get in touch, if you are.
Ace1, kind of you, but I am a total newbie, so I will get in one of the ski schule.
OP, I just booked an apartment in Flims - I called the
Flims Laax Falera Reservation
Weisse Arena Gruppe
Casa Prima
Via Murschetg 17
CH-7032 Laax Murschetg
Tel. +41 (0)81 927 77 77
When I called, I told them about our requirements, and within the day, they sent me an "offer" - which is a list of apartments which fit our criteria, with the prices, addresses, etc.
Then, I checked on google map the distance to the Flims Bergstation, et voila! Called them this morning, and the place we had as our first choice was available. They also sent me the details of the ski schule, and a call to them suggested they still have availability.
So whichever resort you choose, try to contact the resort reservation number, and with luck on your side, they (a) will speak English; and (b) will be able to give all the info quickly and in a professional way. The guys in Laax Flims spoke English and did all their correspondence by email.
Flims/Laax is very professionally run and perfect for your requirements. There are lots of walks you can do too. Thoroughly recommend doing some night sledding if you can and have dinner at Startgels, one of the restaurants on the Flims side. not cheap but worth every penny and the experience of night sledding is just magical.