Ski Vacation in Switzerland - Anyone Done One?

[soccerdad72]

So we're looking for our next family adventure and we are looking into a ski trip in mid-January. Our younger son doesn't start back to college until late January, so we thought we'd take advantage of a little cheaper prices than if we tried over Christmas.

Anyway, we're thinking about going to Switzerland for our trip. Specifically, flying into Zurich, spending a day or so in the city, then taking a train into the Alps and spending 3-4 days in Zermatt before train tripping once again to Geneva for another couple days of touring before flying home. My wife and I are not really skiers (I've gone a couple times in my life, my wife once), but the boys are pretty avid skiers and snowboarders. We were trying to find a good mix of ski activities as well as non-ski stuff, like touring and other winter activities.

Just wondering if anyone has any experience with travelling in Switzerland. Any advice, tips or things we should be aware of?

 

[robinb]

That sounds lovely! Does Zermatt have enough for you and your wife to do if you don't ski? We visited Geneva for a day trip from Strasbourg, France. I wish we had more time there. My DH still has a Tissot watch he bought there.

 

[soccerdad72]

That sounds lovely! Does Zermatt have enough for you and your wife to do if you don't ski? We visited Geneva for a day trip from Strasbourg, France. I wish we had more time there. My DH still has a Tissot watch he bought there.

It sounds like it. Seems like there's a lot of shopping, museums as well as other outdoor activities to do, like take a tram up the Matterhorn, skating and even sledding (which I've probably not done since I was a kid, but it would be a lot of fun). We're also thinking of getting a ski lesson for my wife and I while the boys head out and do their thing.

 

[NYCgrrl]

So we're looking for our next family adventure and we are looking into a ski trip in mid-January. Our younger son doesn't start back to college until late January, so we thought we'd take advantage of a little cheaper prices than if we tried over Christmas.

Anyway, we're thinking about going to Switzerland for our trip. Specifically, flying into Zurich, spending a day or so in the city, then taking a train into the Alps and spending 3-4 days in Zermatt before train tripping once again to Geneva for another couple days of touring before flying home. My wife and I are not really skiers (I've gone a couple times in my life, my wife once), but the boys are pretty avid skiers and snowboarders. We were trying to find a good mix of ski activities as well as non-ski stuff, like touring and other winter activities.

Just wondering if anyone has any experience with travelling in Switzerland. Any advice, tips or things we should be aware of?

I lived in CH for a time. Interesting country and two of my besties still live in Zurich.
What kind of non sport activities do you like?
I’ve skied there but only cross country; afraid of heights which was a source of amazement (and amusement ) for my friends. I can attend art exhibits and museums from one end of the country to another; so small by our standards.

 

[Moliphino]

I have no recommendations for skiiing, but went to Switzerland last fall (Zurich, Lauterbrunnen, Geneva). If you like tiki bars there's a fantastic one in Zurich, Waiana.

 

[Disneybuckeye]

Switzerland is a great visit. We love to ski as a family, and take two trips out west to ski most years, but the fear of injury out of the country has always kept me from skiing in Europe.
Would love to hear how it goes if your kids do ski there.

 

[kdonnel]

My daughter and her friends did.

They found it was cheaper to go to Switzerland for a ski week than it was to go to Colorado or Utah. They had a great time.

 

[soccerdad72]

My daughter and her friends did.

They found it was cheaper to go to Switzerland for a ski week than it was to go to Colorado or Utah. They had a great time.

That was the comment of my younger son and how we started looking into it. So far, it's looking to be very true.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

No we haven't but if you remember come back and say how it was.

Switzerland maybe combined with Austria is the next international place I'd like to go to (but not for a ski trip more than likely for a spring or early summer trip) but we have other international plans first so that will have to wait. I'd still like to hear how others enjoyed it.

 

[debster812]

Oh my gosh, that sounds like a dream. Have never done it, nor am I a skier, but I will travel almost anywhere, so I look forward to hearing about this too!

 

[Micca]

No skiing, but Switzerland is awesome, highly recommend. Train rides in the Alps

 

[monsterkitty]

My daughter and her friends did.

They found it was cheaper to go to Switzerland for a ski week than it was to go to Colorado or Utah. They had a great time.

I live in Colorado, and it would probably be cheaper for us to fly to Switzerland than ski here.

(Smaller ski areas that aren't owned by the huge corporations that own Vail, Aspen, etc are still reasonable)

 

[Karin1984]

If price is a concern, Switzerland is among the most expensive countries in Europe. Cheaper wintersport vacations can be had in Germany, Northern Italy, Czech Republic. France can be tricky due to climate change some ski areas have to close or close earlier in the season.

 

[mmouse37]

I live in Colorado, and it would probably be cheaper for us to fly to Switzerland than ski here.

(Smaller ski areas that aren't owned by the huge corporations that own Vail, Aspen, etc are still reasonable)

Aren't the four main Aspen ski mountains owned by the Crown family?

 

[monsterkitty]

Aren't the four main Aspen ski mountains owned by the Crown family?

Not sure who owns what, but I do know the major areas are owned by corporations and prices are outrageous.

 

[mmouse37]

Not sure who owns what, but I do know the major areas are owned by corporations and prices are outrageous.

I agree with the prices being crazy....our daughter got married in Aspen in February and it was crazy!!! They did ski down the mountain in the tux and gown and it was pretty cool.

 

[soccerdad72]

That sounds amazing! I went to Zermatt last year, and it's fantastic even if you're not skiing. Try the Gornergrat railway for stunning views, and don't miss the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise.

Those are definitely on our list.

I've got the flights booked and the accomodations worked out so far. We were able to use miles for the flights (a really good deal on Premium Plus seats) and hotel points for Zurich and Geneva, so we're just out of pocket for the apartment in Zermatt so far and then the cost of train tickets, lift passes (still trying to figure all that out) and any other activities that we want to do (plus food cost).

Anyone have any suggestions as to what to see in Zurich and Geneva for a couple days in the winter?

 

[Dreams&wishes]

Definitely consider Val Gardena in Italy one of the best skiing locations in Europe best food and the dolomites are UNESCO heritage listed. You are also very close to Insbrook Austria which is a lovely day trip

 

[Moliphino]

Those are definitely on our list.

I've got the flights booked and the accomodations worked out so far. We were able to use miles for the flights (a really good deal on Premium Plus seats) and hotel points for Zurich and Geneva, so we're just out of pocket for the apartment in Zermatt so far and then the cost of train tickets, lift passes (still trying to figure all that out) and any other activities that we want to do (plus food cost).

Anyone have any suggestions as to what to see in Zurich and Geneva for a couple days in the winter?

Lucerne is a very easy day trip from Zurich, if you want to see that. We also enjoyed the Landesmuseum.

 

[soccerdad72]

Lucerne is a very easy day trip from Zurich, if you want to see that. We also enjoyed the Landesmuseum.

We're only in Zurich for like a day and a half, so I figured we'd stay in town, but I'll look up the Landesmuseum - thanks!