5 nights in Switzerland Enough?
 

I am thinking of planning a ski trip to Switzerland over President's Day weekend. It would be a 5 night trip and just Switzerland, ski town, skiing for newbies, fab meals, snow (we are in TX) and back home. Is that enough time?

Thank you! xo

No, I think your trip is far too brief. I also live in TX. For the amount of time, money and jet lag involved with a trip to Europe, I don't think it's worth it for less than 7 FULL days, and that's not counting the days you fly there and back. Even a 7 day trip is too short for me, but I can see how that would work for some people.

If your schedule doesn't allow you to take more time off, then go somewhere in the US or Canada for skiing.

I just saw your other post indicating you've recently returned from France, so you already know about the jet lag and flying time. It wouldn't be worth it to me, but since you know what you're getting into, then it's your call. I still say stay in North America, and I can't say enough about the Canadian Rockies. Banff and Lake Louise are magnificent and a much shorter distance fron TX.

Maybe Canada?! I kind of want to avoid Colorado.

There is lots of skiing in the States that doesn't involve Colorado

Hi neng2424,

Many ... most?? ... hotels in ski towns in Switzerland will have a minimum 7-night stay requirement during the season. Yes, I think I'd just head north, to Canada. I've always wanted to see/ski Whistler.

Have fun as you plan!

s

Canada or Utah or the Adirondacks or ... As janisj noted, there are a LOT of wonderful places to ski in North America. And going to one of those locations will be so much easier and "greener" than a transatlantic journey -- bonus!

I've done short skiing trips in the U.S. flying from Switzerland, so there is no reason to not be able to go the other way. But a few caveats:

If you want reliable snowfall, that means going higher. And higher slopes in Switzerland generally are not for newbies. Not to say you can't find any, but you are much more likely to see intermediate to expert rated slopes. The lower elevation resorts are more unreliable for good snowfall. For example, friends and I went to Gstaad in early December 2020 and the snowfall was amazing. It snowed every day, adding snow to what was already an impressive base. But when I went back around the same time in 2021, lots of bare spots and very thin snow cover. Here's a video of what it looked like in early December 2020:
If you want to go to the most famous resorts like Zermatt or St. Moritz, you will encounter some serious prices for accommodations. But look elsewhere and you can find some great places to ski without the 7 night restrictions and where accommodations cost much less. Examples: Scuol and Haute-Nendaz. Scuol is a lovely town and there are lots of housing options (hotels, holiday apartments etc) that do not require a 7-night stay. And it has a very nice spa.

In Haute-Nendaz, there are also availabilities, but it's a smaller town, so fewer overall. Nendaz has programs set up for beginner skiers. It's part of the four valleys ski region -- a friend has a chalet there and the trail options are wonderful. But those are of more appeal to experienced skiers. One of the unsung features of the Nendaz area is the regular bus service that can take you from Nendaz down to the small city of Sion, which is worth exploring. The bus ride between the two locations takes about 20 minutes and is very scenic (not just in winter -- it's scenic year round).

So while a ski trip to Switzerland, even for just five days (not counting travel days), is certainly doable, you should wait until you have a few seasons of skiing under your belt Two reasons: first to find out if you actually like skiing and second, to take advantage of the wider availability of slopes for more experienced skiers. After that, come on over! (P.S. don't forget to think about cross-country skiing if downhill doesn't appeal)

I posted a comment several hours ago, glad to see it’s out of limbo!

A few photos from the Nendaz area:

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f672d1a65.jpeg

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...5dea5f4d1.jpeg

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4da629886.jpeg

Thank you everyone!!

Colorado has some great resorts with ski schools (essential) for newbies, but if you want to avoid all the other Texans, consider Park City, Utah with Park City and Deer Valley. Lower elevation than the Colorado resorts if anyone in your group has trouble with high elevation (and it is less tiring for everyone). Easy access to PC from SLC airport. If your group is skiing and not snowboarding, DV doesn't allow snowboarding, so less likely to have hotdoggers interfering with learners.

I've been to the Canadian resorts in the summer. Whistler is a purpose built ski town, but the snow can be icy, I understand. Banff area also looks gorgeous, but I don't know about the snow.

If you've skiied before (i.e. you/re not planning to go all the way to Switzerland to learn in just 5 days) and you're fine with a big flight (as your other post suggests) then 5 nights in perhaps the poshest skiing country in the world will be great fun.

For something super classy and old-money go for Zermatt beneath the mighty Matterhorn. Make sure the gents take at least a sports jacket for somewhere glam like the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof, but there are also lots of options at the other end of the price spectrum and lots in between.
With the vast Materhorn Glacier, you can ski 365 days per year and even over into Italy for a (cheaper) lunch in cute Cervinia.
Apres ski at the Hennu Stall is up there with the greats.

Switzerland doesn't really do new-money bling (too classy?) but the younger jet set and royals like Verbier and the vast 4 Valleys - look up Warren and team and his eponymous Warren Smith Ski Academy to experience ski coaching enjoyed by royalty and the stars. Verbier really is full of the beautiful people (no carbs before Verbs daahhlling) but still a very cool place to party - don't miss the legendary Farinet.

One of the best things about Swiss sking is that so much of the resorts/towns are super high altitude, so the snow will be great both early and late season - have a great time!