Last minute changes in the plans for a family winter vacation meant saving the Playa Del Carmen experience for another time. Family illness brings us to Israel for a few days, with a return trip through Zurich inspiring research into a ski vacation. All the lodging in the famous areas like St. Moritz are booked up.

There is still room available in Bad Ragaz. Does anyone have any winter experience there?

We are all novice skiers, including two little kids. Ice skating and sledding would also be fun for them.

I'd also love to hear about any other lesser-known areas good for beginning skiers and families.

Thanks!
Audryn

>There is still room available in Bad Ragaz. Does anyone have any winter experience there?

Bad Ragaz is a very nice spa town, mainly beautiful in summer (with gardens, fountains etc.) but also quite nice in winter. Bad Ragaz is also the valley town for the Pizol skiing area - somewhat small but it shouldn't be a problem with novice skiers. It is also a favourite daytrip skiing destination for all the Zürchers, therefore the slopes are quite full on weekends. during the week you will enjoy it much more.
www.pizol.ch
Another skiing area nearby (20 min by train) is Flumserberg, which is also more extensive but lower, therefore sometimes more weather dependent.
www.flumserberg.ch
For snowshoe walking, sledding etc. as well as some skiing check the town of Amden - it is high up on the slope above the Walensee, looking south, easy to reach from Zürich (train to Ziegelbrücke, then every train is met by a bus to Amden).
www.amden.ch

Thanks, altamiro, for the really helpful suggestions!

http://www.alpenregion.ch/winter/

Try this one, also.

Sorry that is meant to be Meiringen Hassliberg.