Skiing in Switzerland - when, where?
 

We have reason to visit Switzerland in the next few months, and would like to plan a ski-trip into the vacation. We are intermediate skiers, familiar with the "blues" and maybe the occasional "black" in Rocky Mountain terminology.

We would like to experience skiing in the Alps. We like a good ski area with a few modern lifts (a couple of those rickety old 2-person chairs are fine, but hopefully they are few and far between). We also enjoy having a village with a few dining options, but it doesn't need to be the Swiss equivalent of Aspen.

Places we like in America are Steamboat Springs and Jackson Hole as opposed to ritzier places like Tahoe or Aspen... we don't want to simply replicate our Rocky Mountain experiences, but that might give you an idea of what we like.

Our two questions:
1. Where would you suggest we look into (so far, only Arosa in on the list, which looks nice)
2. Is the ski season in Switzerland similar to that in the Rockies (good skiing typically through March) or do we need to adjust our thinking for the Alps?

Thanks!!

Honestabe:

Need more info.
Where are you landing?
How long you have for skiing?
Driving or Train to resort?

Switzerland has ahh...quite a few ski areas!!
John

www.engelberg.ch/en/index.php
www.titlis.ch/001tit_0503_en.htm
www.saentisbahn.ch
www.berneroberland.ch/navi/winter/frame_en.htm
www.valaistourism.ch
www.villars.ch/en/navpage-WinterVG.html
www.skiswitzerland.com/villars/index.htm
http://www.crans-montana.ch/ete/inde...&langue=En
www.zermatt.ch/index.e.html
www.engadin.ch/007stm_00_en.htm

Thanks, Wally, for the links.

BMW, to answer your questions:

We're landing in Zurich, but convenience is not critical. We wouldn't mind seeing a different part of Switzerland after spending a few days in Zurich for other reasons.

We have anywhere from 2 - 5 days for skiing.... we'll decide once we know where we are going. Our 1st priority is to find the right place for us to ski, and only then to carve out the right amount of time in our itinery.

We'll be using a train or other non-car transit. Therefore, we'll need places that a train can either get to, or that we can take an alternate form of transporation to.

interested in these responses as well... ttt

Engleberg certainly be a good choice. If you wanted to visit elsewhere besides Zurich, you could visit Lucern. You could take a small visit before heading up into the Alps.

Engleberg has three main ski areas. I usually skiied on Titlis. There are a lot of hotels in Engleberg and all can be reached from the train station.

Titlis is a great ski center. There's something for everyone.

Blackduff

Hi HonestAbe,

I've skied the Jungfrau region three times and am going back to Wengen in January. I love the area for its wide diversity -- you can ski there for a week and never repeat a run or a lift. You ski over several mountains and through several villages -- it's a huge area, all linked with a system of lifts, trains, busses, and gondolas. Here's a map of the ski area to give you an idea:

www.wengen.com/skimap/jtsr.html

As an intermediate, I love the area around the ridge called "First" above Grindelwald -- it has wide, nicely groomed trails.

I usually join a class when I'm there to get to the best snow and to get to every inch of the area.

However, the drawback to this area is that the dining isn't really world-class. The restaurants in the area will have simple, basic, meat-and-potatoes (with the occasional fondue added!). For world-class dining, I'd have to recommend Gstaad. But if you want to avoid the posh crowd, you could stay in Saanen or Chateau d'Oex. I haven't ever skied this area.

Information at:

www.wengen.com
www.wengen.ch
www.muerren.ch
www.grindelwald.ch

Have fun!

s

I would say the Davos area but stay in Klosters (nice village not like Davos, not sure about restaurants though). Saas fee is a great village and not too uppity but quite a trip from Zurich. Also, recommend St, Anton, though in Austria but not so far from Zurich.

Agree with above.

My Swiss friends all have different favourite places here.

One friend always go to Zermatt. (Very good in March)
Another to Verbier.
Another to Arosa. (very good in March)
Another to St. Anton (which is known for its many English skiers)(not so good from mid March on)
Another is Ischgl, which is quite a distance away. (very good in March)
Another is Davos. (very good in March although it depends on amount of snow)

Many lower elevation ski resorts close mid March. The higher ski resorts stay open to April.

If you can tell us during which time period in March you'll be here, it will help us to give you some more concrete advice.

I'm an intermediate skier and have been to Klosters, which I found perfect for my style, and Arosa, which was intermediate and higher. Arosa has super alpine restaurants located on their pistes with live music and deck chairs.

I just have to save this infomation, ever hopeful that this aging skier will once again board a lift!

Byrd

It's pricey but it's hard to beat the variety and snow quality at Zermatt, plus being able to ski to Italy (a trip which is fine for intermediates) is a treat.

Even thought most Zermatt places (and many others) try to book full weeks, you can find places that offer shorter stays. I skied there last March and it was their best snow of the season.

You have some great responses. I have only skied in 3 resorts in Switzerland.
Engleberg
Zermatt
Villars

Of these three
Zermatt was the most spectacular setting! Skiing over to Italy was a fun day. But it is a bit ritzy and stuffy for me.

Villars: Was a pleasant surprise! Spread out intermediate skiing. Quiet town and quiet apre ski...very family oriented

Engleberg: Had a ton of snow when I was there. Has a ton of skiing terrain. Good intermediate to expert.

If I had to pick one spot...I guess it would still be Zermatt. A unique village experience, and if the snow is good...a nice place to test your ski ability
John

ttt

I have talked with a friend in Lucern right now. It's raining but there's not much snow in Engleberg.

Up to the Titlis glacier allows skiing but below that level is nothing.

Even though not good just now, it could still start snowing and have a beautiful March.

Blackduff

I'm very interested in these replies too. Zermatt sounds great. What would be the best airport to fly into from the US? And the best route there?

>What would be the best airport to fly into from the US? And the best route there?

You can fly into geneva or Zürich. It does not really matter. From either airport you have to add about 4 h by train. It is slightly shorter and slightly cheaper to get there from Geneva, you would save 1/2 h.
It's one of the cases where a Transfer Ticket from RailEurope is actually cheaper than single tickets bought directly from the SBB.

Milan often has more flights from the U.S. and it's got plenty of good trains. About the same time (or maybe a little less) as Geneva and quicker than Zurich.

>Milan often has more flights from the U.S. and it's got plenty of good trains. About the same time (or maybe a little less) as Geneva and quicker than Zurich.

Yes, but you have to add almost one hour bus travel from Malpensa to Milano Centrale. The airport train doesn't go to Centrale but to another station from where you have to take a subway or taxi to Centrale. All this maximises the hassle. If the savings are high enough, I would do that, but not for some 20 Euro saved.

Excellent point, altamiro. Those train stations right in the Zürich and Geneva airports make it very easy to get around in Switzerland.

A few years ago, my wife & I enjoyed a wonderful week in Davos during the Christmas holidays. We're also advanced intermediate skiers and found the ski areas wide open and very scenic. The small village has many restaurants (although we ate most of our meals in our lodge) ice rinks, & local museums. Highly recommend this place to everyone.