5 days in the Swiss Alps

Fantomas9mm

Hey there.

Myself and the Mrs decided we’ed like to spend 5 days in the alps in early March.

Only problem is we don’t know where to start.
Ideally we’ed like to do 1 or 2 days skiing and taking in the scenery and generally chilling . We both have never ski’ed before so we are complete beginners.

Does anybody have any reccomendations on what resorts are good to stay in ?

We would ideally like to rent a small chalet (self catering).

We’re not sure how the whole thing works so any advice is gratefully received .

RobertKK

Zermatt is beautiful, small with the Matterhorn overlooking the town.
Can take a day trip to Gonergrat for spectacular views.

munchkin_utd

I presume you do know its very expensive and you've the budget for it ?

For example, a ski pass is normally €40 or so in Austria, it'd be €70 in Zermatt, or if you want to use the big mac meal (standard reference worldwide!) its about €14 for a big mac meal in Switzerland compared to what, €7 in Ireland or other normal European country.
For a days ski instruction in Zermatt, expect to pay €450

So essentially, make sure you have double the budget that you'd otherwise need to go to the likes of Austria or Italy, which by the way are more than acceptably mountainy and snowy.

Then again, if youve the cash in such abundance then fire ahead.

Fantomas9mm

munchkin_utd wrote: »

I presume you do know its very expensive and you've the budget for it ?

For example, a ski pass is normally €40 or so in Austria, it'd be €70 in Zermatt, or if you want to use the big mac meal (standard reference worldwide!) its about €14 for a big mac meal in Switzerland compared to what, €7 in Ireland or other normal European country.
For a days ski instruction in Zermatt, expect to pay €450

So essentially, make sure you have double the budget that you'd otherwise need to go to the likes of Austria or Italy, which by the way are more than acceptably mountainy and snowy.

Then again, if youve the cash in such abundance then fire ahead.

Interesting.

Any resorts in Austria that you might reccomend?

Thanks for the heads up.

munchkin_utd

Fantomas9mm wrote: »

Interesting.

Any resorts in Austria that you might reccomend?

Thanks for the heads up.

Anywhere I have been isnt a "resort" but more like small villages which have hotels, and random hotels in the mountains.

One of the biggest ski areas (resort?) is the Wilde Kaiser which has villages and towns like Ellmau, Going, Scheffau and Söll nearby. Many hotels are along the road between the towns, but theres regular busses between all hotels - towns and ski lifts.
For a beginner you likely wont need a ski pass, not an expensive one anyhow, as you'll only be pottering about at the bottom of the slope. Theres loads of gentle slopes and beginners lifts along the road between Elmau and Going and i'd presume theres lads offering lessons there too.
https://www.wilderkaiser.info/de/home/region-wilder-kaiser-skifahren-tirol-oesterreich.html

Ellmau or Going (only 10 min walk between them anyhow) wouldnt be a bad base as you have a savage view of the massive mountains across, and Ellmau has a quaint little alpine style town centre.

Fattes

Fantomas9mm wrote: »

Hey there.

Myself and the Mrs decided we’ed like to spend 5 days in the alps in early March.

Only problem is we don’t know where to start.
Ideally we’ed like to do 1 or 2 days skiing and taking in the scenery and generally chilling . We both have never ski’ed before so we are complete beginners.

Does anybody have any reccomendations on what resorts are good to stay in ?

We would ideally like to rent a small chalet (self catering).

We’re not sure how the whole thing works so any advice is gratefully received .

Try Engelberg, fly to Zurich, €60 return train to Engelberg 1 hour 15 min with one change in lucerne.

Snoconnels chalet is an Orosh run chalet in the village. Excellent beginners ski area and Prime Ski school is one of the best in Europe.

Tons of things to do when not skiing, revolving cable car, cliff walk suspension bridge Glacier caves, 12th century monestery, ice skating.

Also you could do a day trip to Lucerne 30 min away by train, or Mount Pilatus.

Yep Switzerland can be a bit pricey but you get what you pay for

rossie1977

Switzerland is very expensive so I wouldn't go there to ski if you are a beginner. Best time of the year to visit Switzerland especially Zermatt would be May/June or September when the amount of tourists are probably at their lowest and accommodation especially self-catering becomes more readily available and cheaper.

Zermatt is a beautiful part of the world and I would easily recommend it. Lots to see and do even without skiing like numerous hiking/cycling paths to nearby villages, cable car/train and a funicular up different mountains. The train ride from brig or visp down to zermatt is an experience in itself.