As we are so close to the mountains I guess there is no way around it - we have to try this skiing thing.

"We" means my son aged 8 (careful type, but strong), the younger brother aged 16 months (is there childcare those places?) and myself aged 40. My wife is traveling with work, and does not like cold anyway.

My son has tried cross-country once, did not like it. He wants to try downhill, though.

I did cross-country 25 years ago and again one day 2 years ago, and am reasonable at ice-skating.

We plan to get some lessons!

We hope to go for a weekend to somewhere not too far from Basel (Feldberg perhaps?), and then visit our friends who are ski-guides in the French Alps another weekend.

Where should we consider going?

What sort of equipment do we need to get? I know ski and boots can be rented, but apart from that?

If you wil be going multiple times, buy a good ski jacket , pants, gloves. There are sales going on all over the place right now..

while we're on the subject, what should one look out for in good ski clothes? The problem for a beginner like myself is that I don't really know what makes a good ski jacket.

I am a beginner myself. A friend who skiis adviced to get a light weight ski jacket, should be water and wind proof. Dont get a heavy jacket. You should wear layers, wear a good fleece jacket inside the ski jacket to keep warm. Ski pants should also be water proof. Also it will help if they are a little padded, wear inner wear under them of the sort that wil absorb the sweat..

I got a pretty good ski jacket from Osh sports for 100 francs on sale.. pants for 50..

I got some decent gear from Migros. Dont forget double lens goggles or they will just steam up. In my opinion a helmet is also a good idea.

Personally, I prefer a simple long-sleeved sportstop under my windproof jacket - and thats all. Layers feel uncomfortable, and it quickly gets too hot when you're active.

Besides jacket and pants, do not underestimate the value of good gloves.

Helmet, definitely a helmet. I never ever ski without one.

OK - thanks for the answers - I now have an idea what to get.

Any alternative ideas to Feldberg in Schwarzwald? That is close to 1.5h drive from Basel (Allschwil), but is fine as it is low-key, family stuff with plenty of easy slopes from my memory.

Hotels there are minimum is 5 nights, so we are talking daytripping.

when will those sales end?
I'm moving to Zurich february 4th and wonder if there will still be some sales going on then.

you can rent helmets.....

there's a great discount shop in volketswil near zurich which has a permanent sale on - bought a ski jacket from there at the weekend for half price

its called sport fabrik

Sport-Fabrik AG
Industriestrasse 21
8604 Volketswil

Engelberg is only a little further away from basel that feldberg. The skiing is adequate for beginners and learners (although in my opinion not so good for intermediates, where really long blue runs & would be better. The reds & limited balcks are fine for a day out). Do remember that Engelberg, like Saas Fee, is north facing. This means you don't get to ski in the sunshine & it can be several degrees colder than other villages/resorts & inadequate kit would be a mistake!


You might like to try Davos or Klosters. They're not too far away, certainly when compared to Zermatt & french 3 valleys. You'll be lucky to find hotel accommodation at short notice though.

My best find is this website: http://snow.myswitzerland.com/snow_reports. It is in english and has lots of well thought-out features for finding ski resorts & providing information about them.

Where ever you go, get there early (not later that 09:30) or you could end up parking a long way from the lifts, and kit hire will can take a while - Oh, and pre-book lessons!

have fun!

JC