Just wondering what to do with my parents (just turned 70, but relatively fit) when they come over in 2 weeks time. They want to "do something different" and "see the snow". But not skiing - or snowboarding. Probably best to avoid sledging as well. Maybe snowshoeing, or husky riding. Or just a good walk with spectacular views. But then where - within say 90 minutes of Zurich. Thanks!

My parents who are well above 70 - and ah not too fit (arthritis, heart problems etc..) - went on the glacier express (between St.Moritz and Zermatt) and enjoyed it - views of the snow with not too much exercise ! They also went to the Rheinfalls...Do a google search - I remember seeing some senior specific trips when I was researching for my parents' trips.

I just turned 70 and was snowshoeing (in New Hampshire) just yesterday. As for where, how about Rigi? I suspect that the guide is optional; if you know how to walk you know how to snowshoe.

Closer to home check the thread on Anyone winter hiking?; they ended up snowshoeing on the Uetliberg.

I posted this list before, for someone who was feeling a bit miserable in Zurich, but it's worth posting again, as cheap and easy local options. They're not very snowy, but quite nice diversions:

• A long, slow walk from Stadelhofen station to the Hauptbahnhof, going through Bellevue, up towards the art gallery, left into the old town (towards the Grossmunster), down towards the Niederdorf, through Central, across the bridge, and into the station. Sushi at Globus am Bellevue; a browse through the second hand bookshops; a coupe denmark at the Mohr Chopf; and a Malay-Chinese meal at Chopsticks are all quite nice.
• A big coupe denmark at the Sprungli cafe on the Bahnhofstrasse. With their own hot-chocolate sauce and everything.
• A boat trip on the lake. They are even running round trips through the winter, though not so many as in the summer. Jump on at Burkliplatz, get a 1st class ticket (or an upgrade if you already have a Regenbogen or 9 Uhr Pass), sit upstairs and enjoy the two hour cruise to Rapperswil, where you can eat Italian food and ice cream and all that. There's also a nice castle and a Polish museum.
• Go to Wadenswil, hop on the local bus that goes to Horgen via Schonenberg, and enjoy a tour of Tellytubbyland.
• Go down to Rapperswil again, and walk across the footbridge to Pfaffikon SZ, stopping for a lakeside drink on Hurden island. Not one for a cold, windy day, though.
• Get the lift up from the Lipp Brasserie on Uraniastrasse to the Jules Verne bar at sunset. It's magic, if you can get a seat.
• Sit in any of the cafes or bars in the Hauptbahnhof and watch the people go by.

You can tell I'm a lazy sod, can't you?

Take them to the Säntis.

It's a lovely journey by car or public transport and the cable car ride is almost exciting! True James Bond style military listening post, sorry, visitor centre and restaurant at the top, with a remarkable panorama across several national boundaries. Well worth getting there late afternoon to see the sunset.

Bring a scarf and gloves.

If they like gentle walking, a trip up the Uetliberg by train, have lunch up there and take the approx. 2 hour gentle walk along the ridge to Felsenegg. It's really manageable and not hiking (the first 5 mins are the 'toughest'). Once there you take the novelty-sized cable car down to the valley where you can catch the train back to Zurich.

Brunch at the Kunsthaus on Sunday morning is a wrinklies delight. Optional museum visit afterwards.

Although I'm not a huge fan of the place, the restaurant Waid on the Käferberg, near Höngg, has a great view of the city. Go early morning for the spectacular view of the mountains and the city looking it's best. Plus a gipfeli and schale



Walk through the forest down to Bucheggplatz - approx. 30 mins stroll - before heading into town for lunch.

And book tickets for a concert somewhere. Bitta Kulcha you know...

I cant wait to take my parents to LAUTERBRUNNEN, outside of Interlaken.
Amazing mountain village with a quaint feel (one little main street, kinda touristy, but that makes it cute) and a 300m waterfall next to it (which they light up at night).

Take the train up to Wengen, or all the way to the TOP OF EUROPE.
Or take the cable car up to Murren or if a clear day... all the way up to the Schiltorn...the revolving restaurant from the James Bond movie.
The best part is that any of this can also be walked by foot, up or down, or across.
Here's a nice description with more logistics.

http://switzerland.isyours.com/e/gui...erbrunnen.html

My favorite guesthouse is the Alpenhof in Stechelberg, 25 chf per person per night without breakfast and the owners, Marc and Diane, are AMAZING people. It is just a 10 min. bus ride away from Lauterbrunnen further up the valley.

http://www.alpenhof-stechelberg.ch/pages/en/home.html


Have fun what ever you decide!

What about going up the Jungfrau on the train? We were set to do it in the summer but the man on the ticket counter at the station told us it takes around 2 hours each way and we'd only end up 15 minutes on the mountain. given the cost (around 150chf I think) it was exceptionally kind of him. I may put that in the random acts of kindness thread. Apart from the glorious views on the journey it looks as if there is a lot to do there too.

I'm with Uncle Max on this one. I had the opportunity to visit Säntis a month back for a trip up to the top and an overnight stay. Like UM said, the panoramic view is truly remarkable. I stayed in the Berghotel Schwägalp. It's a 3 star hotel that's only a 2 minute walk from the gondola which takes you to the top. The breakfast there was wonderful as well - lots of variety.

Here's a link to the hotel should you want to stay a night over and treat your folks to a morning snack.

St Gallen could be also another place to consider. There is a direct train, that takes about 1h15min to get there. Just seeing the Abbey of St. Gallen, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is worth the trip. Its library contains books which date to the 9th century and is very beautiful. I also recommend to take a walk downtown center - the building and their balconies are just lovely.

Also, if you want a true Swiss experience, you can also visit Appenzell. It has also the advantage that most shops are open on sunday. Or, just go further down to Lindau (already in Germany), another lovely. Lindau was also preserved from the bombing during WWII, and has the oldest buildings in Germany. But, just to see the Bodensee, it is worhwhile to go there

Best of luck with your parents,

Lucy

http://www.mettmen-alp.ch/

Mettmenalp is a beautiful place to snow shoe walk. You hire the shoes at the cable car station. Just watch out for the Rotweiler (lady on the cash desk) if you ask for a discount with your Half tax card. Also don’t forget to pick up the phone when you want to come back down.


http://www.braunwald.ch/de/welcome.cfm


Braunwald that is just beautiful, car free, horse drawn sledge place to go.

Both with public transport links , 1 - 1.5 hour from Zürich.


DC

ENGELBERG...!! Then take them up the Brunni, it's the sunny side of Engelberg and the views are spectacular..!! Here's a couple of pictures of my mom (she's 87..!!) I took on the cable car going up the Brunni, as you can see she was all smiles (those views!). Once you get off the cable car there are some relatively flat walks along the mountain face for those who are less sportive, even my mom was able (with minor assistance) to have a couple of kilometers walk up there. Check out the links I gave you for Engelberg and Brunni (they're all in English).

[quote=Uncle Max;170776]


If they like gentle walking, a trip up the Uetliberg by train, have lunch up there and take the approx. 2 hour gentle walk along the ridge to Felsenegg. It's really manageable and not hiking (the first 5 mins are the 'toughest'). Once there you take the novelty-sized cable car down to the valley where you can catch the train back to Zurich.


Some great ideas, thanks - now the hard bit, to choose from so many good options! A quick note on the Uetiberg to Felsenegg walk though before anyone tries it. My girlfriend and I did this at the weekend - only problem was that the Swiss forgot to mention that the cable car at Felsenegg is closed (and I think it said it's closed to early April). So we had to walk down to Adiswil - all very nice, apart from its about 1 in 3 much of the way. Good fun though - once you've done it! Not for the parents though...

I did that once, and could hardly walk for nearly a week afterwards.