Hello All...
Can anyone give some good advice/recommendations for a completely novice family to start skiing after Christmas, without spending an arm and a leg ?? Location, type of accomm, renting gear, how much to spend, when to go etc. Currently we don't have a car, so can hire or train ! Kids are 7 and 3, both boys. Any info gratefully received, since the options seem endless !

Hi,
I'd been interested in the answers to this too. We are a family with one 4yo.

Welcome to the Forum.
Although from your Introduction Title it is pretty clear what you want, your questions might perhaps be seen sooner by the folk in the know if they were under Help and Tips. Threads drop off the 'front page' pretty quickly and I suppose most people look first at the area which interests them most.
You've been here for a while, so you should know this site.
This is the result of a Google search.
Hope you get helpful answers from other families who have been in a similar situation.

Around Zürich I would recommend the smaller areas in Zentralschweiz such as Brunni, Sattelegg, Ybergiegg. Prices are much more affordable and flexible than the bigger resorts. When you get better the best area in my view is Flumserberg.

I was fortunate to receive a good piece of advice a while back about skiing and keeping the costs down. Most resorts are expensive to stay in and you really do feel the pinch if you're a large family. Staying in a town close to the resorts is a very good option as the hotel is cheaper and you then have a choice of resorts around and postbuses that can drop you off at the ski lifts for your day's skiing. Even if you stay in a ski village you often have to catch a bus to the lifts or walk a distance anyway. We, as a family of 4, have booked 4 nights over the holiday in Chur at the cost of 800 sfr. while last year we stayed in a ski resort in a reasonably priced hotel over new year for 2,300 chf. From Chur you can rent your ski stuff and get to quite a few ski places around the town via the train or post bus. So the difference in price is huge especially if you want more than one ski holiday in winter. Hope that helps if any of you are on a budget.

I would recommend you going to Saint Luc.
You can find all information here: http://www.st-luc.ch/fr/Regions/index_2.html

I think that now it might be pretty expensive to rent a chalet there after Christmas. But there are many hotels as well.

I have spent pretty much time there.
You can sent your kids to week-ski course in Tignousa (closest resort to St Luc).
There are a lot of tracks for early beginners and for advanced.

Regards,

karina

I don't know whether you want to do day trips or if you want to spend a week or weekend somewhere.
When I first started learning to ski, my htb (hubby-to-be) took me to Andermatt.
http://www.andermatt.ch/de/info-m456/

It's on the Gotthard route, got loads of history attached to the region, is pretty secure for snow, and the villages in the valley (Andermatt, Realp, Hospenthal) offer a number of small family-type hotels. Obviously, it's changed over the last 30-odd years, but it's still a great family place with ski school for kids etc. and it's easily reachable by train.

Regarding rental, it's probably slightly more expensive in resort, but it's possible to take back a pair of ski boots, for example, that hurt after the first hour and try another pair. Obviously, they're not the most comfortable things when you first start skiing, but the difference between a weird feeling of a hard boot and a bleeding ankle is significant.

Mountain restaurants are normally more expensive than in town, or save loads of money and buy some bread sticks and stuff from a nearby supermarket. This saves you money and gives you more time to spend ON the piste instead of in a restaurant.

January is a traditionally quiet time in resorts because it's after the Christmas rush but before the school holiday period. Make sure you have warm layers, with a waterproof outer shell. You don't have to spend a fortune on ski clothing, and if it's for an entire family, check with friends to see if you can borrow any stuff to make sure you want to go again before you start committing your money to waterproof pants you'll never use again! You'll be surprised just how many people will have gloves, hats, jackets, pants etc.

Also, remember to wear hats, even if it's sunny: you lose a lot of warmth through your head so it's important to keep a lid on them.

Ooh, my lunch has arrived! If you'd got any specific questions, yell out.

Oh, and wear sunscreen! Seriously!!

We are a family of 4 and have been to many resorts. Engelberg is very good for beginners and children and there is also a good toboggan run and lots to do in the evening. Arosa is also very good especially for kids (Pratschli area) but a tad pricey, great train journey from Chur as well.

Andermatt does have schools for very young kids but there are limited runs for the beginners some bloomin tricky ones thoughstill have the bruises, plenty of nice restaurants though for the apres ski!

Thanks to all - plenty of options there.