 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi everyone! I found this site via a post on www.epicski.com and I thought I would post a question here. I haven't been on snow skis since I was 9 (and I'm now 37) when I lived in Germany (went skiing in Garmisch). Next year I'm thinking about taking my oldest nephew (will be 16 then) skiing in Switzerland. I had considered Zermatt, but when I mentioned this in an email to my uncle in Switzerland, he thought that Zermatt really wouldn't be good for a beginner due to the altitude. Would everyone agree with this opinion?
If Zermatt really isn't the place to go, then where in Switzerland would be a good place to go for beginners with a good ski school? There are also other factors I'm considering such as traffic free zone, good lodging, etc. Any information you can impart would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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trafaelwyr, hi, welcome to snowheads, is that a Welsh tag? Bore da. Someone is going to come along soon and suggest you look at Wengen. Lots of easy slopes and superlative scenery. But if you have a Swiss uncle, he could probably suggest loads of really good, small, places that most of us have never heard of.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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trafaelwyr, quite close to Zermatt is Saas Fee, which is popular with beginners and car-free in the village. Also look at Graechen, also close to Zermatt.
From either of these villages you could make a daytrip to Zermatt and ski on its glacier, which has gentle slopes, after a few days of practice.
I'd go in spring - maybe February or March - for good snow conditions.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I'd say, as others have, that although Zermatt is a great place and the altitude shouldn't be a problem (I've never heard of it being a problem) it's probably best left for a year or two if your nephew is a real beginner.
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trafaelwyr, as mentioned above Wengen may well fit your requirements, it's not as big as Zermatt but is as traffic free (i.e there's very little traffic) you will also find that almost all the staff speak at least some English, it's a good resort for Begginers and intermediates with an easy but long run right back to the village, however it's not best suited to advanced skiers as there are few black pistes, the ski school there is generally very good with the beginer slopes right in the vilage center.
Assuming you fly into Geneva or Zurich however you need to allow for a 4 hour scenic train journey from either airport so make sure your flights don't arrive very late or depart very early at either airport or you will end up with less resort time
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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trafaelwyr,
As said above, Zermatt is a fantastic place but I've don't know of a more unsuitable resort for beginners.
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FAQ
) but much of what it offers ski-wise, is probably well beyond your scope as beginners.
I'll look into Wengen (adding to my list). I was a bit surprised that my uncle didn't mention any places in his email to me yesterday, despite me asking if he knew of places other than Zermatt.
