Lucerne, Grindewald, Zermatt -Winter 17th to 23rd December

If Zermatt is important to you, I would skip Grindelwald - it adds a lot of train time for one expensive night. I'd pick one or the other rather than trying to cram both in. You could also go directly to Luzern and skip the night in Zurich. Then you have a free night somewhere else. Zurich is nice enough, but unless you have something specific you want to see or do there, I don't think it's a stand out destination in winter(especially on such a long trip). I'd rather take it slow in Luzern (good shopping and restaurants, nice Christmas markets) or add another night in the mountains to just chill out in a winter wonderland.
There is some decent beginner skiing in Zermatt. You can have a look here and could also contact the tourist office for more info
https://www.zermatt.ch/en/Media/List-Attractions/Ski-lifts-for-beginners
Or if you stay in Luzern for longer and have a train pass, you could do a ski day or go sledding in Engelberg. It's about 45 mins by train, very popular with locals.

Zermatt is a lovely place, but, if you think Grindewald is expensive....

Regarding skiing, if all your daughter wants is one day on beginner slopes, I would try to
go someplace smaller than Zermatt. It's large, could be crowded, and the hassles of
renting equipment and getting around are magnified when the resort is large.

You could consider doing some of the iconic trains (Glacier Express, Bernina Express,
Gornergrat in Zermatt). If you're into James Bond, the rotating restaurant from Her
Majesty's Secret Service is in Murren.

Note that the trains going from the southeast of France into Italy via Turin to Milan are
shutdown for the foreseeable future due to a landslide in the fall. There are workarounds
but increase the transit time.

I agree with the idea of skipping Zurich - it is an efficient city and probably a nice place to
live, but not all that much to see there. Colmar is not too far away and would be a nice
place to visit for a couple of nights, and I believe they have a nice Christmas market.

Even though you have 7 weeks in total, there are many options and I can understand why
you may feel a bit overwhelmed. But you won't see everything, so don't try to. Enjoy what
you see.

Lastly, if you think you'll spend a fair amount of time going to different places in Switzerland,
consider buying a half-price railcard.

In my experience, Zermatt isn't really more expensive than Grindelwald or any of the popular mountain resorts around Switzerland. Yes, there are more luxury-level accommodations in Zermatt, but there are also plenty of less extravagant places and apartments. Checking the Zermatt tourism website for accommodation is a good idea....they have some places that don't show up on other search engines. I wouldn't wait around too long to book though. To further cut costs, it would be worth getting a place with a kitchen or at least somewhere with a big breakfast included. You could also consider staying in Täsch, a short train ride from Zermatt, with some lower-priced option. And basically all of the ski resorts get crowded around Christmas - at least you will be there before the school vacations start.

If Grindelwald is too expensive, and you want to visit the Berner Oberland for a day, Interlaken is an option. It is an added 40 minute train ride to Grindelwald, but its a pleasant ride and trains are every 30 minutes.

Thank you -This has been very helpful. I have changed the itinerary and am staying in Interlaken and skipping Grindewald. We may just do a day trip of the area.
And definitely going to James Bond Museum!

Cheers Everyone.

If you want to visit the James Bond Museum, aka Piz Gloria at the top of the Schilthorn, then you will want to go to Lauterbrunnen, not Grindelwald. It is a little closer to Interlaken than Grindelwald as well, only a 26 minute train ride. From Lauterbrunnen, take the bus to Stechelberg and then a series of cable cars up to the top.

The same train departs interlaken Ost station to both Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen, but it splits in two at Zwei Luetschinen, with half going to Grindelwald and half to Lauterbrunnen, so make sure you board the correct carriages at Interlaken Ost, they are well marked.

I don't know what you are doing as far as train tickets go. Within Switzerland, you might benefit getting a Half Fare Card (120 CHF) plus the free Family Card, then your daughter will travel with you free of charge. Works for the cable cars in Berner Overland and Zermatt as well.

Sam Thank you - this invaluable. We love the idea of the cable cars as well!