Hello - I have always wanted to ski the Swiss Alps. I would love to find a "locals" ski area that is open around April 15-25. And not crazy busy., spring conditions are fine with me. I am from Montana and just want a day of skiing in the Alps. We will be traveling from Milan on April 14, and can adjust our travel to make this work, or just go to Thun (or Lauterbrunnen or Lucerne), We can even take the Glacier Express or Bernina towards St. Moritz if that makes sense. If there is an option, would it be better to go before or after Easter? If we go to St. Moritz, would the ski area be less busy during the week vs weekend? If we are staying in Thun is there anywhere fairly close? If we find an area, will we find anyone who speaks English? We would need to rent equipment. I understand this may be a very open ended question, but truly appreciate any info you can provide. Thank you! Mary
Posted by
Bern, Switzerland
1071 posts
Pretty much everyone here speaks English and most will have a better command of the language than you as doing the Cambridge Exam has been free and pretty much standard education for people under the age of 40!
Most Swiss families ski in Austria because Switzerland is so expensive! In your case it will be late in the season and the weather most likely will not be favourable. That means those places that are open will be expensive and crowded. However if you have the cash then you can ski in Switzerland any time of the year. What is your budget expectations, so we can suggest some possible resorts?
Posted by
Switzerland
193 posts
The Switzerland tourism website has data for many winter sports areas (211 of them), showing their opening and closing dates and cost for a day ticket. Just scrolling through I can see there are many with end of April and even beginning of May listed as the end of the season (obviously weather dependent).
You can view it as a list, or choose the map option to see where they are. Click on any specific location to see photos, piste map, webcam, snow report, forecast, number of lifts that are open, etc. for that mountain.
Posted by
OP
Montana
34 posts
Thank you for your help. I will check out the website
Posted by
OP
Montana
34 posts
Hello! We are now n Zermatt and have one day to ski. Would you recommend having a guide? Which area would you recommend. We are advanced/high level intermediate skiers.. thank you for your guidance.. Dan & Mary
Posted by
Green Bay
21994 posts
Take the Matterhorn Express gondola to Trockner Steg, then the lift to Klein Matterhorn. If the runs to Italy are still open, and you have a combined lift ticket, ski down to Cervinia, then back up and down to Zermatt. If Italy is not open or you only have a Zermatt lift ticket, take the run back to Trockner Steg, then back up on the chairlift for some more runs. When you have had enough, you can ski down to Zermatt, or just download back to Zermatt. I was just there in January.
PS Forecast is for a lot of snow tomorrow. Tonight, stop at the Papperla Pub and see if they have a live band.
Posted by
OP
Montana
34 posts
Thank you for your help!