Skiing in Switzerland late September - cost?

Skiing in September? Do a search for "glacier skiing Switzerland".

https://www.skiresort.info/glacier-ski-resorts/switzerland/
Reports 9 resorts having glacier skiing. As an example of a year round glacier skiing offering:
https://www.skiresort.info/ski-resort/zermattbreuil-cerviniavaltournenche-matterhorn/

Ski resort Zermatt/​Breuil-Cervinia/​Valtournenche – Matterhorn

Operating times

Current season: Year-round

General season: Year-round

Opening times: 08:00 - 16:30

Note: The opening times are provided by the ski resort Zermatt/​Breuil-Cervinia/​Valtournenche – Matterhorn and can vary
based on external conditions, day of the week, school holidays and
public holidays.

https://www.cervinia.it/en/estate/cosa-fare-sci-estivo

SUMMER SKIING

At 3,500 metres above sea level, at Plateau Rosà (which can be reached
by ski lift from Cervinia in just over half an hour), you can ski in
summer too. The glacier’s high altitude guarantees well-compacted snow
all season, with pistes that suit all levels of ability. There is
Europe’s highest snow park here, where the best downhill skiing teams
train. Above all, the higher temperatures compared to those in winter,
the warm sun that’s perfect for sunbathing and the speed and ease with
which you can reach Plateau Rosà from Cervinia are all excellent
reasons for spending a holiday in the snow even in summer, at the foot
of the Matterhorn.

Cervino SpA – Information Office Ph. + 39 0166. 944311 Fax. + 39 0166
944399 [email protected]

If you have to ask what lift-assisted skiing cost you probably can't afford it. That said, use Google Maps to find "ski rental near" then name of resort. Rentals generally are priced from basic skis to premium skis with a premium price.

Honestly, the last thing I would do in Switzerland (or Austria or Italy) in September is go skiing. Yes, they do offer glacier skiing in several locations in September. For Zermatt, you can find information in English here:

https://www.zermatt.ch/en/summer-skiing/Information-about-Summer-Skiing

The summer skiing is in the morning. By noon, the snow is usually too soft. Looks like the price for a lift ticket could be 98 CHF. Then you have to rent gear. By the time you buy everything for two people, you are probably looking at 300 CHF or more. And that is for a less than ideal skiing experience, on old snow that probably starts out icy in the early morning and then progresses to slush. (I am just guessing here, based on my own experience with summer skiing in the backcountry in the US mountains). Yes, there are ski teams that train on these slopes, but they are expert skiers who can handle the conditions.

I love Switzerland and have been there numerous times, but we go for hiking. As for skiing, I can’t forget what our Swiss B and B hosts in Whistler told us: “the skiing is so much better here.” Maybe think about Whistler/Blackcomb, or maybe Alta in Utah (our favorite) for your husband’s first ski experience.

Another thing about Switzerland: it is very expensive, compared to other alpine areas (Austria, Italy). And you do not need a 4WD in September/October.

Omg - is the lift and rental really that much?! That's crazy. For a few hours of skiing... Disappointing to say the least.

I don't have a dream of skiing in Utah - I have a dream of skiing the Swiss Alps lol but I'm also not one to throw away money, and the picture you've painted is less than ideal. :-(

We are actually going for the hiking (just thought we could throw in a day of skiing maybe) There was a discussing of whether we should go in winter or go in summer for hiking - we chose hiking.
Any favorite hikes? I'm not talking about a paved path - but I'm also not talking about hiking gear and training. Something in between :-) we enjoy hiking the Appalachian area. Somewhere between 3-9 miles of hiking is a good trail for us - no gear necessary.

If you think 98 CHF (about $100) is a lot for a lift ticket, check out Vail.

Guess I'm out of touch with current skiing costs 😲

Seriously, when was the last time your skied in the US? Skiing on glaciers (ice) is vastly different than skiing on the traditional groomed slopes of the US. IMO, it is not a place for beginners.

Yeah. Colorado can be over $200 a day plus gear. 98 sounds downright cheap. And a beginner with no experience cant just hop out and ski. Athleticism has very little to do with learning to ski. Most athletes first instintcs on skis are the exact opposite of what they should do. Its a recipe to injure yourself and be a danger to others. He will need lessons to have any ability to learn to ski.

Hiking in Switzerland in the fall is fabulous. The Jungfrau Region/Lauterbrunnen Valley is our favorite place but we also had some great hikes in Zermatt. We go every year to the Lauterbrunnen Valley as it offers so many hiking options and you can get easy walks or rather strenuous hikes. Something for everyone. Rick Steve covers the area very well in his Switzerland guide book but a car is really superfluous. How long do you plan to be in Switzerland?

Well, I learned to ski and the same day was on the slopes (not bunny hills, actual slopes). Actually, my parents did too. (My sister did not make it to the slopes that day, but that's not surprising). My second time skiing I went with my brothers and hit the moguls. I'm pretty sure if I can do that, he can too. Skiing isn't hard. I'm pretty sure he can handle it.
That's not my concern. My concern is what it will cost us. And a half day of skiing in slush for over $300 per person? Yikes.

Thanks Laurel! I didn't think about hiking Zermatt area - I'll have to check into that! We loved the Jungfrau area but didn't get to hike there. We did go over to Oechinensee Lake with the intention of hiking around the lake, but arrived after the lifts had stopped and had to hike up to the lake. By the time we got up there we had just enough time to see how beautiful it was before hiking back down in pitch black night.
Better planning this time. :-)

We plan to stay a week. And we may go over into Austria - there's a town there we really like. And we like the flexibility a rental car offers rather than having to rely on train schedule to get where we want to go. I guess living in a smaller city I'm just not used to public transit so a car is easier than figuring out routes and schedules. That might be laziness on my part haha

If you plan on driving in Austria you will need mandatory IDPs for each driver and buy a Vignette (and affix it correctly on the windscreen) before you cross the border.

Figuring out public transportation is part of immersing yourself.

Thanks Nigel! We've driven through before so are aware of the stickers needed. Usually we just get an IDP for my husband. I like snapping photos while we drive...stopping to take photos is another reason I like having a rental :-) it allows us to be more spontaneous in our travel. You can add an unplanned stop whenever you like.
I do hate those highway stickers though...

Resort glacier skiing should be on machine groomed and tilled surfaces. Grooming would be at night when temperatures are cold enough to refreeze the snow. Having not glacier skied, the sweet spot of glacier is likely when the "snow" is the "corn snow" stage between frozen and slush which as other note may be just a few hours during the later morning.

The few hours of skiing, even lift assisted and only skiing downhill, may be more than enough for flatlanders. Glacier skiing by definition is high altitude skiing. A 3500 meter base elevation is about 11,500 feet above sea level. At that elevation air pressure is only about 2/3 of the air pressure at sea level.

Which a Swiss ski resorts are you planning to drive to with the rental car? You claim it’s going to provide you freedom, but many Swiss ski facilities are not accessible by vehicle...only public transport. So along with that freedom that you’ll get from your rental car is the freedom to buy a train ticket while you pay to park that rental vehicle. Just be aware that rental vehicles don’t provide you with the same freedoms that you might get in the USA where our public transport options are pathetic.

As Tim notes, you cannot drive directly to some Swiss ski villages. Zermatt is an example where you need to park miles away and either take a train or taxi to Zermatt. Or a helicopter if you have the Francs.

The the inconvenience of driving and parking aside, the scenic Swiss train routes go where no car goes. It's actually impressive that scenic train routes go where the go thanks to Swiss engineering and construction. Do an internet search for "swiss scenic trains".
https://lostinswitzerland.com/scenic-train-rides-in-switzerland/

https://blog.eurail.com/how-to-go-best-swiss-scenic-trains-one-trip/

That 300 CHF guesstimate was for two people, not per person.

It sounds like this is something you really want to do, so go for it.

rent a 4-wheel drive vehicle and drive to different parts of the alps/country-side. I know they have sufficient train travel, but we like our freedom to drive whenever and wherever.

I'm confused by that. Are you hoping to drive off-road? I drive fairly often in Switzerland - I drive my own car from England to Italy and stop as often as I can in Switzerland to visit friends and go to my fav mountains - and I've never needed a 4 wheel drive, even in winter. Only farm equipment is permitted on farm tracks. Swiss diesel and petrol is some of the most expensive in Europe and 4 wheel drives don't get much mileage. Is there a reason you want one?

Well see Nigel, that's why I have you wonderful people to tell me things like that! 😊 scratch the 4 WD. We'll stick with a car.

And we will probably take a few train rides (obviously some into some of the "vehicle free" villages - any suggestions on purchasing a pass?

Swiss train website: https://www.sbb.ch/en/home.html

Travel cards and tickets. Travel cards are for intense use. For a few train journeys, point to point.
https://www.sbb.ch/en/travelcards-and-tickets.html

Be aware that on the sbb website it is assumed that you have a half fare card. Double the price given, if you don’t plan to get one.

If you dream of skiing in the Alps, you’ll be in paradise skiing in Austria (Bad Gastein, Sport Gastein) both near Salzburg. Lightyears more affordable than Switzerland. You will have to look at their websites regarding skiing in September. We have skied there in March many times and have loved it.

Unfortunately the elevation of the ski runs at Bad Gastein (2300 m at the top down to 860 or so at the bottom) ) is not high enough to provide skiing in September.

If you dream of skiing in the Alps....

September would not be the month to visit. February would be closer to mid-season. Re Bad Gastein: https://www.j2ski.com/ski_resorts/Austria/Bad_Gastein.html

When is Bad Gastein open?

Usual opening is late December, and usual closing is Mid April.

NOTE:- Lift and Piste openings are always subject to Snow Conditions
in Bad Gastein.

Bad Gastein is great for spring skiing because the days are longer than winter skiing. More time on the slopes. I’ve never skied anywhere in September.