On the whole the Swiss cater well for families. The winter tourist industry was established in Switzerland long before it was in other countries and provides a wide variety of winter diversions for the family. We particularly enjoy resorts with spas, but many resorts also have wonderful winter walks, toboggan runs, ice rinks and creche facilities.
There are a number of hotels that cater specifically for families. The Family Hotel Gorfion in Malbun, Liechtenstein is probably my favourite and is especially good for beginners and intermediates. Although hostels are not specifically designated as family hotels in my listings, they tend to be my preference for family ski trips. They usually have play areas, provide small dormitories of 4 or 6 beds suitable for families, offer half-board and are relatively inexpensive. The hostel in St Moritz is absolutely fabulous, but do book well ahead.
Although I have focused mainly on winter sports holidays for families based in the Basel area, the information remains valid for families living in other parts of Switzerland or visiting the country from abroad. Throughout the Swiss Winter Sports database distances and directions from other major population centres are provided. Approximate transit times from Basel are listed at the Travelling from Basel page, from Zurich at the Travelling from Zurich page, from Bern at the Travelling from Bern page and from Luzern at the Travelling from Luzern page.
One question I often get asked by other parents is how feasible it is to travel by train and bus to a resort when you are burdened with buggies, ski gear and the little darlings themselves. I can assure you it is entirely practical, and we have been doing it for many years since before the kids could even walk. Those double decker trains, by the way, invariably have a family carriage at one of the ends with a play area inside. If you are well organised, you can even get Swiss Rail to send your gear to the nearest railway station to your resort in advance of your trip. Of course you can also drive to all of the resorts listed here, although the car-free resorts will require that you use a cableway, train or Shank's pony for the last leg.
Below are details of some resorts to consider visiting - click on a column head to sort the table. "Snow'n'Rail" is the scheme operated by Swiss Rail whereby at certain resorts you will get a significant discount if you book your rail (and, if applicable, bus) travel together with your ski pass. The "Family" designation referenced below is awarded by the Swiss Tourist Board to certain resorts which are especially family-friendly. The distances and times given from Basel are representative, but individual resort pages give more details of travel from all major cities.
Resort | Region | Language | Locality | Bottom m | Top m | Piste km | Snow'n'Rail | Station | Family | Car-free | Spa | Toboggan | Basel | Basel | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adelboden | Bernese Oberland | Swiss German | Bern | 1068 | 2362 | 205 | Y | Y | 2 hrs 35 mins | 2 hrs | 158 km | ||||
Airolo | Ticino | Italian | Ticino | 1700 | 2250 | 30 | Y | Y | 2 hrs 57 mins | 2 hrs | 183 km | ||||
Aletsch Arena | Valais | Swiss German | Valais | 1845 | 2869 | 104 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | 2 hrs 38 mins | 3 hrs | 221 km | |
Alt St Johann | Eastern Switzerland | Swiss German | St Gallen | 900 | 2262 | 50 | Y | Y | 3 hrs 20 mins | 2 hrs | 179 km | ||||
Andermatt | Central Switzerland | Swiss German | Uri | 1444 | 2963 | 120 | Y | Y | Y | 2 hrs 56 mins | 2 hrs | 167 km | |||
Anzère | Valais | French | Valais | 1500 | 2420 | 58 | Y | Y | 3 hrs 22 mins | 3 hrs | 265 km | ||||
Arolla | Valais | French | Valais | 2000 | 2980 | 47 | 3 hrs 53 mins | 3 hrs 14 mins | 287 km | ||||||
Arosa | Graubünden | Swiss German | Graubünden | 1230 | 2865 | 225 | Y | Y | Y | Y | 3 hrs 36 mins | 3 hrs | 232 km | ||
Belalp | Valais | Swiss German | Valais | 1750 | 3112 | 60 | Y | Y | Y | 2 hrs 39 mins | 3 hrs 30 mins | 214 km | |||
Bettmeralp | Valais | Swiss German | Valais | 1970 | 2647 | 104 | Y | Y | Y | 2 hrs 38 mins | 3 hrs 40 mins | 236 km | |||
Braunwald | Eastern Switzerland | Swiss German | Glarus | 1300 | 1905 | 30 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | 2 hrs 37 mins | 2 hrs | 172 km | |
Brigels | Graubünden | Romansh | Graubünden | 1100 | 2418 | 75 | Y | Y | Y | 3 hrs 29 mins | 3 hrs | 220 km | |||
Bruson | Valais | French | Valais | 1080 | 2220 | 26 | Y | 3 hrs 21 mins | 2 hrs 38 mins | 246 km | |||||
Caux | Lake Geneva Region | French | Vaud | 1161 | 2322 | 8 | Y | 3 hrs 37 mins | 2 hrs 8 mins | 190 km | |||||
Celerina | Graubünden | Swiss German | Graubünden | 1750 | 3057 | 163 | Y | Y | 4 hrs 20 mins | 3 hrs 28 mins | 291 km | ||||
Chamonix | France | French | Haute-Savoie | 1035 | 3842 | 170 | Y | 5 hrs | 3 hrs 10 mins | 268 km | |||||
Champéry | Valais | French | Valais | 1050 | 2250 | 603 | Y | Y | Y | 3 hrs 57 mins | 2 hrs 30 mins | 226 km | |||
Chandolin | Valais | French | Valais | 2000 | 3000 | 60 | 2 hrs 43 mins | 3 hrs 11 mins | 289 km | ||||||
Château-d'Oex | Lake Geneva Region | French | Vaud | 1001 | 1650 | 30 | Y | Y | Y | 3 hrs 11 mins | 2 hrs 15 mins | 182 km | |||
Crans-Montana | Valais | French | Valais | 1500 | 3000 | 140 | Y | Y | Y | Y | 3 hrs 7 mins | 3 hrs | 273 km | ||
Davos | Graubünden | Swiss German | Graubünden | 810 | 2844 | 279 | Y | Y | Y | Y | 3 hrs 22 mins | 2 hrs 45 mins | 232 km | ||
Diavolezza | Graubünden | Swiss German | Graubünden | 2093 | 2978 | 35 | Y | Y | 4 hrs 50 mins | 3 hrs 39 mins | 306 km | ||||
Disentis | Graubünden | Swiss German | Graubünden | 1227 | 2833 | 60 | Y | Y | Y | 3 hrs 38 mins | 3 hrs 15 mins | 262 km | |||
Elm | Eastern Switzerland | Swiss German | Glarus | 1000 | 2100 | 40 | Y | 2 hrs 48 mins | 2 hrs 2 mins | 174 km | |||||
Engelberg | Central Switzerland | Swiss German | Obwalden | 1050 | 3020 | 82 | Y | Y | Y | Y | 1 hr 49 mins | 1 hr 40 mins | 131 km | ||
Feldberg | Germany | German | Black Forest | 945 | 1493 | 55 | Y | Y | Y | 1 hr 45 mins | 1 hr 10 mins | 73 km | |||
Fiescheralp | Valais | Swiss German | Valais | 1845 | 2869 | 104 | Y | Y | Y | Y | 2 hrs 58 mins | 3 hrs | 221 km | ||
Flims Laax Falera | Graubünden | Swiss German | Graubünden | 1100 | 3018 | 224 | Y | Y | Y | 2 hrs 48 mins | 2 hrs 30 mins | 222 km | |||
Flumserberg | Eastern Switzerland | Swiss German | St Gallen | 1220 | 2222 | 65 | Y | Y | Y | Y | 2 hrs 29 mins | 2 hrs | 180 km | ||
Glacier 3000 | Lake Geneva Region | French | Vaud | 1350 | 3000 | 28 | 3 hrs 47 mins | 2 hrs 30 mins | 222 km | ||||||
Goms | Valais | Swiss German | Valais | 1400 | 1580 | 5 | Y | 3 hrs 7 mins | 2 hrs 40 mins | 210 km | |||||
Grächen | Valais | Swiss German | Valais | 1619 | 2864 | 44 | Y | Y | Y | 3 hrs 14 mins | 3 hrs 30 mins | 216 km | |||
Grimentz | Valais | French | Valais | 1572 | 2900 | 115 | 3 hrs 43 mins | 3 hrs 10 mins | 286 km | ||||||
Grindelwald | Bernese Oberland | Swiss German | Bern | 1049 | 2500 | 160 | Y | Y | Y | 2 hrs 38 mins | 2 hrs 10 mins | 166 km | |||
Grüsch-Danusa | Graubünden | Swiss German | Graubünden | 1250 | 1800 | 32 | Y | 2 hrs 21 mins | 2 hrs | 196 km | |||||
Gstaad | Bernese Oberland | Swiss German | Bern | 1200 | 2971 | 58 | Y | Y | 2 hrs 52 mins | 2 hrs 10 mins | 178 km | ||||
Hoch-Ybrig | Central Switzerland | Swiss German | Schwyz | 1050 | 1831 | 50 | Y | 2 hrs 31 mins | 2 hrs | 143 km | |||||
Klewenalp | Central Switzerland | Swiss German | Nidwalden | 1279 | 2001 | 40 | Y | Y | Y | 1 hr 53 mins | 1 hr 35 mins | 127 km | |||
Klosters | Graubünden | Swiss German | Graubünden | 810 | 2844 | 279 | Y | Y | 2 hrs 52 mins | 2 hrs 30 mins | 221 km | ||||
Lenk i. S. | Bernese Oberland | Swiss German | Bern | 1068 | 2362 | 182 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | 3 hrs | 2 hrs 20 mins | 179 km | |
Lenzerheide | Graubünden | Swiss German | Graubünden | 1230 | 2865 | 225 | Y | Y | Y | 3 hrs 6 mins | 2 hrs 30 mins | 223 km | |||
Les Diablerets | Lake Geneva Region | French | Vaud | 1200 | 3000 | 84 | Y | Y | 3 hrs 47 mins | 2 hrs 20 mins | 226 km | ||||
Les Marécottes | Valais | French | Valais | 1100 | 2200 | 28 | Y | Y | 3 hrs 33 mins | 2 hrs 24 mins | 232 km | ||||
Leukerbad | Valais | Swiss German | Valais | 1411 | 2610 | 55 | Y | Y | Y | 3 hrs 16 mins | 3 hrs 10 mins | 285 km | |||
Leysin | Lake Geneva Region | French | Vaud | 1350 | 2205 | 100 | Y | Y | 3 hrs 48 mins | 2 hrs 30 mins | 215 km | ||||
Lötschental | Valais | Swiss German | Valais | 1968 | 3111 | 55 | Y | Y | Y | 2 hrs 47 mins | 2 hrs 45 mins | 184 km | |||
Lungern | Central Switzerland | Swiss German | Obwalden | 1550 | 2205 | 24 | Y | 2 hrs 26 mins | 1 hr 30 mins | 131 km | |||||
Malbun | Eastern Switzerland | Swiss German | Liechtenstein | 1300 | 2000 | 23 | Y | Y | 2 hrs 52 mins | 2 hrs 25 mins | 202 km | ||||
Meiringen | Bernese Oberland | Swiss German | Bern | 1061 | 2433 | 60 | Y | Y | Y | Y | 2 hrs 34 mins | 1 hr 30 mins | 145 km | ||
Melchsee-Frutt | Central Switzerland | Swiss German | Obwalden | 1080 | 2255 | 36 | Y | Y | 2 hrs 12 mins | 1 hr 40 mins | 137 km | ||||
Moléson | Fribourg Region | French | Fribourg | 1100 | 2002 | 30 | Y | Y | 2 hrs 53 mins | 1 hr 45 mins | 161 km | ||||
Mürren | Bernese Oberland | Swiss German | Bern | 1650 | 2971 | 54 | Y | Y | Y | Y | 2 hrs 14 mins | 2 hrs | 171 km | ||
Nendaz | Valais | French | Valais | 1350 | 3330 | 412 | Y | Y | Y | 3 hrs 21 mins | 2 hrs 50 mins | 254 km | |||
Obersaxen | Graubünden | Swiss German | Graubünden | 1201 | 2310 | 120 | Y | 3 hrs 22 mins | 2 hrs 40 mins | 242 km | |||||
Ovronnaz | Valais | French | Valais | 1350 | 2500 | 30 | Y | Y | 3 hrs 40 mins | 2 hrs 36 mins | 245 km | ||||
Pizol | Eastern Switzerland | Swiss German | St Gallen | 1045 | 2250 | 43 | Y | Y | Y | Y | 2 hrs 20 mins | 2 hrs 40 mins | 205 km | ||
Pontresina | Graubünden | Swiss German | Graubünden | 2093 | 2978 | 9 | Y | Y | 4 hrs 50 mins | 3 hrs 40 mins | 295 km | ||||
Riederalp | Valais | Swiss German | Valais | 1950 | 2335 | 104 | Y | Y | Y | Y | 2 hrs 35 mins | 3 hrs 30 mins | 230 km | ||
Rougemont | Lake Geneva Region | French | Vaud | 992 | 2284 | 62 | Y | 3 hrs 05 mins | 2 hrs 10 mins | 180 km | |||||
Saanen | Bernese Oberland | Swiss German | Bern | 992 | 2284 | 86 | Y | Y | 3 hrs 1 min | 2 hrs 11 mins | 176 km | ||||
Saas-Fee | Valais | Swiss German | Valais | 1483 | 3600 | 100 | Y | Y | Y | 3 hrs 10 mins | 3 hrs 30 mins | 219 km | |||
Saas-Grund | Valais | Swiss German | Valais | 1560 | 3200 | 35 | Y | Y | 2 hrs 44 mins | 3 hrs 28 mins | 220 km | ||||
Savognin | Graubünden | Romansh | Graubünden | 1200 | 2713 | 80 | Y | Y | 3 hrs 42 mins | 2 hrs 40 mins | 249 km | ||||
Scuol | Graubünden | Romansh | Graubünden | 1250 | 2783 | 70 | Y | Y | Y | Y | 3 hrs 43 mins | 3 hrs 30 mins | 262 km | ||
Sedrun | Graubünden | Romansh | Graubünden | 1500 | 2350 | 120 | Y | Y | Y | 4 hrs 02 mins | 3 hrs 20 mins | 271 km | |||
Silvaplana | Graubünden | Swiss German | Graubünden | 1750 | 3303 | 120 | Y | 4 hrs 50 mins | 3 hrs 16 mins | 282 km | |||||
Sörenberg | Central Switzerland | Swiss German | Luzern | 1166 | 2350 | 53 | Y | Y | 2 hrs 32 mins | 1 hr 30 mins | 106 km | ||||
Splügen | Graubünden | Swiss German | Graubünden | 1460 | 2215 | 30 | Y | 3 hrs 30 mins | 3 hrs | 253 km | |||||
St Moritz | Graubünden | Swiss German | Graubünden | 1750 | 3303 | 163 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | 4 hrs 25 mins | 3 hrs 20 mins | 295 km | |
St-Luc | Valais | French | Valais | 1650 | 3000 | 60 | 3 hrs 43 mins | 3 hrs 10 mins | 284 km | ||||||
Stoos | Central Switzerland | Swiss German | Schwyz | 1300 | 1935 | 35 | Y | Y | Y | 2 hrs 21 mins | 1 hr 55 mins | 151 km | |||
Unterwasser | Eastern Switzerland | Swiss German | St Gallen | 900 | 2262 | 60 | Y | Y | 3 hrs 20 mins | 2 hrs 8 mins | 181 km | ||||
Vals | Graubünden | Swiss German | Graubünden | 1250 | 3000 | 25 | Y | Y | 3 hrs 38 mins | 2 hrs 58 mins | 253 km | ||||
Verbier | Valais | French | Valais | 1500 | 3330 | 412 | Y | Y | Y | 3 hrs 21 mins | 2 hrs 50 mins | 251 km | |||
Veysonnaz | Valais | French | Valais | 1350 | 3330 | 412 | Y | 3 hrs 17 mins | 2 hrs 45 mins | 260 km | |||||
Villars | Lake Geneva Region | French | Vaud | 1300 | 3000 | 84 | Y | Y | Y | 3 hrs 31 mins | 2 hrs 25 mins | 212 km | |||
Wengen | Bernese Oberland | Swiss German | Bern | 1274 | 2320 | 162 | Y | Y | Y | Y | 2 hrs 14 mins | 1 hr 50 mins | 159 km | ||
Wildhaus | Eastern Switzerland | Swiss German | St Gallen | 900 | 2262 | 60 | Y | Y | 3 hrs 20 mins | 2 hrs 10 mins | 184 km | ||||
Zermatt | Valais | Swiss German | Valais | 1620 | 3899 | 360 | Y | Y | Y | 3 hrs 24 mins | 3 hrs 40 mins | 229 km | |||
Zinal | Valais | French | Valais | 1670 | 3000 | 115 | 3 hrs 43 mins | 3 hrs 30 mins | 290 km | ||||||
Zweisimmen | Bernese Oberland | Swiss German | Bern | 950 | 2008 | 85 | Y | Y | Y | 2 hrs 19 mins | 1 hr 55 mins | 163 km | |||
St Anton | Austria | German | Tyrol | 1304 | 2811 | 340 | Y | 4 hrs 7 mins | 3 hrs 10 mins | 268 km |
Feldberg Ski Resort in the Black Forest is close enough to Basel to be able to pop over for a few hours skiing while the kids are at school, and despite being relatively low has a suprisingly good snow record. The resort also has excellent facilities for children, learners and for doing other winter sports (including ski lessons in English). There is a two kilometre toboggan run at the Seebuck section in Feldberg, and you can hire toboggans from the Thoma shop there. Other good places in the Black Forest for tobogganing, include Kandel, Friedenweiler, St. Blasien, Breitnau and Menzenschwand. In Altglashuetten there is a short toboggan run served by a "magic carpet" lift. Above Lake Titisee the floodlit one kilometre run down to the lake from Lenzkirch-Saig is served by a toboggan bus from Titisee itself where you can also hire toboggans - and there is snowtubing at the top. Even when there is no snow you can also take the Hasenhorn roller coaster at Todtnau, also served by a chairlift.
For tobogganing in Basel itself we like to use the park at Margarethen or some of the hills in Bruderholz, such as the field at Hechtliacker.
The closest lift-served toboggan run to Basel in Switzerland is not at a ski resort. It is at Wasserfallen in Baselland. You can get there by bus, taking the number 70 from Aschenplatz via Liestal to Reigoldswil where there is a gondola to take you to the top. The bus runs every half hour and takes just over an hour to get to Reigoldswil Dorf where you have a ten minute walk to the gondola. There is also car parking at the gondola bottom station. You can hire toboggans at the lifts, but it is also a glorious destination for family-friendly winter walks.
Even closer to Basel, there is one winter sport that you can actually pursue in the city itself, even when there is no snow - ice skating! There are rinks at Eglisee and Margarethan and, for budding ice hockey enthusiasts, there are introductory courses run at St. Jakob and Margarethan. Also at St. Jakob, the professional Ice Hockey team, EHC Basel Sharks, plays matches in the National League Division B.
Basel's Christmas market is fabulous, but for a bit of variety the Christmas market in Colmar is well worth the trip. The railway station is about a fifteen minute walk from the centre of town.
For more ideas about what to do in Basel with families, visit Basel in English, Play Basel or Basel Life.