Toggenburg – A winter wonderland for families

Toggenburg is located in the East of Switzerland and truly is a paradise for families. There is a Kids Park at all three of its base lodges where children can learn and practice in a playful way. In addition, there is another Kids Park at the exit of the lift called Unterwasser-Iltios. At the exit of the gondola called Alt St. Johann-Sellamatt there is a rope-tow leading directly to a lift especially designed for children. Thus, it forms the perfect transfer between Kids Park and usual trails.

Great Activities for Children

There is also a lot to explore besides the trails. Toggi’s Kinderprogram at “Haus des Gastes” (House of the Guest” at the curling center Wildhaus includes a puppet theatre, donkey hikes and a children’s disco. Thus, fun is guaranteed at Toggenburg! It enables parents to have time to scale the summit of the resort using the mountain railway “Iltios-Chäserrugg”. Once you are up there you can enjoy stunning views of the 7 summits of Churfirsten and your ski run through finest snow.

Simply Enjoy Winter

If you want to take a day off the trails there are many other great activities available for families. Hike through the wonderful winter landscape of Toggenburg, enjoy a sleigh ride leading you through the old village or try the toboggan run! One thing is for sure: Your holiday at Toggenburg will one to remember and all members of your family will have a pleasant time!

Hotel Edelweiss & Gurgl Austria

The Edelweiss is located adjacent to snow sure slopes. This fabulous resort is located at the far end of the Otz Valley. It sits among challenging peaks and glaciers. There are a wide range of blue and red runs. Conditions are best from November through May.

Non-skiers can explore the village of Festkogel for unique shopping opportunities. There is an active night life too. The resort features indoor pools, spas, steam rooms and gym. Massages are offered by local vendors. There is also an in-house ski and sports shop.

The resort offers first-class accommodations. The hunting-style lodge offers and authentic ski chalet atmosphere. All the modern amenities are standard in the spacious rooms. There is a breakfast buffet and four-course dinner daily. There are various room options from two bedroom suites to standard twin rooms. The resort is somewhat intimate with only one hundred and thirty rooms.

Alpe d’Huez, Chalet Sarenne

This Chalet is in the heart of the Alpe d’Huez, and is a charming traditional Chalet that has recently been given a fantastic plush refurbishment keeping all the original charm just a lovely place to come back to after a solid days hitting the slopes. This Luxury Chalet has an open plan lounge, a hot tub, and amazing views over the very peaks of the National Park.

The Alpe d’Huez resort if fantastic for beginners with lots of long green runs, and the central bowl is split into different zones catering for lots of different levels abilities so you intermediate and advanced skiers will be happy to. As you will see Alpe d huez skiing offers a wonderful expansive skiing experience and staying in the heart of the resort you are 10 minutes away from the lifts and facilities such as bar, restaurants and a fabulous ice rink and its touches like that as to why it makes our top four.

Badrutts Palace Hotel St. Moritz, Switzerland

Badrutts sits in the Swiss Alps just above the village of St. Moritz. There is something for everyone here, from beginners to experts. Any winter sport imaginable is offered in the area. Ice skating, cross country skiing, snowboarding, and more are all within easy access.

Non- skiers will find plenty to occupy their time too. Pools, sauna, health club, spa and more will fill the days. Shopping abounds in St. Moritz. There are a plethora of restaurants to sample. For the sports oriented there are indoor tennis, ice skating rink, and gym on the premises.

Rooms are magnificent each one has a different theme. There are 165 rooms in categories from suites to standards. They all feature marble bathrooms, designer amenities, and exquisite linens. The staff is fabulous and stands ready to help at a moment’s notice. This hotel offers a contemporary feel in a historical content. This is luxury.

Chalet du Mont d’Arbois, Megeve France

High in the French Alps sits this luxury chalet. The resort aims to fit into the environment and take advantage of the beauty of the area. This is one of France’s original resorts, opened in the 1920s. It has always been known as a high-end hotel that caters to the rich and famous.

Guest rooms are free standing apartments. They are decorated and decked out in the best of the best. No expense was spared to create a memorable experience for guests. Large fireplaces, leather furnishings and lavish baths create the perfect chateau feel. Guest are pampered with a choice of five restaurants offering chef prepared cuisine.

Skiers will enjoy a sure snow situation with lifts appropriate for all ages. Non-skiers can enjoy a day at the spa or spend time shopping. Guests who like to be active can go swimming, or visit the gym. Personal trainers are available to enhance the experience.

Northern Europe

Sweden is home to the longest ski season on the continent with the slopes not loosing their lustre until the depths of July – Riksgransen is so cold and dark that the season doesn’t even kick off until February, but is open into June with 24 hours of daylight from late May. Norway has three summer ski areas, though in 2010 unusually warm weather led to early closure on the slopes.

Central Europe

Whilst the traditional central European ski season runs through from October to Easter, there are still summer ski options available. The Cairngorm ski area in the Scottish Highlands is open until the start of June; in Italy three glacial areas offer summer slopes; the Sierra Nevada in Spain also has an impressive snow record with up to five metres and skiing well into May; whilst in Switzerland, Zermatt is the only resort in Europe that offers skiing 365 days of the year.

North America

Officially the coldest country in the world, Canada also offers some of the most desirable skiing destinations in the world with record breaking snowfall and riding right the way into the summer months. In the United States, Colorado, California, Utah and Oregon all boast seasons right the way through to May.

South America

South of the equator enthusiasts will find the winter season in full swing from Easter to October. In South America, Chile’s Valle Nevado boasts some record temperatures and reliable snow fall, whilst in Argentina Las Lenas and Catedral are home to some of the continent’s deepest snow fall on upper slopes.

Australasia

During the winter months Australia is home to hundreds of runs across ten great locations, some of which are just a day’s trip away from the beaches of Melbourne. Whilst over in New Zealand options are available most of the year with the South Island home to the breathtaking Southern Alps that offer some form of snow year round.

Africa

In South Africa the ideal season runs from June to August and Lesotho has rapidly established itself as the destination of choice with all manner of apre ski options developing. ‘The roof of Africa’ boasts temperatures as low as -13C with natural and manufactured snow serving the slopes. Head north of the continent to Morocco and the High Atlas for slopes and snow in January and February.

All the same, even without the vertical drop onto the side of a mountain, heli-skiing still offers plenty of thrills as you get to experience a whole different type of terrain: far from the controlled areas you’re probably used to. As such, it is required that you are of at least intermediate level before you even attempt heli-skiing. The cost of the helicopter is rather large too, so make sure you’ve got a lot of money tucked away! Similarly, don’t expect to be going alone, it’s normally done in groups, which is good for you as it spreads the cost.

One last thing to be careful of – Heli-skiing is very different on the North American continent than in Europe. In the U.S. and Canada, expect to have the helicopter treated pretty much like a super-ski-lift and to be taken down paths that don’t involve much more than just your normal downward skiing skills. In Europe, you tend to be taken to a high peak and left to make your way back to the road (with a guide of course). This can involve a little bit of ski mountaineering. You have been warned!

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Photo credits: Photo by Circumerro.