What It Costs to Ski in Switzerland

Skiing in Europe is not really as expensive as I thought it would be.  Maybe that's only in the small town of Adelboden though, where we'll be staying.  Perhaps I should price Chamonix, Courchevel, Klosters and St. Moritz before I generalize.  I'm pretty sure only royals and celebrities can afford the powder there.

I was concerned over what we would find to do in Switzerland on New Year's Day since just about every site, activity, and restaurant will be closed for the holiday, so I was relieved when told that all slopes would be open!  The holiday is, in fact, a major ski day for Europeans.

My daughter's first time snowboarding.

The cost of a full-day lift ticket that covers all five of Adelboden's mountain areas is 60 CHF for adults, 51 CHF for youths ages 16 - 19, and 33 CHF for children ages 6 - 15, and includes the local ski bus network.  Equipment rental is available at several locations in town and also near the gondola station.  Adult skis and poles or a snowboard generally rent for 39 CHF (19 CHF for juniors ages 7 - 12 years, 12 CHF for kids 6 and under) and adult boots for 19 CHF (12 CHF for juniors, 9 CHF for kids).

Several of the girls in our group have never skied before and will be taking lessons.  A 3 hour group lesson is 67 CHF per person.  Private lessons for groups up to 10 people are 145 CHF for 2 hours.

Adelboden has many cross-country trails, walking and snowshoeing paths, and numerous mountain restaurants.  There is also a professionally designed snowboarding park with three kicklines, a slide zone, an obstacle course and an airpark.  I have no idea what any of those things are, but they sound like terrific fun!