A Family Ski Day with a Perfect Finish

Less than 90 minutes from Zurich, Elm is a great choice for a fun family ski day. The base station is easy to reach and a gondola ride up to Ämpächli at nearly 1,500 meters above sea level drops you right into the heart of a winter playground. In the kids’ arena, little ones can take their first turns on two magic carpets and practice on small jumps, arches and other playful obstacles designed to build confidence and skills. A tipi and plenty of seating make it easy to take warm-up breaks in between runs.

Right next door, the small Ämpächli ski lift lets slightly older kids carve their first real turns on a wide, sunny slope high above the mountain village of Elm.

From here, the six-seat Schabell chairlift climbs to over 2,000 meters above sea level, where the main slopes begin — and so do the views. Across the valley rise the dramatic Tschingelhörner peaks, with their nine sharp summits and the famous Martinsloch. It’s a striking reminder of how, millions of years ago, massive layers of rock were pushed over one another during the formation of the Alps. You don’t need to be a geologist to be impressed. No wonder the Sardona Tectonic Arena is a UNESCO World Heritage Site — one of only four natural heritage regions in Switzerland.

After taking in the mountain views, it’s time to turn back to what we came for: the slopes. The start at the top of the Schabell chairlift feels a bit like stepping onto a small stage. You drop over a short, steep roll (the farther left you go, the gentler it gets) and glide straight onto the run — a great way to kick things off. Turn right for the blue run down to the valley or head left and take on the legendary Vreni Schneider run, where confident skiers can really let their skis go.

For lunch, we head to Ämpächli, right in the heart of the ski area next to the kids’ area. At the self-service mountain restaurant, you’ll find classic ski day favorites along with a salad bar. When the weather’s good, the terrace is perfect for soaking up the sun — once again with clear views of the Tschingelhörner peaks.

Another great place to eat is the Munggä Hüttä, located right beside the ski run. From Ämpächli, it can also be reached via a winter hiking trail in just over an hour. It’s an ideal meeting spot if not everyone in your group wants to ski and some prefer a relaxed winter walk instead.

An unexpected highlight wraps up the day. From Ämpächli, you can race down the four-kilometer sled run all the way to the base station. We rent our sleds right at the gondola station and send our skis down by lift, where they’re already waiting for us when we arrive.

Ski boots work surprisingly well for steering. Our boys were a little unsure at first and wanted to ride with an adult on the first run, but a few turns in, all doubts were gone. Of course, we went back up for another round — this time, everyone on their own sled. The perfect end to a fantastic winter day, all less than 90 minutes from Zurich.