Atzmännig

I found out about this ski resort recently and was really excited to check it out because it's less than an hour's drive from Zürich and only CHF 35 for a day lift ticket. They also accept REKA-cards, and there is free parking... so what's not to like?

Unfortunately, I didn't get to go until today, but we lucked out with the reduced price of only CHF 29!! Woo-hoo!! Score!!! No idea why they reduced the prices today, but perhaps because the weather was nice and sunny. Almost like snowboarding at Mountain High in California. I had to peel off my layers after the first run because it was so warm. Yeah, the snow was a bit patchy in places and more icy than powder, but at least I wasn't freezing my butt off like when I was in Davos or Arosa.

Too bad the card reader malfunctioned in the restaurant at lunch, so I had to pay with cash instead of my REKA-card. But usually they should also accept REKA-cards there.

The resort is quite small, but it's perfect for beginners to practice without the huge crowds you get in Flumserberg and in other resorts. Quite family-friendly with lots of kids about.

There is only one chair lift, and the rest are those T-bar type things, so I only rode the chair lift. But it takes you to a long blue slope which is perfect to practice on. If you get better, then you can graduate to several red slopes using the same chair lift.

I didn't quite manage the red slopes today because the blue one was tough enough. It's actually quite steep, so good for snowboarders. But it was actually a bit too steep for me to practice carving properly. I chickened out and began braking about halfway down because I was picking up too much speed. But very good because there isn't so much walking at flat spots or even uphill parts like you find in other resorts that have the blue runs more geared towards skiers instead of snowboarders.

All-in-all, a great find close to Zürich for beginners and families. There's no Après-ski scene if you are into that, but for someone new who needs to practice and doesn't want to shell out big bucks for a place where you don't even go on most of the runs, then this is perfect!