Flumserberg (Tannenheim, Tannenbodenalp, Bergheim)
This is where most of our Eastern Switzerland properties are. Flumserberg is a ski and walking area on a plateau above the Walensee, facing the cliffs of the Churfirsten across the lake. The slopes suit beginners and intermediates, and there are sledge runs and an alpine coaster. You can drive up from Flums or take the gondola from Unterterzen. Zurich airport is about an hour away, which makes weekends here busy.
Best for: Families who want a ski area an hour from Zurich
Not for you if: You want a historic village centre: Flumserberg is a spread of chalets and apartment blocks.
The Walensee shore (Unterterzen, Mols, Quinten, Walenstadt, Oberterzen)
The Walensee is a long, deep lake hemmed in by mountains. Unterterzen and Mols are lakeside villages on the south shore with water sports hire and a gondola up to Flumserberg. Quinten, on the north shore, has no road: you arrive by boat or on foot, and it grows figs and vines in its sheltered climate. Walenstadt has a large lido. Zurich is around an hour by car or train.
Best for: Summer swimming, paddleboards and lake walks under steep cliffs
Not for you if: You want sun all day in winter: the south shore loses it early behind the mountains.
The Toggenburg (Wildhaus, Unterwasser, Alt St. Johann, Nesslau, Krummenau, Stein, Ebnat-Kappel)
Wildhaus, Unterwasser and Alt St. Johann share the Toggenburg ski area on the north side of the Churfirsten. From Unterwasser a funicular and cable car climb to the Chäserrugg, whose summit restaurant was designed by Herzog and de Meuron. In summer there is the Klangweg sound trail and walks to the Thur waterfalls. The lower villages such as Nesslau and Krummenau are cheaper and quieter. Zurich is about an hour and a quarter away.
Best for: Families and walkers who want ski lifts and views of the Säntis
Not for you if: You want high, snow-sure skiing: the slopes are mostly below 2,300 metres and the season varies.
Appenzell and the hills (Appenzell, Gais, Urnäsch, Schwellbrunn, Heiden, Wolfhalden, Rehetobel)
Appenzell town has painted house fronts and cheese shops, and from nearby Wasserauen a cable car climbs to the Ebenalp, the Wildkirchli caves and the Aescher cliff guesthouse. The Säntis cable car leaves from Schwägalp, around 20 minutes from Urnäsch. Further north, Heiden, Wolfhalden and Rehetobel look out over Lake Constance, and a rack railway runs down from Heiden to Rorschach. St. Gallen is close, and Zurich about an hour and a quarter away.
Best for: Walkers, cheese-lovers and anyone after traditional villages
Not for you if: You want much downhill skiing: there are only small local lifts.
Bad Ragaz and Heidiland (Bad Ragaz, Valens, Pfäfers, Maienfeld, Mels)
Bad Ragaz is a spa town with the large Tamina thermal baths, and a walk up the Tamina gorge leads to the old baths at Pfäfers. Valens sits above the gorge. Maienfeld is surrounded by vineyards and is the setting for the Heidi stories, with a Heidi village above the town. The Pizol ski and walking area starts from Bad Ragaz and Wangs. Zurich is about an hour by motorway or train.
Best for: Thermal baths, vineyards and easy access to Graubünden
Not for you if: You want a big ski area on the doorstep: Pizol is mid-sized and Davos is around an hour away.
