The brief: a family of four, six nights in Andermatt with one night in Zurich to ease the journey home. The Chedi as home base — one of the finest mountain hotels in Europe, and one of the few places where a black tie New Year's Eve and a six-year-old's ski lesson can exist in the same week without either feeling like a compromise. The goal: a proper family ski holiday with enough built in that December 31st becomes the New Year the children talk about for years.
Day 1 — December 28 · Fly Zurich, Private Car to Andermatt
Land at Zurich and clear customs into a private car waiting on the other side — no transfers, no logistics, straight into the mountains. The drive to Andermatt takes roughly two hours through some of the most dramatic Alpine scenery in Switzerland, the kind that reminds you why people have been coming here for a century. Arrive at The Chedi in the afternoon. First dinner at The Chedi's Japanese restaurant — unhurried, no agenda. The first night is for arriving.
Day 2 — December 29 · First Day on the Slopes
Ski Butler has everything ready: fitted equipment waiting, nothing to organize. Peter from Alpine Sports is the quarterback of the morning — making sure every piece of equipment is right, every lesson is confirmed, and everyone gets where they need to be without the parents managing a single detail. First of three days with private ski instructors for the children. Instructor Pia connected so naturally on the first lesson that she stayed with the children for all three days, which turned out to be exactly right.
Adults ski together while the children are in good hands. Lunch at Wachtuus, the mid-mountain restaurant with the kind of views that make you forget to look at the menu.
Afternoon back at the hotel: the spa for the adults, the Chedi Kids Club for the children. Erica runs the whole program — structured activities, outdoor time when the weather cooperates, and the kind of warmth that makes children ask to go back every day.
Dinner at The Ochsen in town — traditional Swiss fare in a room that looks exactly like it should.
Day 3 — December 30 · Back on the Mountain
Second ski lesson for the children in the morning — by now they are finding their legs and the mountain is starting to make sense. Adults push further into the ski area.
Lunch at Alp Hitta on the slopes — a proper sit-down with a view, inside or out depending on the weather, the kind of mountain lunch that earns its place in the day. NätschenArena is worth finding as well — they take reservations but walk-ins are typically seated within minutes, indoor and outdoor dining, and the views justify the detour.
Dinner at L'Ambasciatore, an Italian restaurant a short drive up from The Chedi — a welcome change of pace mid-week, and a hit.
Day 4 — December 31 · Llama Trek, New Year's Eve
The private llama trek in the morning with Huib as guide and Rolf, the farm owner, on hand to welcome the group. The trek runs roughly two to two and a half hours with some flexibility to shorten the walk if needed. The children were in heaven, the laughter was constant, and Huib's warmth and Rolf's hospitality made it one of the memories of the trip. Book in advance — this fills up.
Back to the hotel to prepare for the evening. The Chedi Kids Club stays open until midnight on New Year's Eve — the one night of the year — which means the children have their own proper celebration while the adults are fully present at theirs.
Black tie dinner for the parents. The Chedi's New Year's gala is one of the great Alpine celebrations: a long table, exceptional food, the countdown at midnight in the mountains. A New Year's Eve that works for everyone in the family at the same time.
Day 5 — January 1 · New Year's Day in Andermatt
Final ski lesson for the children in the morning — three days with Pia, and the confidence shows. Adults make the most of the last full ski day.
Lunch at Riders Haven — Hotel Bergidyll, directly across from The Chedi. A great family feel, good food, and a room that welcomes children without making adults feel like they've wandered into a cafeteria. Better for lunch than dinner, though dinner works too.
A stop at Spycher for après-ski if the timing works — great pizza, genuinely casual, reservations are the safer call. Last dinner at The Chedi — the meal that closes the trip properly.
Day 6 — January 2 · Private Car to Zurich, One Night
Private car back to Zurich in the morning — the same road in reverse, the mountains receding in the window. Check in to a Zurich hotel with enough afternoon left to walk the old town, cross the Limmat, have a fondue that the children will request every winter for the next decade. Early night. Bags packed.
Day 7 — January 3 · Fly Home
Early departure from Zurich. The trip that earned it.
A note on The Chedi Kids Club. Erica runs it with the kind of energy and warmth that makes children ask to go back every single day. Activities are structured but never rigid — indoor and outdoor, age-appropriate, and genuinely fun. Hours are daily until 6pm, with the exception of New Year's Eve when the club stays open until midnight. It is one of the best children's programs we have encountered at any hotel anywhere.
A note on Alpine Sports & Ski School. Peter at Ski Butler handled all equipment logistics flawlessly — the right gear, the right fit, everyone where they needed to be each morning. Instructor Pia connected so naturally with the children on day one that she stayed with them for all three lessons. Alpine Sports comes with our full recommendation for families.
A note on the Llama Trek. Guide Huib is warm, patient, and genuinely good with children. The trek is listed at three hours but runs closer to two to two and a half, with flexibility to shorten if needed. Rolf's farm is a genuine operation, not a tourist attraction — and that authenticity is exactly what makes it special. Book in advance.
