How about Arosa? It is a beautiful, family-oriented resort. Good skiing for beginners and it has a huge kids-only ski area. Another good thing about Arosa is that it also has many walking trails for non-skiers.

A good place for your family could be the Bettmeralp. It's family oriented there are many beginner slopes, winter hikes, and other winter activities. The village is car free and in 2000 meters altitude with a great view, that even includes the Matterhorn. It's just 40 minutes by cable car and train to Brig. In the same ski area is the Riederalp, which is a bit smaller but very similar to the Bettmeralp. see www.bettmeralp.ch, www.riederalp.ch, http://ski.intermaps.ch/aletsch/

An nice place for families is also the Lenzerheide right next to Arosa: www.lenzerheide.ch

There are many more possible ski resorts, but it depends what you are looking for. Which month and how long are you planning to go? What do the non-skier want to do? (ice skating, swimming, spa, sightseeing, sledding, winter hiking/walking, etc) What does the snowboarding adult expect? (many lifts, difficult runs, freeriding, ..) Do you prefere a village, or bigger town?

My husband (the snowboarding adult) just wants lifts and beginner and intermediate slopes. For me and my daughter, age 7, (the non-skiers) the ideal would be places we could sight-see and take day trips too. Also, snow shoe walking / hiking, plus fun stuff we could do as a family, like ice skating, swimming, sledding, husky dog rides etc. We're less bothered about saunas and gyms. My husband prefers accommodation at the resort, not far from ski-lifts. If there are kids clubs aswell, then great. Thanks for your help! (btw, Mube, I followed your advice last year when I went to Lausanne and had a great time, thanks!).

i second swisstravel's suggestions for arosa. it is very kid friendly and there are many things to do besides skiing. another good point is that you can walk to the restaurants in the ski slopes and meet your family for lunch.

cheers,

bowmore

I'm glad you enjoyed your holidays.

I think Arosa is a very nice place and definitely not a bad choice, but personally I would prefer the Bettmeralp. Anyway Arosa and the Bettmeralp have a lot in common. Because of it's altitude there is usually all season everything covered with snow. Most lifts start in the village (and many houses are reachable by ski) It's kind of winter wonderland. Wooden houses, no cars, people going around by foot, or ski. In winter there is often fog in the lower parts of the Valais, it's amazing to see this sea of fog from higher up places like the Bettmeralp and to enjoy the sun. From the Bettmerhorn skier and non-skier can enjoy the view of the famous Aletsch glacier. There are many activities for non-skier, this includes ice skating, an indoor pool with a water chute. I don't know if there is dog sledding, the closest place I know is at Saas Fee (about 1 1/2 hours by cable car, train and bus). There is a snow park for kids and lessons for kids of all ages, sledding is everywhere possible. All winter equipment can be bought or rented in the village.

Trips to other places are no problem. In 40minutes you are in the very central located Brig. From here it's just 30min. to Domodossola (Italy) and Spiez or 90min. to Zermatt.

The same for the transfer from the airport. The airports in Zurich and Geneva have direct trains to Brig, the ones in Basel and Malpens (Milan) are also easy to reach. The cable car to Bettmeralp is in the same building as the trainstation of Betten Talstation.

For accommodation I would rent an apartment maybe even a house. Like that you could cook for yourself and maybe even eat lunch together.

A problem might be that during high season many swiss hotels and apartments have a minimum stay of often 5 days, some during Christmas/New Year even 2 weeks.

hope this helps