The ups and downs of a Toggenburg winter

The jagged Churfirsten peaks are the best-known landmark of the Toggenburg. Toggenburg Tourism

The resorts in the eastern Toggenburg region have stepped out of the long winter shadows of better-known neighbours like Davos and St Moritz.

For the first time, skiers heading for the slopes on the flanks of Toggenburg’s breathtaking Churfirsten peaks can avoid the queues by purchasing their ski passes on the Internet.

The Toggenburg resorts boast 50 kilometres of pistes, 20 lifts, cross-country ski trails and – new this year – a fun park for snowboarders.

The group of young adults responsible for the fun park are trying to give the region a better image among young people. The fun park also includes a snow bar and deck chairs in the so-called “chill out zone”. Disc jockeys will keep the atmosphere upbeat at weekends.

As elsewhere in Switzerland, Toggenburg is promoting walks through the alpine landscape on snowshoe, in order to meet the demands of holidaymakers in search of a slower and quieter way of enjoying the winter outdoors.

The region’s ski schools are offering children four hours of instruction a day over five days for SFr230 ($137), so people don’t forget that the Toggenburg has also been awarded Switzerland Tourism’s family-friendly label.

swissinfo