Day 1 – Heathrow to the Swiss Alps

On Friday 9th January, we departed from Terminal 5 at London Heathrow — always a nostalgic experience for me as it’s where I used to fly from when working for British Airways.

To this day, it’s still my favourite airport.

Everything about Terminal 5 feels easy and efficient — from the smooth layout and light airy spaces to the fantastic restaurant options, shopping and straightforward transfers. It genuinely sets the tone for a relaxed start to any trip.

We flew direct with British Airways from Heathrow to Zurich Airport, which was a seamless journey.

Once we collected our luggage, our Swiss adventure truly began.

One of the things I loved most about this trip was how easy it was to travel entirely by train. Zurich Airport station is directly attached to the airport, making transfers incredibly simple.

We booked the entire itinerary through Ski Independence, who were fantastic from start to finish. They organised the whole trip including flights, hotel, transfers and rail tickets, and everything was clearly explained. I especially loved that they not only emailed all documentation digitally but also posted physical copies too — something that feels increasingly rare these days and was genuinely helpful.

Despite the train tickets looking slightly confusing at first glance, the Swiss rail system was incredibly straightforward to navigate and station staff were always happy to reassure us if needed.

The train journey from Zurich Flughafen to Andermatt via Zurich and Göschenen was honestly one of the highlights of the holiday.

The scenery was absolutely incredible — snow-covered mountains, frozen rivers, tiny alpine villages and endless panoramic views. I would 100% recommend travelling by train rather than car if visiting Andermatt. The trains were spotless, warm, spacious, always on time and had plenty of room for luggage.

Swiss efficiency really is unmatched.

We arrived in Andermatt in the late afternoon and decided to take the short walk to our hotel rather than wait for the shuttle bus so we could start getting our bearings.

We stayed at the Radisson Blu Hotel Reussen, part of Andermatt’s modern new development area which combines luxury accommodation, restaurants, shops and apartments while still blending beautifully into the alpine surroundings.

The hotel itself was stunning — contemporary yet cosy, with huge windows overlooking the mountains, stylish interiors and a welcoming atmosphere after a day travelling through the snow.

Our ski hire shop was conveniently located directly opposite the hotel, making everything incredibly easy. The staff were super friendly, getting us fully kitted out while reassuring us we could return anytime if the fit of anything wasn’t quite right.

After settling in, we headed into the old town to explore and find dinner.

That evening we ate at Spycher, a wonderfully authentic Swiss restaurant known for traditional alpine cuisine and cosy chalet-style interiors.

I ordered a delicious rösti dish — Switzerland’s famous crispy potato speciality — topped with melted cheese, which was exactly the comforting food needed after a long travel day.

We finished the evening with drinks at the lively wine bar opposite before heading back to the hotel for an early night ahead of our first ski day.

Day 2 – First Day on the Slopes

Breakfast at the hotel was incredible.

Fresh pastries, fruit, healthy options, cooked breakfast items and the most amazing coffee from a self-serve barista-style machine — honestly one of the best hotel breakfasts I’ve had.

After breakfast, we headed down to the ski room — the heated ski storage area in the hotel basement where guests keep their equipment overnight — before walking the short distance to the gondolas.

Buying ski passes and gondola access was extremely easy as the ticket office is conveniently located within the train station that connects directly to the ski lifts.

As a beginner skier, we decided to take the first day fairly gently while I built up my confidence on the blue runs.

Andermatt is actually one of Switzerland’s oldest ski destinations, with skiing in the region dating back over 100 years. Today, the Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis ski area offers over 180km of slopes ranging from beginner-friendly blue runs to challenging off-piste terrain and advanced red and black runs, making it ideal for mixed-ability couples or groups.

While I focused on easier slopes, my husband was able to explore some of the more advanced skiing before we met later for après ski near the red runs.

One thing I absolutely loved about skiing in Andermatt was how uncrowded it felt compared to some of the larger French resorts. Everywhere felt relaxed, scenic and genuinely enjoyable rather than chaotic.

After a full day in the fresh mountain air, we were completely exhausted and headed back to the hotel.

The Radisson Blu has such a welcoming atmosphere, especially around the large circular log burner in reception where guests gather after skiing. With the bar just beside it, it was the perfect cosy place to unwind.

Day 3 – Ski Lessons & Mountain Dining

After another delicious breakfast, it was back to the slopes for one of the highlights of my trip — a two-hour private ski lesson.

I had arranged the lesson through the ski office located in the train station and met my instructor, René, beside the gondolas.

He was absolutely brilliant.

Professional, patient and incredibly encouraging, he completely transformed my confidence on the slopes. By the end of the lesson, I was skiing blue runs without sheer panic every time I approached a steeper section!

As a beginner skier, having an instructor who genuinely builds your confidence rather than overwhelms you makes such a difference, and I honestly learned so much in just two hours.

After the lesson, my husband and I met for lunch at the stunning Gütsch by Markus Neff, one of Andermatt’s most famous mountain restaurants.

Located at the top of the Gütsch mountain, the restaurant is renowned not only for its incredible panoramic alpine views but also for its Michelin-starred chef influence and elevated mountain dining experience.

The views were absolutely insane.

Sitting there with a goat’s cheese salad and a local Swiss beer while overlooking endless snow-covered mountains honestly felt surreal.

After more skiing and après ski, we eventually made our way back down the mountain and returned to the hotel to get ready for dinner.

Tonight’s meal was a real highlight of the holiday as we dined at The Restaurant at The Chedi Andermatt.

Everything about the evening felt luxurious — the incredible service, elegant atmosphere and beautifully presented food.

The cheese platter alone was unforgettable, featuring some of the most unusual and interesting cheeses I’ve ever tried.

We finished the evening with cocktails in The Bar and Living Room at The Chedi before heading back to the Radisson Blu.

Day 4 – Spa Day & Final Evening

By day four, I decided my legs deserved a break from skiing.

Instead, I enjoyed a slow breakfast before taking full advantage of the hotel spa facilities while my husband headed back to the slopes.

With a book in hand, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the mountains and a peaceful swimming pool area, it was the perfect way to spend a relaxing alpine morning.

At one point, I could actually spot tiny skiers weaving down the mountain in the distance while I sat in a warm spa robe drinking tea.

Not a bad compromise at all.

That evening we ventured back into town for our final dinner at Bergidyll Riders Haven.

The atmosphere was much quieter by this point as the busy Christmas and New Year ski crowds had officially left town, meaning we were some of the only diners in the restaurant.

It gave the whole evening a really calm and relaxed feel and was the perfect final night in Andermatt.

Day 5 – Journey Home

On our final morning, we took the short walk back to Andermatt station and boarded yet another perfectly on-time Swiss train for our return journey through the mountains to Zurich Airport.

Once again, the scenery was absolutely breathtaking.

Travelling by train through Switzerland genuinely became part of the holiday experience itself rather than simply a transfer.

Everything was simple, efficient and beautifully organised from start to finish.

Final Thoughts – Is Andermatt Good for Beginner Skiers?

Absolutely.

As a beginner skier travelling to a resort often considered better suited to intermediate and advanced skiers, I was slightly nervous beforehand.

But Andermatt completely surprised me.

It gave my husband access to challenging skiing and fantastic terrain while still allowing me to learn, improve and enjoy the experience without feeling overwhelmed.

And honestly, having the balance of skiing for him and spa time for me worked perfectly.

If you’re considering a ski holiday this winter — whether you’re a complete beginner, a mixed-ability couple or simply looking for a luxury Swiss ski experience — I’d love to help.

First-hand experience makes such a difference when planning ski trips, and I’m lucky enough to work with some of the very best ski suppliers in the industry to help create the perfect itinerary.