Winter Camps in Braunwald: Where Skiing and Languages Meet in the Swiss Mountains

Key takeaways: friLingue winter camps in Braunwald offer 15 hours of skiing or snowboarding per week combined with 12 hours of language (or math) lessons in ultra-small groups of 6 maximum. In a car-free village, perched above the sea of fog, your children progress on the slopes in the morning and in languages in the afternoon, supervised by instructors who are both ski AND language teachers. One week from 1200 CHF, all-inclusive except equipment rental. Two weekly excursions, evening program, and an international atmosphere where learning goes hand in hand with fun.

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Are you looking for a winter camp for your child? A place where they could both improve their German, English or French AND enjoy the Swiss slopes? Where they wouldn't spend their days locked in a classroom, but where learning would happen naturally, between ski runs?

 

Welcome to our winter camps in Braunwald.

Braunwald: a village suspended between sky and snow

Let's start with the setting, because it deserves attention.

Braunwald is that sunny terrace of Glarnerland that overlooks a sea of fog. When the entire valley disappears under the greyness, you're up there, in the sunshine, with a breathtaking view of the Tödi. It's the kind of place where you breathe easier, where the sky seems bigger.

 

And most importantly: no cars. Zero. It's only accessible by funicular from Linthal. For you parents, that means complete peace of mind. No traffic, no danger, no stress. Your children can move freely around the village, and the worst that can happen to them is encountering a sled going a bit too fast.

The village itself is small, warm, authentically Swiss. No big hotel chains, no crowds, no hustle and bustle. Just a sunny ski area, suitable for children, with varied slopes for all levels. And this ski area? It's a three-minute walk from our hostel. Convenient when you have skis on your feet and the impatience of a 10-year-old.

The concept: skiing in the morning, languages in the afternoon

Here's how a typical day at Braunwald winter camp unfolds.

In the morning, after a good breakfast, off to the slopes. Three hours of skiing or snowboarding per week with qualified instructors. We form small groups by level, because we don't mix those making their first snowplow turns with those already carving down red runs.

Beginners, intermediates, advanced: everyone progresses at their own pace, safely, supervised by pros who know how to share their passion. Groups stay small, attention is individualized, and above all, we have fun. Because learning to ski is first and foremost about enjoying yourself on the snow.

In the afternoon, back to the hostel for language lessons. Twelve hours per week, always in small groups of 6 students maximum. French, English or German, depending on your child's choice. And for those who prefer to consolidate their math foundations? That's possible too, with the same caring approach and the same effectiveness.

Why afternoons for languages? Because after an active morning on the slopes, children are physically tired but mentally receptive. They've burned off their energy, they're happy to settle down in the warmth, and their brain is available to learn. We tried the opposite (languages in the morning, skiing in the afternoon), it didn't work as well. The children's minds were elsewhere during lessons, they kept watching the snow through the window. Now they know they've already had their dose of slopes, they can concentrate.

The big advantage: teachers who speak both ski AND languages

Here, we touch on the heart of what makes our winter camps truly different.
Our ski instructors? They're also our language teachers. Yes, you read that right. The person teaching your child to negotiate a tight turn in the morning is the same one teaching them the passé composé in the afternoon.

Why is this great? Because it creates continuity. The child develops a real relationship with their instructor, who knows them in two different contexts. On the slopes, they see their technical progress. In class, they understand how they learn. This dual role allows for a comprehensive pedagogical approach, where we really adapt teaching to each personality.

It also means that languages don't stop at the classroom door. On the slopes, in the ski lifts, during lunch, instructors naturally continue to speak the target language with the children. It's gentle but constant immersion. No pressure, just natural exposure that makes all the difference. And above all, it makes learning coherent. When the same adult encourages you on skis and congratulates you on your progress in German, there's a logic, a continuity that reassures and motivates.

An international atmosphere, human-sized groups

Our winter camps attract young people from all over Europe and beyond. Swiss Germans, Swiss French speakers, French, Italians, Germans, Brazilians, and sometimes even participants from further away. This diversity is a huge asset.

In small language groups, we intentionally mix nationalities. A French-speaking Swiss learning German will find themselves with a German-speaking Swiss learning French and an Italian learning English. The result? They're forced to find a common language to communicate with each other. And that's where the magic happens: language becomes a tool, not just a school subject.

Groups of 6 maximum isn't a marketing argument. It's a pedagogical conviction. With 6, everyone speaks. No one can hide behind the others, but no one feels exposed either. It's the ideal number to create a healthy group dynamic, where everyone dares to express themselves without fear of judgment.

On the slopes too, we keep groups small. For safety first, but also for learning effectiveness. An instructor with 8 skiers can really observe each one, correct posture, give individualized advice. With 15 kids behind them, it's just impossible.

 

 

The Adrenalin Backpacker Hostel: our base camp

Our hostel in Braunwald is kind of our headquarters. A warm, spacious place, designed to welcome groups of young people.

Three large terraces where we soak up the sun after the slopes. Simple rooms, doubles, with 4 or 6 beds, depending on ages and preferences. A games room with table football and pool table for relaxation time. A bar (non-alcoholic, of course) where we serve hot chocolate, syrup, and all the treats that comfort you after a day in the mountains.

The meals? Prepared by our own chef. Real cooking, not reheated meal trays. Balanced dishes, adapted to the appetites of active children, always with options for allergies and special diets.

The atmosphere is friendly, relaxed. It's not a four-star hotel with silent corridors and thick carpets. It's a lively place, where you hear laughter, where we play cards in the lounge, where we share stories from the day over hot chocolate.

 

 

Beyond skiing and languages: excursions and evenings

Twice a week, we leave the ski area to explore the region. It might be a visit to a typical village, a sledding outing on a special run, a cultural discovery, or simply a walk in a particularly beautiful corner of Glarnerland.

These excursions aren't obligations, they're breathing spaces. A change of pace, an opportunity to see something else, to create different memories. And often, it's during these moments that the strongest friendships form.

In the evening, after dinner, it's time for the evening program. Group games, table football tournaments, themed evenings, fireside gatherings, creative activities... We vary the pleasures.

The goal? For children to go to bed tired but happy, with the desire to start again the next day.

No phones glued to hands during these moments. We limit mobile phone use to about an hour a day (generally between 7:15 PM and 8:15 PM) to call parents or send a few messages. The rest of the time, we live in the present, we truly interact, we create bonds that don't go through a screen.

An option for pure snow lovers

Some children have only one desire: to ski. From morning to night. They don't need language lessons, they just want to maximize their time on the slopes.

For them, we offer an "all-day skiing" option. Instead of 12 hours of language lessons, it's 10 additional hours of skiing or snowboarding. That makes 25 hours per week racing down the slopes, perfecting their technique, exploring every corner of the area.

This option is perfect for children who already live in a multilingual environment, who have intensive language classes at school, or who simply need a week focused on skiing to recharge their batteries.

 

 

The practical details that matter

Let's talk specifics. What's included in the price, and how much does it cost exactly?

One week of camp (7 days), from 1200 CHF, includes:

• 12 hours of language lessons (French, English, German) or mathematics
• 15 hours of ski or snowboard lessons with qualified instructors
• Ski pass for the Braunwald area
• Accommodation with full board (all meals)
• 2 excursions in the region
• Daily evening program
• 24/7 supervision by our team
• Certificate of participation

Two weeks of camp (14 days), from 2200 CHF, with double everything mentioned above.

 

What is NOT included:

 

• Ski or snowboard equipment rental: 200 CHF for standard equipment, 300 CHF for premium equipment
• Transport to Braunwald (but we can organize an accompanied journey from Zurich)

 

Some additional useful information:

• Groups are limited in size to guarantee quality supervision
• We welcome children from 8-9 years old up to 17-18 years old, with age-appropriate groups
• If your child already has their own equipment, bring it, it will save you the rental cost
• Helmets are mandatory on the slopes (included in the rental or to be brought)
• We do not provide goggles, ski pants and jackets!

 

What parents tell us

We could tell you for hours why our camps are wonderful. But honestly, what matters is the experience of families who have already trusted us.
Isabelle, mother from Lausanne: "My daughter came back with stars in her eyes. She who hated German at school spent the week chatting in German with her roommate from Zurich. And on skis, she progressed more in one week than in three years of Sunday lessons."

Thomas, father from Geneva: "What I loved was the international aspect. My son is 13 and had never really realized he lived in a multilingual country. There, he shared his room with a German-speaking Swiss and an Italian. Now he understands why it's important to speak several languages. It clicked."

Caroline, mother from Neuchâtel: "My son came back exhausted but radiant. Seven days going full speed, skiing, learning, laughing. He told me: 'Mom, there, we learn without realizing it.' That's exactly what I wanted for him."

Why choose Braunwald over another ski camp?

There are dozens of ski camps in Switzerland. Why this one?

First, the unique combination of ski + languages with the same instructors. We don't know anyone else who does this. It's our specialty, and it's what makes the experience coherent and effective.

Then, the ultra-small groups. Six students per language class isn't the industry standard. Most camps run with 10-12, or even more. We refuse to exceed 6. It's more expensive for us, but it's better for the children.

The car-free village. For safety, it's unbeatable. Your children can walk around, go get a hot chocolate, join their friends at the other end of the village, without you having to worry about traffic. This supervised freedom is precious.

The international atmosphere. In Braunwald, we really mix nationalities. It's not a camp "for French speakers" or "for German speakers". It's a Swiss camp in its essence: multilingual, multicultural, respectful of each identity.

And then, there's this mountain. The Tödi watching over you, the sea of fog below, the sun beating down even in the middle of winter... Braunwald is Switzerland as we dream it. Your children won't just ski and learn. They'll live a real mountain experience, with what that implies in terms of pushing oneself, respecting nature, and simple joy.

What we don't always tell you (but should)

Let's be honest about a few points.

It's not a luxury vacation. The hostel is comfortable, clean, warm, but it's not a palace. The rooms are simple, functional. If your child needs silk sheets and room service, this isn't the place. But if they want to live a real camp experience, in a relaxed atmosphere where what matters is the group and the activities, then it's perfect.

Your children will be tired. Physically tired. Skiing in the morning, learning in the afternoon, playing in the evening, it wears you out. It's normal, it's even desired. We prefer them to come home exhausted but fulfilled rather than rested but bored.

We don't perform linguistic miracles. One week of camp isn't enough to become bilingual. But it's more than enough to unlock something, to gain confidence, to realize you can express yourself in another language. Many children leave with renewed motivation to continue learning.

The weather can be unpredictable. We're in the mountains, in winter. Sometimes there's beautiful sunshine, sometimes it snows, sometimes it's windy. We adapt, we always have a plan B, but we don't control the weather. If your child can't stand cold or snow, a winter camp might not be ideal.

The first 24-48 hours can be difficult. Especially for children who have never been to camp. It's normal to feel a bit lost at first, to find your bearings, to have doubts. Our team is trained to support these delicate moments. And generally, by the third day, everything runs smoothly.

How to register your child?

Go to our website frilingue.ch, choose your dates (we offer several sessions throughout the winter), and follow the registration steps.

You'll need to fill out a form with information about your child: language level, ski level, medical particularities, dietary requirements, everything that allows us to welcome them properly.

If you have questions, doubts, specific needs, contact us. We prefer to discuss things beforehand rather than discover a problem once on site. Each child is unique, some need special arrangements, and we do everything to make it work.

Places are limited (we refuse to make groups that are too large), so we advise you to register in advance, especially for school holidays when demand is high.

Still hesitating?

That's normal. Sending your child to camp, especially for the first time, isn't trivial.

You wonder if they'll make friends, if they'll enjoy it, if they'll progress, if they won't feel alone... All these questions are legitimate.
Here's what we can tell you: we've been doing this job since 2007. We've welcomed thousands of children. We know what works and what doesn't. We've refined our approach over the years, trained our teams, created protocols, learned to handle every situation.

But above all, we love what we do. Our instructors aren't there to earn some pocket money. They're there because they love sharing their passion for languages and skiing, because they love seeing children progress, because they believe in education through experience.

So yes, there will probably be difficult moments. A bout of homesickness on the second evening, a fall on the slopes, frustration during a lesson. But there will above all be laughter, progress, friendships, memories that will last for years.

And after a week, when you come to pick up your child, you'll find them different. A little bigger, a little more confident, a little more independent. With their head full of anecdotes and the desire to come back.

That's the friLingue spirit in Braunwald. Learning while having fun, progressing without realizing it, and going home with eyes full of memories.

FAQ: Your Questions, Our Answers

My child has never skied. Is that a problem?
Not at all. We welcome all levels, from complete beginners to experienced skiers. Groups are formed by level, and our instructors are used to teaching the basics. Your child will learn at their own pace, in complete safety.

My child is already good at skiing but weak in languages (or vice versa). Is it suitable?
Absolutely. We form ski groups by ski level, and language groups by language level. The two aren't linked. Your child can very well be in an advanced ski group and beginner in German, no problem.

What languages can you learn at winter camp?
We offer French, English and German. For mathematics, it's also possible as a replacement for language lessons.

Can my child come with a friend?
Yes, and it's even an excellent idea for a first camp. We'll make sure they share the same room if they wish. However, for lesson groups (language and ski), we distribute them according to their level, so they won't necessarily be together during educational activities.

What happens in bad weather?
We adapt. If conditions are really bad (storm, zero visibility), we have backup activities: indoor games, creative workshop, ski theory session, cinema... Safety always comes first. But most of the time, we ski even in the snow, that's also part of the mountain experience!

My child has a food allergy. How does that work?
We take food allergies very seriously. You inform us during registration, we pass it on to our chef, and we make sure your child always has safe options at each meal. For certain complex allergies (like gluten intolerance), there may be a supplement of 100 CHF to guarantee the preparation of adapted meals.

Are language lessons really like at school?
No, exactly. We don't redo school. Lessons are fun, interactive, based on conversation and concrete situations. The goal is for children to dare to speak, to gain confidence, to realize they can communicate. We don't do dictations or tedious grammar exercises.

Can my child use their mobile phone?
Yes, but use is limited to about an hour a day (generally between 7:15 PM and 8:15 PM). The rest of the time, phones are collected to encourage social interactions and disconnection. In case of emergency, our team is reachable 24/7 and can make the connection.

How to get to Braunwald from our home?
Braunwald is accessible by train to Linthal, then by funicular (about 1h15 from Zurich). If you come by car, you can park in Linthal and take the funicular. We also offer an accompanied journey service from Zurich station for children traveling alone.

What happens if my child gets injured on the slopes?
All our instructors are trained in first aid. For minor injuries, we handle it on site. For something more serious, the ski area staff intervenes immediately (they're equipped and fast), and we contact you without delay. Braunwald has a medical center, and if needed, we can reach Glarus hospital in 30 minutes.

My child is shy / introverted. Will they fit in?
Small groups are actually perfect for more reserved children. With 6, no one gets lost in the crowd, and bonds form naturally. Our team is trained to support each personality. Many shy children thrive particularly well in our camps because they don't feel judged and they have time to find their place.

Can we choose who our child shares their room with?
If your child comes with a friend or friends, we can put them together. Otherwise, we form rooms based on ages and affinities that naturally emerge in the first days. We're attentive to ensuring everyone feels comfortable in their room group.

Is there a typical day or does the program vary?
The general rhythm is constant (skiing in the morning, lessons in the afternoon, activities in the evening), but we vary the content. The two excursions of the week break the rhythm. Evenings change each day. On the slopes, we explore different areas of the domain. The idea is to have a reassuring structure while keeping surprise and novelty.

My child is 17, isn't that too old for camp?
Not at all. We welcome up to 17-18 years old, and we form age-appropriate groups. Older teenagers have their own dynamic, with more autonomy and activities that suit them. They're not mixed with younger ones for rooms and certain evening activities.

Can we visit our child during the week?
To preserve the camp spirit and children's autonomy, we don't do mid-week visits. We regularly share photos and videos so you can follow their stay. If a particular situation arises, contact the camp manager, we'll find a solution.
However, it's possible to take the Family Camp option for parents: you can stay at the same hotel, take part in activities or not, and even enjoy private language lessons if you wish.

What should my child bring?
We send you a detailed list after registration, but basically: warm and technical clothing for skiing, comfortable clothing for indoors, toiletries, medications if necessary, water bottle, sunglasses and sunscreen (essential in the mountains). If you rent ski equipment from us, no need to bring it.

How many children per room?
It depends on available rooms and children's ages. We have double rooms, with 4 or 6 beds. We try to respect preferences when possible, but what's important to us is that room groups work well together.

Are there strict rules to respect at camp?
We have basic rules for safety and respect (no unsupervised exits from the village, bedtimes respected, respect for other participants and equipment, prohibition of alcohol and tobacco). But we're not in a military regime. The atmosphere is relaxed, we trust the children, and generally everything goes very well.

Do you have other questions?
Contact us directly at info@frilingue.com or call us. We prefer to answer all your questions before registration rather than leave doubts hanging. Each family is different, each child is unique, and we're here to support you in this decision.