SNOW FUN IN SWITZERLAND 2004

The Valais, one of Switzerland’s 26 cantons, is a skier’s paradise. It is
home to the famous pyramid-shaped Matterhorn. From the Rhone glacier to
Lake Geneva there more than 50 peaks over 4,000 meter / 13,000 ft high.
Some of the powder runs are very close to the summits. Not only skiers and
snowboarders are attracted to the Valais. Whether visitors try snowshoeing
- accompanied by huskies – in the Obergoms (part of the Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschhorn UNESCO World Natural Heritage site), set out on the winter hiking trails above Zermatt, or hire a sled in Anzere and rush down the 3 km / 1.85 mile Les Rousses slope – a visit to the High Alps
in the Valais are an unforgettable experience. The Valais is also known for
its delicious cuisine and a variety of fine wine, such as the Fendant.

Zermatt
There are 394 km / 243 miles of varied pistes amidst unique scenery in the
international ski area between Switzerland and Italy. Zermatt is a car-free
BEST OF THE ALPS resort
Highlights in and around Zermatt
* The new Furggsattel 6-person chairlift transports skiers from Zermatt’s
“Trockener Steg” plateau to Cervinia in Italy.
* Gifthittli: new 6-person chairlift Riffelberg – Gifthittli
* Matterhorn Express: comfortable 8-person gondola from Zermatt via Furi to
Schwarzsee
* Casino with B-permit at the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof
* Free ski pass for kids aged 8 and under
* Helicopter sightseeing flights with Air Zermatt
* Glacier Palace in the eternal ice at Klein Matterhorn (height 3820 m)

Zermatt is easily accessible from the west, north and south: The Lake
Geneva, Lötschberg and Simplon lines provide direct connections to the
modern narrow-gauge Zermatt Railway, which reaches Zermatt from Brig or
Visp after a 90-minute journey through the rugged Vispa Valley.

Join the cozy Fondue Party on January 28, 2004
at Restaurant Sunnegga. A glass of the famous Valais wine will round out
the experience. Magic mountain huts of Valais
Excursions for Zermatt’s guests: Saas Fee, January 29, 2004.
E-mail: zermatt@wallis.ch; www.zermatt.ch
www.matterhornstate.com; www.zermatt.ch, www.bestofthealps.com;
www.MySwitzerland.com

St. Moritz
This world-famous resort enjoys 322 days of sunshine a year. Its “Champagne
climate” and cosmopolitan ambience at an altitude of 6’000 feet, draws
winter visitors again and again to this Alpine paradise. St. Moritz is the
only place in Switzerland to have hosted the Olympic Winter Games twice
(1928/1948) and four times the World Ski Championships
(1934/1946/1974/2003). Among the upcoming events of this beautiful “Best of
the Alps” resorts are the following:

Polo on Snow: January 22 – 25, 2004.
Polo has been called the sport of kings and is said to be the oldest team
game in the world. Polo on Snow has taken place annually in St. Moritz
since 1985. Some of the world’s top players compete on the frozen lake of
St. Moritz to test their strength and strategies. During last year’s event,
20,000 spectators came to this world-famous Alpine town in the Engadine
region of Graubuenden.

St. Moritz Gourmet Festival: February 2-7, 2004.
The Engadin valley has a long-standing tradition as the leading culinary
scene in the Alps. Every year, 8 to 10 renowned chefs from all over the
world come to St. Moritz to demonstrate their culinary art. The culmination
of the festival is the Grand Finale luncheon for up to 300 people,
celebrated at the famous Corviglia mountain restaurant

The Engadin Cross-country Ski Marathon: March 14, 2004
It was first held in 1969 – one of the largest sports events ever – with
around 13,000 participants. Cross-country skiers test their stamina during
the classic 42-km / 26-mile ski marathon from Maloja to S-chanf via
St.Moritz.
www.stmoritz.ch

Wengen
Skiing or snow-boarding in full view of the fabulous Jungfrau peak attracts
winter sports visitors to Wengen, a hot spot for the young crowd. While it
has been a favorite ski village for the serious Swiss skier, it is waiting
to be discovered by winter sports enthusiasts from the United States and
beyond. Wengen is famous for the Lauberhorn Ski Race:

International Lauberhorn Ski Race in Wengen: January 17-18, 2004
There is an exciting start off the Lauberhorn shoulder to the classic
Lauberhorn course, down to the Hundschopf, the jump into the depth, then
over the Minschkante, Langentrejen, Hanneggschuss, Österreicherloch, the
S-goal, and finally with a jump to the goal . This race for the daring is
4.3 km / 2.7 miles long, has a difference in elevation of 1,025 meters /
3,362 ft and almost 3 minutes of pure racing time. Truly fantastic 3
minutes of ski racing! Racers have to have – in equal measure – courage,
concentration, superb physical fitness and ability in order to master the
longest Alpine race course and to reach the goal safely!
On Sunday, January 18, the slalom enthusiasts start off on the two
Innerwengen courses. The Wengen slalom slope, due to its natural condition,
is considered one of the most difficult of the Alpine world cups.
www.lauberhorn.ch; www.wengen-muerren.ch

Grindelwald
Situated like Interlaken and Wengen in the Bernese Oberland, Grindelwald is
a fine ski village and a “Best of the Alps” resort, with the Eiger, Mönch
and Jungfrau peaks as a backdrop. Grindelwald’s Alpine landscape is as
varied as the choice of pistes and runs. More than 45 mountain and cable
railways and chair and ski lifts transport sports enthusiasts to over 200
km / 123 miles of pistes.

Grindelwald’s World Snow Festival: January 12 – 17, 2004
The World Snow Festival has established itself as one of the most
fascinating winter events in Switzerland. Teams of ice sculptors from
several countries will work eagerly to produce their various creations. The
theme in 2004 will be “Reflection of our time”. Both visitors and locals
alike can watch the transformation of the simple ice blocks measuring a few
yards high into amazing sculptural forms. The six-day festival, from
January 12 – 17, 2004, concludes with a celebration noted for its folkloric
ambience. A jury of experts judges the spectacular works of art.

Visitors staying in one of Grindelwald’s hotels receive a guest card, which
entitles them to free use of the ski bus, the natural ice rink and to
reduced fares on the “Pfingsteggbahn” train and reduced entrance fees to
Grindelwald’s local history museum and certain events in Grindelwald and
Jungfrau Region.
For further information: www.grindelwald.ch

For more information on Switzerland, please visit www.MySwitzerland.com

RailEurope’s “Switzerland ‘n Austria” Pass
New rail passes for visitors to the Alps.
RailEurope is offering a new “Switzerland ‘n Austria” Pass.
Starting at $256 US/$ 351 CAN per person for two people traveling together
in 1st class, the basic Switzerland ‘n Austria Pass covers four days of
train travel within a 2-month period. Rail days may be used consecutively
or non-consecutively and up to 6 additional days may be purchased. The
cost of a Switzerland ‘n Austria Pass for an individual adult is $300
US/$411 CAN for a 4-day pass (1st class). A youth version priced at $210
US/$288 CAN is available in 2nd class for travelers under 26. Children
aged 4-11 travel at half the adult fare; children under 4 travel for free.
Bonuses include free passage on several private railroads in Austria, most
Swiss scenic trains, Swiss lake steamers, and discounts on: various Swiss
mountain peak excursions, Danube and Rhine river cruises and Swiss
Transport Museum (Lucerne). www.raileurope.com

December 29, 2003   Posted in: Switzerland