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Family Vacation Ideas: Switzerland - Valais in the Winter.

For families with adventure in mind and the desire to practice French, the area is idea. Not just for skiing anymore the Valais offers a variety of choices from winter sports events to relaxing thermal spas and divine eateries.

Spectacular natural scenery provides a backdrop for exceptional skiing, snowboarding, freestyle, and even Alpine golf. As a bonus the range of winter hiking trails is extensive. Family activity choices are abundant…read on.

Glide the new sledge run. In the Goms Valley - generally known as “the” cross country paradise - a new sledge run links Fiescheralp to Lax, covering the considerable distance of 13km with a difference in altitude of 1000m. Sledges may be hired in the resort.

Make tracks on new snowshoe trails. In Anzère there is a 16km long snowshoe trail from Anzère to "Les Rousses", and in the Goms Valley - more exactly in Oberwald - there is also an attractive new sign-posted snowshoe trail.

Discover airboarding. The Blatten-Belalp-Naters holiday resort puts the emphasis on sport and fun, spiced with a refreshing pinch of adventure. The spectacular "witches' races" - from 11th to 17th January 2004 this season - testify to the success of this formula. The resort now also offers "Airboarding", the latest trend sport. Young and old alike glide over the slopes, lying on their stomachs on a high tech air cushion. Because of its air cushion, the equipment is ideally suited for jumps. Airboard freestyle, exactly.

Hike the historic pass. A confidential tip for winter hikers: the historic pass route from Leukerbad to Kandersteg over the Gemmi is also open in winter - a wonderful experience in the snow that is reinforced when followed by a relaxing open air thermal bath in Leukerbad.

A game of cards or brunch? On the Matterhorn Gotthard railway, on the Brig-Disentis return stretch of the track, you can play cards to your heart's content in the 1st class panorama coaches. Soup and cold roasts, refreshments appropriate to a game of cards, contribute to the enjoyment. The alternative: brunch buffet in the exclusive panorama coach, with mouth-watering desserts on the return journey, is extremely tempting. Train journeys can be so delightful.

Attend open-air films in the snow. In Champoussin, in the Chablais / Portes du Soleil region, there will be a four-day open-air film festival (date to be announced) at the foot of the ski slopes - in the snow.

See snow pearls. “Mountain summer in the snow” is the theme of this year's snow sculpture park in Saas-Fee, "Pearl of the Alps". Locals and artists will create mountain fauna, trees and hikers out of snow. At the end of December the village will be decorated with the first "snow lights chain".

Celebrate a picture book Christmas.  Children's and adults' dreams will come true in Riederalp, the car-free holiday resort on the Aletsch Glacier, with Santa Claus, concerts and a procession with lanterns through the snow-covered winter forests.

Commemorate the Festival of the Three Kings. In Chandolin in the Anniviers Valley, in contrast to the customary country tradition, it is the festival of the three kings that is specially celebrated. Following their arrival by horse-drawn sleigh - to the accompaniment of fifes and drums - the three kings distribute their gifts and share blessed bread with the population.

Carnival time in the snow. The Valaisan love carnival time: processions, concerts and dances take place everywhere. How about going to Graechen this year, where jesters really paint the town red?

Chair lift over a glacier. In Zermatt two new chair lifts are planned, replacing a ski tow. The Furggsattel-Express (on which work has already begun) from Trockenen Steg to Furggsattel - its special features: it is the first chair lift on a glacier in Switzerland, the longest on a glacier in Europe and the only one where its valley station is the mountain station in another country! Second: the Gifhittli lift from Riffelberg to Gifhittli below Gornergrat station.

Ski passes via Internet. A number of Valais holiday resorts offer their guests a comfortable innovation: booking, paying for and downloading ski passes via Internet or by phone direct from home. Advantages: no more queuing - and straight on to the slopes!
For more information on Valais go to www.myswitzerland.com

Need to Know:

Unless you are driving the train will be part of your vacation. In Switzerland that means value added. The trains are efficient and the staff attentive. Transferring is easy. The airport in Geneva is a little bit closer to the Valais than Zurich. The advantage – less train changes. For an exact timetable refer to www.rail.ch


Certified Switzerland Specialists
Switzerland Tourism has certified more than 400 travel agents in North America through an extensive training program. These agents have been to Switzerland numerous times and are quite familiar with the special events, activities, lodging and transportation. To find one of these experts go to the tourism website and click on Agent Locator.
 http://usa.myswitzerland.com/en/welcome.cfm

 

 

 

 

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