Switzerland Trip

[rotorite86]

So I put in my deposit for the Spring Break (March 11 - 17) trip to goo skiing in the Alps. Who else wants to get COLDER over Spring Break? /raises hand.

We are going to be skiing in Flims/Laax, which from the look of the trail map, looks awesome. I've been out west at the Canyona, and that was around 10,500 ft at the summit. This place is just over 9,000 ft (3018 m) at the summit, but has MUCH more vertical drop. Alta base lodge was at 7,000 feet and the summit was around 10,000 - 10,500; here the base is at around 3300 ft (1100 m) and the summit as I said is around 9,000 feet. Thats 6,000 ft. vertical drop!! Apparently this place can haul up 46,000/hr so I shouldn't have to wait in lines much.

After the skiing (unfortunately only three days) we are going to be in Zurich before we head back to the states. I'm looking foward. All this for $1,150 (before taxes etc, so say $1,330)

Anyway, I posted this to see if any one has been out there, either the Alps or this specific resort. I know most of you are older than me, so I figured this would be the place to ask.

PS - I haven't posted here since last year. Seems a bit slow in the off-season. Either way, skiing season is back. Can't wait!!

 

[thetrailboss]

I was in the Country in 2002. One word: Zermatt. Matterhorn, St. Bernards, no cars, and the highest tram station in Europe. Nothing like it in the world. Another place to go that is a bit closer to Zurich: Interlaken. COOL place but getting really run over with tourists. You can also try some of the other resorts in the eastern part of the country, but honestly my trek from Geneva to Bern then back down to Zermatt before returning to Geneva was incredible What a COOL country with so much diversity and culture...I envy you.

 

[Sky]

I lived in Italy for three years. Went to San Moritz for two thanksgivings with the local ski club.

*drool*

and

*envy*

Enjoy!

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

I’ve skied at Verbier in Switzerland, best place I’ve every been.
http://www.verbier.ch/flash/en/index.cfm
I've never been to Films Laax, but I’m sure its great. Switzerland is unreal.

 

[RISkier]

I've spent a few days in Zurich. The old downtown area is very neat. It's one of the few European cities that didn't get bombed out in WWII. We spent a week in the Arlberg region of Austria. I was absolutely, positively, blown away by the Alps and I always read that the Alps around Zermatt are even more scenic. We'd intended to return to Europe this year but a family member offered us free lodging in Aspen, so we're going to slum it. Aspen is ridiculously expensive, were it not for the free lodging we could go to the Alps for much less money. I think you'll really have a great time and I'm envious. My only advice is to have fun, go with the flow and soak up the European culture and food

 

[ChileMass]

Can I go with you, please, please, please, please - ????

The Trailboss and I have posted this info many times, so like he did above, I'll be brief.

Zermatt is so incredible it almost defies description. You must go there if you have a chance. I'm sure many of the other areas in Switz have to be wonderful as well (someday I need to go to Grindelwald), but the Matterhorn will blow you away.

When we took the narrow gauge train from the parking area over the hill to Zermatt village, the Matterhorn came into view with the sun setting behind it and the hair on my neck stood on end. I get chills thinking about it and that was 10 years ago. The village, the spectacular skiing up on the Klein Matterhorn glacier, the beer, the food, the clubs, the people - I would go back there in a second. Skiing into Italy to have lunch was so much fun, and it's still a kick to be able to say I did that.

And as someone else posted, the Alps in general are just staggeringly beautiful. The elevation gains between valley (4000-6000') and summit (10,000-14,000) are much greater than anything in North America, so the mountains look so much bigger than anything I've ever seen anywhere else. The vertical at Zermatt is over 9000 feet if you can believe it. The Matterhorn looks so freaking huge it simply dominates the entire sky.

So can I go with you now? I'll be an excellent tourguide........ :beer:

 

[TeleGrrrl]

Hire a Swiss Mountain Guide for a day. If you can hook up with a few other folks and split the cost it's a worthwile investment. My group had fresh powder all day, skied on two glaciers at the base of the Matterhorn, descended into an ice cave, and ended the day by doing some rappeling over a cliff band
One of the most memorable days of my life

Oh, and beer is cheaper than soda :beer:

Enjoy.

 

[rotorite86]

I wish I could do all that stuff, however, since it is through a travel agency, and a wicked cheap price, I don't have any options where to ski aside from the listed resort. The agency also choose the place we are going just because it is not nearly as crowded as some of the "main stream" resorts in the area.

I intend on partying my butt off in Zurich - I have heard that it is one hell of a party city, and very cool culture.

Check out the trail map here: http://skisnowboardeurope.com/flimslaaxfalera/maps/eng.alpenarena.chTrailSM.jpg

Can't wait. Only like 113 days or something.

 

[ssusca]

Not to hijack this thread but it's too bad that you won't be able to make it to Zermatt. My wife and I went last year and were just simply blown away. I can’t even accurately describe the feeling I had when we saw the Matterhorn break through the clouds the first day we were there. The Après ski scene was awesome also, Especially the Hennu Stall on the bottom of Schwarzsee.

Although I’m sure any place in Switzerland will be incredible. Most of the people are friendly, especially the Swiss. Although you will probably run across your share of Eruotrash.

Keep in mind though, that even though you got a pretty good deal on lodging, flight, etc. EVERYTHING is really, really expensive. My advice – Bring your credit card, have fun and worry about paying the bills later. After all, when are you going to be there again? The one nice thing is that beer is cheaper than water, but the selection is not that great. From the looks of it, Flims/Laax will most likely be better and more scenic than anything you’ve seen here in the states.

Take TeleGrrrl’s advice and hire a mountain guide if possible. The best skiing is off piste, but you’d better not do it without someone who knows that area. The places are so huge that there is a good chance you’d end up extremely lost , or worse. Unfortunately I was not able to take her advice. I could only look at all the places I wanted to ski from the lifts but was unable to do so. I guess now I have an excuse to go back (as if a really needed one!).

Have fun, and be sure to post a trip report when you return.

 

[rotorite86]

Might have to look into the mountain guide thing -- off piste is the best part.

Then I have to figure out some way to clear my credit card before I go.

 

[RISkier]

As an aside, you might want to call your credit card company and let them know you'll be in Switzerland. Once, while travelling, I had my account shut off. I wasn't overdue with payments nor was I over the limit. They said my spending pattern was very unusual and that my card might have been stolen.

 

[tirolerpeter]

travel/credit

Good point RIskier. While I didn't have my card suspended, I did come home from Europe and find a couple of "inquiry" messages from my card company on my answer machine regarding "someone charging fuel in England." I called them to confirm I had been the one. BTW RIskier, did you get my Utah PM?

 

[RISkier]

Re: travel/credit

Good point RIskier. While I didn't have my card suspended, I did come home from Europe and find a couple of "inquiry" messages from my card company on my answer machine regarding "someone charging fuel in England." I called them to confirm I had been the one. BTW RIskier, did you get my Utah PM?

Yes, got your email Peter. Very helpful stuff. Thanks much! Hope you had a good thanksgiving and I noticed that the NWS was talking about a big storm for the Wasatch, so if that happens it should put a smile on your face. We keep talking about upmteen different options. It's between a reltively inexpensive trip to UT, staying at the Best Western versus a European trip. Then when we look at Europe we're not sure where we want to go (other than we want to go everywhere).

 

[rotorite86]

12 Days to go. Can't freakin wait.

Dunno why I haven't been around the Forum much, but snow hasn't been to hot this season and I haven't been skiing much.

RI, thanks for the tip, I will do that just to make sure.

Question: What is the "proper" name to call the lines that go around the binding and into the boots for powder skiing (so that if the ski comes off, I can still find it easily)? I've looked around the internet with no clue what to call them. I have a set but my friend who is also going needs to get some. So what do you call them?

12 Days...

 

[ChileMass]

Roto - have a dynamite time and bring back pics........

 

[gores95]

12 Days to go. Can't freakin wait.

Dunno why I haven't been around the Forum much, but snow hasn't been to hot this season and I haven't been skiing much.

RI, thanks for the tip, I will do that just to make sure.

Question: What is the "proper" name to call the lines that go around the binding and into the boots for powder skiing (so that if the ski comes off, I can still find it easily)? I've looked around the internet with no clue what to call them. I have a set but my friend who is also going needs to get some. So what do you call them?

12 Days...

Have fun on your trip! I think you are referring to powder or ski "leashes". Here are a couple:

http://ecom1.sno-ski.com/product81.html

http://www.untracked.com/highlight-176468.html

Marc

 

[rotorite86]

Thanks a lot man. I tried 80 combinations of different words and couldn't find anything. Saved me time, appreciate it.

And yeah, my friend is brining her digicam. She has like 350MB, I did a little math and if each picture is 1 MB (thats good quality) thats 350 photos, 50 per day!

 

[rotorite86]

Wow this is how long I haven't been to the board. You wanted pics, I might as well post them even thought it was like 8 months ago haha.

 

[rotorite86]

I got more if you would like. I think I took around 150 pics total, probably 50 of them are friends and stuff but plenty of mountain shots.

The groomed trails were awesome, but unfortunately there wasn't much to be had in the way of power. It had all been wind packed and nearly impossible to ski. Needless to say, it was still 3 of the best days of skiing I have ever done. The best part was over and hour from top to bottom, needing to take several breaks in between. 7000' vertical drop will do that.

 

[bvibert]

Thanks for the update rotorite86. Great pictures!