Let It Snow!
Dreaming about a White Christmas? A European winter may not be on the cards this year but get planning for 2021 and an escape to the beautiful Swiss Alps.
Snow-capped mountains clustered together within a dramatic landscape, the jagged peaks packed with pistes and promise. This is winter in the Swiss Alps - magical and magnificent.
Whether venturing into luxury resort territory in glamorous St Moritz or settling into a remote chalet somewhere like Zermatt, which sits at the bottom of the highest mountains, one thing’s for sure, memories made in this incredible region of Europe are guaranteed to make their way on to the ‘bestof ’ showreel for years to come.
“It truly is the postcard you imagined,” Swiss local Tamara Loeffel-Jager tells me proudly, adding: “Magical is the word.”
That magic she speaks of begins with the region’s overabundance of incredible adventure playgrounds and extends to experiences that include enjoying cheese fondue using locally sourced Swiss cheese under the stars; soaking in thermal saunas overlooking landmarks like the Matterhorn (one of the highest peaks in Europe); admiring the twinkling Christmas lights at the annual markets; skiing the multitude of challenging pistes; sipping local wine in front of a crackling open fireplaces; skating on iced-over lakes; and capturing the beauty of the picture-perfect vistas on camera.
Ms Loeffel-Jager lives and works in the canton of Graubunden, the country’s largest and easternmost region. It is home to highend destinations like Davos, Lenzerheide and St Moritz.
“I love to spend Christmas in the snow,” the marketing professional says. “St Moritz is always my first pick when it comes to the holiday season. Its high altitude guarantees a lot of snowfall - all the hotels and boutiques compete with each other for the most extravagant Christmas display.”
While the smaller village markets and lighting displays are as full of Christmas spirit as their bigger counterparts, Zurich has perhaps the best markets in the Alps. It hosts at least half a dozen grand-scale offerings including Europe’s largest indoor market, the Christkindlimarkt, which is held in the city’s main railway station and is centred around a tree that’s decked out with 7,000 Swarovski crystals.
Across the Alpine region visitors can explore 937 mountain summits, 150 valleys, 615 lakes, and with just 26 inhabitants per square kilometre, tourists can enjoy the luxury of space while taking in the eye-watering beauty.
“The ski slopes are endless in our canton, we can spend weeks without having to do the same slopes twice,” says Ms LoeffelJager. “The food scene is fantastic too, and Graubunden is the second largest wine producer in Switzerland.”
Not everyone opts for a holiday packed with perfect pistes though, many also seek out the country’s wellness/medical retreats, of which there are plenty.
Grand Resort Bad Ragaz is the epitome of luxury, and attracts some high-end clientele including former Swiss tennis ace Martina Hingis, who is one of the ambassadors for the property.
In her youth, Hingis trained with her mother at the nearby tennis centre, then during her successful on-court career, the “Swiss Miss” found time in between winning her 25 Grand Slam titles to frequently return to the resort that’s an hours drive from Zurich and within walking distance of Tamina Gorge - the source of the 36.5-degree waters that have made Bad Ragaz world famous.
“Thermal water should always and everywhere be used,” suggests in-house dermatologist Brigitte Bollinger when asked about the benefits. “In particular, by the temperature of the water, an increased circulation in the body is achieved, which stimulates both the fine mind of thought and the desire for physical activity.”
Food is another of the country’s indulgences, the Grand Resort Bad Ragaz alone boasts eight dining establishments. Among them there are four Michelin stars and 76 GaultMillau points.
Emma Hodgson has been a regular visitor to Switzerland for years. The British expat who currently lives in Dubai has extended family who own a chalet in Zermatt, in the southern canton of Valais, and her father has long been a ski enthusiast, which has rubbed off on the communications professional.
“Zermatt is probably one of the most remote of all the Swiss Alp destinations, it takes several train journeys up into the mountains from Zurich or Geneva Airport to get there,” she says. It’s the little things that pique her interests and jog her memories, she admits. “I love the smell of wood in the traditional Swiss Alpine lodges I’ve stayed in at Christmas, it’s a similar smell to a sauna with the fire crackling.”
There are some great hotels in the mountains too, many of them offering spectacular views, according to Hodgson. “When I was 21 we were staying in a hotel that had an entire glass wall in the sauna that looked out onto the Alps, they had an outdoor hot tub with a similar view.”
Although she spends most of the year in warmer climes these days - Dubai often reaches temperatures in the 50s in the summer - Hodgson often makes a trip to Europe any chance she gets and has some valuable tips for anyone planning their own trip.
“Switzerland is an expensive country to stay in,” she says. “Having your own kitchen space in your accommodation can save you a lot of money, as can choosing to shop at local supermarkets. They are usually stocked with French wine at reasonable prices, it’s better to pick them over the Italian, German or Swiss alternatives.”
When it comes to transport, train travel is the ideal mode. “The Swiss train system is one of the best in Europe, expect scenic views as you travel from the airport to the mountains.”
The Glacier Express is a panoramic rail journey that skirts the Alpine heartland and passes by rivers, in between mountains and meadows. The stretch between Chur and Zermatt takes around six hours and passes by Disentis, Andermatt and Brig. So, what are you waiting for?
“The ski slopes are endless in our canton, we can spend weeks without having to do the same slopes twice”