Switzerland Newsletter
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1. 10 good reasons for visiting Switzerland during the winter
2. Switzerland's SnowMountains.©
3. Casino Opening
4. Geneva's annual international Christmas market and Christmas tree festival
5. Amrita Wellness Center opens at the Montreux Palace
6. FIS Alpine World Ski Championships 2003 St. Moritz-Pontresina, Engadine
7. 25th International Hot Air Ballooning Week
8. Davos has a new Parsenn funicular
9. A Centenary of Movement
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Switzerland - what an experience!
10 good reasons for visiting
Switzerland during the winter
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When it comes to winter vacations, every person
has different sensations, emotions and interests that come into play.
That’s probably why there are as many different selections of
Swiss vacation highlights as there are people:
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Outdoor adventure
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Switzerland offers the largest number of high
altitude winter sports resorts of all alpine countries. In addition
to ski runs, skating rinks, and cross-country pistes, numerous
well-prepared winter hiking trails are awaiting the visitors.
But that’s not all, Switzerland is right on the mark with trend
sports such as carving, freeriding, snowshoeing, zorbing, halfpiping
– and sizzling snow parties. That makes Switzerland the definite
winter wonderland.
"Soft, real or no
adventure: you name it, Switzerland has it!"
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| Skiing above the timberline |
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Most ski-areas in Switzerland are above
the timberline. This way you can enjoy the panoramic view around
you. It is so spectacular that you might forget to focus on the slopes.
"If Mountains had
a home, it would be Switzerland"
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| Naturally grown resort villages |
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Switzerland has the longest winter sport
tradition. For more than 120 years tourists enjoy the Swiss winter-experience.
Our resorts are in villages that grew over centuries. Swiss
resorts offer many advantages: great shopping, cultural events,
local customs, gastronomy and entertainment. Experience all of this
in a clean and safe environment, and within walking distance
of your accommodation.
"Cozy villages surrounded
by a gigantic scenery"
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| Switzerland - less expensive than you think |
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For less than $200 you can rent top of the
line ski equipment for an entire week, including boots. In most
resorts you get a 7-day lift pass for $75-$100. And remember:
taxes and tips are always included in the posted price. It may come
as a surprise, that if you compare the cost for your winter trip,
Switzerland is often less expensive than the Rockies.
"Switzerland, your
wallet will thank you"
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| Short transfers |
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From Zurich or Geneva airports, it takes
2-3 to get to some of the finest winter resorts. Both airports
feature railway stations for a smooth transfer, you even can forward
your luggage to your final destination.
"More leisure time
– less travel time"
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| Switzerland - centrally located in Europe |
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If you have more time, why not combine your
ski vacation with two or 3 days in Paris or London. These and
other European capitals are just 1-2 hour’s flight from either
Zurich or Geneva.
"Switzerland is
in the heart of Europe"
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| A country and its people |
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No other alpine country has such a unique
mix of cultures and languages. The diversity typical of Switzerland
unfolds within a small space. It’s felt and experienced right
upon arrival. Contrasts like herding cows and the highest IT-density
in Europe, Heidi and Hingis, wrestling on top of the Rigi mountain
or swinging to the tunes of the Montreux Jazz Festival - Switzerland
combines tradition with modern-day living and technology.
"4 cultures, 4 languages,
1 friendliness, 0 stress."
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| Quality of experience |
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Swiss quality is an attitude. So it comes
as no surprise that vacationing in Switzerland is easy, comfortable
and problem-free. Everything functions! A unique and high quality
rail network brings you up to the highest summits and across valleys
with ever more beautiful panoramas unfolding.
"Switzerland is
a naturally grown theme-park. A maximum of adventures is connected
by a high quality public transport system."
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| Food and Wine |
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Enjoy over 300 different Swiss wines, more
than 450 kinds of Switzerland cheese, and of course premium chocolate.
Discover Haute Cuisine from Lake Constance to Lake Geneva. Experience
typical Swiss dishes like Raclette, Fondue, Roesti and Bratwurst.
"French-, and German-influenced
cooking – always with a Swiss twist."
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| Switzerland - Vacation Land |
| Switzerland is
too small for mass tourism. That’s why every visitor is welcomed
and treated as an individual guest. Just the way you like it.
"Your vacation.
Switzerland."
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| More News |
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2. Switzerland's SnowMountains.©
Switzerland Tourism has published ¿SnowMountains.©¿, a one-stop information tool to plan your Swiss winter vacation.
Almost 50 winter resorts list their infrastructure, altitude, number of lifts, length of runs and ski pass prices.
Boarders can choose their favorite fun/obstacle park, halfpipe and boardercross piste.
Non skiers receive information on winter hiking trails and toboggan runs. If you prefer to be active indoors,
tennis courts, skating rinks, pools and wellness centers are listed.
Other winter activities explored are snowtubing, snowshoe trailing, and night sledging. Event tips include
the World Alpine Ski Championships in St. Moritz, ancient traditions and cultural highlights like the music
festival in Gstaad.
In addition to hotels, the number of holiday apartments, backpacker stops and youth hostel are available.
To get you in the mood, a foolproof receipt for Switzerland¿s most famous winter dish ¿Fondue¿ is included.
To order your free copy of ¿SnowMountains.©¿ call toll free 1-877-794-8037 or 011 800 100 200 30, or order it
on-line at http://cdb.stnet.ch/link.cfm?uuid=142246&tid=177&url=www.myswitzerlandshop.com/index.cfm?fa=itemlink&id=030004
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3. Casino Opening
The new gambling casino in Zermatt will be ready to open in mid-December 2002. The semi-circular buiding to
the South West of the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof is underground and ¿ so as not to change the heart of the village
only the entrance will be visible from the outside.
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4. Geneva's annual international Christmas market and Christmas tree festival
Geneva¿s annual international Christmas market
November 29th to December 24th 2002
The International Christmas Market will take place in Geneva¿s downtown shopping district. The aim of this event
is to offer on a single spot a wide choice of productions of genevese and international craftsmanship in order to
give visitors - tourists and inhabitants - a wide choice of original gifts before X-mas. Come and discover the
X-mas village, with its lovely little wooden chalets, which will make X-mas shopping an unforgettable moment.
Information: http://cdb.stnet.ch/link.cfm?uuid=142246&tid=177&url=www.wwsa.ch/noel/Index.htm (only in French)
For some pre-christmas events, please go to
http://cdb.stnet.ch/link.cfm?uuid=142246&tid=177&url=usa.myswitzerland.com/en/news_java.cfm?mo=v&id=201
International Christmas tree festival in Geneva
From December 1, 2002 to January 5, 2003 the second International Christmas-tree Festival, organised by the Art
Project Foundation in association with UNICEF and the City of Geneva, will transform Geneva into a city of light.
Twenty-two Christmas trees, each decorated and lit by an eminent artist, will be installed in prominent positions
around the lakeside and in the city centre. From downtown to the lakeshore and the old town, each tree will show
off its unique decoration, bringing a special atmosphere to the street life of each area.
Artists from different countries contribute to the festival and will use their imagination to create a show that
has never been seen anywhere in the world.
The event, organised by the Art Project Foundation in association with UNICEF and the City of Geneva, promises to
astonish visitors with a brilliant display during the end-of-year festivities.
http://cdb.stnet.ch/link.cfm?uuid=142246&tid=177&url=www.christmastreefestival.com
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5. Amrita Wellness Center opens at the Montreux Palace
The Montreux Palace Hotel is delighted and proud to announce that ¿Amrita Wellness¿ is officially open as
of Tuesday, October15th, 2002. Amrita Wellness is a concept created by Raffles International in Singapore
and is a luxurious center for fitness, health and relaxation. The Amrita treatments combine the best of
Western technology and Eastern therapies to offer you a new approach of wellbeing.
For additional information, photos and a complete fact sheet of the spa, please visit the website:
http://cdb.stnet.ch/link.cfm?uuid=142246&tid=177&url=www.montreux-palace.com
or for more information on Montreux, please go to
http://cdb.stnet.ch/link.cfm?uuid=142246&tid=177&url=usa.myswitzerland.com/en/destinations.cfm?category=Destinations&subcat=Lake%20Geneva&id=9087
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6. FIS Alpine World Ski Championships 2003 St. Moritz-Pontresina, Engadine
St. Moritz will be hosting the Alpine World Ski Championships for the fourth time from February 1 to 16, 2003.
It will be the largest sports event ever to have been held in Switzerland. Some 100,000 spectators are expected
to travel to the Engadine for the races, with an additional 300 m. viewers around the world following them on television.
10 exciting races await the spectators
All races will be carried out on Corviglia, the "home mountain" of St. Moritz. The situation of the racing slopes
is truly spectacular, with all races taking place above tree-level and leading to the Finish area on Salastrains.
The racing schedule for the FIS World Ski Championships 2003 is highly concentrated. At the weekend, the event's
undisputed highlights include the Women's and Men's Downhill and Slalom disciplines.
Spectacular 100% drop for the Men's Downhill Start
The Start of the Men's Downhill race is located atop Piz Nair, at an altitude of 2,836 m. above sea level. Along
its first few meters, the Start slope lies at a gradient of 45°, which equates with a 100% drop. In a mere 7 seconds,
it takes the racer to a speed of around 137 km/h! The view from the Start down to the Salastrains Finish some 800 m.
below is equally breathtaking.
The choice in tickets is as varied as the World Championships program itself and runs from the simple standing-room
day ticket to a box seat inclusive of first class catering for the full duration of the championships. Details can
be found on the official World Championship website, www.stmoritz2003.com
Facts on the FIS World Ski Championships 2003 from February 1 to 16, 2003
- 100,000 spectators
- 9,000 accreditations (functionaries, media, sponsors)
- 60 nations
- 400 athletes
- 15 international television stations
- 2,500 media representatives
- 450 hours of television broadcasting
- 300 m. television spectators
- 1,500 Voluntari on the job (incl. helpers, police, etc.)
- 100 persons in the core organization
- 10 races
For more information on wintery St. Moritz, please go to
http://cdb.stnet.ch/link.cfm?uuid=142246&tid=177&url=usa.myswitzerland.com/en/navpage.cfm?category=Winter&subcat=Alpine+Wintersports&id=9167
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7. 25th International Hot Air Ballooning Week
The Château-d'Oex Hot Air Ballooning Week celebrates its 25th anniversary from 18 to 26 January 2003. The event
is one of the most spectacular on the international ballooning calendar, and annually attracts some 80 balloons
from 15 countries. The anniversary programme will also include demonstrations of hang-gliding acrobatics and
parachuting. The Wednesday afternoon is reserved exclusively for children, with attractions including balloon
flights, a make-up competition and entertainment. Passenger flights will be organized every day. Friday evening
will see the traditional "Night Glow" spectacle, followed by festivities throughout the village.
For more information, please go to
http://cdb.stnet.ch/link.cfm?uuid=142246&tid=177&url=usa.myswitzerland.com/en/infra.cfm?rkey=648
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8. Davos has a new Parsenn funicular
Renovation of the first section of the over 70-year-old funicular began in April 2002. Work has forged ahead
at full speed during the 2002 summer season, to enable the new railway to open for the coming 2002/2003 winter
eason. The result is a funicular which does not differ much in length and shape from the now "retired" carriages,
but which brings many advantages in other respects. This will be Switzerland's fastest funicular, with an extremely
high standard of safety. Travelling time from Davos to the midway station will be cut from 9 to 4.5 minutes while
passenger capacity per railcar will be increased from 135 to 200. As a result, overall passenger capacity will be
trebled. Passenger access to the railcars will also be easier. For details contact
http://cdb.stnet.ch/link.cfm?uuid=142246&tid=177&url=www.parsenn.ch
Also in Davos - Second half-pipe at Jakobshorn
Board freaks will love the new half-pipe, sure to ease the rush on the existing half-pipe at Bolgen, near the foot
of the Jakobshorn. The new pipe, measuring 100 metres long, 17 metres across and 5 metres high, is located near the
Jatzjunior ski lift in the Jakobshorn ski arena, also the site of the popular Fun Park.
For more http://cdb.stnet.ch/link.cfm?uuid=142246&tid=177&url=usa.myswitzerland.com/en/destinations.cfm?category=Destinations&subcat=Graubuenden&id=9057
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9. A Centenary of Movement
The Swiss Federal Railways are 100 years old. Join their ¿centenary of movement¿ celebration by taking a look at
their jubilee website. You will find useful information, conests, a jubilee shop, and fun games.
Check it out at http://cdb.stnet.ch/link.cfm?uuid=142246&tid=177&url=www.1902-2002.ch
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Click Here for a list of Travel Agencies ready to help you get Ski Tours to the following Destinations:
Arosa
Aletsch Region
Champery
Chateau d'Oex
Crans Montana
Davos / Klosters
Engelberg
Flims Laax Falera
Gstaad
Jungfrau Top Ski Resort: Interlaken / Wengen / Grindelwald
Lenzerheide
Les Diablerets / Villars / Leysin
Saas Fee
St. Moritz / Engadin
Verbier
Zermatt
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