Peering out the airplane window, all I could see were snow capped mountains, peppered with houses lit up in the snow. Zürich was approaching in the distance and now you could make out something resembling a city. Though it had been a warm winter, snow had been falling heavily for the past week in this cold and snowy alpine destination. Perfect for the avid ski enthusiast.
I wait at the airport for my Swiss friend named Renato Engler. He looks like a cross between an Italian guido and a pizza maker. He shows up in a familiar Swedish Volvo with chew seeping over his teeth, and greets me with "welcome you schmelt". Also known as "rookie bitch" in the hockey world. I gladly get in the car with my hockey bag, suitcase, and an exciting feeling of what this beautiful country has to offer me on my visit.
Driving past cascading hillsides and through famous Swiss built tunnels, we make our way from the biggest city in the country to the small town of Grabs. Leaving Zürich was unremarkable. The countryside surrounding lake Wallensee is scenic but small. However, once we passed through the lat of maybe eight tunnels, and jetted out the other side it was a whole different story. Beautiful tall mountains surround you as you drive through a valley between peak after peak. They grow taller and taller the further east you travel. As we finally reach our destination the view is spectacular! The site of this modern, white, magnificently built home was gorgeous. The mountains create an embrace around you as I think to myself—this is their everyday home. I am welcomed with a glass of Ciprian - Pinot Noir from the family vineyard, as formalities are broken and as begins a new, beautiful friendship.
Waking up early has never been my forté, but the thought skiing in the Swiss Alps make it a breeze. A 06:30 am beer, chew, video, and photo-shoot probably helped the cause as well. Not to leave out the train-ride along the road of 360 turns, unforgettable! It was time for the gondola ride, where we slammed another beer just for the hell of it and then it was hello Arosa!
My second time skiing in the Alps, but first time in Switzerland. A great white bowl of endless mountain is what lied beneath as we are hurdled down a steep 500 meter slope to start things off right. After that the fun began as we set out to discover this virtually untouched mountain. Hours seem like minutes, and as burnt energy was turning it into lactic acid a few of Renato's friends were getting ready for a ski competition on the far side of the hill. We stopped at the finish line to watch, grab a beer, and some lunch. After a meet and greet over beers, at 10 am, we decided it was time to hit the slopes once again.
My second time skiing in the Alps, but first time in Switzerland. A great white bowl of endless mountain is what lied beneath as we are hurdled down a steep 500 meter slope to start things off right. After that the fun began as we set out to discover this virtually untouched mountain. Hours seem like minutes, and as burnt energy was turning it into lactic acid a few of Renato's friends were getting ready for a ski competition on the far side of the hill. We stopped at the finish line to watch, grab a beer, and some lunch. After a meet and greet over beers, at 10 am, we decided it was time to hit the slopes once again.
Unfortunately the afternoon brought poor visibility and we were forced to cut the day short. Returning to Grabs for some delicious cheese fondue with some sensational wine, is not the worst thing one can do after an awesome day of skiing. Then like a rabbit out of the hat, it was a quick shower, change, and off to El Capitàn, Austria. Just a test drive before we unleash our full horsepower on Davos the upcoming weekend.
http://www.arosa.ch/sites/winter/skiing_and_snowboarding.html
http://www.myswitzerland.com/en-CH/infra.cfm?rkey=713
Email with any questions?
