Switzerland
by Lulu Sheard
The Kulm Hotel St. Moritz and luxury skin brand Valmont have joined forces to offer unparalleled spa experiences in the heart of the Engadine resort in Switzerland.
Their new program includes ‘Escape to the Summit’ a unique treatment that specifically targets guests’ needs during their winter trip in the mountains.
At an extraordinary meeting on 16 March 2020, the Federal Council in Switzerland took the decision to introduce more stringent measures to protect the public. It has declared that an ‘extraordinary situation’ now exists in Switzerland in terms of the Epidemics Act.
Even guests who regularly experience 5-star service cannot fail to be impressed by the attention to detail at The Alpina Gstaad, and LISA YOUNG was surprised and heartened to discover the family that runs the luxury hotel in Switzerland also supports companies, artists and talents engaged in social and sustainable activities in the developing world
Mark Nicholls skis across the Swiss-French border for some ‘rock’ on the pistes
Against a backdrop of stunning mountains, rock is the order of the day.
The Dents du Midi – the seven defining peaks of the region – are jaggedly formidable against the skyline.
Sunday 24 March 2019 marked the 75th anniversary of the real ‘Great Escape’ and several special events and memorials have been held on the site of the former German Prisoner of War camp which is now part of Poland.
by Amy Borrett
THE RECENT Les Rencontres du 7ème Art Lausanne Film Festival First Edition attracted a host of Hollywood celebrities and shone a spotlight on the Crans-Montana ski area in Switzerland.
And there was more good news this week when it was announced the ongoing dispute which had led to the indefinite closure of the ski lifts had been resolved for the time being. Day tickets are now on sale at a vastly reduced price, and Crans-Montana’s slopes will now stay open until 17 April.
New airline powdair has launched ticket sales through its website powdair.ski with a winter schedule that links Sion Airport with the UK.
Flights commence from 14 December, 2017 and will cut transfer times to some of Switzerland’s most popular ski resorts for winter sports enthusiasts including Zermatt, Verbier, Saas Fee, Crans Montana and Nendaz. A variety of transfer options from Sion Airport to onward destinations are available to book at the point of ticket purchase, including shared and private journeys to the major resorts in the region.
The airline claims that there will be very little fluctuation on ticket pricing across peak dates, meaning that families won’t feel hard done by during the busier school holiday periods. Average prices will be around £140 and there is more good news for skiers and snowboarders because equipment is included in the ticket price.
The eight airports that will be served by powdair are – London Luton, London Southend, Southampton, Bristol, Manchester and Edinburgh. Flight times are typically between one hour 25 minutes and two hours.
Marcelline Kuonen, Head of Experience and Market Management at Valais Promotion, said: “We are looking forward to seeing direct flights into the Valais region and welcoming more guests into our fantastic region. Some of the world’s top ski resorts are within easy reach of Sion Airport.”
Zoë Ombler, Head of Commercial for powdair said: “It’s not every day that we get to launch an airline and especially one that opens up a completely new route into an airport that is so close to some of the world’s best ski resorts. The response we have already seen shows the kind of interest people have in the area and regular, scheduled flights into Sion are long overdue
FRANK BALDWIN found a load of nut cases when he visited the quirky ski area of Corvatsch in the Engadine Valley
When you think of St Moritz, it conjures up images of swanky hotels where the rich and famous stay while enjoying the skiing or the excitement surrounding the famous Cresta run, ice polo world cup, ‘white turf’ horse racing and other activities which take place during the winter on the town’s frozen lake.