{"id":11348,"date":"2015-02-26T19:34:25","date_gmt":"2015-02-26T19:34:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thesojournseries.com\/bavaria\/?p=11348"},"modified":"2016-01-31T11:47:43","modified_gmt":"2016-01-31T11:47:43","slug":"andermatt-switzerland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thesojournseries.com\/bavaria\/andermatt-switzerland\/","title":{"rendered":"Andermatt – Switzerland"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"1-IMG_9594\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The view from the kitchen sink…<\/em><\/p>\n

My initial relationship with skiing might have been much more positive if I hadn’t first been subjected to the concrete monstrosities of certain European resorts. \u00a0 The same resorts that managed to destroy the image I had of a picture perfect place with traditional alpine buildings, set in picturesque streets and all surrounded by beautiful mountains. \u00a0 Mealtimes SHOULD have consisted of delicious fondues on sun-drenched terraces, instead of greasy frites and cheap red wine in the depressing interiors of the grotty cafes of reality. \u00a0 \u00a0 Locals SHOULD have been friendly and welcoming (instead of surly and rude), Ski lifts SHOULD have been a pleasure rather than a scrum, slopes SHOULD have been empty-ish (instead of the opposite), and all dogs in the vicinity SHOULD have been Saint Bernards (of course)!<\/p>\n

I could blame Mr R I suppose, he was in charge of organising huge annual work ski trips for quite a few years, and by popular demand went for the more raucous locations. \u00a0Some of these places might not have been pretty (massive understatement), but I can’t say we didn’t have fun, even if hangovers meant that skiing lessons were chucked out of the window on consecutive days by the few of us in the group that couldn’t ski well (and which definitely accounts for my current skiing abilities)…<\/p>\n

Nowadays we are all older and wiser, and I am vastly more in favour of the idea of my imaginary resort that I had first hoped for all those years ago (before trampled dreams). \u00a0 And, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am completely happy to tell you that it actually exists.<\/p>\n

Andermatt is real, and it’s picture perfect. \u00a0It has masses of traditional alpine buildings, and its picturesque streets are filled\u00a0with restaurants, bars, the odd quirky shop, and the most fantastic bakery – and all of it surrounded by magnificent peaks.<\/p>\n

\"1-IMG_9639\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"1-IMG_9642\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"1-IMG_9671\"<\/a><\/p>\n

On top of that it’s snow sure, and as it’s not all that heard of, the slopes are fantastically empty. \u00a0 It is however well-known for its extreme free style skiing (and boarding) if that floats your boat, but rest assured there are plenty of slopes to keep skiers of all abilities happy.<\/p>\n

\"1-IMG_9667\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The view from the lounge…\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

I found our home for the week online<\/a>, and\u00a0managed to book and pay for it before the recent currency hike (most unusual for my track record!). \u00a0We also lucked in on the place itself, as it’s in a great central location, incredibly quiet and well equipped, and has the loveliest wood stove to return to at the end of each day – perfect for toe-defrosting (if you are frozen solid there’s a sauna in the basement too)…<\/p>\n

\"1-IMG_9600\"<\/a><\/p>\n

If you are heading to Andermatt, do book lessons well in advance if you need them… \u00a0There’s only one ski school and reassuringly lessons sell out quickly as they won’t risk putting masses of children in a group. \u00a0 I think fate might have played a part in it, but having forgotten to book, we ended up with a private instructor for the Small People<\/a> for a couple of mornings. \u00a0In the capable hands of their friendly (part-time lumberjack) expert they gained so much in (mother-scaring) confidence, they were able to master pretty much everything Mr R placed them at the top of for the rest of the week.<\/p>\n

Are we bankrupt after a week in Switzerland? \u00a0Surprisingly not. \u00a0That could have something to do with not being phased by prices having lived in Copenhagen for a couple of years, but self-catering meant that we didn’t waste loads of money eating out all the time, we didn’t need to drive anywhere or spend money on public transport, and looking back, I bet we spent more money on cheap red wine in the concrete resorts of all those years ago.<\/p>\n

\n

PS. \u00a0Andermatt also excels in fondues, friendly welcoming locals, sun-drenched terraces,\u00a0empty slopes, ski lifts that are a pleasure,\u00a0and the only dogs we saw all week were Saint Bernards. \u00a0I am not joking. \u00a0Good things come to those that wait (for at least 16 years…)…<\/p>\n

Share me:<\/h3>