This one’s a long one, loads of pics, because we are is Swiss skiing paradise!!
So far, the Sport Holiday has blown our minds. In every capacity.
Davos is great, fairly typical ski town I think, with many, many hills to choose from, all accessed directly here in town. But what first blew our mind was the family apartment we’ve been lucky enough to get in on.
This place is grand and spectacular in every way imaginable. From the layout, furnishings and decor, to the breathtaking view that stops you each time you pass a window. Watching the gondolas during the day and the groomers all night long, I’ve never been this close to the action.
The apartment itself dates back decades. Originally its purpose was as a Sanatorium. Davos, thought to have miraculous, high altitude air, sure to cure tuberculosis. Patients would lounge on the decks wrapped in blankets, sipping wine.
Doctors’ orders.
It of course wasn’t a magic cure but that fact was a tightly kept secret so as to not deter the health-care tourism.
So now the grand view that the deck provides, and the wine-sipping, are ours to enjoy. It’s a pinch-me kind of place.
When the World Economic Forum is in Davos, the place is rented to a world leader at a mere $25,000 CHF for the week. It’s rare air up here – we’re doing our best to bring it down a notch or two.
The greatest predicament when staying at a place that is so much beyond anything you’ve ever stayed in before is how to deal with the expectation that during the day, we will be out and about. Cancel all the plans, I cannot leave the apartment.
Luckily, the skiing is enough of a draw to coax us out. Yesterday the weather was “poor” so the plan was to go just to the closest hill, Jacobshorn. Poor weather, by the way, was 15 hours of fresh snow and -2.
Sign us up!
Manolo was giddy.
He left bright and early with Andreas while the moms and kids took it easy. Even when we arrived at the hill after lunch to get a few runs in, you could park your car within meters of the gondola. We were told to expect that European ski hills were crowded. There was hardly anyone around on account of the terrible weather. Tee hee.
Correction, there’s powder EVERYWHERE it’s just that no one skis in it. Everyone skis the piste – the groomed runs – leaving untouched powder everywhere. Manolo was getting fresh tracks even on the last run of the day. Happy camper!
The ironic part is that while we have never witness so much untouched powder we’ve also never witnessed so many people wearing avalanche safety gear. Inflatable back packs, beacons, the whole bit. There is a fear that the minute you step off-piste you are in avalanche zone. We’re not talking skiing in out of bounds areas – that’s just dumb. This is all fair game, waiting for the Canadians.
To be clear, I am a piste girl all the way. I wish I were a powder hound too but I am not. It feels like a debilitating knee injury waiting to reappear. That, and it is hard as hell. I’m a groomed run girl and was not disappointed here. In that the piste is where everyone wants to ski, the piste is well taken care of. The snow was perfect, soft and abundant all day long.
Today we set out for a full day at Parsenn.
Blue skies, 2 degrees, about as perfect a day as you could ever ask for. This hill is a bit further away. We had to drive 12 minutes.
We then squish into a train that climbs straight up the mountain, delivering us to an above tree line panoramic wonderland.
I couldn’t get any of my gear on because I couldn’t stop taking pictures. It was mind blowing.
And then we skied. And skied. And skied.
Thank goodness I can claim the mom-card and dedicate my day to staying behind the weakest skier. Truth was, Helena was skiing about as fast as I had any interest going anyhow. In no time my children will have left old-mom in the dust. Thank goodness Dad is in a league they have a long way before catching.
Mid day lunch was about as Swiss as it could get. There are mountain top restaurants everywhere and they fully and completely live up to the stereotype one might expect.
At the end of the day the streets, bus stops and sidewalk bars are all bustling with skiers. We were all too pooped to join in.
Plus tomorrow is a big day for me…XC-ski day!!! You should see the trails. Wheee!!!
