Ski Blog: News and Views from the slopes.

Arlberg Hospiz (St. Christoph, Austria)

There’s not a St. Bernard in sight. Rightly so, since this is the peak of Austria’s Arlberg pass, not the Swiss pass with the doggy name. And if you’re expecting a refuge for pilgrims, that would be wrong, too, although the historic origins are correct. Instead, today’s Arlberg Hospiz is a five-star hotel located on the same site which attracts a top-notch clientele. Skiing is integrated into the Arlberg complex extending from St. Anton to Lech. If you choose the right dates, you can join the stars of indie films and television in the annual charity gala evening aiding the “Brudershaft St. Christoph”, an order as ancient as the Hospiz.

Where and What is Schengen?

Schengen is a wine-growing village in south-eastern Luxembourg near the point where the borders of Germany, France and Luxembourg come together. The village is best known for the treaty signed there, a part of European Union law which allows for common immigration policies and border control systems. 26 countries (All EU states except Ireland and the UK, plus Iceland, Norway and Switzerland) have signed the agreement and 15 have implemented it so far. Border posts and checks have been removed between Schengen countries and a common ‘Schengen visa’ allows access to the entire area. This means that driving between Schengen member countries has become seamless. Most of Europe’s airports were designed before the treaty and have had to be adapted for the new passport controls.

Beer Inside or Out (Bavaria, Germany)

Everyone knows the benefits of drinking beer. Less well known is Bavaria’s beer bath, where the combination of fresh barley and malt plus essential oils has an enzymatic on the metabolism and a peeling effect on the skin. Perfect after a day’s skiing at Garmisch-Partenkirchen ….

(Double the benefits by quaffing a local brew at the same time!) And if you don’t do beer, there are organic whey baths, goat butter baths, salt water baths, milk baths, moor baths, hay baths, rose baths. Use your imagination....

Want That On Ice? (St. Moritz, Switzerland)

 At one end of the attractive lake below St. Moritz village is a bar which is reputed to have the world’s largest selection of fine whiskeys. Probably, best not sipped on ice. But that’s about the only thing in St. Moritz that’s not on ice. When it comes to sports, the intrepid local sportsmen have devised ways to experience usual warm weather sports on the frozen lake: golf, polo, horse jumping, horse racing gallop and trot, cricket, take your pick. Every has its weekend event. If those are not enough, you can wangle an invitation to test the renown Cresta toboggan run or the Olympic bobsled run. (Don’t be misled, “toboggan” is actually a thin head-first skeleton sled. The bob is less challenging, but just as exciting; experienced bobsledders are drivers of the “Taxi Bob.”

Olympic Museum? Look at Lausanne, Switzerland

Even the Olympics have a museum, and an excellent one, covering both winter and summer sports. Located in Lausanne Switzerland, facing Lake Geneva, the museum is a focal point for a visit following skiing in the Swiss or French Alps. Lausanne makes a perfect weekend stop over city. It’s small enough to be manageable, but has a wealth of history and culture.
And after your visit don't miss a stop at the excellent and nicely decorated Museum Restaurant on the second floor which faces the Alps and the lake.

Olympic Games 2006 Outlook

The 2006 Winter Olympics based in Turin Italy are bound to be a highlight of this winter season. For people who want to visit and watch, as always, nearby accommodation is virtually impossible or atrociously expensive. But, if the past holds true, lodging will become available at the last minute at more-reasonable rates. We can provide “back door” suggestions at travel@ski-europe.com.

If It’s Noon, It Must be Cervinia!

People often ask how they can ski several different countries during their short visit to Europe. Surprisingly, the easiest way may be to ski from one country to another during a single ski day. Here are some of the possibilities: Ischgl (Austria) to Samnaun (Switzerland); Zermatt (Switzerland) to Cervinia (Italy); Courmayeur (Italy) to Chamonix (France); Champéry (Switzerland) to Morzine (France).
Ready to ski accross the boarders?