Switzerland Skating Adventure

July 18-24, 2010

The Valais district in the south of Switzerland is home to some of the most stunning scenery you will find anywhere in the world: crystal-clear streams, gorgeous alpine meadows dotted with traditional Swiss chalets, and the jagged peaks of the Alps. While we are surrounded daily by the steepness of the mountains, our skating routes are mainly flat. We spend most of this Adventure skating down the glacially carved valley of the Rhone River, the driest and warmest part of Switzerland! The paths are smooth and the terrain just slightly downhill - not enough that you notice while you are skating, but enough that you still have plenty of energy for exploring at the end of the day.

We begin our journey high above the valley in the small resort town of Bettmeralp, home of the Aletsch Glacier and accessible only by cable car. Our introductory skate is on a level road leading to the next mountain town. From Bettmeralp, we move down the valley, skating from the charming town of Brig, through the plentiful vineyards and orchards surrounding Sierre, past the ruins of a Roman amphitheatre in Martigny, to the restored 13th century fortress and wine museum above Aigle, until we arrive at shimmering Lake Geneva. The entire area is rich in history and architecture and we have the opportunity to take afternoon hikes to several ancient castles perched high above the towns.

We end our week in Gstaad, one of Europe's most famous and posh ski towns. We have time not only for an alpine skate but a day of hiking in the mountains.

This is a perfect Adventure for those who love skating but also want a rich cultural experience. Switzerland is so diverse it has four official languages. Although English is commonly spoken, you can "sprechen Sie Deutsch?" or "parlez-vous Francais?" as we weave from the German part of Switzerland to the French part and back again. If you like wine, you'll be able to sample many local varieties (including the outstanding Fendant), as we spend much of our time in the center of Switzerland's best wine-making region. The food we choose is a mix of Switzerland's cultural heritage…from German Roestis, French Raclettes and Italian pastas to the ubiquitous Swiss chocolate, which is truly world-class.

Accommodations
We start our Adventure at the Hotel Waldhaus in the tiny hillside town of Bettmeralp, accessible only be cable car. Our hotel overlooks the Rhone River Valley and the mountain ranges that surround it. Our next night is spent at the Hotel le Castel, directly underneath the ancient castle and monastery that tower above the town of Sion in the French-speaking part of Switzerland.  We move once again as we skate down the valley, staying at the Hotel le Forum in Martigny.  Le Forum is not only a hotel but a hotel & cooking school, resulting in excellent service and excellent meals.  Our fourth and stop at the end of the valley is the Hotel du Port in the town of Villeneuve, where we overlook Lake Geneva from our front porch.  Our final hotel on this Adventure is back in the German-speaking area, in the ski resort of Gstaad at the Post Hotel Rössli.

For More Information
See our Switzerland Frequently Asked Questions page or request a detailed Trip Description by email.