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- Switzerland
- Swiss Alps
Swiss Alps
The Alps contain some of Switzerland's most dramatic landscapes,
in a country already well endowed with spectacular scenery and
fabulous alpine vistas. Situated at the heart of the Alps,
Switzerland shares the mountain range with France, Italy and
Austria and provides winter and summer time enjoyment for skiers,
snowboarders, walkers and climbers.
Switzerland boasts the first ever ski resort, and since then
over 200 first class resorts have attracted thousands of Swiss and
international downhill and cross-country skiers as well as
snowboarders. The tradition of skiing goes back two centuries.
Today, with more than 1,700 mountain railways and ski lifts,
renowned ski schools and instructors, the best ski equipment in the
world, and outstanding slopes and facilities catering for all
levels of ability, it deserves to be called 'Europe's winter
playground'.
The ideal resort for beginners or families is Grindelwald in the
Jungfrau region, while intermediates and snowboarders head for the
twin resorts of Davos and Klosters, with miles of excellent ski
terrain and acclaimed to be one of the top snowboarding
destinations worldwide. Expert skiers can enjoy the challenge of
7,200 ft (2,700m) vertical drops on the Klein Matterhorn at
Zermatt, and the ski valley of Verbier is ideal for shoulder-season
skiing as its location provides early snow that lingers late into
the spring. The stylish resort of St Moritz offers the most
energetic and varied nightlife out of all the Swiss resorts. The
ideal ski season runs from January to late March, but is most
crowded during the Christmas holidays and the month of
February.
Climbers and walkers head to the Alps between June and September
when the weather is warmer and more settled. There are more than
40,390 miles (65,000km) of well-marked and maintained hiking trails
as well as longer treks across the country that will reveal miles
and miles of unspoiled beauty. Grindelwald has long been the
capital of summer hiking in the Bernese Alps, and more recently
added a network of groomed trails for winter hikers. Climbers have
long been lured by the challenges of the Matterhorn and there are
some memorable hikes up to the cliffs below the summit. The Swiss
Alpine Club (SAC) is the best source of information on
mountaineering.
The most accessible and visited alpine area is the magnificent
Bernese Oberland region in the centre of the country with classic
Swiss scenery - picturesque peaks, quaint wooden chalets and
charming mountain villages, green pastures, lakes and the tinkle of
cow bells. This is a fabulous area for walking and provides
exceptional winter sports.
Information & Facts
Climate
The Swiss Alps experiences a largely varied climate, depending
on the elevation and altitude of different regions, especially due
to the glaciers. The Alps are split into five climate zones, each
with their own distinct character: the Névé zone is located in the
region above 9, 842 feet (3, 000m) and is the coldest; the alpine
zone lies between the height of 6, 561 and 9, 842 feet (2, 000 and
3, 000 m) and is slightly warmer than the Névé zone; below this is
the subalpine zone which is warmer; below this is the arable zone
which is even warmer and is a popular farming area and below this
is the lowlands where many villages are located. In the resort area
of St Moritz, average daytime temperatures during the summer months
average between 46F and 52F (8C and 11C) while the average
temperature during the winter is 25F (-7C) during the day.
Language
The three official languages are Swiss German, French and
Italian. A few people speak Romansch, but this is confined to the
southeastern corner of the country. Most people know at least three
languages, including English.
Money
The official currency is the Swiss franc (CHF) divided into 100
rappen (German) or centimes (French). Although not part of the EU
many prices are nonetheless indicated in Euros and some merchants
may accept Euros. Visa, MasterCard and American Express are widely
accepted and ATMs are widespread; many are equipped with the Cirrus
or Maestro system. Banks offer the best exchange rates for
travellers cheques and foreign currency, but it is also possible to
exchange money at major hotels, main train stations and airports.
Banks are open Monday to Friday.
Time
Local time in Switzerland is GMT +1 (GMT +2 between March and
October).