Interlaken,
Switzerland
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Located
in the German-speaking heart of Switzerland, Interlaken
offers winter sport's fans access to some of the most
spectacular skiing in the Alps, with their base in a
service-packed small city in a spectacular lakeside
setting. Traditionally a 'Summer' resort, Interlaken had
long been attractive to winter sports enthusiasts because
of its prime location and the fact that it's excellent
hotels and other facilities offer very low rates during
the winter. Its status became 'official' however with the
launch of the The Jungfrau Top Ski Region, containing more
than 160 Km (100 miles) of trails in ski centers above
Grindelwald, all linked to Interlaken by a mountain
railway included in a ski pass. The average length of runs
in the area is a remarkable six - 12 KM (four - nine
miles). With the pass, it's possible to ski a different
ski area every day for a week.
The
name 'Interlaken' actually means "between the
lakes" - Lake Thun and Lake Brienz to be precise and
water is omnipresent throughout the area with idyllic
clear mountain streams and waterfalls running off the
hills and into the lakes. The resort offers dozens of
water-based activities, throughout the year. If you ever
got bored of sliding on the cold white variety you can
always enjoy anything from a cruise on a lake steamer to
just feeding the ducks or even frog watching! Visitors
first started arriving at Interlaken long before downhill
skiing was conceived. One of them, Lord Byron, famously
remarked "it's a dream" on first seeing the
town. The first hotels opened their doors in 1806,
complementing the existing monastery hospice (now the four
star hotel Interlaken) with the boom years beginning in
the 1860's. Much of the beautiful architecture and grand
design date from this 50-year era up to the First World
War, but the impressive exteriors hide equally impressive
fully modernized interiors, enabling Interlaken to offer
the best of old and new. In the early days, when the likes
of Goethe and Mendelssohn popped by, Interlaken was
promoted for its healthy climate, as well as the
spectacular views.
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What's
Great
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What's
Not-So-Great
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The most energetic and mileage-hungry skier or
snowboarder could easily stay for a month without
getting bored
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Great ski runs for those in the intermediate to
expert range
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Great town for apres-ski opportunities
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Tremendous vertical drop of more than 7,000 ft.
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Interlaken is not a ski resort - rather a town
located near several resorts
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The hustle and bustle of the town is
occasionally reminiscent of life back home
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Virtually no snowmobiling, ice climbing, night
or heliskiing
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Typically bad snow late in the year (late March
and beyond)
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Learn
more about Interlaken
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