On differences between skiing in Colorado and Switzerland (Davos today)

We skied today in Davos, Switzerland, home of the World Economic Forum annual meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some things I've noticed as different between skiing in Colorado vs. Switzerland -

In Switzerland:

1. No free tissues at ski lifts (though we did see an empty tissue box at a lift in Engelberg the other day; so maybe we just have never been at the right place at the right time).

2. Not as much tree skiing. Mostly bare slopes (too high?). But beautiful, stunning rockscapes, which I love.

3. Lots of T-bars. Which used to frighten me as a child, but are okay now. But better with people of similar height. On the other hand, Emily and I did just fine sharing one today in Davos.

4. Not as "convenient" - a lot more walking, poling, herring-boning, skating...puzzling how many slopes have uphill sections, for a sport called "downhill skiing." I noticed this in both Engelberg and Davos this week. The Swiss don't modify the landscape to be more convenient to skiers (!). Do American resort-makers modify the terrain, or is it just naturally more convenient for slopes, or do the Swiss choose the slope layout with less regard to the skiers' desire not to pole? And then the mystery at Davos of only a black slope leading down to the base village (only other option is riding the train back down). Unusual, if not unheard of at a U.S. resort? Know any like that?

5. Windshields on the chairlifts - A+!!!! What a great idea. Never seen this in the U.S. - have you? So nice in the middle of a windy snowstorm. Keeps one warmer and dryer, and makes conversation easier as well.

6. Numbered slopes, instead of named ones. We skied down #15 the most today at Davos. But I think "Sheer Bliss" is a lot more memorable & charming (in Snowmass, CO). But then, perhaps the Swiss-German names would not be easy for most foreigners to pronounce or remember? I suppose numbering the slopes is a more international way to do it, catering to anyone who can count in Arabic, rather than speak any particular language?

7. When helping a fallen child who has lost their skis and poles and is crying with no adult nearby, one doesn't start with "Are you okay?" but rather with "Sprichst du Deutsch?" in order to establish in what language we will be helping. This happened today. And indeed, the child was German-speaking. Fortunately, another man also helped and did most of the talking, while I straightened out the skis and poles and brushed snow off.

8. Hot chocolate automatically made with hot milk, allowing the drinker to add the desired amount of high quality chocolate powder from a sachet. So civilized. Not too chocolaty, just right.

9. We can drive to lots of different resorts for day trips from our house!

I enjoyed the skiing and fresh snow today (despite occasional white-outs and -15°C/ 5°F), and absolutely love the beauty of the jagged Alps. It seems we will only have one more day available to ski before spring hits, due to the kids' theatre rehearsals - we only got to go today because one was cancelled. Grateful.

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from K's Café