Life on the Piste - The Swiss Traveller's Guide.

With over  thirty top Swiss ski resorts to choose from at  www.otp.co.uk , it can be hard to know which one is right for you.  So, to help you decide, we will be doing a blog focusing on a particular resort and its merits. This week, we take a look at Andermatt. Andermatt is a very diverse resort in Central Switzerland. It consists of two very different ski areas which span across the cantons of Uri and Graubünden. These two areas are the Gemsstock mountain and the Andermatt-Oberalp-Sedrun area. Whilst the former is an absolute haven for freeriders, the latter provides a more leisurely experience with wide, intermediate pistes, two nursery slopes, three toboggan runs and a whole host of mountain restaurants.  Initially a sleepy Swiss village, the area has been transformed by the construction of the award-winning luxury hotel, the Chedi Andermatt, in 2013. Fortunately, though, the village has managed to retain its Alpine charm throughout its redevelopment....

With over  thirty top Swiss ski resorts to choose from at www.otp.co.uk , it can be hard to know which one is right for you.  So, to help you decide, we will be doing a blog focusing on a particular resort and its merits. First up, Laax! Laax is an expansive and slightly unique ski resort in the canton of Graubünden. Its eastern location in Switzerland means that it is an easy resort to get to, only taking ninety minutes from Zurich.  With over 235 kilometres of piste, Laax has plenty of variety in its slopes and is suitable for all groups and abilities. From skiing on the Vorab glacier, the highest point of the resort at 3,018 metres, to eating at excellent mountain restaurants, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. The connected resorts of Flims, with its extensive network of hiking and cross-country skiing trails, and Falera, an authentic Swiss village, really add to the diversity of the ski region.  That being said, Laax is pa...

Bern   SwissPasses.com are the exclusive online ticket suppliers of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Switzerland. See more of the country and experience these amazing sites. We will focus on one on each blog and today: Old City of Bern Founded in 1191, the Swiss capital Berne features a historic Old Town quarter renowned for its medieval magic, impressive cathedral and attractive arcades.      Highlights : Visit the Zytglogge in the old city of Bern and learn more about the impressive tower from the 1300s. Discover the first Western city gate and enjoy an incredible view of everything from the city to the Alps. Admire the golden inner workings of the clock and see an incredible puppet show Visit the Zytglogge in the old city of Bern and learn more about the impressive tower from the 1300s. Discover the first Western city gate and enjoy an incredible view of everything from the city to the Alps. Adm...

Grindelwald V Project goes ahead Ready for winter season 2019   The Grindelwald V Project has given the final go-ahead, a 400 million-franc project that will cut travel times from the village of Grindelwald up to the Jungfraujoch railway station by 47 minutes.   At 3,454 metres above sea level, the Jungfraujoch station is the highest in Europe and is a hugely popular destination for tourists: over a million people used the station in 2017, up 13.6 percent on a year earlier, thanks in part to its popularity as a destination among Asian tourists.  Currently, rail tourists travelling to the station from the Grindelwald Grund railway station must first take the train to Kleine Scheidegg and then change for the Jungfraujoch service.    The Männlichen gondola is also being replaced with state-of-the-art 10-person seated gondolas so speed up access to this brilliant ski area.   Trains from Interlaken Ost will pass through a new Grindelwa...

Bellinzona SwissPasses.com are the exclusive online ticket suppliers of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Switzerland. See more of the country and experience these amazing sites. We will focus on one on each blog and today: Three Castles of Bellinzona Three Castles of Bellinzona The three imposing castles of Bellinzona - Castelgrande, Montebello and Sasso Corbaro - are among the most significant examples of medieval defensive architecture. The three imposing castles of Bellinzona - Castelgrande, Montebello and Sasso Corbaro - are among the most significant examples of medieval defensive architecture. Opening hours Castelgrande museum: November-March/April - from 10:30 to 16:00 March/April-November - from 10:00 to 18:00 Castello di Montebello and Sasso Corbaro museums: March/April - November: from 10:00 to 18:00 November - 7 January 2018 - from 10:30 to 16:00 From the 8th of January 2018 to M...

Your team! We are very proud to present your team who will be looking after you when you come on holiday with us this winter. GRINDELWALD: Ellie Joy With a season under her belt and a true love of the outdoors, Ellie is the Resort Manager for OTP in Grindelwald and the Jungfrau region. She is champing at the bit to is sure to show you around the slopes! NENDAZ, Les 4 Vallées: Chris Jenkins From Doncaster and with a solid background in resort work, Chris is the Resort Manager for Nendaz and the 4 Vallées region, returning for a 3rd season.  Chris is an excellent person to show you the region and make sure your holiday runs smoothly.  SAAS-FEE: Tom Senior  From Ravenshead, Nottinghamshire, many of you will know Tom - OTP Senior Resort Manager and back again to charm you in Saas-Fee. Tom is a qualified ski instructor too and not only back with us again, he is in charge of all winter resorts. ZERMATT: ...

With spring conditions upon us and the winter season drawing to a close, the OTP Resort Managers were given a taste of what other exciting activities Switzerland has to offer. Partnering up with  Fly Zermatt , the Resort Managers were each given the opportunity to go paragliding and soar above some of Switzerland's most iconic peaks. Although the OTP team took off from Zermatt's Rothorn peak (3103 m), they reached altitudes in excess of 4000m. The theory behind paragliding is that heat rising from the surface of the earth produces upward currents of air. As such, during the winter when Switzerland is covered in snow, there aren't as many air currents and flight altitudes tend to be a lot lower. As snow begins to melt during the spring and bare patches of earth are exposed, flights tend to be a lot more turbulent due to the mix of summer-like up-currents and the remains of the cold winter air. Whether you're an adrenaline junky or simply wan...