| Facts about Switzerland | | Highest point: | Monte Rosa 4.634 m. | | Language: | German, French, Italian and Ratoromanic | | Currency: | Schweizerfranc = 100 rappen | | Population: | 7 million | | Capital: | Bern | | Pre-dial: | 0041 |
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Along with Austria, France and Norway; Switzerland can claim to be one of the four most important countries in the development of modern skiing at the turn of the last century. The world's first-ever recorded 'winter ski holiday' took place in St Moritz in 1865 (see Introduction) and the first proper lifts for skiers were built in Davos.
In the meantime some of the best known winter resorts were established, including Gstaad, Mnrren, Wengen, Grindelwald, Villars, Klosters (famous in recent years for the patronage of Prince Charles) and Crans Montana. Zermatt offers the highest skiing in Europe and is now the only resort on the continent which endeavours to offer skiing 365 days a year on its glacier in the summer.
Switzerland also contains some of the most spectacular scenery in the Alps - the classic vistas depicted the world over in 10,000-piece jigsaws and on chocolate box lids. Some provide excellent skiing, others are simply great to wake up to in the morning.
The combination of such magnificent scenery, often spectacular skiing, atmospheric alpine villages, quality of food and service is very difficult to beat, although making many of the top Swiss resorts car-free has enhanced the Swiss ski-holiday experience yet further.
Switzerland has a reputation as an expensive country although in fact the cost of skiing in the country is little more and often less than other countries and some would argue that it’s better value than most too.
In any case families should note that Switzerland offers some of the best lift ticket value in the world for children with prices often a third to a half of the adult fare, when in other countries they may be 70 or 80% of the full cost from age four. Many Swiss resorts don’t even charge for children until age eight or nine.
Anyway how much is that view of the Eiger from Wengen really worth? or for that matter the fact that you can put your skis on the plane at your local airport and they'll arrive at your Swiss hotel without your ever having to touch them?
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