Arosa, Switzerland 20 December 2011

Koji after a big day on the slopes.

Tommy covered in fresh snow - it snowed constantly all day

The boys fighting to ride with Chris on the toboggans.....

Our hotel - Arosa Kulm through all the fresh snow!!!

Koji's big day!

Kids started ski school and Tommy was moved up a grade to the beginners slope today.  They got a new instructor who spoke English so were really happy with that and had a great day.

It was snowing all day – no blue sky at all – up in the mountains it was as if you were enclosed in a big white bubble – was actually hard to see the runs too.

Nigel and I did a few runs and watched the kids on the way down – both are going really well.

We stopped for lunch at the little old chalet across the road and then grabbed some Toboggans from the Kulm to hit the tracks.  The kids got their first ever gondola ride and we headed to the toboggan track which was a bit thinner than I would have liked it to be…..

Tom went with me because I’m slow, and Koji with Nigel, because he goes fast.  All sorted.    There was a lot of walking along flat sections and when we finally got speed up it was pretty safe to say Tom and I were out of control.

Nigel and Koji headed down before us to let us know of any scary bits on the track, when Tom and I hit corner and went over the edge down towards a forest of pine trees.  The snow was really deep and although I landed on Tom he managed to get out first and help me out… very funny situation and one he loved telling everyone about!   When we slowly made our way around the corner Koji and Nigel were waiting for the ‘slowies’.

We stopped on the side of the run for a few photos which turned into a big snowball fight.  Koji was covered in snow – you couldn’t see his face…. Then he had to come with me (Tom had given up and wanted to go a little bit faster) – Koji gave me confidence as he whinged and whined about having to run the rest of the track with me…..

We made it to the bottom and then the kids did a few runs on their own up the beginners slope….

Tom and I had had enough and headed back to the room, while Koji suited up in ski gear and hit the BIG slopes with his dad.  Very proud moment there…. The big boys went all the way to the top of the gondola and Koji skied down alongside Nigel on his snowboard…..

Everything came together today for Koji as he realized the freedom of being able to get off the kiddy runs and explore and ski where he wanted… he even took dad off piste on the way back.

Back at the room he excitedly recounted every run and every turn of his adventure and was fully stoked with himself…..

Long hot baths followed to ease the muscle pain – adults as well as children and then the kids hit the kids club while Nigel and I had a few drinks at the bar followed by dinner in the Thai restaurant….

The polony shaped head ‘noodles’ didn’t offer much comfort last night so might be time to start stuffing clothes into our pillow cases in an attempt to enjoy these wonderful beds and get a good nights sleep.

Arosa, Switzerland 19 December 2011

Chalet in the snow - Arosa

Koji coming up a pomma by himself on the beginners lift!!

Chris on the slopes of Arosa under a snow machine!

Another day in paradise!!

What an amazing view out the window when we woke up!! More snow overnight but a beautiful clear morning with blue skies.

We enjoyed the Kulm’s buffet breakfast and then got the kids to ski school for their second day.   Koji was moved up to the next level and Tommy stayed with his original class.  Nigel and I headed for the gondola and up to a few runs half way up the mountain.   It’s very quiet here at the moment as the season is just opening and this is the first snow – this means hardly any queues at the lifts and not too much traffic on the slopes.

It had been eight years since I last snowboarded – except one run in an indoor center in Auckland a year ago!   Besides being extremely unfit I managed to make it to the bottom without a fall.   Nigel as usual took to it like a duck to water.  We did another run down to the ski school where we watched Koji shooting down the beginners run by himself!!  Dad and Mum were very proud..!

We picked the kids up as their lessons were only for 2 hours and went to lunch in a little restaurant near the slope.  Surrounded by goat heads, reindeer heads and a big hare with horns protruding from it’s head… we quite enjoyed our lunch….!

Nigel disappeared for the afternoon so I took the kids on the bus around the town and then for another hot chocolate to warm up.  It was -14 overnight and -7 during the day today so a bit chilly!!!  My breathable Australian climate sandshoes are doing wonders with letting the snow melt through them into my socks and freezing my toes each day!

Back at the room it was time to sort out our luggage!  We’re on our 11^th day which means were half way through our trip…..

Tonight we headed over to the little old chalet across the road for dinner and watched all the big piste groomers with their lights on in the pitch black clear the runs on the mountain.  They all came down and parked outside the window we were eating at and came in for dinner.  

We’ve just ordered some ‘neck rolls’ for our room tonight – the beds are lovely but we think they may have forgotten to put cushions in the pillow slips as our heads are at bed level each night when we lie down.

Arosa, Switzerland 18 December 2011

The gorgeous alpine town - Arosa in Switzerland

Arosa

Arosa - from our hotel

Keeping the 'smokers' warm outside - Arosa Kulm

The Autobahn from Jona to Chur - no chance of doing 130km/h on this!!!

Ice sculptures at Christmas Markets outside our hotel

Koji at his first ski lesson

Pretty chuffed with himself

The kids room at Arosa Kulm - interconnecting with us

Nigel having a break from snowboarding

The road we were meant to drive up on before deciding to take the train!

Kids at Ski school

Tommy at ski school

View from train to Arosa

Finally in the alps!!!

Today we woke to the ground covered in stunning white powder!!  It has snowed overnight and the a was a big white marshmallow!

We packed and decided it might be a long drive to Chur (80km) so headed off earlier than normal.   The snow clearers were out on the road trying to get the snow off the road so we had a good run, although very slow for about 5 kms – then it got really, really bad.  Nigel was sitting 70km on the autobahn and not game to brake for fear of losing traction.  It snowed constantly for 60km and the road was covered in snow and ice.  A really scary drive.   The road didn’t clear until about 20kms out from where we needed to go so it was white knuckles all the way!!  The scenery was beautiful for a passenger but not a driver.  Many times it was a white out where you couldn’t see 100 metres off the road.

We made it to Chur and left our car at the Europcar office for the 4 nights in Arosa.   Here we boarded a train ($14) to do the 1 hour trip up through the alps to the ski resort of Arosa.  It was a magical train ride and the scenery was breath taking although looking down as we crossed some of the bridges was not for the faint hearted.  The train was, as usual, beautiful and clean.

We landed in Arosa and were to be met by the shuttle bus from the hotel we are staying at – the Arosa Kulm.   After 45 minutes waiting and 2 phone calls they arrived, extremely apologetic and offering free drinks tonight for the error on their part.    Arosa looks stunning and so much like a typical Swiss alpine village.

We checked into our hotel (one of the rooms was ready) and were blown away – the place is beautiful – we look out over the mountains covered in snow.  The room and service here is second to none, and when the kids got into their interconnecting rooms a few hours later, things got even better.   Thinking the big gift box they each received on arrival was enough (filled with toys and videos) – their room had free chocolates instead of a fruit platter, a teddy bear each on their pillows, a children’s bathrobe and shoes, kids towels in the bathroom along with kids cups and flannels.   They were blown away and think they are bit more than special at the moment!!!

We dropped our gear and raced down to get the kids fitted out for their ski lessons in the afternoon – a quick fitting and raced down to the nearest restaurant for some chips, nuslisalat and pumpkin soup  - and it was back just in time for the to start their ski school.  Their class goes for 2 hour and they are in with all nationalities but the instructors speak a bit of English.   Nigel took off snowboarding for the rest of the day, and ended up back down at the train station where we started.  After a massive uphill walk back to the ski school he realized the buses took the route and you can just jump on and off anytime for free.

The kids had a great time skiing – by the end Koji was going down the little hill by himself and Tommy was sliding down sideways on his bum.  He was ready to give up but persisted until the end.     Unlike many other places you ski, it’s not possibly to rent clothing here in Arosa, so it cost a fair bit this morning trying to get everyone decked out.

After the slopes it was back to the Arosa Kulm for hot chocolates, waffles and then hot showers / baths.   We went to the Christmas Markets the hotel had put on tonight and were given mulled wine to compensate for the shuttle bus problem earlier in the day.

We then had a look around the hotel and chose one of the only two restaurants open to dine at.   At $45 a main meal – it was not quite what we wanted – but in true Arosa Kulm style – the kids menu came in around $11 and the kids were treated like kings.

There is a kids club, bowling alley and a massive day spa with indoor heated pool here – the place is amazing…. I’d be happy to hang at the hotel all day!!!

Free internet, breakfast included, right next to the ski school, Nigel can sit in his jocks in the warmth of the room with minimal fuss….. all is well here in Arosa.

A goodnights sleep ahead.

Jona, Switzerland 17 December 2011

The old castle in Rapperswil

The boys found the Australian shop in Rapperswil in the old town.

We drove past the Kinderzoo and it was closed over winter but all the animals were in easy reach of the road so had a better view than if we were in the zoo!!

The Dobsons in Rapperswil, Switzerland

Koji & Father Christmas at the Christmas markets

The view over Rapperswil and the lake Zurisee

Saying goodbye.

Gorgeous street lantern

Old town Rapperswil

TV Christmas display - little trains going around inside

Painted on window effects

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!

No phone calls last night – brilliant slept through until 0800 and started the day with an awesome breakfast from our B&B hosts – Gerti and Peter.  Beautiful fresh breads with cheese, preserves and croissants…. When Gerti mentioned Sundays were busy for them as Peter was the local pastor, a few things fell in to place.  Number one – why there were still rooms vacant. Number two – the bible and Jesus videos in the rooms.

We opened our curtains this morning over looking the Swiss Alps covered in snow in front of us across the lake.  Within in minutes it was snowing outside.

Our first stop this morning was down at the lake to say goodbye to a special friend.  Two swans came in to greet us, which made the saddest moment a little bit nicer.

We ventured off to get the kids some gloves and waterproof shoes for the alps and wandered through the old town, up to the castle etc… Such a beautiful old town.

We met Dani, Innes and their baby Marios in at the Christmas Markets for a ‘gluwein’ and then Marc, Paula and their little boy Kimo joined us.  We went back to Marcs house and spent the afternoon with them all – pizzas for dinner followed along with a lot of comments about our choice of accommodation – everyone thought we had joined some cult as it was well know to be a bit of a ‘Jimmy Haggart’ type of place.

We found out that the road from Chur to Arosa has over 360 turns on it and with snow forecast have decided to leave the car in Chur and take the train up to Arosa for the next 4 days.

Another adventure lies ahead……