WINTER FUN AND GAMES IN SWITZERLAND

Switzerland has long been considered a chic winter holiday destination, particularly prized for its alpine slopes at some of the world’s most prestigious ski resorts such as St. Moritz, Klosters and Gstaad. Business Mir has selected a list of alternatives to skiing for when you need a change of pace.

Sleigh riding in Klosters Sleigh riding in the snow is always a joy, but spectacular alpine views make it an activity well worth while in Switzerland.The Fluetsch family has operated a horse farm in Klosters since 1911 providing romantic daytime and evening sleigh rides for 2 or more passengers.Clients can choose between a 1 hour and 2.5 hour trip to various destinations in the area, including a local monastery and the old village of Monbiel.Family Christian Fluetsch: Doggilochstrasse 1 7250 Klosters T: +41 81 422 18 73 www.pferdekutschen.ch Bobsledding with the pros St. Moritz’s Olympic bobsled run is still regularly used for professional competitions and visitors can experience the thrill of speeding at up to 135 km per hour from St. Moritz to Celerina with a BobTaxi ride. 2 passengers sit between an expert driver and brakeman in a ‘bob’ which whisks them down the 1.7 km track in just 75 seconds. This is not a pastime for the fainthearted but the CHF 250.- fee includes transport back to St. Moritz, helmet rental along with a commemorative certificate and pin badge. Note that BobTaxi rides are by reservation only and exclusively for passengers over age 18.Olympia Bob Run: 7500 St. Moritz T: +41 81 830 02 00 www.olympia-bobrun.ch Snow tubing in the world's largest tobogganing park A 30 minute drive from Villars or Gstaad takes you to the world’s largest tobogganing park at Leysin. Enjoy snow tubing on 7 runs of different heights and speeds designed by Olympic medallist and world champion bobsledder Silvio Giobellina. Choose from a variety of breath-taking options including 360° spins and taking off from a 5 metre high tower for a thrilling 250 metre ride. The park includes a Snow Village with igloos and a yurt as well as two mini runs designed for children under age 6.Leysin Tobogganing Park: 1854 Leysin T: +41 (0)24 494 28 68 www.tobogganing.ch Alpine dog sledding in Gstaad Enjoy a spectacular dog sledding ride across Glacier 3000 with views of the Matterhorn, Mont Blanc, the Jura Mountains and Lake Geneva. Sleds drawn by 8–10 dogs carry up to 4 adults and excursions to various other destinations around Gstaad are available as well. Reservations are strongly recommended.Huskypower: 3764 Weissenburg T: +41 33 783 01 28 www.huskypower.ch Curling in Crans-Montana Curling is a sport of strategy and skill, which is why it is also known as “Chess on Ice”. The Crans-Montana Curling Club is one of the region’s only outdoor curling venues and visitors can play the game with an experienced instructor.The club hosts tournaments such as the Swiss Open Air Curling Championship so beginners can slide on ice sheets used by top curling pros. The 1.5 hour course for groups of 4 or more participants must be reserved in advance and promises a unique introduction to the art of wielding the curling broom and sweeping stones into the target zone.Curling Club Crans-Montana: Route de l'Astoria 9 3963 Crans-Montana T: +41 76 568 95 55 www.curling-crans-montana.ch