Evening star., 1937-12-12
Switzerland
Sparkles in
Winter
Snow Sports Reign
In Picture.Like
Play Land.

i. MOft11L, 0WlG1eIl0uo, OeC.
1l.-Winter vacations and win.
ter sports have definitely come
into fashion. and Switzerland,
paradise for rest and pleasure seekers
alike, Is the land where mans dreams
for such e, Enjoyment come true in over
whelming fashion.
The Swiss winter resorts occupy
attitudes ranging from 5000 to 5000
feet above sea level, this fact account
. ing for the excellent snow and ice
conditions prevailing in them through
out the season. The transition from
misty lowlands to realms of warm
sunshine, blue skies and invigorating
air Is quickly accomplished in beauti-
fully appointed electric trains, and 1t
Is as II one had stepped into a huge
animated Christmas canvas. Snow,
piled high, sparkles everywhere, with
warm sunshine pouring from a cloud
less sky, and colorful sleighs. with
horses prancing, ready to pull out.
Rosy-cheeked, laughing, people in
smart sports attire give additional
warmth to the picture.
THERE is motion and animation
everywhere. Skiing fields, SCARED
with innumerable tracks, are alive
with the gliding figures Of skiers in
all stages OF practice. Ice rinks, with
their carefully polished surfaces CLINT
> Ing In the sun, are the playground of
skaters. curriers' and hockey enthusi-
asts. Glimpses Of toboggan and bob
sleigh runs reveal vehicles descending
steep and tortuous inclines at breath
taking speed, and skijoring and failing
parties revel, respectively, in their
chosen pastimes.
Every important resort in Switzer-
land has now its own ski school, with
classes for beginners, advanced and
expert skiers. Swiss ski school fees
range from to francs per halliday
class lesson, and in certain instances
the resort itself assumes the cost.
Switzerland is the land Of classical
0ownhill runs, among which the Cor
vlglia at st. Moritz, the Diavolezza at
Pontresina, the Parsenn at Davos, the
Iitlis at Engelberg, the Eiger and
Aletsch Glaciers in the realm of the
Jungfrau Railway, the Mannlichen
. above Grindelwald, the Hahnenmoos
at Adelboden, the Gornergrat and
Blauherd at zermatt, are only few
outstanding examples. Downhill ski
ing leaves unforgettable memories and
most Of the popular starting points
are conveniently accessible by funicu-
lars, sky-lifts or cable-toboggans
Ski races in many varieties and ski
Jumping contests are featured every
where throughout the season and we'll
Into March. From that time on spring
skiing events take place in high alti-
tude regions until early June.
r ESTRICTED as to their course, but
not less thrilling, are the scien-
tif1cally promoted sports Of toboggan-
ing and bobsleighing. A remarkable
example Of the former category is the
celebrated Cresta Run at st. Moritz,
which in length of three-quarters of
. . mile has drop of 514 feet, permit
ting an average speed of IS miles an
hour and maximum speed Of so miles
an hour. Amateur toboggan facilities
abound and bobsleigh runs, the main
tenance Of which is rather a costly
item, are featured by number of re-
sorts. including st. Moritz, Arosa,
Grindelwald, Kandersteg, Caux above
Montreux. Montana -Vermala and
Grams S. Sierre.
Magnificent ice Kinks are other CEN
ters of lively sports activities, and in
asmuch as many resorts have not only
one, but several of them, their number
is legion. Champion of these mirror
like Fairgrounds is the over IL acre
rink at Davos, divided into parts for
different kinds of skating, for hockey
and curling.
But Switzerland is not all snow and
Ice sports in winter It also has q
balmy southland Both at Lugano and
Locarno, in the Italian-speakine
Ifcino, flowers bloom in profusion
while winter still holds court on the
heights in the background. Winter
and spring are just . short train ride
apart.