SWISS SKI RESORTS REOPEN.

Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 5327, 13 February 1947, Page 2

SWISS SKI RESORTS REOPEN.

EXPENSES COMPARATIVELY ' . SMALL v BERNE. While a full iriflux of visitors caiiftot be expescted uintil another winter, Switzerland's snow playgrounds are expecting plenty of sklers frorii, every section of Europe this year. Many Europeans who were forced to stay at home during the war years already have ohtained accommodations at one of the many Swiss resorts for a winter of fun in the snow. In addition there are a few Americans who have been able to get transportation to Switzerland for a winter vacation. Switzerland is well endowed with ski resorts. There are some 120 of them and they are located in four regions: the Grisons, the Bernese Oberland, the Valais, and the Frenchspeaking part of the country. St. Moritz, in the Grisons, is probably the best known. Here, in the lovely Engadine Yalley, the .Winter Olympics of 1948 will be held. Then there is Davos, gateway to the Parsenn region; Little Schneidegg, at the hase of the ro.yal tip of Alpine peaks, the Eiger, Monch, and1 Jungfrau; Zermatt, whose nutbrown chalets and hotels lie in a valley at the foot of the tnighty Matterhorn. Switzerland admits that prices at its various resorts are higher than before the .war. They are quick to point out, however, that the cost of living remains considerably less than in other countries. Approximately 25/- to. £2/10/- per day will secure luxury accommoda';ion at first-class hotels. In' smaller inns one can liye comfortably for as little as £1 to 25/- per day. Rates include meals and house service , ;imilar to that of American hotels. Travelling within Switzerland also "s relatively inexpensive. The Swiss ?ederal Railroads and the indepenlent mountain lines issue tourist :ickets valid for il'O days or longer . it reduced flat rates. Wherever the winter vacationist ravels in Switzerland he will discover uimerous cable and cog-wheel railoads and ski lifts, that make skiing n Switzerland "downhill only." Busy rains and lifts shuttle up and down •>teep slopes s0 frequently that in re--ions like the Parsenn a reasonably iroficient skier can enjoy up to 40 niles of downhill nunning in a single lay.