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Engelberg Titlis Ski Resort in Switzerland, ready to serve you with a smile

Posted: 26.11.2008 | Views: 190

Not far from Lucerne and Zurich, Engelberg used to be recognized for spa treatments. When skiing became popular, however, people who had the leisure time and the money came to ski. Though the secret of skiing here is in the open, it's still feasible to experience nature for yourself and breathe clean, crisp mountain air. Because of the altitude, the ski season is about as long as is possible in Europe. Located in the Urner Alps, the ski season starts as early as October and finishes as late as May.

Engelberg Switzerland, though small in population, has always had an open mind for change and advancement. In fact, the first Swiss Confederation took shape here. There is still an existing and functioning monastery that used to be a renowned school; today it houses several important pieces of history. Additionally, the town was the first in Switzerland to install an electric rail line. Moreover, there is a 'Rotair' cable car (like a tram) that goes 3020 meters to the Titlis Glacier skiing. Often the ski area is referred to as the Engelberg Titlis Ski resort. At the top of the Titlis glacier, there is a tunnel that goes through the glacier. If you walk from one side to the other, you'll be in a whole other canton (a Swiss state).

The Alpine-esque design of Engelberg fits the classic Swiss style but caters to the throngs of visitors who need a place to stay. Though thousands of people can visit here at any one time-especially during the high ski season-the architecture gives the touches of a remote alpine village and not a bustling ski resort. The alpine backdrop sort of frames a picture perfect ski area and forges a bond between nature and man. As you might find elsewhere in Switzerland, Engelberg Titlis creates an aura of something simpler and woody with the best skiing and technology for transporting skiers and accommodation in all of Europe. It's easy to be swallowed by the alpine feel as the trees encompass you up to 2000 meters.

The terrain at Engelberg Titlis ski resort can be broken down by percentage or by the number of runs. Beginners and Advanced/Expert skiers will share the same percentage with 20% each. Engelberg is really created for the intermediate skier, and they'll get the most with 60% of the runs dedicated to blue. If you're into cross-country skiing, then Engelberg is the place to be. There are an astounding 41 km of trails for you to get your skis waxed up and ready to go. If cross-country skiing isn't your thing, then the 82 kilometers of downhill pistes will keep you and your family busy for days on end. You can ride for 12 km and lose 2000 meters of altitude up from the Titlis glacier and down to Engelberg-one of the longest in Europe! If you like oxygen deprivation and long ski runs, the highest of the 26 ski lifts will take you up to 3020 meters. The lowest pistes reside at 1050 meters with the resort right below that at 1000 meters. There's a terrain park for snowboarders and even they are welcome on any of the runs in Engelberg.

Engelberg is ready to serve you with a smile. The locals actually depend on it as 75% of the jobs here are in the service industry. The workers are here to make sure you have a good vacation on some of the best slopes in Europe. The monks that started the collegiate church so long ago have been helping people for years. The journey here is worth the niceties you'll experience. After you explore the monastery and some of the town, you can find more than skiing at Engelberg and on the Titlis glacier.

There is a glacier grotto, ice walking excursions and a freestyle park all housed here. Families or partners with children will love to come here, as there is an array of activities for children (from lama petting in the summer and horse drawn tobogganing in the winter). Try the Brunni Trail with information plaques on life and nature or the Four Lake Tour (Lake Trub, Engstlen, Lake Tannen to Lake Melch) gives families a fun exploration journey.

Getting to and staying at Engelberg Titlis Switzerland is both effortless and economical. If you're coming from an international location, it might be best to fly to Zurich and then hire a car for the one hour drive; you can do the same from Basel, but it will take you around one and a half hours. Or, there is a train from Zurich to Luzerne that takes less than 50 minutes. From Luzerne, you can take one of the hourly trains to Engelberg. Ski weekends are always doable. The prices for individuals and families aren't sky high either. One adult will pay around 230 CHF for a five-day ski pass. Buying a one-day ski pass won't save you any money, as it will cost you about 55 CHF. Family and group ski passes are available, but be prepared to factor in your accommodation price and costs of food-up this high in the mountains of Europe, nothing is cheap.

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