If there is one photo out of our collection that sums up Switzerland for us, it’s this one of our little boy flying through the air, goggles trailing behind, after having launched off a freestyle aerial jump. The sort of jump you see at the winter olympics. He landed on a huge airbag … and didn’t smash up his nose with his skis like his father did.
Brave, fearless, adventurous, adrenalin-pumping, energetic…. that’s how I would describe our holiday in Switzerland!
It started off very tame, arriving by train into Montreux, on Lake Geneva, late on New Year’s Eve.
We stocked up on basic fare at the local Co-Op and snacked on the rather freezing balcony of our beautiful hotel, anticipating the majestic view we would experience for the first time on New Year’s Day. How come kids don’t feel the cold? I don’t think my youngest even had shoes on in this photo!
Happy New Year!
… and good morning Montreux!
It was decided that we would spend our New Year’s Day searching for snow …. buckets of it …. so we boarded a train, changed at Aigle and ascended, via a little cog-wheel train, to the little mountain village of Leysin, in the Vaud Alps.
The first sighting of snow by the wayside.
Buckets of it!
The prettiest village.
Snap decision to hire skis and ski for the 2 days we were in Montreux, not being able to wait a second longer for our planned skiing in Zermatt!
After all, it was only a half hour trip from Montreux to Leysin through spectacular scenery on a pristine Swiss train.
Leysin
Straight on to the gondolas.
No queues! On New Year’s Day!
And straight on to those skis!
Some gentle snow on the first day! Which delighted my boys no end!
Bring it!
The place was damn glorious.
… and pushed our limits!
Day Two. More glorious-ness, after some more snow overnight.
Had the place to ourselves.
Then it got busy when 10 people turned up.
How blue was the sky?!!
Off piste … as you do, when you are adventurous, fearless boys, dragging a reluctant mother behind you!
There’s the other two, coming up the rear!
There were approximately 100 stacks on the way down from the top! …. no exaggeration Winnie! No creative licence.
One hundred and no less!
Steeper than it looks! Hubby coming up the rear!
Took a while for all of us to get down!
There’s my boy. That red dot in between the trees. He took the jump off the side!
We were the only idiots who braved the terrace for lunch.
Our meals took approximately 5 seconds to freeze. Cold spaghetti bolognaise and chips!
We had never been so cold in our lives….. and we had never laughed so much in our lives …. over the pain …. over our inability to hold our eating utensils, or to steady our bodies as we were shivering so much …. over how our room temperature drinks were icy cold by the end of our meal!
That mountain is where the gondola from the village landed and then you skied off to chase chairlifts to go higher.
Travelling with boys involved spontaneous games like ‘pelt the cardboard box on the bin down below with snowballs until it falls off the bin’ ….. while waiting for the train.
We put in two huge days … we couldn’t believe how beautiful the weather was, the amount of snow everywhere and how picturesque everything was! Our first taste of Switzerland in winter. Pure magic.
Next stop, Zermatt!
A-M xx
Heaven
Desire empire recently posted..TAA the Friendly Way, A Flight Attendant’s Story
Yep. xx
absolutely gorgeous! We had 3 feet of snow while we were in Lake Tahoe, it was amazing, we kept falling over not being used to so much powder, but at least the landings were soft !
Renata recently posted..San Fran to Lake Tahoe
Yes, the powder is so tricky! … but delightful to land in! xx
Great photos! I went to Leysin in 1985, your post brought back wonderful memories. Thanks for sharing x
We received a photo this week from darling son skiing in Japan with similar views of pristine no crowds slopes.
Love all your photos and the one of K flying through the air is crying out to be framed!
xx
Really glorious stuff!! Not sure I would have been brave enough for the off-piste adventure though. Excellent luck with the lack of crowds too!
Wow wow wow! Now I know what time of year to plan a ski trip to switzeralnd! Loving no queues! Great picture of your little one. That would have been enough for 20% more grey hairs overnight for me! *breathe* I can see my son doing the same thing given the opportunity! XX
Compared to Whistler at the same time, Leysin is a ghost town! All to yourself pretty much … lucky duckies. Can relate to your cold spaghetti tale. I bought hot chips one day whilst out skiing. They were very much cold chips by the time I’d gotten through a third of them. Off piste though … not sure if the travel insurance covers that one. Glad you made it down, 100 stacks and all
littlemissairgap recently posted..The Bombing is About to Begin
Oh that photo! I just love it with the little beanie flying through the air, it’s gorgeous. Hope you’re all okay with the rain A-M. Take care, thinking of you xx
WOW! Just incredible! I had about 2 days in Switzerland in August, it was wonderful then too! Want to go back!
sweetness recently posted..the worst part of renovating
Best photo ever!
I’ll be honest and tell you that just reading your posts about the skiing expeditions leaves me exhausted! Must also mention that I think I’ve come up with another vocation for you–a photographer.
Your photos are framed so well, seriously.
I might be related to your youngest lad as, I too, am known for breaking out in song on many occasions and actually in daily life as well! Love the photos of his spontaneous melodic strains! Wonder if he was singing whilst flying through the air?
Gorgeous. I used to live in Switzerland along Lake Geneva. I woke to a similar view for nearly two years. Love your pics and to see you are all so happy. Thanks for sharing. M
Magnolia recently posted..Snow White
Amazing, so reminds me of our trips there. Takes me back to those wonderful family holidays. Never tire of seeing your gorgeous pics. Hope you’re staying dry.
Mel from Georgica Pond recently posted..Designer Admirer – Anne Hepfer
A-M, A-M, A-M ………….. I am LOVING your pics to death. Am not really an instagrammer myself, so have to wait on here for them all… but OOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHH…… YEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS. You realise I am showing my entire class again? lol Great quality too! What a great trip! , Lisa
Breathtakingly beautiful!! So glad you embraced every opportunity and idea and had such fun despite the intense cold
Amanda recently posted..Keepsakes And Treasures
For a few glorious moments I pretended I could actually downhill ski with you and your family (knees won’t permit it). Come visit me next time! I’d even brave heights and bad knees to ski with you all!
xx, Andrea
Oh my gosh, these photos are incredible and it looks like a fabulous time was had by all! I have always always always wanted to go to Switzerland (and skiing for that matter) – it’s making me want to go and pack a bag and get there NOW!
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