As the train neared our next destination, Interlacken, Germany, the mountains slowly came into view and many got excited for the weekend ahead. Many students were planning to ski the famous Swiss Alps, while others were planning a beautiful hike into the Alps. We arrived in Interlacken in the afternoon, found our hostel, Backpackers Villa Sonnenhof, and instantly went to pick up our rental skis, snowboards, boots, helmets, goggles, and ski pants in preperation for the next day. We returned to the hostel and was later picked up by Outdoor Interlaken for our night of 'Night Sledging'. We headed up the mountain and found ourselves in a small village where our Night Sledging would begin.
Once arriving at the gondola, each student picked up a sledge, a similar concept to a sled but you are able to steer and control it much easier, and boarded the gondola. At the top of the gondola we all walked over to the start of the sledging course, a road covered in snow and groomed to perfection. Then we began our sledging adventure, it took us an hour to find our way to the bottom where we encountered a small Swiss restaurant that was prepared to serve us a typical Swiss Cheese Fondue meal. We all ate and celebrated Kara Schrapp's birthday. We then headed back down the mountain to get some rest for a big ski day the next day.
On Saturday morning Craig, Camille, Jessica, and I headed up the mountain to ski the Schilthorn area which is the highest skiable peak in the Interlacken ski area. We skied from 9:30 to noon where we ate a delicious meal at a small restaurant near the top overlooking the mountains. It was truly an unbelievable view that I will never forget. On our last trip up to the Schilthorn mountain top, Brad called Craig to deliver some bad news, Aaron had torn his ACL, part of his MCL, and chipped off a piece of a bone in a ski crash that had happened on one of the first runs of the day. After hearing this terrible news, we all decided this run down the hill would be much more cautious, and we all in fact went much slower. We finished off the day with that run and headed back into the town of Interlacken for a much needed night of rest and relaxation.
We returned back to the hostel to find that everyone had had an excellent day, but all were exhausted due to a long day of skiing. We retreated to our room's for a quick shower and then headed to an Italian restaurant for a good meal. After returning from the restaurant, I went to my bed to read the assignment for Monday and get some sleep.
Sunday morning came fast and almost all of the skiers left for the mountain at 8:00 sharp. This time the group went upu to the Kl. Schneidegg ski area. This was another beautiful ski area that differed from where I skied the day before. I was extremely tired, but determined that I would ski as long as I could to take advantage of a once and a lifetime opportunity.
After eating lunch with Brad and Craig, we went our seperate ways. I headed down to Wengan to grab a train to Interlocken while they went to Grindelwald to grab a different train to Interlacken.
I arrived back in Interlacken around 3:00, showered, and read more for the assignment on Monday. Shelby and I decided we would take advantage of the Swiss fondue and found a comfortable restaurant to enjoy a great meal. We both returned and retreated to our respective rooms where a night of reading and sleep awaits us.
This was truly one of the most amazing weekends of my life, a lifelong dream of skiing in the Swiss Alps has come true. After a trip to Switzerland last summer and a weekend in Interlacken, Switzerland has become my favorite travel destination and I cannot wait for a few days in Lausanne. I hope to return to Interlacken very soon and will be sad to say goodbye tomorrrow morning.
Hope all is well in the Midwest,
Nick Mozena
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