Driving In The Swiss Alps

75 Years Gstaad Ski School

Gstaad Ski School looks pretty good for being 75 years old! This weekend is their big Anniversary Celebration. Friday night is Snow Night, which is a snow on skis put on by the Ski School. Reto is participating as usual. At least this year he's got a cool role as opposed to last year when he had to be dressed like a witch and ski down holding a burning torch. This year he gets to ski down on a pair of old wooden skis from the 60's. The skis are much narrower than ones from today and much, much longer, over 2 meters! Poor Reto, who's an excellent skier, had a real hard time coming down the slope on those babies. He had rehearsal last night and has one tonight. Hopefully, he doesn't come down the slope on his behind instead of on his skis tomorrow night with hundreds of people watching.

The celebrations continue Saturday night with a fondue party and a show again. For 50.00 CHF one gets entry, aperitif, apetizer, fondue and desert, plus one gets to watch the show. Not bad for Gstaad standards. But of course for ski teachers of the Gstaad Ski School (and their spouses lol) it's all free of charge.

The Ski School has to compete with the High Fly event for attention this year. High Fly is a show of real cool guys jumping over a ramp and doing tricks in the air, some on skis, others on dirt bikes. Unfortunate misunderstanding and misplanning between organizers and sponsors of the two events has resulted in both events being held on the same weekend. High Fly activities are scheduled for Saturday night.

Ah well, that just means double the party!

Not For Veggetarians

My husband had heard about this restaurant where they make the best steak served on hot stone. A "hot stone" is like a hot plate that the steak somes on and keeps sizzling on it the whole time. So we went to check it out.

They had a choice of beef or horse meat and then the full portion and a half portion. We decided on the horse, I know some of you may not approve of eating horse but it is really tender and tasty and quite alright here in Switzerland. And we both ordered the full portion. We were starving from a day of skiing. The waitress looked at me and made a suggestion that I take the half portion. I hesitated but agreed.

The dinner arived and I was oh so glad I went for the half portion! The half portion was a 300g piece of horse while the full one was half a kilo!! Of course I couldn't finish it, I could only manage to put away half of the half portion. My husband ate all of his but with difficulties :) We took the rest home. We both swore we won't eat ever again, but that only lasted for that evening while our tummies were overfilled. Looking at the picture now, I won't mind having another one of those monsters!