Alpine adventures

Snow-capped

Most people relate a trip to Switzerland with the impeccably laid-out cities of Zurich and Geneva, with the natural beauty found at Interlaken and Rhine Falls and with the breathtaking train ride to Jungfraujoch, also known as the ‘Top of Europe’.

But not many tourists have discovered the charm of the snowy slopes at Mount Titlis, the highest point and only glacier in central Switzerland. This permanently ice-covered mountain at nearly 10,000 ft above sea level has been developed into a wonderland of day-long fun and activities.

Mount Titlis looks down on the beautiful Swiss town of Engelberg that lies at 3,300 feet and boasts of tourist activities all the year around. In summer, there is mountain biking, golf, bungee jumping and hiking, and in winter, it transforms into a base camp for the ski resort at Titlis. With several good hotels and the Swiss Rail running through it, Engelberg is well
connected, being just an hour from Lucerne and about two-and-a-half hours south of Zurich.

The journey to Mount Titlis is in three phases and begins in the cable car station at Engelberg. The ‘gondolas’ that climb up from here are small cable cars that take six people at a time. The 20-minute ride to Trubsee traipses over alpine green slopes dotted with plump, contented jersey cows, their famous Swiss cow bells clanging peacefully in the mountain air.

At Trubsee, there is a change-over to a much larger cable car that accommodates up to 80 people at a time. The short, five minute ride in this cable car ends at Stand for the final and most exciting part of the journey in the Rotair — the world’s first revolving cable car and one of only two, the other being in South Africa.

The Rotair affords you a complete view of the mountains on all sides as it revolves at 360 degrees and simultaneously climbs steadily into a world that changes from verdant forests, musical with sylvan sounds to endless silent snowscapes.

Here, surrounded by ice and snow, glaciers and deep ravines, you enter the wonderland that is Mount Titlis.

The Titlis Glacier Station sits atop the mountain, centrally heated and with all the comforts you could wish for. Five restaurants, a relaxation lounge, an-open-to-sky ‘Sun Terrace’ that offers a breathtaking view of the mountains all around, and access to the Titlis Glacier cave 20 meters below it.

There are so many activities to try out that it would be wise not to waste any time once you have reached the top. The ‘Ice Flyer Chair Lift’ zooms you across the slopes as you sit in its open but secured comfort  and look down at the sheer mountain sides, the dangerous crevices and snow banks, from an angle you could not have otherwise seen.

It takes you straight to the ‘Glacier Park’ where the fun and games start. Here, special slopes are earmarked and maintained for safe indulgence in snow activities.

Sitting snug in the ‘Snow Tube’, it is a heady ride downhill ending in a gentle tumble as you hit a snow bank at the bend. Truly exhilarating, yet safe. Coming back uphill is made easier by an escalator that climbs steadily back to starting point.

The ‘Snow Scooter’ and ‘Balancer’ are for the more daring. If you believe that safety is in numbers, you can try the ‘Snake Gliss’, two or more plastic sleds linked one behind the other. While the person at the back can control the direction, it takes guts to be the one in front as you both hurtle downhill, the icy air and growing speed quite taking your breath away. For mountaineers and adventurers, there are guided hikes and crevice abseiling.

Returning from the ‘Glacier Park’ via the ‘Ice Flyer’, you can relax with hot coffee or chocolate on the ‘Sun Terrace’ and drink in the sheer magnificence of the Alps all around. It is impossible to put into words the sight of the world’s most spectacular mountain ranges, appearing as if it were a touching distance away.

Mount Titlis is a popular winter sports destination for ski enthusiasts coming from all over the world. But it is worth a visit in summer, just to enjoy its various fun activities.