I’ve never stayed in a youth hostel, but clearly they are improving.

This one down in Valbella, part of the Lenzerheide resort, about an hour and a half from Zurich has been recently refurbished and offers stylish accommodation at very reasonable rates.

And there’s no need to worry about age – the Swiss say that if you are young at heart, there’ll be a welcome.

Mind you, if you’re not a member of the YHA there’ll be a surcharge, but as it’s only 6 CHF that’s not a disaster.

During Winter minimum stay seems to be two days, and the double rooms seem to have disappeared off the list, so best to arrive as a group of four or six.

Two nights including ski pass and dinner starts at CHF 183, which is pretty good value.

Valbella Youth Hostel
Voa Sartons 41
7077 Valbella (GR)
Phone: +41 (0)81 384 12 08
Fax: +41 (0)81 384 45 58
valbella@youthhostel.ch

Post from: The Switzerland Traveler

Before the winter sets in and the fog comes down over Zurich, why not take advantage of the October sun and nip over to Klosters and find out what global warming is doing to our glaciers?

There is a four kilometer circular walk high above Klosters, located at the Suvretta hut, 2341 meters above sea level. The walk leads from the hut to the Glacier, and features 15 posts along the way, designed to educate and inform about changes to the glacier; local fauna and flora and the influence of humans on the Alpine ecosystem.

That’ll be why there are all those signs at most ski resorts telling snowboarders and skiers to stay away from certain areas. Fortunately, I’m useless off-piste, so i stick to the marked areas anyway!

You’ll learn how to respect the climate and environment, and it’s a beautiful walk in it’s own right, with no need to double back on yourself. The hut itself closes on October 21st, and re-opens in February for the Winter season.

Further information and photo www.silvrettahuette.ch

Post from: The Switzerland Traveler