Serendipity and Skiing in Switzerland

I grew up skiing the mountains of New Mexico and Colorado. Being raised in the Panhandle of Texas, I was within four hours of the nearest ski resort. Considering I was ten hours from the nearest beach, trips to the mountains were the norm. Spring breaks were spent on the slopes, and some of my favorite childhood memories occurred while wearing skis.

Yeah…that’s me on the far left with the smallest bangs.

Three am wake-up call times with a 4:00 am departure were usual for my dad. The Suburban was loaded and coolers were packed the night before for the trek northwest. Loaded down with my favorite pillow, cassettes and extra batteries for my Walkman, and issues of Seventeen magazine, I looked forward to these adventures.

As the hours passed, the sun rose to reveal a different landscape. No longer was I looking at the flat, cotton fields of West Texas. Instead, the earth rose before me and trees became pine and aspen. To touch the window with my hand left me feeling chilled. Rolling down the window to breathe in the fresh mountain air invigorated me. The familiar smell made me nostalgic for previous trips and caused my pulse to race in anticipation for the one that lay before me.

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I was reminded of my love for the mountains on a June trip to Keystone, Colorado. Although in town for TBEX {Travel Blog Exchange}, I couldn’t help but think back to the countless vacations to Colorado from my youth. I hadn’t skied since college, but as I rode the gondola up the snowless mountain, I knew that hitting the slopes would be a travel priority for me in the winter. All-inclusive ski holidays are readily available and for the most part, a pretty good deal. Thankfully my vacation time will start over in the new year. I could think of no reason why I shouldn’t be braving a blue trail in the winter.

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A few months after visiting Keystone, something strange, wonderful, and unexpected happened. I was in the thick of planning my Go with Oh European tour, when a very special invitation arrived to my inbox.

“How does skiing in Switzerland sound?

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Excuse me? How does it sound? Like a thousand angels singing the most glorious rendition of Hallelujah. It also sounds like a pen scratching numbers 73 and 75 off my to-do list. So, along with my favorite European blogger, Mrs. O Around the World, in January I’m off to Verbier, Switzerland.

BOOM!

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It’s going to be a quick trip, but as I learned when I visited Spain in September, some Switzerland is better than no Switzerland. I suppose I should be a bit concerned that I’m 38, haven’t skied in 20 years, and have a hard time believing there is nothing I can’t do. This could be a dangerous combination given the fact that I’ll be hurling myself down the highest point in Switzerland. And since I’ll be with Mrs. O, there will probably be gin and tonics and Irish coffees involved.

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Switzerland was nowhere on my radar as I was riding that gondola up Keystone Mountain in June, but when an opportunity like this crosses my path, I’d be a fool to question it. Thus, the flight is booked and I’m awaiting my travel itinerary.

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I’ll still hit the Colorado slopes this winter. I’m eager to revisit the place that gave me so many happy childhood memories. However, there’s something to be said for thrill felt when seeing a new place. I can’t wait to experience the storybook setting that is Switzerland. And don’t forget the chocolate.

One must NEVER forget the chocolate.

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