Trips In Review: Europe 2025
Andermatt / Lucerne Switzerland
January 24 – February 5, 2025 - Steve Patzer, trip leader
Andermatt
Twenty-four people from eight clubs traveled to Andermatt. Our group stayed at
the four-star
Radisson Blu Hotel Reussen. We were treated to the modern amenities offered by
the
contemporary hotel. Many people picked up their lift tickets and ski rentals
before joining
our group for a welcome reception with beer, wine, and appetizers in the lounge
area around
a circular fireplace next to the hotel bar. Epic pass holders were able to
obtain their
local passes with only a CHF 50 fee to use the Swiss rail system connecting the
base areas
of Andermatt, Sedrun, Dieni, and Disentis.
Skiers experienced a couple of days of low visibility, flat-light conditions
that provided
additional challenges to negotiate the terrain. Some members took a day off from
skiing at
this time to explore the base villages including Sedrun and Disentis for food,
drink, and
hiking opportunities. All ski areas were easily accessed by train, bus, and
gondola for our
adventures.
Dinner was served promptly after the welcome reception in the hotel’s dining
room. The
quality of the food and service were excellent each night. Some people took
advantage of the
many amenities at the hotel including a 25m pool, a large fitness area, a sauna,
and a steam
bath. The town has a nice variety of bars, shops, and restaurants.
The first ski day offered powder conditions, soft moguls, and a great bluebird
ski day.
Adventurous skiers ventured to Gemsstock for steep and deep runs including
off-piste trails
accessible by surface lifts. Other members experienced the conditions at the
Oberalp Pass
with its sequence of chair lifts to facilitate crossing the pass on the way to
the base area
of Dieni. Rewards for skiing the area near the Andermatt gondola or returning
from a day on
the Oberalp Pass were the on-mountain ski huts that offered refreshments with
beautiful
scenery to cap a fun day of skiing.
The dinners offered a good variety of appetizers, soups, entrees, and desserts
with options
for vegetarian and fish entrees. Breakfast buffets offered a wide variety of hot
and cold
options.
Lucerne (extension)
We gathered early on Saturday morning for the one-hour bus ride to Lucerne. Our
hotel was
the three-star Ibis Styles, although we arrived earlier than our 4 pm check-in
time which
required us to store our bags in a meeting room prior to check-in. Many people
chose to
explore the city and stop for lunch prior to check-in. The Old Town city center
was
conveniently located within a five- to ten-minute walk from our hotel.
We were treated to a two-hour walking city tour of Lucerne on Sunday morning
that featured
many of the city highlights. Lucerne attractions include the Chapel Bridge, the
Lion
Monument, the Musegg Wall, Old Town, the Jesuit church, the Hotel Gütsch, and a
wide variety
of museums, restaurants, and shops. A trip to Mt. Rigi offered the opportunity
for a boat
ride on Lake Lucerne before catching a train which took us to the summit where
skiing was
offered along with scenic overlooks of the numerous mountains. Hiking was
necessary to visit
the highest terrain in the area. The Mt. Pilatus day trip required
transportation by bus,
gondola, and tram to reach the summit. The facilities at the summit of Mt.
Pilatus included
a catwalk with scenic views of the surrounding terrain. Other attractions at the
summit
included a terrace with a panoramic view of distant mountain ranges including
the Eiger at
Grindelwald, a gift shop, a restaurant, a museum, and a hotel.
Andermatt and Lucerne were fun, new locations for the group that offered a
wide variety of terrain and
scenery to entertain us.