Grindelwald.

Grindelwald is one of those amazing Swiss Skiing destinations. Several enormous mountains linked easily by bus and lift. Open pistes at the top slope down to chalets and then to town. Smiling skiers zip down and turn face to the sun at one of the plentiful mountain cafés. In town the shopkeepers greet you traditionally with "gruß". Many passersby say nothing—a tribute to the many tourists. True European ski holiday.

Grindelwald is home to Jungfraujoch, the "Top of Europe". This clever train route travels up and through the mountain range. The lookout station is situated 3454 meters and showcases a stunning panorama. Of course Switzerland has trains and lifts up to every mountain top!

Swiss skiing is one part slope, one part sun and one part coffee. With one restaurant for almost every slope there is time to soak in the sun drenched mountains(reapply sunscreen here)and sip Kaffee. Our pals for the trip are Thomas and Ulli from Heidelberg. Skiers.

As far as I can figure it, Germans skiers fall into two types of categories. "We're Okay" are the modest group encompassing 98% of the population. (Facts verified in small scale poll of 7.2 skiers.) This group have the agility to maneuver every piste on the mountain. They are not as fast or polished as professional skier-no. Fast, polished skiers belong to that other group. They are "Quite Good".

Monday and Tuesday were bright. The sun reflected off the snow and created a beach like atmosphere at the outdoor cafés. We met up with Thomas and Ulli at 11 at Firstbahn. We made sure they understood we were only learning and we would meet them for lunch. While we found a few promising blue runs, they tested a few more and suggested a route we would all enjoy.

After lunch we followed them onto the slope. As we pushed East on a skinny, flat slope, skiers and snowboarders alike were forced to go around us. The awkward angle of my board to the mountain taking up most of the room on the smaller slope. As we round a corner we are faced with the next challenge: the slope they were on in the morning had closed.

Slope closures are common due to risk of avalanche in the area as the sun heats up the mountain face later in the day. For us this means an exciting adventure down a steep slope we would never ordinarily choose. Several other skiers and boarders are faced with the same challenge. David stands up and heads down the sharp slope via falling leaf. Easy. I look over at an English snowboarder watching me. She and I exchange nervous words. Imitating David at first I stand up and push the snow out from under my board a bit. Next I fall on my backside. So I roll with it. Picking up my board a bit, I start to slide the length of the slope on my butt. Fast and fun! Laughing a minute later I grudgingly return to boarding.

Grindelwald offers more than snowboarding and kaffee. Thomas and Ulli have invited us for Fondue after a lazy afternoon nap. Fondue is magical. It all starts with an empty stomach and two huge blocks of cheese. Conversation begins and focus is steadily dispensed on tiny bread squares connecting with the hot swirling cheese in the pot. An hour passes and the cheese-suddenly-is gone. GONE! How is this possible? It is a bite sized wonder.

Honorable Mention: