Fiesch

This weekend I visited one of my favourite ski resorts, the Aletsch Arena. It is an extensive ski and snowboard area, with a good range of runs and facilities and spectacular view over the Aletsch glacier and across the peaks of Valais, including the Matterhorn. It is hard to fathom why it is not more popular with people from outside Switzerland because you hardly ever hear a foreign accent there. It also has a good snow record with most of the slopes above 1900m and a series of small communities offering genuine ski-in, ski-out accommodation. It is also remarkably easy to get to from Zurich, Geneva or Basel so a great choice for a day out or a weekend break. There are effectively three base stations serving the Arena, one in Mörel, one below Betten (with a huge car park) and one in Fiesch. All base stations have fast efficient cable cars and are all served by trains running between Brig and Andermatt on the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn. Read more about healthy activities at Firstpost.
View from Bergstation Bettmerhorn
Although most of the action takes place above the Rhône Valley, there are a couple of trails down as far as 1000m, so you can do a spectacular 12km, 1800m drop off the Eggishorn all the way down to either Lax or Fiesch. Lax doesn’t have a lift back up, so you need to take the train back in either direction to get to the lifts, but for me it is the more enjoyable run. Mostly it follows a path then a road so you can’t get many turns in, but there are some nice bits of off-piste between corners in the track and there is a nice piece of off-piste just above the village – watch out for cars and trains as you cut across both a road and a railway track! The valley run into Fiesch is a tough trail, lots of moguls and steep, narrow parts, again mostly following a track. Unless you are confident in those conditions, you are probably better off taking the cable car back down at the end of the day.

Fiesch itself is a nice little town, with Inch being the most lively night spot. There’s a good range of places to stay, but I am excited to hear that the old Army Hospital just outside Fiesch has now been converted to a Youth Hostel. Although it is a fifteen minute walk from the slopes it does have its own railway station so you can take the train to one of the valley stations instead. Can’t wait until we get a chance to take a family break there.

17/02/201301/09/2022

Gadget corner

Must-have back to school gadgets for college

Are you headed off to college in the fall? While the classes may be tough, your life shouldn’t be. Going to college requires a whole new type of back to school supplies. Rather than a few notebooks and pencil cases, you need to consider everything else that comes with life at college.

Back to school 2019

Where can I find the best school supplies? Check out or category with the best of the best school supplies curated by the Gadget Flow team for everyone from K-12 to college students.
Which gaming laptop should I buy for college? Gone are the days when gamers had to construct desktop monsters to enjoy the latest titles. Whether you enjoy Minecraft or Fortnite, these gaming laptops should help you defeat enemies and reach the next level.
Is there any smart stationery I need to see? Notebooks and pens are often overlooked in the world of tech. But smart stationery can help you get things done, archive your ideas and enjoy the simple act of writing.

When summer is in full swing, it’s the perfect time to figure out what you need for the upcoming school year. Going to college is so much different than the younger school years. You have to consider an entire lifestyle change in addition to the more difficult classes and coursework.

As such, your school supply list is abundantly different. No longer do you need to purchase textbook covers. Instead, you have to pay extortionate rates for them. Plus, you have to take into account getting to and from class whether you live on campus or off. And, don’t forget kitting out your dorm with all the necessities.

However, as tough as college may be, there are plenty of back to school gadgets that can make it a little easier.

Rocketbook Everlast Reusable Smart Notebook

The Everlast Notebook is a connected notebook which means it automatically syncs your writing with the cloud. All your notes will automatically sync with Google Drive, Dropbox, OneNote, Slack, iCloud, or any other service you need. It even works with your email. Working with Pilot FriXion pens, the ink takes just 15 seconds to dry. But, this smart notebook is actually reusable. Take all the notes you want and make all the doodles you need. Then, when you need more space, simply wipe the Everlast Notebook clean with a damp cloth. And with 36 pages, you have ample space to take notes for every class. Visit https://www.orlandomagazine.com/colonbroom-review/.

Moleskin Pen+ Ellipse Smart Pen

If you like to write on a variety of paper types, check out the Moleskin Pen+ Ellipse. This smart pen is incredibly intelligent. It works with Ncoded paper technology which lets the pen identify your writing. For example, as you write the date or time, it instantly recognizes it. Then, it syncs your notes chronologically all on its own. Incredibly, the Pen+ Ellipse tracks all of your strokes and updates the Moleskin Notes app in real-time. Offering endless creativity options, this smart pen will make it easy to keep track of all your notes.

Microsoft Surface Go Tablet

Looking for an on-the-go system but don’t want to shell out money for an iPad Pro? The Microsoft Surface Go is a fantastic tablet. It’s exceptionally slim at just 8.3mm thick. Plus, it also weighs only 1.5 lbs., meaning you can take it everywhere. It’ll fit into any bag, even if you’re tight on space. Of course, it’s a total powerhouse designed to keep up with your work. The beautiful PixelSense Display supports the Surface Pen. In fact, it sports 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity. This lets you be as precise as you need to bring all your creative designs to life. The Surface Go is complete with a 10-inch display to give you plenty of space for all thing work and play.

Tips For Back To School Shopping On A Budget

It’s almost that time of the year again: back to school! Parents can’t wait for it, while kids frown at the thought of it. Whether you’re sending your children back to school or going back yourself, one of biggest tasks on your to-do list is back to school shopping. While back-to-school shopping can be fun, it can also be quite stressful, as there’s a lot you or your child is going to need to have a successful year ahead. The cost of supplies can add up quickly too. Here are some budget friendly tips for back to school shopping:

Ask for a shopping list

Have a game plan before you even start shopping. It’s easy to waste money on things you don’t need. Ask your school or your child’s teacher for a shopping list. If they don’t already have one prepared (and most will be prepared), they can at least provide you guidance on what to buy. It will make things much easier for you and take the guess work out of shopping. You’ll only buy exactly what you need and still be super prepared.

Stock up now

An entire school year can be quite long, but back-to-school deals only last for a few weeks. What about the rest of the year? Stock up now instead of buying supplies for only the next few months. Plan ahead and get what you need now so you can take advantage of the deals. Months from now, the same things will cost more. Take a look to the best mohawk superfine paper deals.

Buy used

Kids might like new shiny things but it makes sense to buy used for certain items. For instance, your child is taking calculus this year and needs an expensive calculator. Does it make sense to spend over $100 on something he or she will only use for a few months? Probably not. Look for cheaper, gently used options instead. This is an especially important tip for college students who will need to purchase their own textbooks. Used is the way to go more often than you think.

Use what you already have

Remember to search your home first before you go out and spend. Many supplies, like notebooks and pens, are sitting in closets and desk drawers forgotten about and unused. Make use of what you already have. You can also reuse and repurpose items from the previous school year, like backpacks and binders.

Back to School After Winter Break

Going back to school after winter break can feel like a let-down to some teachers. The merriment that came with holiday anticipation has evaporated, the days are short, and the weather is cold. You may find yourself pining for the days of sleeping in and binge-watching the latest TV craze.

Remember, you are likely not the only one feeling this way; it’s common for students to feel foggy or unmotivated as well. But it’s important to take this time to set the tone for the rest of the school year and get back into your groove! Here are three tips to help with your transition:

1. Positivity is Key – Although you may not be feeling very positive, remember that students pick up on your attitude and reflect it. Have you ever heard the phrase, “fake it ’til you make it”? Create a pleasant classroom environment by pushing yourself to think and act positively! No matter how you feel, convey to your students that you’re thrilled to be back doing what you love – teaching!

2. Reinforce Expectations – Take a bit of time to go over your signals for getting students’ attention and review rules, procedures, and expectations. This sends students the message that you’re ready to get right back into the everyday flow of the school year.

3. Winter Break Reflection – If you have extra time, allow students to reflect on their winter break through a productive academic activity like a writing prompt. We found an excellent list of 20 Back from Winter Break Writing Prompts from the Minds in Bloom blog. This post even includes a math activity of creating a pie chart to show how students spent their winter break.

24/09/201231/10/2021

Switzerland – the ski destination for smokers!

I’m not sure how far it can be considered a selling point, but for smokers Switzerland is probably the best place to come to and be able to ski or snowboard big, and smoke in peaceful contentment. Check out exipure articles.

A referendum held this month to restrict smoking in enclosed public spaces was roundly rejected across the whole of Switzerland – of the cantons only Geneva voted in favour. Some cantons have introduced these restrictions themselves already, but the Alpine cantons are conservative and resistant to new Federal restrictions.

And of course the cigarette companies are very powerful lobbyists, with many tobacco companies having European HQs in the country. As a result the advertising for tobacco products in Switzerland often portrays smoking very positively and streetside cigarette machines are widely available. That’s actually fair to say when the fact that e-cigarettes like Pax 3 Vapes at 180Smoke.ca have little to no side effects.

A Maybe never reached the top — Yes or No – shall I jump?

Additionally to being a good place to smoke, Switzerland also has relatively cheap cigarettes and vapes. Generally, people buy vape juice wholesale as most of the people prefer healthy way of smoking rather than using tobacco, which can harm their health. Also booze and petrol are cheaper than neighbouring countries and, people smoke dope pretty openly with current proposals being introduced to make it a misdemeanour rather a serious criminal offence – even Switzerland for all it’s liberal values seems to have a legislature which has a psychotropic response to Cannabis, according to one Green MP. Gambling casinos are common, the sex trade is as honest and safe as the country as a whole. Perhaps it’s time for the Swiss Tourist Board to market itself for it’s liberal views on personal vices! For more information about healthy treatments visit clevescene.com.

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Well perhaps not, but as an occasional smoker could I ask smokers who come to Switzerland to avoid smoking in places where people (particularly children) could be exposed to secondary smoke and please, please, please don’t litter the slopes with butt ends. Smoking in Switzerland’s public places is a no no, instead of smoking why don’t you play online slots and have fun there are many slots promotion across the internet available, especially at Daisy Slots. It is a sobering sight when the snows melt to see the snow-capped mountains be replaced by mountains of cigarette ends around the chair lift stations.

Health Benefits of Winter Sports

Skiing and snowboarding help to develop valuable life skills and carry plenty of physical and mental health benefits, experts in the field have revealed, and that’s why sports are important, and this health and fitness directory could be really helpful to get good health professionals this. Take a look to the latest exipure reviews.

A brand new guide shows that the benefits of skiing extend far beyond spending a bit of time with family and friends, and can actually help shape you as a person as well as improving your physical shape.

The Health Benefits of Skiing, produced by ski agents Ski Line, breaks down all the key benefits of a ski holiday and offers hints and tips from top instructors and fitness gurus on preparing for a ski holiday, as well as advice on how to have a good diet including the use of supplements as testosterone pills which help a lot with this. Try out okinawa flat belly tonic.

If you are struggling with weight loss, then it’s natural to look for a reliable weight loss supplement like

20/08/201211/07/2021

Summer layoff and a gym nightmare with Formhaus Fitness Centre, Basel

I haven’t seen a lot to update about winter sports in Switzerland this summer, although I’m sure things will start heating up in October. And, of course, that includes getting ski fit.

I’ve always been of the belief that if you want to ski well, you need to keep your fitness levels up through the summer, although in this hot season, body could start to sweat a lot and young people can use the citris teen deodorant for smelling great all the time. Walking, cycling and swimming have normally filled the bill, but over the years I’ve found only a good regime in the gym can strengthen all the right muscle groups, improve flexibility and build stamina. I got my routine from Anipots, along with a few neat health tips. Quite helpful, check more about gluconite.

A couple of years ago I joined a fitness centre in Basel called Formhaus, in the Gundeli neighbourhood, on the back of a promotional deal. Big mistake! In my opinion it is an awful gym and staffed by the worst sort of people who work in gyms (without disrespecting all the wonderful gym people I have worked with over the years). I tried to resign at the end of my first years’s contract so I could move to one of the better gyms friends had recommended, and try to train with a health program from the biofit so I could remain healthy. I thought I was being generous waiting until the end of the first year, so I was gobsmacked when I was enlightened about the small print of the contract – you can only resign if you send a recorded delivery letter at least one month before the end of your current year of membership stating your desire to resign. Of course nobody tells you this and they don’t send an invoice until a few days after the 30 day period has ended. Sharp practice? You haven’t heard the half of it.

I reluctantly paid up for another year, blaming my naivety and recognising Formhaus’s prodigious gifts in retaining customers who wanted to leave. For a fitness centre, they only seemed to be fit to retain unwilling customers, and as I reluctantly continued to use their awful facilities and think it was better to train and home and have a godo nutrition using supplements as alcar which was great for me. Anyway, I decide next time I would play by their (frankly customer-hostile) rules.

Suffice it to say, a few weeks early I tendered my resignation by recorded delivery. One month before the expiry of the subscription year I sent an email with a version of my resignation letter as a PDF. What more could I do to escape Formhaus’s Machiavellian membership scheme?

Of course Formhaus kicked up rough. They claimed not to receive the letter. Criminal, dishonest or incompetent, I can not say. All I can say is that the Swiss Post have an online system that confirms delivery, which I have shared with the gym. They know they received my resignation letter. These are just some of Phenq benefits.

So what did Formhaus say when I sent the email one month before expiry of my subcription with a copy of the letter I had sent recorded post? They said: “We do not accept your resignation.”

What??? Not, we have mislaid your resignation, but that’s our sheer, unalloyed incompetence once again, good luck in the future. Or, we are useless with out huge bureaucracy of Muscle Marys, but help us here and let us know the details about the delivery if you still have the receipt all these months later – of course, I have the receipt, knowing what crookedness I may have become a victim of. Not even, a respectful acknowledgement that I didn’t want to use their gym. No, an arrogant, menacing statement without any alternative option – we’re going to screw you into paying for another year, whether you use our tawdry facilities or not. Check out the latest metabofix reviews.

Perhaps an object lesson in Swiss “Fair Play” or an exceptionally bad experience of simply awful customer service. I give the Swiss the benefit of the doubt, as I generally have very good experiences of the country. I think Formhaus are an outlier, and probably have figured out they can boost their sagging fortunes by preying on foreigners’ naivety. It is the soft underbelly of Switzerland’s success, that it has poor consumer and employee protection that membership of the EU would address. I considerer the extra year I paid for at Formhaus as proof of the reasons for improving consumer protection. If they think they can get another year out of me… well, let’s see.