SWITZERLAND
RIEDERALP
After a day in Lausanne, we move on
towards Riederalp for a taste of the Swiss
alps. Getting to Riederalp requires making
a stop in Mörel first to take the cableway
up to the ski resorts. Along the way,
however, many choose to make a detour at
Vevey first, the second city of this leg of the
tour that faces Lac Léman. Its lakeside
promenade makes for a perfect post-lunch
stroll, where bronze statues of sea nymphs
riding sea horses arise from the water of
the lake. There are other notable statues as
well, such as the Giant Fork that sticks out
of the lake and the statue of Charlie
Chaplin facing the waters.
Charlie Chaplin, the iconic English
comedian of the silent film era, spent his
last years in Vevey in Manoir de Ban,
which was recently converted into a
museum just in 2016. The museum
retraces the life of the cinematographic
genius, while the adjoining studio
immerses visitors into the world of silent
film. Those with extra time on their hands
can even stay to walk around the
expansive park where the manoir is built
on. The 10-acre estate is a slice of nature
that has unobstructed views of Lake
Geneva and the alps all year round.
It isn’t enough to just look at the alps in
Switzerland, being at the Swiss alps itself
is just as integral to the experience of
visiting Switzerland. We take a short train
ride from Vevey to Mörel where the
cableway station is located to easily get to
Art Furrer Hotels in Riederalp Mitte, a ski
resort. Mid to late winter is the best time tovisit Riederalp, as this is when snowfall is
the thickest and the ski slopes are in full
swing. The piste slopes are great for skiers
and snowboarders and the surrounding
bunny hills near the cafes are perfect for
novice snow sport enthusiasts or those
who just want a couple of exhilarating
rides on a small snow sledge.
Riederalp is also the gateway to viewing
the Aletsch Glacier, which is the largest
glacier in the alps. The striking glacier can
be fully taken in from the viewing point
just a short walk away from Moosfluh
Station near the ski resort. Look out for the
Matterhorn on the way up to the glacier.
The peak made famous by Tobelerone
chocolates is also clearly visible on
the walk over.Riederalp is also the gateway to
viewing the Aletsch Glacier,
which is the largest glacier in the alps.