If you pop along you can take part in snow tubing (sledging on giant inflatable rubber rings). There will be plenty of other things to see and do including fondue provided by Emmi and swiss wines to try too. The event is on Wednesady and Thursday from 12 – 8pm.

As part of our summer in the Alps series, I thought after cycling and walking that a more sedate activity should be in order and just as I was thinking that a brochure from Great Rail Journeys landed on my doorstep offering late availability for Alpine train journeys. Some of them sounds amazing and well worth a last minute summer booking.

All train journeys depart from St Pancras and head to the Swiss Alps for various destinations. Your journey will begin on the Eurostar to Paris, you will then transfer to a TGV train in Paris to complete your journey to Switzerland, then the real journey will begin to see the delights of your chosen tour.

Train journeys to the Swiss Alps include
Alps of Lake Geneva – based in the market town of Vevey
Glacier Express re-discovered – The Glacier Express is famous for it’s views, across the Oberalp Pass.
Glacier Express to St Moritz – this trip takes in the whole length of the Glacier Express and heads into St Moritz where you can shop, spa and treat yourself to gourmet dining.
Walking in the Swiss Alps – based in Kandersteg which is a true alpine gem, surrounded by unspoilt scenery. An ideal base for walking and for enjoying the mountain railways.
Jungfrau Express – based out of the town of Meiringen, and taking in the views of the Jungfrau and the local steam railways and cruises.

All the trips sound amazing and most of the deals include breakfast and dinner as well.

View more information and book at Great Rail Journey’s website http://www.greatrail.com/great-rail-holidays-themes/lakes–mountains.aspx?page=2

If you’re not into organised travel then you can visit these destinations independently by booking your trains seperately through the Rail Europe website, it takes a little bit of time and effort but no doubt will secure you the most cost effective price. Visit Rail Europe.

The flights cost from £49 one way and start operating every Saturday and Sunday from 19th December 2009 to 18th April 2010. The flights will be departing Stansted for Sion airport at 10am arriving at 1pm (local time). From Sion Airport, departures are at 2pm arriving at Stansted at 3pm (local time). Pretty good times we think for a civilised journey over to your Swiss ski resort destination.

Flights are starting at £49 each way, but like all budget airlines, it will be first come first served on these cheap prices. All bookings made before 31st August will get ski or snowboard carriage for free.

Snowjet also fly’s between Gatwick, Stansted, Bristol, Manchester and Chambery.

Snowjet managing director David Lacy said: “Passengers will benefit from terrific time-saving advantages by flying direct to Sion.
“Verbier, for example, is just 35 to 40 minutes away from Sion, compared with two and a half hours from Geneva. In addition, Sion handles a low volume of passengers, which means skiers won’t have a long wait at baggage reclaim or at check-in, enabling them to spend longer on the slopes. We are also delighted to have secured very civilised flight times, ensuring our passengers can enjoy their winter break to the full.”

You can book your flights to Sion Airport at Snowjets website here

Ski Resorts within a short distance of Sion airport:
Arolla
Belalp-Blatten-Naters
Chateau d’Oex
Fiesch
Grachen
La Fouly
Saas Almagell
Saas-Fee
Verbier
Crans Montana
Zermatt
Villars-Gyron
Morgins
Abelboden
Lenk
Gstaad
Murren

Map of Sion Airport, the local area and major ski resorts