Interlaken has long been known as Europe’s premium destination for adventure sports, and the Jungfrau ski region is an annual Mecca for skiers from all over the world. The three resorts of Grindelwald, Wengen and Mürren offer world class infrastructure, 378 km of prepared pistes and incredible scenery making the Jungfrau Region the perfect destination for school groups looking to satisfy a broad range of ability levels from first timers to experts. Extensive modern snowmaking facilities ensure skiable snow conditions are guaranteed throughout the whole season.
Interlaken is Bliss
28 JanSeeing as it is winter, and all is cool in Interlaken, let’s catch up with one of Bus2alps’ snowboarding aficionados and his take on his first experience with boarding in Interlaken. Let’s take it to Austin….
This was the “word(s) of the day” on Saturday during the epic shredding session of which you can get a taste from the photos below. A friend of mine was testing out a new board- “The Carbonium Raptor” by Never Summer, and not only does it look like a machine of stealth owl floaty goodness, but also its name is fun to say (the marketing guys at Never Summer are good at their jobs)*. Go ahead, say it out loud. Sure you can make fun of it for being the bane of the Na’vi people’s existence, or for being the material which inhabits Wolverine’s bone cavities, but you can’t deny that it’s fun to say out loud. I mean, this thing is the Nimbus Two Thousand of snowboards (had to throw one at the Harry Potter fans).
[You'll have to forgive my boarding-bro vernacular, I'm currently stuck between exaggerating it for ridicule, and genuinely using it as part of my vocabulary.]
So me and my rental equipment followed the Carbonium Raptor, and the wisdom of its master throughout the Interlaken Ski region, aka the best skiing in the world. If you plan on having a massive ski/snowboard day I suggest keeping your lift pass and registering on the website, because you can then access an interactive play by play of what lifts you went up on the mountain.
* “stealth owl floaty goodness” is a term coined by Joey (in the G.I. Joe gear) to describe the sensation of cruising over fresh powder and hearing nothing but a barely audible, yet pleasant whirr.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/12/1217_041217_owl_feathers.html
//Press Release//
29 Nov//Press Release//
for immediate release
American Thanksgiving in the Swiss Alps.
This past weekend hundreds of American students celebrated Thanksgiving Dinner away from home in Interlaken, Switzerland. Students abroad across Europe descended on this small Swiss town to celebrate their most cherished day of feasting and family, Thanksgiving.
INTERLAKEN, SWITZERLAND — November 29, 2010. This past weekend Interlaken, Balmer’s Herberge and Bus2Alps hosted their annual Thanksgiving Dinner in the Alps. Once again American students from all over Europe descended on this small Swiss town to celebrate their most cherished day of feasting and family, Thanksgiving.
Interlaken, Switzerland, Europe’s Adventure Sports Capital, is home to hundreds of expatriates from around the world many of whom are expatriates from the United States. Being thousands of miles from their families during this joyous holiday season, the Americans decided to use their loving tradition to captivate a community estranged from their families abroad, and bring them together for a weekend of communal enjoyment.
Since the Thanksgiving tradition was started by Erich Balmer in 1975, residents of Interlaken from around the world have embraced this yearly tradition as a way to spend quality time with their new families in Switzerland. “This time of year can be lonely for anyone used to spending it with family and friends. It is warming to know that I can still enjoy my favorite holiday with my Interlaken family,” says Hollie Baker, an American expatriate in Interlaken since 2006.
Each year Balmer’s Herberge, Bus2Alps and the town of Interlaken invite American students who are studying abroad in Europe to join the Interlaken Thanksgiving celebration. This is made easier by travel agencies like Bus2alps, who specialize brings hundreds of students on group trips to Interlaken. Based in Interlaken, Bus2alps provides international students throughout Europe with weekend, weeklong, and day trips to some of Europe’s top destinations. This year Bus2alps brought over a 100 students studying in Florence, Rome, Barcelona, Prague, Paris, and London for Interlakens’ Thanksgiving celebration.
“It is a great experience to join in on making Interlaken’s Thanksgiving tradition the same family feel that it is to so many Americans,” states Bus2alps founder, Simon O’Keefe. Simon is an Australian living in Interlaken who loves the American tradition.
Of course the focal point of Thanksgiving in Interlaken ins a large feast at Balmers’ Herberge, Switzerland’s oldest youth hostel, and Interlaken’s most popular. The feast consists of mashed potatoes, stuffing, yams, lots of turkey, and an apple crumble dessert. Dinner is followed by a huge party held at the Metro Bar, the nightlife spot in Interlaken. This year in addition to the traditional Thanksgiving feast, early snowfall helped the visiting students enjoy great some great skiing & snowboarding, and some snowshoeing in the Swiss Alps. To wrap up a great weekend, over 100 students chose to add a bit of Swiss tradition to their holiday with a starlight sledding trip followed by a traditional cheese fondue on Saturday night.
The 2011 Interlaken Thanksgiving Dinner was a huge success, and all those involved are looking forward to celebrating it again in 2011.
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European Spring Break 2011
16 NovThe time has come. Bus2alps is now organizing trips from the USA. New for 2011, Bus2alps introduces European Spring Breaks.
Forget all about Cancun, pull yourself away from Jersey Shore reruns, get out of your hometown and head to Europe with Bus2alps this Spring Break for the most unforgettable vacation of your life. That’s right, Bus2alps is now offering Spring Break trips from the United States to Europe. Get ready for a week of wild partying, unique culture, beautiful sites, and history in some of Europe’s most amazing destinations.
European Spring Break 2011 trips to:
Rome, Florence, Venice & Milan
London, Paris & Amsterdam
See you in Europe,
The Bus2alps Crew
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The Best of Italy
Rome, Florence, Venice & Milan
Live the tastes, culture, architecture and scenery of iconic Italy. Dive into the festive and celebratory land of Italy and drift through the canals of Venice. Visit the playground of the Gladiators and the dressing room of fashion’s best. Discover the art of talking with your hands, the delight of perfectly cooked pasta, and the passion of Renaissance Art, all in the home of one of history’s most renowned empires.
Includes: Round trip luxury coach transport (with A/C, DVD, & bathroom), 3-Star City Center Hotel and top Hostel accommodation with your friends, breakfast, Bus2alps trip leader, Bus2alps informational guide.
Departing 2011: March 5, March 12, March 19
from €789*
Book this Spring Break now at www.bus2alps.com.
*prices exlude flights
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London, Paris & Amsterdam
8 days in Europe’s hottest cities
Get ready to visit three of Europe’s hottest cities. Start off touring the posh and historic world of England’s metropolitan mecca, London. Grab a pint, take in the chatter of Oxford English and trace time from the current royal family back to the raucous medieval times of Henry VIII. Navigate across the English Channel and experience the tale of the other city, Paris. Get romanced by the city of lights by immersing yourself in the proud Parisian culture, art, fashion and party scene. Wrap it all up in the ultra-liberal, free-spirited Amsterdam. Wander amongst the beautiful canals, tulips, and phenomenal Dutch architecture as you soak up the eclectic vice of Europe’s most unqiue city.
Includes: Eurostar train travel, airport transfers, New Europe Walking Tours, Hop on/Hop off bus pass (London & Paris), 3-Star City Center accommodation with your friends, breakfast, welcome dinner, a Bus2alps trip leader to organize all your activities, a Bus2alps destination guide.
Departing 2011: March 5, March 12, March 19
from € 849*
Book this Spring Break now at www.bus2alps.com.
*price excludes flights
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Booking your flight
Bus2alps recommends booking individual flights through the online student travel agency, StudentUniverse. Book your flight here and save $10.00.
Students on the European Spring Break trip to London, Paris, and Amsterdam will fly into the London Heathrow Airport to be picked up by your Bus2alps trip leader. Click here for more information on booking flights for this trip.
Students on the Best of Italy Spring Break trip will fly into the Rome Fiumocino airport and depart the following weekend from Milan Malpensa airport. Click here for more information on booking flights for this trip.
Group Flights Booking
Group of twelve or more, please contact info@bus2alps.com and let us know:
- who the main contact person for the group is<
- how many people are in the group
- what your departure city in the US is
- which trip and dates your group is booking.
Please refer to the Bus2alps website for all other information regarding flights or e-mail info@bus2alps.com with questions.
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Become a Campus Rep
Earn some cash for hooking up friend’s with Spring Break
Bus2alps currently has positions available throughout the United States for college students as “Campus Representatives”.
Earn commission for sharing your experiences with students back home who will be studying abroad and let everyone else know about the Bus2alps spring break trips from the US. Promote our trips on your own schedule using your networks on your college campus via facebook or face to face interaction with students.
Campus reps earn 5% commission on each trip booked under their code. It’s a great way to earn some extra cash while in school. It is also a great stepping stone for future employment with Bus2Alps if you are interested in interning in the future.
Send an e-mail to info@bus2alps.com.


















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