soubriquet 0 Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 From The Guardian: The Alps are set to be transformed over the next decade as top ski resorts turn to international architects and designers to keep them ahead of the competition and of global warming. Several ambitious projects are now under way to rebuild existing resorts and create sleek modern facilities. In Katschberg in Austria and Savoign in Switzerland, two of the biggest new projects involve high-altitude complexes, towers soaring hundreds of feet into the sky from mountain tops, or roller coasters running across mountain sides. There are also plans for new luxury resorts. 'The trend is towards holiday stays that offer more than just a room in a box,' said Austrian architect Markus Masser. 'People want experiences, and they are prepared to pay.' In Switzerland, work on Europe's highest-altitude hotel has started. The £35m Little Matterhorn plan includes a 400ft-high glass-and-metal pyramid on a 13,210ft peak. The 'Dream Peak' has observation platforms, shopping centres, bars, restaurants and a conference hall. The high altitude will be overcome by a decompression system, and it will use solar and wind power. Tourism experts are, however, split over the move away from traditional chalet-type holidays. Martin Barth, a professor at the International Tourism Institute in Lucerne, said: 'This is not the future. It is natural, small facilities that define the Alps.' Professor Thomas Bieger of the Swiss St Gallen University said: 'Tourists will be offered more things to do other than just sit around feeling sad about the lack of snow.' Link to post Share on other sites
joshnii 2 Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 Roller coasters?! What about the skiing/snowboarding?! Link to post Share on other sites
soubriquet 0 Posted September 17, 2007 Author Share Posted September 17, 2007 Funfair. What fun In this Brave New World, it's important that you are a passenger on the ride. No self determination, not allowed to make your own choices. Link to post Share on other sites
me jane 0 Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 Sounds nasty. Other than the skiing itself, the reason I like skiing is to get away from all that. Link to post Share on other sites
soubriquet 0 Posted September 17, 2007 Author Share Posted September 17, 2007 Right on me jane. Mountains and snow in winter. The hiss of the skis. No other sounds. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 wow, glass and metal pyramid way up there. Don't think your solar cells will be able to heat that. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 Quote: The £35m Little Matterhorn plan includes a 400ft-high glass-and-metal pyramid on a 13,210ft peak. Lovely. Link to post Share on other sites
bushpig 0 Posted September 18, 2007 Share Posted September 18, 2007 yeah, love the token reference to green power. Forget about the environmental impact. Link to post Share on other sites
cheeseman 1 Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 For the future they should consider catering more for us cheesefans. The cheese angle would bring in more guests. Not only would it provide delicious snacks but also be nutritious and fun for all. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 How much more can a country promote cheese, Cheeseman? Switzerland is famous for cheese with holes and all over the Alps you can indulge in a Fondue or 2!! Cheese is what they Do in the Aps!! Link to post Share on other sites
Yuki's Passion 1 Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 cheeseman, (most) cheese is high in fat and increases cholesterol. In moderation Im sure its fine, but in moderation anything is fine. I surely hope youre not eating cheese daily, as you might develop a cheese belly can you advise on some low fat cheeses for us to have with our wine...or prolly after the wine as Ive found the taste of wine so much nicer without the cheese... Best to have that after Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 there's gonna be a cheese and wine gig that someone's arranging isn't there? Link to post Share on other sites
Yuki's Passion 1 Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 hopefully at my house over the winter around BPs wedding Still got 2 bottles of sake in the fridge too that must be drunk... Link to post Share on other sites
2pints-mate 0 Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 Have it when I can come too. That bit on pyramids on Little Matterhorn. Stop it now please. Link to post Share on other sites
Go Native 70 Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 Soaring towers! Sounds like they've been to see a few too many Japanese resorts and somehow like them!! Link to post Share on other sites
SerreChe 2 Posted September 21, 2007 Share Posted September 21, 2007 Hope for them that decomp system works. Sleeping at high altitude sucks, esp. when you are not used to it. Link to post Share on other sites
base40 0 Posted September 22, 2007 Share Posted September 22, 2007 Where are the soaring towers in Japan, Go Native? Link to post Share on other sites
Go Native 70 Posted September 23, 2007 Share Posted September 23, 2007 Here's just an example Link to post Share on other sites
soubriquet 0 Posted September 23, 2007 Author Share Posted September 23, 2007 Where is that? Japan such a beautiful country, polluted by powerlines and concrete. At least those towers aren't set on the top of a pristine mountain. Link to post Share on other sites
FukushimaFellow 0 Posted September 23, 2007 Share Posted September 23, 2007 The towers of Tomamu! It's in Hokkaido. Lovely. We need some of them on the Matterhorn for sure. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted September 24, 2007 Share Posted September 24, 2007 they look pretty good Link to post Share on other sites
Snow-Woman 0 Posted September 25, 2007 Share Posted September 25, 2007 Moody photo. I'd much rather be in a comfy ski chalet than a tower block when I'm on a snow holiday. Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts