This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.

A Magical Winter Wonderland

It's no secret that winter transforms Europe into a stunning frozen wonderland of snow-capped mountains and glassy waterways, dotted with storybook villages of historic chalets decorated for the holidays.

Every country has compelling reasons to make an American pack up and travel east across the pond but Switzerland really has the perfect mix of stunning natural scenery, clean and friendly cities, and quaint villages nestled in the breathtaking Swiss Alps. For the active and adventurous, world-class snow sports resorts abound, and for the more relaxed traveler, there's delectable food and fascinating culture. Of course, if both sound appealing, then the Grindelwald World Snow Festival is the perfect event for you.

Grindelwald is a small village of just 4,000 people in Switzerland's Bernese Alps, and every winter thousands of people flock to its picturesque streets and, more importantly, the perfect snow-laden slopes that surround them, from early December to mid-April. Grindelwald Ski Resort boasts 132 miles of pistes running the full menu of 24 beginner, 36 intermediate, and 12 advanced runs. Boarders will enjoy the warm-up park, super pipe, terrain park and 12 miles of cross country tracks; with tobogganing also popular with families.

From January 15 to 20, 2018, the spotlight shifts to the Grindelwald World Snow Festival. Celebrating its 38th year, the festival transforms the village's natural ice rink into a blank canvas for artists who specialize in ice sculpture. Countries from around the world are represented by teams of artists who carve impressive figures and artworks from huge blocks of snow, creating an outdoor gallery of life-like swans and penguins, next to true works of classic and contemporary art.

In the spirit of friendly competition, the artists come together for a traditional gathering of fondue and tobogganing, and share folklore performances at the closing ceremony. The six-day event in January culminates in the Jury prize for best sculpture, with judging focused on topicality, originality and skill, as well as a people's choice Audience prize.

Grindelwald Casts a Spell

Keen Harry Potter fans will recognize the name as the surname of the evil wizard Gellert Grindelwald who was defeated by Albus Dumbledore. The origins of the village are in fact traced back to the 12th century, well before tourists put Grindelwald on the map in the late 18th century. Today, the town center is abuzz with its main street lined with restaurants, bars, hotels, and outdoor shops. Grindelwald's sports center has an indoor swimming pool, bouldering area, rope park, sauna complex, and ice rink.

Nearby Lauberhorn mountain hosts the world's longest and fastest downhill ski race from January 12 to 14, 2018 – the perfect prelude to the Grindelwald World Snow Festival. First run in 1930, the 2.76-mile course, including a 131-foot jump over a rock nose, takes only 2 ½ minutes to complete, with top speeds of 105 miles per hour. More than 30,000 spectators attend the races each year, which form part of the Skiing World Cup competition.

Grindelwald's most renowned attraction is the Jungfraubahn, a cog railway built from 1896 to 1912 that is listed as a Swiss heritage site of national significance. The 50-minute journey travels underground through tunnels to the mountain top with breathtaking views of the many surrounding peaks and glaciers, accessed via Switzerland's fastest lift.

Standing tall at 13,025 feet, Eiger is one of the most famous mountains in the world, due to its imposing 5,905-metre north face. Lying at the starting point of the mountain's ascent, Grindelwald is the home base for dedicated mountaineers, most of whom attempt the north face in the winter when rock fall is a lesser threat.

Swiss Bliss

For more action on the slopes and 54 miles west of Grindelwald, the Snow Bike Festival in Gstaad, Switzerland attracts fat biking enthusiasts from around the world to races, rides and parties from January 18 to 21, 2018.

The festive season in Switzerland is a unique experience for visitors from afar. Arrive in December to wander the famous Christmas markets, sampling heavenly Swiss chocolate and cheese while sipping hot mulled wine. The annual Christkindlmarkts in Basel, Montreux, Zurich and Lucerne are the perfect place to find a wooden Swiss cuckoo clock or carved Nutcracker.

Take an easy train ride 53 miles north of Grindelwald to Lucerne, the most populated city in central Switzerland. Surrounded by stunning architecture, stroll alongside the glass-like, crystal blue waters of Lake Lucerne and view paintings depicting the history of the city inside the oldest covered bridge in Europe.

For international travelers, Switzerland's largest city is an excellent base with its large airport and extensive, affordable and clean train system stretching across the country. Famed as a world leader of banking and finance, Zurich is also home to beautiful churches, sophisticated museums, and pre-medieval architecture lignin the picturesque lanes of Old Town along the Limmat River. Shoppers will not be left wanting and Zurich is the perfect place to pick up a famous Swiss watch or army knife.

Nestled between the tourist meccas of France, Germany and Italy, Switzerland is a hidden treasure that is waiting to be discovered – and a must-see on any dedicated travelers list.