Posted Thu Dec 11 22:35:00 UTC 2008

This year we could experience quite some weather here in Ticino. It’s been a leap year and the weather went crazy sometime. And now, what a surprise, we got the first snow already. The winter started early this year and most of the “Ticinesi” where quite overtaken by the snow. As you might remember, snow is quite a rare sight here in Ticino, normally it doesn't come at all and people still sit outside at Xmas. But when it snows than its coming on strong (Ascona is situated just 200m above sea level, and warm air, carrying lot of humidity, gives lots of precipitation. The Palms covered with snow is a fantastic image and almost weird looking.

So, I pulled out my beefy Range Rover and went up a 30 min drive to see it from above. This is one of the many good things about Ticino: you're in Via Montenapoleone in Milano within less than an hour, but you can also be out in the mountains within 30 min. I went up to Alpe di Neggia at about 1200m above sea level, and it was just beautiful up there. Sunny blue skies, the clearest air you can breathe and more than 50cm of snow. Climbing up the winding and icy roads I got to one of the greatest panoramic view points of Lago Maggiore overlooking the Locarno/Ascona delta. There couldn’t be a better place that afternoon to escape my busy daily life and refuelling my batteries. After watching the amazing sunset I drove back to Locarno from where you only can image how beautiful it is up on the mountain when you see all the snow covered and sunlight illuminated pinnacles. I just can say “Come and find out yourself, would you think I'd making a valuable guide (your guide not your driver I intend!)?”

Posted By: Ueli F. Schnorf