Paige did a great job of describing this amazing experience in the review before mine. I just want to add that this was the most amazing view I have ever seen on the planet. Great restaurant and gift shop await you at the top. Vital Statistic: Totally awesome and worth the spend, heart stopping experience. read more

I am writing this from the perspective of a person who is absolutely terrified of heights so let that sink in as you're reading through. The drive through the winter countryside in this region is enough of a reason to visit the mountain itself. When you finally arrive at its base, you can see the weather station at its peak, ready to greet you! You purchase your ticket (ouch, Switzerland) and wait to board a harrowing tram car, which is perfectly well-suited to well-behaved children and yet leaves me to tremble with a highly amused local by my side. 5 minutes roll by slowly, fear is overpowered by absolute marvel at the vast expanse of space between the tram car and the wide earth below. Then, you've arrived, comfortably indoors on solid ground, but unready for the view that lies ahead. So, when you push the doors open into the bustling wind, you're nearly breathless and you wonder how small you are, amongst such ancient peaks. You might enjoy a latte macchiato and fight for a table with a good view in the café, you might wander the small museum. You'll certainly dash out onto the platforms and slip on ice and take polaroid pictures. You'll embrace the people you're with, either out of need for warmth or a reality check that what you're seeing is really there. You'll be astounded at how meaningless film will seem, as compared to the colors and lines burning into your brain right now. Maybe you'll wait so long the sun begins to set and you're there to see it. Then, synchronously, you'll descend, as slowly and gently as you rose, feeling as light as the brave black birds with bright yellow beaks that glide on the icy wind around you. Switzerland has a wonderfully quiet and simple way of being beautiful. The Säntis is no exception, and I'm damned afraid of heights. read more

"I want to see The Alps." This was one of my few goals during my time in Switzerland. My friend surprised me with a trip to Säntis, which included a drive up a long and winding road to the lift. Tickets for the lift are somewhat expensive, but what's a price for happiness? We ascended the on the tram to the top of the mountain: a 5 minute journey on the incline with gorgeous views of snowy slopes and pine trees. At the top of the mountain is a multi-story observatory with walkways onto different levels of the peak. I bolted out onto the main overlook, in which I was hit with 30mph wind gusts and cold, cold, COLD air. Regardless, the view was breathtaking. My favorite part are the seven prominent mountain peaks. Also, I was able to see into seven different countries. SEVEN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES! How cool is that?! The next level, I stood next to a 20-foot wall of snow that had been shoveled and cleared from the walkway. It looked devastating if it would fall over, but it was so cold and tightly packed that I didn't mind posing with it for a photo op. The top tier was by far the coldest and windiest. The stairs are covered with slick ice and the railings have three inches of frozen blown snow protruding from them. I've never witnessed a hurricane before, but the winds were so strong I could barely stand up, much less hold onto my camera. Photographs were taken in between gusts. Frozen and feeling dangerous, I'd do it all again in a heart beat. Be sure to look for the houses covered up to their rooftops with snow. People actually live there! Back inside, when you're ready to thaw, there is a small Swiss museum inside the concourse, as well as a cafe and gift shop. The gift shop is pretty standard, but they do sell miniature bottles of Appenzeller, a local liquor. And yes, they're small enough to take back on the plane to America. Säntis, I'd freeze myself all over again for you! Cost: CHF40.00 read more