Andermatt in 60 Seconds

As the train pulled out of Geneva and chuffed toward the Alps, I flipped to the index of my DK Eyewitness Switzerland guidebook, tracing my finger down to the "A"s for Andermatt. Nichts! Nothing. Having tracked my way across more than thirty countries, finding out we were headed to a destination that completely evaded the guidebook was a rarity.

Before our journey to Andermatt, we enjoyed lots of fondue in Geneva! Cafe du Soleil is the oldest bistro in town.

Josh and I were heading to this hidden Alpine pocket to meet Swiss skiing legend Bernhard Russi. Years ago, Josh had stumbled upon an obscure article about Bernhard’s simple but profound training philosophy: Plus Eins (Plus One). That mantra became the catalyst for Josh’s own "One More Thing, One More Time" (1MT 1MT) mindset, which ultimately helped earn him a spot on the U.S. Men's National Paralympic Ski Team for the 2006 Games in Torino.

I enjoyed an amazing stroll up the hillside to take in the city, mountains and cows.

Our time in that idyllic village with Bernhard and his wife, Mari, was phenomenal. The couple has deep roots in Andermatt, running a popular local coffee shop and a mountainside restaurant. Beyond being a devoted husband, grandfather, and entrepreneur, Bernhard is a 10-time World Champion ski racer and a two-time Olympic medalist. We even got to see his medals on display at the village museum—my first time being that close to Olympic hardware. But in the end, the man himself was far more impressive than the gold. I enjoyed bonding with Mari over conversations about family, fitness and food.

Andermatt is extraordinary and must be added to your "Can't Miss in Swiss List." It manages to balance the charm of a petite village with a growing array of unpretentious, yet luxury amenities for multi-season travelers. Josh and I can't wait to return!