The Alps are the most majestic mountain range in Europe, running in an arc through six countries: France, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Austria, and Slovenia.

It stretches for 1,200 kilometres. The mountains are high, reaching an average altitude of around 3,000 metres. The main peak, Mont Blanc, at 4807 metres, is the highest in Europe. Its year-round snow and ice, its summer meadows and its natural ski slopes attract a large number of visitors from all over the world every year. It brings huge economic benefits to the European tourism industry.

The natural scenery in spring and summer in the Alps is stunning. The snow-capped peaks, dense woods, and clear mountain water combine to form a beautiful landscape. The meadows and springs of the Alps become a haven for hikers when the snow begins to melt.

Many lakes have been formed in the Alps by the action of glaciers, and the Alpine foothills and valleys are home to a number of unspoiled towns with a quaint, quintessentially continental feel. The marketplaces in the towns are full of produce, including flowers, vegetables, fruit, cheese, and honey, as well as traditional dried farm products.

The unique mineral composition of dolomite gives some of the Alpine peaks a beautiful pink glow in the morning sun. This red glow, which darkens as the sunlight changes, is known as the "Alpine light". The Alps are at their best at this time of year for hiking, and there are also staging areas for visitors to rest at the top of many of the peaks.

A winter paradise for snow and ice sports

The Alps' summer-winter season lasts from November to March. Most of the ski resorts are open from October to November. They last until the end of April the following year. The people who live in these regions have long made snow and ice sports their greatest joy in life.

Today, the beautiful and intense figure skating, the fierce rivalry of ice hockey, and the dangerous and exciting skiing of ...... not only entertain the local indigenous population but also attract all kinds of people seeking new excitement to the Alps. The result is a long-lasting snow and ice event.

The Alps are the birthplace of the Winter Olympics. Even before the Winter Olympics were born, the Nordic Games, with snow and ice as their main sport, had a long history. Today, more and more Europeans get hooked on these dangerous and exciting sports.

The European Freeskiing Championships have also been created and are held regularly in the sport's mecca, the Chamonix Valley in the Alps.

Hot springs should not be missed. Apart from skiing, the hot springs in the Alps are a must-see. The spa town of Loikbad has been developed since Roman times and is still the most famous spa resort in the Alps.

With 22 open-air and indoor thermal pools, around three million liters of water flow daily into the thermal baths in Loikbad, which are mostly public but also partly private. Famous historical figures such as Goethe, Mauboussin, and Wimpeyre have all visited Loikbad, leaving their mark to this day.