SWITZERLAND: Once more the witches in Switzerland will flock to the resort areas of Belalp, Blatten and Naters for the annual Belalp Hexe ski festival, which runs Saturday through Jan. 15. The festival theme is based on a 19th-century story about a witch who often transformed herself into a raven and during one transformation murdered her husband. She was later burned at the stake for the crime.
The highlight is the witches’ downhill challenge on Jan. 15, when more than 1,000 skiers dressed as witches will clown their way down the slopes.
Throughout the week there are other activities, including a costumed children’s run and après-ski witches parties. Get details at www.belalphexe.ch (in German only).
ENGLAND: Whether it’s power boats or sailboats, water sports or marine services, commercial crafts or sailing holidays, London’s International Boat Show, running Friday through Jan. 16 at the ExCel, has the latest information on what’s happening in the marine world.
New this year is the water sports action pool, which will feature professionals demonstrating activities such as canoeing, windsurfing and wakeboarding, and then letting you jump in to try them yourself. Other features include the Boardwalk, where visitors can view boats as if they were on the water, and the Knowlege Box, where experts will share their boating experiences. The show is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, with a late-night closing at 9 p.m. on Jan. 13 and an early closing at 6 p.m. on Jan. 16. Tickets cost 18 pounds (about $27.50) for adults (7 pounds after 4 p.m.) and free for ages 15 years and younger. Find more details at www.londonboatshow.com.• If you order your tickets in advance and plan to attend the boat show on one of the last four days of the boat show, you can also go to the London Bike Show and The Outdoors Show for no additional cost. Both shows are Jan. 13-16 and also running in the ExCel.For specifics, see www.thelondonbikeshow.co.uk or www.theoutdoorsshow.co.uk.
