Last month, we took time out to introduce you to the extended Granlibakken family – our international staff. We continue to celebrate traditions the world over, most recently, ringing in the New Year with a Chinese theme to mark the Year of the Rabbit (the official start of the Chinese calendar being February 3, 2011).

All guests were invited to a formal, festive dinner of two seatings on December 31, 2010. Our menu offered something for everyone and in sticking with our theme, offered Sesame Yakisobe Noodles with Scallions, Asian Broccoli and Portobella Mushroom Salad, Asian Marinated Pork Chops, Panko-fried Tofu, a variety of stir fries, rices and more.

For good luck, guests could rub the stomach of our Laughing Buddha and mix and mingle from table to table, weaving amongst red, black and silver balloons. A DJ played all night and dancing made our cheerful night all the more jovial as guests tore up the dance floor leading up to the countdown.

We’re looking forward to seeing you again this year and hope you consider making Granlibakken your home away from home.

Isti from Hungary (his full name is Istvan) is here to share holiday traditions from his home country of Hungary. Much like Luis and Toni, the family gathers and celebrates on Christmas Eve, the day the angels descend on Hungary. For Isti, his grandparents would visit taking the kids on a walk. They’d all remark on the trees adorned with lights, a symbol that the angels have come and gone with good tidings and gifts. Upon returning home, Isti’s father, greeting them in the dark, would as if the angels have been to their home, and with the clever flick of a switch, the Christmas tree would light up to glow upon all the gifts left by the angels.

To ask Isti more about traditions in his home country, stop by the front desk at Granlibakken.

Today, we’re pleased to introduce you to Toni from Saxony, Germany. Toni’s career at Granlibakken started in 2004 as an accounting intern. Since then, she’s worn different hats around the resort. Today, you can find Toni managing the maintenance department or out on the ski hill instructing. She’s here to share her holiday traditions from East Germany.

On December 6th, Toni and her family would clean out their shoes and then leave one shoe outside the door to be filled with candy, fruits and nuts the next morning, much like our familiar tradition of hanging stockings on the fireplace.

Then four days before Christmas, Toni and her family would light three candles on the holiday wreath, leaving the last candle unlit until Christmas Eve.

Christmas Eve is for decorating the tree and spending time with family. A walk is part of the day’s activities. And upon returning home, gifts are laying beneath the tree. Evening brings church performances and a homemade family dinner, which for Toni included potato salad, sauerkraut and bratwurst. Family visits continue into Christmas Day and the following with a traditional feast that includes either duck or rabbit, dumplings and red cabbage with dark gravy.

Throughout the winter, you’ll be hearing more from Toni – with her winter, ski instructor hat on. And when you visit the resort, you’ll surely see her running by so be sure to say “Guten Tag”!