| Switzerland National Day : August 1, 1988 Agreement to Participate : 23 June 1987 Commissioner - General : Dr Frederic Walthard Pavilion : 1453 square metres |
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| Switzerland National Day : August 1, 1988 Agreement to Participate : 23 June 1987 Commissioner - General : Dr Frederic Walthard Pavilion : 1453 square metres |
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| The
$AUD10m Swiss Pavilion at World Expo '88 without a doubt
was ranked as one of the 'top 5' international pavilions at the
Fair. With typical flair and ingenuity, the Swiss re-created indoors a 40-metre high and 9-metre long ski slope replete with real snow, and a 10-minute gondola ride that took one 11 metres above ground for a ride over the slope, and outside and around the pavilion itself, soaring over the Exposition mono-rail before returning back inside the Pavilion! Skiing instructors were at hand to coach guests that had booked their '20-minute slot' on the ski fields, and the cool temperatures as well as the opportunity to see (and touch) real snow for the first time in one's life was a real draw-card for visitors to the Fair. For any mishap or accident - and for good PR - there was also the Pavilion Mascot - a St Berndard - close by at all times. On the second level of the Pavilion a hi-tech computer centre featured, linking one to the Swiss Telephone Directory - as well as to Swiss weather forecasts, and other Swiss trivia. Swiss chocolates and design featured heavily in the Pavilion Shop, and the Pavilion Restaurant - the 'Terrace' - specialised in Swiss fine food - with chefs especially flown in from Ticino Canton (State) for Expo. The Swiss certainly seemed to enscapsulate the theme of the exposition "Leisure in the Age of Technology" in their pavilion.   The Swiss Pavilion featured a gondola ride and an artificial ski slope! Photos Courtesy State Archives of Queensland   |