Skiing and snowboarding are a lot of fun, but it can be tough to find a place without crowded slopes and long chairlift lines, especially in Europe. And Switzerland? It's hard to find a more sought after skiing spot. People cross oceans for a chance at those slopes. And yet, you might be able to find a quiet place to do some boarding and skiing...
The Saint Bernard Monastery (yup, it's where those dogs got their names) is located at a crossing place in the Swiss Alps, 12,000 feet in elevation. Though once an important destination (such historical figures as Charlemagne, Napoleon, and Hemingway have all stayed there), the Saint Bernard Tunnel now diverts traffic across the Alps, and the monastery isn't in the hub bub of things. The Augustine monks still man it, however, and you can still stay there.
In the summer, you can drive right up, but the roads are closed due to snow in the winter, which is what serves to make this a remote vacation destination. If you're hearty enough and brave enough, you can trudge up to the monastery for some great crowd-free skiing (most of the monks themselves are expert skiers, so you might even be able to snag a lesson).
For some people the idea of spending a week on horseback sounds like absolute torture. Others are intrigued by the idea, enthused at the prospect of traveling mountain trails where you hardly meet any other human beings (aside from the handful of folks accompanying you on your trip). Maybe it's because I haven't spent a lot of time on a horse, but this sort of vacation sounds appealing to me. It's just the kind of thing you can sign up for a Dude Ranch.
There was a time when yoga was only popular with certain types of people, but thanks to places like 24 Hour Fitness, with their affordable and convenient classes, more and more people enjoy the activity. I know it's something I've started doing in the last year. I'm not huge on the meditation aspect, but I just love the way my body feels after all that stretching; it's better than a massage if you ask me.