Category: Ski Switzerland

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After discussions, Schilthorn remains a member of the Top4 ski pass

After discussions, Schilthorn remains a member of the Top4 ski pass. Photo Top 4 Kleine Scheidegg Ski Eiger, Mönch Jungfrau Winter.

After discussions, Schilthorn remains a member of the Top4 ski pass.

From HTR.ch 

In mid-May 2019 it was decided to continue the Top4 ski pass without the Mürren-Schilthorn ski area. After discussions with the Schilthornbahn, the partners have come back to their decision and in the winter sports season 2019/2020 will continue to accept the Top4 subscription in all subareas.

Buyers of the Top4 ski pass can now ski at no extra charge in the Mürren-Schilthorn area.

After discussions, Schilthorn remains a member of the Top4 ski pass.The Schilthorn Panorama Restaurant has a 360 views of the Alps. Photo: Schilthorn/Piz Gloria
After discussions, Schilthorn remains a member of the Top4 ski pass.The Schilthorn Panorama Restaurant has a 360 views of the Alps. Photo: Schilthorn/Piz Gloria

On the occasion of its collective bargaining conference, the association partners of the Jungfrau Ski Region decided in mid-May 2019 by a large majority to adjust the scope of the Top4 subscription and without starting the Mürren-Schilthorn area into the upcoming winter sports season. The network includes the Jungfrau Railways, the Grindelwald-Männlichen gondola lift, the Schilthorn cable car, the Wengen-Männlichen aerial cableway, the Bumps ski lift, the Wengiboden ski lifts and the Bodmi double ski lift. The decision to continue the Top4 ski pass without the Mürren-Schilthorn ski area has now been withdrawn.

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NATURAL HAZARDS : Camping in Switzerland carries certain risks

Some hikers in Lake Lucerne. Photo by Jon- Unsplash. NATURAL HAZARDS : Camping in Switzerland carries certain risks.

NATURAL HAZARDS : Camping in Switzerland carries certain risks

From Swissinfo.ch

I’ve found this post on Swissinfo.ch about Switzerland, but this applies to all mountainous areas all over the world really.

It states that about one in three campsites in Switzerland located in or near a risk zone along rivers, lakes or in avalanche regions, are in danger. This was found in an in-depth analysis by the Sonntags Zeintug and Le Matin Dimanche newspapers.

Photo: SB VonLanthen. Unsplash. NATURAL HAZARDS : Camping in Switzerland carries certain risks.
Photo: SB VonLanthen. Unsplash. NATURAL HAZARDS : Camping in Switzerland carries certain risks.

There are 444 campsites across the country of which some are open all year round. People living in these zones during the winter or bad weather spells with high waters could be killed.

I have been last year trekking with my family in Courmayeur during a week when it was raining a lot every afternoon – one day we’ve been up the mountain and we made it down and to the multi-sports enclosed centre when it started raining, and the next day, we’ve heard that just up the road a bit, in Val Veny, there was a massive mudslide as the rivers got really full with lots of rain in a short period of time, and a couple had been wiped away in their car and perished. One has to respect these areas, as nature can turn very hard against one really quickly.

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Upcoming Projects at Nendaz Veysonnaz: new gondola, snowmaking and on-mountain restaurant

Nendaz. Photo: Yasmin Gaudin.Upcoming Projects at Nendaz Veysonnaz: new gondola, snowmaking and on-mountain restaurant.

Upcoming Projects at Nendaz Veysonnaz: new gondola, snowmaking and on-mountain restaurant

NV Remontées mécaniques has definitely obtained all the necessary authorizations for the construction of the Gondola connecting Prarion to Plan du Fou as well as artificial snow making of the Greppon-Blanc sector (Combatseline-Thyon).

Upcoming Projects at Nendaz Veysonnaz: new gondola, snowmaking and on-mountain restaurant. Poster: NV Remontées mécaniques
Upcoming Projects at Nendaz Veysonnaz: new gondola, snowmaking and on-mountain restaurant. Poster: NV Remontées mécaniques

These two projects will be carried out during summer 2019 and the installations commissioned for the winter 2019-2020. In parallel, the artificial snow of the Plan du Fou’s free track will also be finalized.

The total investment represents around CHF 25 million. NV Remontées mécaniques will therefore have invested a total of CHF 60 millions in 4 years (2016 to 2019) in order to improve its offer and best meet the expectations of customers.

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Over 1 Million Skier Visits for the Jungfrau Ski Region

Over 1 Million Skier Visits for the Jungfrau Ski RegionPhoto by Jungfrau Ski Region. Kleine Scheidegg Lauberhorn - Starthuesi .

Over 1 Million Skier Visits for the Jungfrau Ski Region

In the 2018/2019 winter sports season the Jungfrau Ski Region recorded 1.05 million ski visits and increased the number of visitors by 5.9 per cent compared to the 2017/2018 season.

After the challenging start to the 2018/2019 winter sports season, more ski visits were registered over public holidays as well as during the main holiday season in the Jungfrau Ski Region than during last year’s season. Not least, the long-lasting good weather and the excellent snow conditions in February contributed to the positive result. With 1,045,955 skier visits from the beginning of the season up to 28 April 2019, the entire Jungfrau Ski region recorded an increase of 5.9% on the winter sports season 2017/2018. However, visitor numbers are still lower than in the successful winter sports season of 2007/2008.

Over 1 Million Skier Visits for the Jungfrau Ski Region Grindelwald. First Winterski - Wetterhorn. - Photo by Jungrau Ski Region.
Over 1 Million Skier Visits for the Jungfrau Ski Region Grindelwald. First Winterski – Wetterhorn. – Photo by Jungrau Ski Region.

Biggest growth for Grindelwald and Wengen
The Jungfrau Ski Region consists of the sub-ski areas of Grindelwald-First, Kleine Scheidegg-Männlichen and Mürren-Schilthorn. Overall, the areas of Grindelwald and Wengen recorded the largest increase in visitors. In the First area, 6.2 per cent more winter sports enthusiasts were registered than in the previous year. In the Kleine Scheidegg-Männlichen area, a total of 607,333 guests enjoyed their skiing in front of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, an increase of 7.6 per cent. In Mürren 226,807 skier visits (+ 1.9%) were registered for the Schilthorn area.

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Doppelmayr-Garaventa to build on the Schilthorn

Cabin of the Schilthorn new funicular. Doppelmayr/Garaventa to build on the Schilthorn. Picture courtesy of Doppelmayr-Garaventa.

Doppelmayr-Garaventa to build on the Schilthorn

Commencing in 2021, Doppelmayr/Garaventa is to build four Funifors and one of the world’s steepest reversible aerial tramways for Schilthornbahn AG. If these had been in place 50 years ago, James Bond would have reached his destination a whole lot faster…

Station on the Doppelmayr-Garaaventa at the Schilthorn. Drawing courtesy of Doppelmayr-Garaventa. Doppelmayr/Garaventa to build on the Schilthorn.
Station on the Doppelmayr-Garaaventa at the Schilthorn. Drawing courtesy of Doppelmayr-Garaventa. Doppelmayr/Garaventa to build on the Schilthorn.

Garaventa AG submitted the winning bid for the project, “SCHILTHORN 20XX”, and is to build the new ropeways from Stechelberg up to the popular tourist destination, Schilthorn mountain, which in 1969 provided the setting for the James Bond film “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”. The operating company is investing in the construction of four Funifors (particularly wind-resistant ropeway system with wide rope gauge) and one of the world’s steepest aerial tramways with a maximum grade of 160 percent. Total order volume amounts to 45 million Swiss francs. The construction work is due to begin in 2021 and will take until 2026.

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The new V-Cableway will bring you to your destination up to 47 minutes faster.

Jungfraujoch- Top of Europe. The new V-Cableway will bring you to your destination up to 47 minutes faster.

The new V-Cableway will bring you to your destination up to 47 minutes faster.

The new V-Cableway can get you to the Jungfraujoch- Top of Europe or to the ski slopes much faster.

As for example, the distance from the Terminal in Grindelwald to the Jungfraujoch, used to take you 1 h 28 minutes and now it will take you 45 minutes – 43 minutes faster than before!

The tunnel excavation for the Bergstation of the Eigerexpress. The new V-Cableway will bring you to your destination up to 47 minutes faster.
The tunnel excavation for the Bergstation of the Eigerexpress. The new V-Cableway will bring you to your destination up to 47 minutes faster.

Also, from Lauterbrunnen to Jungraujoch, it used to take you 1 h 47 min and now you will be able to do it 17 minutes faster at 1 h 45 min.

From Interlaken to Jungfraujoch is now 1 h 30 minutes, compared to 2 h 17 minutes that used to be the time to get there, now 47 minutes faster!

From Bern to Eigergletscher – some of the ski slopes, you can be in 1 h 49 minutes instead of before 2 h 36 minutes- 47 minutes faster.

It is the same case from Zurich to Eigergletscher – now can be done in 2 h 51 minutes instead of 3 h 38 minutes (47 minutes faster).

The V-Cableway project has great economic significance for the Jungfrau Region and above all for Grindelwald. A significantly positive impact on employment and value creation in Grindelwald and in the canton of Bern is expected in the construction phase as well as during the operational phase.

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The Magic Pass has unveiled its offer for 2019-20

The Magic Pass has unveiled its offer for 2019-20. Photo: Magic Pass.

The Magic Pass has unveiled its offer for 2019-20

The Magic Pass is an annual pass valid from the opening of lift services in May until the end of the following winter season. This pass allows unlimited and unrestricted access to several ski resorts in Switzerland. Its validity started on 11th May 2019 and will go through 3rd May 2020.

For those paying an additional fee to the basic Magic Pass, they can access the Glacier 3000 lifts from November 9th, 2019.

The Magic Pass has unveiled its offer for 2019-20. Photo: Magic Pass.
The Magic Pass has unveiled its offer for 2019-20. Photo: Magic Pass.

Magic Pass is offering to its takers, two different insurance options:

The basic Pass insurance reimburses the cost of your pass if you have an accident and are unable to ski for the rest of the season. The full Pass + Rescue insurance offers the added benefit of reimbursing the costs of any rescue services in the case you have an accident while skiing at a partner resort.

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A drive through the Nufenenpass (Passo della Novena) and Grimsel Pass in Switzerland

Nufenen pass on a cloudy and foggy day. Photo: The-Ski-Guru. A drive through the Nufenenpass (Passo della Novena) and Grimsel Pass in Switzerland

A drive through the Nufenenpass (Passo della Novena) and Grimsel Pass in Switzerland.

I like having our summer holidays, whenever possible, near the mountains. And each trip, we need to try a new mountain pass. That is part of the adventure!

A couple of years ago, the idea was to stop by at Interlaken, on our way back from Lago di Como. Looking online, the best way to go was via the Nufenenpass (Passo della Novena) and the Grimsel Pass. The Grimsel Pass is very well known by everyone I’ve asked about, but the Nufenenpass, not so much. Some friends of us that have a house in Moltrasio, and whom their father lives in Lago di Como and knows ‘all the mountain passes’, have not heard of the Nufenenpass, but we’ve checked it out online and he suggested me that it should be fine as it was paved.

The view towards Valais from the top rifugio of the Nufenenpass. Photo: The-Ski-Guru. A drive through the Nufenenpass (Passo della Novena) and Grimsel Pass in Switzerland.
The view towards Valais from the top rifugio of the Nufenenpass. Photo: The-Ski-Guru. A drive through the Nufenenpass (Passo della Novena) and Grimsel Pass in Switzerland.

Looking in Google Maps, the pass seemed pretty wide enough for two cars – which was what I wanted to see, but I did not see too much of a guardrail on the side. Another option was to go towards Airolo and then Andermatt and take either the St Gotthard Tunnel, or the St Gothard pass. The St Gothard Tunnel was not an option, as this was a Saturday, where you can be stuck for hours. On our way from Engelberg to Lago di Como, we did the St Gothard Pass, which was very nice. It is very busy too, but at least the traffic goes through.

Panorama of Nufenenpass on a nice day. Photo: Alexander Hoernigk. A drive through the Nufenenpass (Passo della Novena) and Grimsel Pass in Switzerland.
Panorama of Nufenenpass on a nice day. Photo: Alexander Hoernigk. A drive through the Nufenenpass (Passo della Novena) and Grimsel Pass in Switzerland.

Going back this way, we should have taken afterwards the Furkapass, which is a very renown way to go – mostly for bikers and cyclists alike!

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A Hike for your Bucket List: The Via Alpina crosses 14 of the most beautiful Alpine Passes in Switzerland.

Via Alpina. A Hike for your Bucket List: The Via Alpina crosses 14 of the most beautiful Alpine Passes in Switzerland.

A Hike for your Bucket List: The Via Alpina crosses 14 of the most beautiful Alpine Passes in Switzerland.

The passes of the Via Alpina

The Via Alpina crosses 14 of the most beautiful Alpine passes and six cantons of Switzerland, with a great variety of cultures, geology and topography. Broad roads give way to exposed ridge paths. The variety of flora and fauna along the route is among the most diverse in the world.

The Via Alpina goes from Vaduz to Montreux in 20 stages, staying north of the Swiss Alps. Over 390 km, hikers enjoy the many highlights that Switzerland has to offer.

Vertical drops from the Via Alpina trek. A Hike for your Bucket List: The Via Alpina crosses 14 of the most beautiful Alpine Passes in Switzerland.
Vertical drops from the Via Alpina trek. A Hike for your Bucket List: The Via Alpina crosses 14 of the most beautiful Alpine Passes in Switzerland.

While the sections initially pass through relatively flat terrain in St. Gallen, the altitude being climbed increases quite steadily in the Glarnerland. When it comes to that Alpine feeling, the highlight of the route can be found in the Bernese Alps.

Day by day, hikers work their way through majestic mountain landscapes, with each pass crossed opening up a new world. This trail covers a total of 14 passes in six cantons and involves 23’600 m of ascent and 24’800 m of descent.

A Hike for your Bucket List: The Via Alpina crosses 14 of the most beautiful Alpine Passes in Switzerland.
A Hike for your Bucket List: The Via Alpina crosses 14 of the most beautiful Alpine Passes in Switzerland.

The route takes hikers to the secluded Surenen Pass, the famous Grindelwald, the Kleine Scheidegg pass with views of the Eiger, Mönch und Jungfrau mountains, the well-visited Blüemlisalp hut, perhaps one of Switzerland’s most beautiful lakes in Lake Oeschinen, the enchanting Bunderchrinde Pass and the sleepy Rochers de Naye mountains with unique views of Lake Geneva, to name but a few highlights.

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Record May snowfall in some parts of Switzerland

Photo: Adrian. Unsplash. Record May snowfall in some parts of Switzerland

Record May snowfall in some parts of Switzerland.

From Swissinfo.ch

Areas of Switzerland saw record snowfall for the month of May overnight from Saturday into Sunday. Most snow fell in the central and eastern alpine regions, but the most dramatic records were observed in lower-lying Bern and St Gallen.

The Swiss capital of Bern woke up to four centimetres of fresh snow on Sunday morning. The previous record for the month was one centimetre in 1945.

The eastern city of St Gallen saw 19 centimetres of snow, up from the 12 centimetres recorded on May 7, 1957, according to the Swiss meteorological service MeteoSwiss.

Record May snowfall in some parts of Switzerland
Record May snowfall in some parts of Switzerland

People have been advised not to take walks in wooded areas, especially in deciduous regions, as wet snow caught in trees could cause branches to fall off.

Weather forecasters have warned of further problems likely to be caused by the unseasonal cold snap next early week. MeteoSwiss forecasts sharp groundfrost in the lowlands on Monday and Tuesday.

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