December 22nd to 27th 2024

David Orf

This season I will be taking the ski leaders reports and pictures and collating them for you, despite our opening a week earlier few rook advantage of our first leader Marguerite Nice but not to worry Margurite will be back later in the season. Christmas week is always popular and this week Mark Hall has been busy leading our members around the slopes

Sunday 22nd Dec

With the lifts all off due to a storm, it was a wet start which saw brollies out whilst we waited for the train. yes even in Wengen December. It did turn to snow though through the day setting a good prospect. Couldn’t see much of arven or the runs to Grindelwald terminal or back to Wengen. However for those hanging in through the worst of it the reward was Eigernordwand and a few others opening from 2:30 onwards. Still poor vis but somehow the ‘lads’ floated through the soft stuff going down Arven as darkness descends

Monday 23rd Dec

The day started with a white out wind and snowing, but delayed skiing to allow the train station to be slowly dug out. Eventually post a coffee the lauberhorn, wixi and arven opened mid morning allowing some looping of the runs. Vis stayed flat all day. Skied some fresh lines in 30cm deep snow on the piste. From the wixi lift we saw quite a few people hunting lost skis!.

Tuesday 24th Dec

Wow. Tuesday rewarded us after the frustrations of the recent weather. Worth the wait though. Great skiing all over, everywhere. Much whooping as we ploughed through knee deep snow. There was a run of bumps on Holenstein too giving thighs more of a days end workout they didnt want! And we could see for miles. Avalanche level remained 4, justified as the head wall to manlichen bowl avalanched as did above eigergletcher which I caught on video and photo. All safely down at the close of day. The warm relaxed atmosphere of Club room was set out for a Prosecco /apperol spritz and nibbles evening closed probably the best days skiing pre Christmas in a long time. Nice one.

Wed 25th Christmas Day

Today was a Murren expedition. Making most of the good vis and expansive snow. Hard on piste snow conditions but for those that were paraponting off the Shilthorn to access long offpist trail it looked sublime. The inferno middle section and z- bends were in great condition soon to be skied with vengeance and memories

Thursday 26th Dec – Boxing Day

Plenty of sun and snow. Basking coffee drinkers watched us zoom past on firm pistes. Getting a wee bit busy so needed vigilance for the speedy youth out on Christmas gifts. Tshuggen piste opened opening a great empty run. Lunch run to Grund was swift and empty, great food. All this while Heinz Cup treasure Hunt was in full swing. Answers, Cup and prizes handed out all to the accompaniment of funk trad Swiss oompah (see piccy). And the winners were….Wim & Yolanda