During the first few weeks of December the weather turned cooler and wetter with snow falling in the Alps.
I arrived back in Wengen 12 days ago, after a snowy train ride across Switzerland. Wengen was a winter wonderland, blanketed with snow, and it feels great to be back!
The first week of ski leading we had extremely cold weather, -18 deg C at the top of Eigergletscher chair, with great snow conditions although we were hampered by poor visibility on many days. The best skiing was on the Mannlichen and the Punch Bowl. Despite full coverage of snow the skiing was limited as a number of lifts and pistes were still to be opened and prepared, all valley runs were closed, so we were downloading after skiing on the train or cable car. With only a handful of members here on holiday the groups were small.
On Saturday 17th of December the Village of Wengen celebrated the start of the winter season with Glühwein stalls along the high street. The stalls were hosted by businesses offering hot drinks and home baking and snacks. DHO shared a stall with Alpine Holiday Services. There was a great atmosphere and a lovely start to the winter season. Thanks to Susie Davies for making the sausage rolls and to the team at Alpine Services.
Our first Ski Leader, Ruth Marshall arrived last Saturday and has been out leading with small groups throughout the week. Conditions have been challenging with reduced visibility. Icy conditions on Thursday after a big thaw then overnight freeze, followed by high winds and rain at all levels the last two days. All in all a mixed week!
Coggins started on Sunday 18th December with a small group enjoying ‘Fun Fast Skiing’ with Bob Eastwood.
I skied with the Coggins on Monday, we had great fun finding jumps and some fast skiing including 1377m of descent from the Eigergletscher (2320m) to Grund (943m).
This season we are going to meet for ski leading outside the Tourist Information Office at 08:45 (09:30 on Sundays) this will tie in with Coggins start times and meeting place, making it easier for parents to join the ski leading groups. This season I will also offer ski leading or avalanche awareness training on Saturdays. We will also have a club leader present on Saturday evenings during office time, to help with membership applications and questions
We held the traditional treasure hunt around the mountain on Thursday, which was a windy day with many of the chair lifts closed. The teams enjoyed following and searching out the clues, and the challenge probably kept them out skiing all day in not the nicest of conditions. Luckily, the lift closures didn’t have too much impact on the quiz, although the teams became quite creative finding elevators in buildings as options for ‘open lifts’.
1st – The Wolfe Pack
2nd – Archie and Gemma
3rd – The Lightweights
As I write many families are arriving on the train for their Christmas ski holiday.
The weather looks to improve in the week ahead with sunshine forecast for Christmas Day, then hopefully an overnight snowfall of around 10 -15cm on Monday/Tuesday.
Tuesday will be our first Prosecco party of the season in the club room 10 CHF entry for all, the following week on Tuesday 3rd January we will meet in the Alpine Hotel (formerly the Sunstar Hotel) for drinks.
Unfortunately, due to limited piste conditions and operational procedures of the lift company we have had to cancel the upcoming Kandahar V DHO 24/25 Challenge Cup, on Thursday 29th and Friday 30th of this week. This was due to be run on the Lauberhorn piste on Thursday and over at Murren on Friday.I
A reminder for all members to please download the Proactively app from the DHO website
This gives you the ability to complete your disclaimer in advance, it also gives you quick access to SOS and Ski Leaders phone numbers and our feedback form.
I am looking forward to welcoming you to the DHO and to some great skiing this season.
Wishing all our DHO members seasons greetings and a Happy New Year!
Mark
Ski Club
Since 1925
