Facelift for the Jungfrau

A proposed SFr 350m investment in upgrading the facilities in the Jungfrau region has hit opposition from environmentalists and  local landowners according to Swissinfo.

The proposals address concerns that the Jungfrau is losing ground against other international destinations, with the long travel times, lack of integration between the facilities in Murren and Wengen and fact that Grindelwald is not a ski-in, ski-out resort cited as areas to be addressed.

Greater infrastructure integration, a new freeride area, a new rail stop in the Grindelwald valley and a  gondola to Kleine Scheidegg area are proposed. In addition a gondola across the Lauterbrunnen valley is mooted. There is also talk of other development including a bypass for Grindelwald to make it car free.

For sure, the Jungfrau is one of the most beautiful areas in the World and the rail network is quaint and pretty effective. However it is also clear that a gap is starting to emerge between leading winter sports resorts, with the ones making investments doing well and those not doing so, or having  limited facilities, falling behind. The Jungfrau suffers from not having the length of season of some of the other major resorts in Europe, but it has a unique place in the development of winter sports and fabulous variety. Getting the balance right will be a tough challenge, and the outcome is likely to be a compromise. I certainly think attempts to increase the challenge for more experienced skiers and snowboarders off First and Mannlichen would be good, making Grindelwald car-free would be excellent, and reducing the journey time from Bern is always going to be popular. However, people who know the area realize that the challenging runs are off the Schilthorn and that beginners and intermediates will find plenty to occupy them around Wengen, Kleine Scheidegg , Mannlichen and First (an unexpected gem for those who always head the other way). Personally I find it an easy day trip from Basel, and probably one of the best places to head to for weekenders from Northern Europe, probably more so than Chamonix.  I feel that there is room for improvement, but the resort is far better marketed in summer than winter, and a clearer winter marketing strategy (coupled with infrastructure improvements) will go further than extensive investment.

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Gstaad Upgrades Facilities

Gstaad is one of these ski resorts where you can ask yourself “But where do you ski?”. In fact Gstaad Mountain Rides is a collection of different ski areas grouped into “sektors” broadly centred on Gstaad but with the main slopes actually some way outside Gstaad itself, a pretty little town in what is a very rural setting for all its jet set status (and adjacent private airport). The most appealing areas have previously been the glacier on Les Diablerets (Sektor 4) and the largest area in Sektor 1 linking Zweisimmen with Saanenmösser and Schönried. Here a new piste for 2010/11 with snow cannon between Rinderberg and Ronda will make this area easier to get around for less experienced skiers. However, a number of other enhancements have been introduced or are planned to significantly upgrade what was already a pretty decent resort.

Also in Sektor 1 is the area linking Schweizerdeutsch-speaking Gstaad and Saanen with French-speaking Rougemont, and for 2011 this area has seen some significant improvements.

A new Rougemont-La Videmanette 8-seat gondola has been operating since Christmas, barely 5 months since construction began. From the valley station at 968m it takes 10 minutes to get to the 2152m top station, and can shift 1400 people an hour.

Meanwhile, above Saanen a new four-seat chairlift Chalberhöni-Vorderes Eggli leaves from the same point of departure as the chairlift Les Gouilles and provides access to the highest point on the Vorderes Eggli. This makes the whole area much esier to get around and makes a welcome addition.

The two projects represent an investment of over CHF 25 million, and further investment is planned through until 2018.

For the first time, public transport is now covered by all ski passes this winter. The passes are valid for free travel on the train between Rossinière and St. Stephan as well as on the PostBus between Saanenmöser, Col du Pillon, Turbach and Lauenen during normal operating hours of public transport. The Swiss Railways Snow&Rail deal is particularly attractive for getting to Zweisimmen where the station is directly adjacent to the Rinderberg valley station. Château-d’Œx also has the cable car not far from the station and Rougemont is about 10 minutes walk from the station to the new gondola.

Children aged 9 and under can travel for free on all mountain lifts.

One of the great things about Gstaad and Saanenland is the weath of things to do. The area has been nominated by the ADAC ski guide as one of the three best cross country resorts in the Alps, and there is a range of other winter sports and diversions on offer. Château-d’Œx in the Sektor 3 ski area, once home to David Niven and M.C.Escher, features one of the most spectacular events in the Alps – the world famous “Balloon Week” in the last week of January, where up to 100 balloonists gather each year. For foodies there are plenty of excellent mountain restaurants, and in Gstaad the Michelin-starred Chesey features many Saanenland delicacies. Other highly-rated restaurants in the latest Gault & Millau restaurant guide include the ‘Prado’ of the Grand Hotel Bellevue and ‘Restaurant Golfclub’ in Saanenmöser.

The Grand Hotel Park reopened following a major renovation on 17 December 2010 and will have special mid-week deals in January and March, from Sundays to Thursdays. Ermitage Golf Hotel in Schönried is being renovated throughout 2011. For a bit of off-beat romance Igloo Village Hotels offer new igloo suites on the Saanerslochgrat above Saanenmöser.

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Meiringen-Hasliberg

This family-friendly resort has a surprisingly good range of slopes for all abilities and styles, albeit in modest quantities. Famous for being where Sherlock Holmes met his demise, it makes a good day out from Interlaken or Luzern or a pleasant destination for a short break.

Full details on the resort can be found at my database of Swiss Winter Resorts under the entry for Meiringen.

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Adelboden-Lenk

Adelboden is a lovely village which shares with Lenk an impressive ski area with a very good park for boarders. In addition there are also a number of smaller areas covered by the pass and, from the spa town of Lenk, the opportunity to access the extensive slopes at Zweisimmen.

Ski Area Adelboden-Lenk
Resorts Adelboden, Lenk, Frutigen, Elsigen, Metsch
Ski Region Bernese Oberland
Piste (km) 185
Top run (m) 2671
Bottom (m) 929
Max Drop 1742
Snow’n’Rail Y
Black (km) 22
Red (km) 85
Blue (km) 78
Lifts (#/hr) 52420
My Rating 5
Alpine 5
SnowPark 3
Nordic 3
Hiking 4
Family 5
Apres Ski 3
Free Ride Y
Snow making Y
Fun park Y
Snow park Y
Half pipes  
Spa Y

In Brief

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