While I wade through the post Euro return blear, I'll spew out a few bone moes about the recently completed ramp through Yurp ending with EuroBBI2022.
Props to http://www,mtnlodge_sedrun.com, wp_bw_hedonism and the fistfull of maggots writhing around the Andermatt-Disentis SkiArena.
Flight from Seattle to Zurich was great except for the 8 hour layover at Paris CDG. Not doing that again. I did the usual 40L carryon with skiboots and 1 checked skibag with the canonical 200 cm DPS Lotus 120s from 2007. Fat old skis for a fat old man.
On landing ZRH, I couldn't get my phone to connect, so getting on line to get a ticket to Wengen was a challenge. Eventually, I got on and managed to score the ticket involving high speed rail to Interlaken, switching to a non Eurail valid narrow gauge to Lauterbrunnen and finally the cog rail from Lauterbrunnen up to Wengen. Unfortunatley it was at night.
The first 5 nights I roosted at the Regina Hotel, about 300 meters up a little hill from the Wengen train station. The Regina is an old world hotel, likely built in the 19th century with a variety of upgrades, but still owned by the original family with that patina of grace and funk unique to established Euro hotels. The staff was awesome, the owner acting as maitre d' in the bistro. They have the best rated restaurant, Chez Meyers. A single was 160chf/night, more than I usually spend, but I didn't know the area and was up for a little bougy comfort.
Skied Murren (Schilthorn) first. I was impressed with the offpiste area, some super sketchy entrances and obscured exits. Being solo, I stayed on the more conservative options with traverses and bootpacks. I'd love to go back with pal to sample the more exposed stuff. Some big lines with 3000+ vertical feet of 30 degree pitches.
Top of Schilthorn and following pitch to the west which goes out of sight through cliffbands:
https://www.tetongravity.com/forums/...6&d=1647462677
https://www.tetongravity.com/forums/...7&d=1647462717
Next day, did Grindlewald/Wengen, using the Mannilichenbahn, a massive 2000+ vertical foot tram from Wengen up to the ridge dividing Wengen from Grindlewald. The skiing there was mostly piste with a few pockets of E/NE facing pow that required a 5 minute bootpack and traverse above the Laeger chair.
https://www.tetongravity.com/forums/...9&d=1647460807
I did have a weird experience on the Grindlewald Mannilichen gondola when, in a full gondola with closed windows in the sun, I pointed to the window and got nods from several riders to open it. On exiting the gondola and walking a distance away, I heard loud Teutonic gargling behind me, so I stopped and turned around. An older man and woman came up to be in heated output to which I responded "Ich nicht sprech Deutch". The man broke into mangled English "you no ask window open..." with the woman fiercely supporting. Why they never objected in the 10 minute ride in the gondy was proof that passive aggressive Karens are not limited to North America. The disease spreads.
Then back to Murren for 2 days, exploring the Schilthorn and skiing corn over on the more southerly exposed Gimmelwald zone in the afternoon. The best espresso there at the Suppenalp hutte.
On the 28th it was Grindlewald/Wengen on the Honegg lift where I found the bootpack up above the Honegg lift that exposed a massive and wonderful cirque of powder and big exposure. After 3 laps there I poked around on the Lauberhorn downhill and was blown away by the insanity of that classic. Incredible 90 degree turns right under the Jungfrau.
https://www.tetongravity.com/forums/...0&d=1647460928
On that note, the views from Lauterbrunnen in the valley is like Yosemite with the blue ice of Mt Rainier crowning the massive walls, waterfalls and icefalls. Stunning in any context.
More later
Moved to Murren Alpenblick hotel, skied Schilthorn 2 days. March 3, 4
Train from Murren to Klosters. March 5
