J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by biki17

Far Queue wrote:Hi biki17,

I got home from Wengen this weekend.

OK, where to start.. If you have not booked yet, then I would hold off a bit. The snow condition is far from ideal, and whilst they are working like mad to keep as much as possible open, they desperately need fresh snow, and plenty of it.

We skied the Murren side twice, and it seems to be pretty badly hit lower down, with runs being either closed, or with large mud patches or with areas of true ice. The snow up on the Schilthorn is still pretty good, but not sure you will want to stay up there for an entire week.

Grindelwald was also suffering, and the road at the bottom of the resort runs resembled a small river while we were waiting for the bus back to the station. Again, it is much better up in the First area.

The Wengen area itself is probably holding up the best of all, I guess mainly due to the shadows from the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau, but it was getting a bit frustrating trying to find some decent snow on a decent slope.

Generally, the week was spent sun/shadow chasing, as the runs were pretty icy/very hard packed in the morning, becoming nice once the sun had been on them, but ending up quite slushy by the end of the day.

It is my first ski trip to the area, and I have to say I was surprised at Wengen. It seems to be very much an "elderly" town, with large numbers of Alpine walkers in the area. I am in my mid 40's and would say my group was one of the youngest in the hotel :shock:

My main reason to visit Wengen was to ski the Lauberhorn, and now that is ticked off, I'm not sure I would go back. If I did, I think I would look at staying in either Grindelwald or Murren tbh. Although that could change once the promised fast cable from Wengen to Kleine Scheidegg comes into operation in a couple of years time. They also need to look at the speed of getting up to the Wengen ski area from Grindelwald.

I'm glad I went, but as I say, not sure I would rush back there.

I have posted some pics to show views of Wengen and a view down to Grindelwald. They are clickable to load a bigger image.

Wengen from the Mountain Train.



Grindelwald from the Jungfrau Train.



Here is also a link to my open (no account needed to view) Facebook album. Please Click Here

Hope this info helps. FQ.

LOTA wrote:Went to Murren two years ago - not a great deal of tree line skiing but lovely views and loads of village charm.

Haven't been to Cervinia since 1980 so my views may be just a little out of date!!

LOTA wrote:I prefer Grindelwald to Wengen, but Murren would be my preferred choice of the three. Plenty for the timid intermediate, but some much steeper stuff as well. Tends to hold the snow better, I think.
Cervinia is pretty snowsure because of its altitude and is easy-cruise heaven. Serre Che can be vulnerable later in the season but would be excellent if more snow falls soon!

Ian Wickham wrote:Have you decided yet where you are going to go ?

Tony_H wrote:Zermatt