 Poster: A snowHead
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@RichieC43, anything south or west facing (Honegg / Wixi) got quite bumpy in the sunshine this afternoon (it was +10C in the village). Black Rock icy. Elsewhere pretty good. Arven blue closed this afternoon as too slick for a blue, but they’ll sort that out tonight as the ski schools rely on it.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@telford_mike, Hopefully some fresh top up due early next week
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Went with the DHO over to Grindelwald First this morning. When we got there there was a very biq queue going round the outside of the lift building (more Covid secure than queueing inside the building I suppose). It took about 30mins before we got onto the gondola.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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My Grindelwald mate (resident) abandoned First because of the Q. He said he's putting skins on tomorrow for a walk to avoid the hordes.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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It’s still very warm. Ski teacher's day off.
Val skied her class back to the village from Scheidegg yesterday afternoon, and the pistes were soft and bumpy but ok. We could certainly do with some colder weather though. Lots of holidaymakers leaving today - it’s back to school on Monday for the Swiss kids, and doubtless many others.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Alastair Pink, it's unbelievable. Yet here are the UK gov rules which imv could at least make life a bit easier for UK residents
Hope your journey is progressing more smoothly now.
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Thank you for sharing your "antigen test in German" experience, Alastair.
I think you've probably helped out quite a few of us folks who are about to travel to Wengen with this information.
Now I'm wondering if there is a choice to get the (UK entry) Antigen Certificate printed in English, French or Spanish in Wengen.
Anyway, not your problem. Hope you had a great time in the village.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@Creature, the certificate that you get from the doctors in Wengen will be in English, if that’s what you ask for. Here's one I did a while back. I think Alastair must have been unlucky.
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Thanks so much, Mike. Very kind of you to clear this up so quickly.
I will make sure to ask for my certificate in English.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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This year it is hoped that the Lauberhorn races can go ahead. There will be 4 races; a Super-G on Thursday 13th, a downhill on Friday, another downhill on Saturday (this is the 'official' Lauberhorn DH) and the slalom on Sunday. Building work is in full swing.
Weather-wise, it’s been a little colder today, and overcast. There’s snow forecast for Wednesday, along with a big drop in temperatures. Workers could be seen reconnecting snow cannons at Scheidegg this afternoon in anticipation.
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@telford_mike, first day today, not up Mannlichen til around 11 and was expecting significantly worse snow given the recent weather but have skied a lot poorer!
Ended the day on Blue 22 back down into Grindelwald which was definitely chopped up and sugary which made for heavy going.
What an incredible area, awe inspiring views wherever you look!
Any idea when the Lauberhorn will be closed to the public pre-race?
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You know it makes sense.
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@RichieC43, glad to hear you had a good day. All the valley runs are getting a bit iffy now, but new snow and colder temps on Wednesday will help. First training runs for the Lauberhorn DH are on the 11th, so definitely closed from then on, maybe a day or two earlier while they put up the last of the netting.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@telford_mike, thank you, we should get to squeeze a run in
Last one, best link from Grindelwald Terminal to Firstbahn? Train to Grindelwald but is there a ski bus to First from the station?
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Poster: A snowHead
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@RichieC43, bus to/from Terminal - First every 15 minutes. If you find yourself at the station in Grindelwald there is a bus every half hour, but you can walk it in ~10 minutes, maybe less.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Perfect! Thanks Mike
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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We had a good snowfall overnight and this morning, and the pistes are much improved.
Temperatures are about 15 degrees lower than they were this time yesterday, and there’s more snow forecast over the next few days.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@telford_mike,
What a difference a day makes eh! We had a slightly later start today and a cracking day around Kleine Scheidegg, Eigernordwand and then the Eiger Express home to Terminal.
Tomorrow's plan is to investigate the Wengen side, where was that photo taken? looks lovely.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@RichieC43, that's on the run (22) down to Brandegg from Scheidegg this morning - you may have skied it today. It’s one of the most picturesque pistes in the area. Normally you'd have a lovely view of the north face of the Eiger on the right, but not today with the snow. You can see the cables of the Eiger Express above in the photo.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Hi all - we are headed to Grindelwald in February - very excited!
I was hoping to tap into the local knowledge.. what's the very easiest blue run in Grindelwald (any of the areas)? I am a very timid intermediate (beginner in terms of bravery, though I can ski pretty much parallel) and want a run to do my first day practice on withough losing my nerve. The others in my family are very confident advanced intermediates.
thanks so much!
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@Soozm, opinions will vary on this, but here are my suggestions.
Piste 22 - Kleine Scheidegg to Brandegg. It gets a bit more awkward after Brandegg, so get the train back up / down from there.
Piste 36 - Kleine Scheidegg to Wengen. Use piste 36b (stay left) when you get to the top of the Bumps drag lift. It’s mostly a path. No need to go all the way to Wengen, as you can catch the train back up / down from Allmend.
Piste 3 - First to Schreckfeld.
Have fun!
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Last night a bunch of us visited the Golden India restaurant in Wengen. Great food, highly recommended if you need a curry fix while you’re here. There’s another one over in Grindelwald.
A much better day today, as long as you were well wrapped up. It was minus 13 at Männlichen this morning. The low temperatures mean that the snow cannons on the meadows above Wengen can run all day.
Pistes are still pretty firm, and it was predictably busy in the sunshine today.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@telford_mike - thank you! That’s very helpful indeed 
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| telford_mike wrote: |
| @RichieC43, that's on the run (22) down to Brandegg from Scheidegg this morning - you may have skied it today. It’s one of the most picturesque pistes in the area. Normally you'd have a lovely view of the north face of the Eiger on the right, but not today with the snow. You can see the cables of the Eiger Express above in the photo. |
Didn't get a chance to ski 22 last couple of days myself but heard it was a lot nicer with the new snow, although as you say much busier today.
Couple of runs into Wengen today, all go around Lauberhorn for next week I see and the cannons working overtime.
36b to the left of bumps was well skied by the time we got there later in the day and very busy with families heading back to Wengen.
Enjoyed black 45 from the top of bumps as far as where it crosses blue 36 again; the steeper section down into Innerwengen was a good spot to bow out 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Soozm, @telford_mike is absolutely spot on.
Stick with those recommendations until you get you legs back.
I will say, but bearing in mind I've never skied Switzerland at all (or Europe at large in the past 25 years!) I've found the blue run gradings in particular varied!
Take Blue 3 and 4 on First. 3 is a nice cruisy blue but the latter could easily be graded red and the way it skied the other day, a black elsewhere.
Reds I've found the most consistently graded. Red 21 from Kleine Scheidegg down to Arven has quickly become our family favourite and if there's anyone less adventurous, you've got the option of Blue 22 down to the same spot.
As we're parking at Grindelwald Terminal each day, we've found the slickest way home has been to end the final run of the day at the Eigernordwand chair (easily accessible from the above two options) up to Eigergletscher for the most stunning views at the end of the day then catch the Eiger Express down to Grindelwald
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@Soozm, the blue from Kleine to Brandegg is great for getting those ski legs back
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First was very quiet this morning, recommendations would be Oberjoch, Gemsberg and the far run off Hohwald t - bar.
All specifics aside it's fantastic to be back on snow in the Jungfrau Region, rumour has it snow is imminent!!
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You know it makes sense.
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This evening I go for drinks with our landlady, this is the 20th anniversary of us meeting and staying with Frau Stäger. I have been extremely lucky to have skied the season for the majority of those 20 years.
Evident therefore that Lauterbrunnen works well for us.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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This evening I go for drinks with our landlady, this is the 20th anniversary of us meeting and staying with Frau Stäger. I have been extremely lucky to have skied the season for the majority of those 20 years.
Evident therefore that Lauterbrunnen works well for us.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Cold and a bit grey today, though the sun tried its best to get through the clouds at lunchtime. Less busy than yesterday - lots of people were leaving this afternoon. Wixi.
Light snow in the village at the moment.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@telford_mike, a bit of advice please ... we are planning to switch our 3Vs HT break to Switzerland (can't wait for Monsieur M to make his mind up). Looking at 2 hotels in Grindelwald (the Belvedere and the Boutique Glacier - both look great) and the Baeren in Wengen. I know Wengen and Murren relatively well but have never been to Grindelwald. What's the skiing like over in Grindelwald and how long does it take to get to Wengen? I seem to remember that the lifts out of the village are quite old and very slow - is this still true? Thank you!
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@franga, Grindelwald has 2 splendid new lifts out of the village. The Eiger Express (24 seat gondola) takes you up to Eigergletscher in 15 minutes. The new Männlichen gondola (10 seater) whisks you up to the top in a similar time. The gondola to the First area has not been renewed yet. So for Grindelwald, massive improvements from a couple of years ago. The skiing in Grindelwald is essentially the same as Wengen, except you have easier access to First. It’s still a bit easier to stay in Wengen (cable car to Männlichen in just 5 minutes), but Grindelwald has been vastly improved.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| telford_mike wrote: |
| @franga, Grindelwald has 2 splendid new lifts out of the village. The Eiger Express (24 seat gondola) takes you up to Eigergletscher in 15 minutes. The new Männlichen gondola (10 seater) whisks you up to the top in a similar time. The gondola to the First area has not been renewed yet. So for Grindelwald, massive improvements from a couple of years ago. The skiing in Grindelwald is essentially the same as Wengen, except you have easier access to First. It’s still a bit easier to stay in Wengen (cable car to Männlichen in just 5 minutes), but Grindelwald has been vastly improved. |
Thank you, much appreciated. Mrs F prefers Grindelwald as one of the hotels has the obligatory “naked only” spa facilities 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Wow, that does seem like a great improvement for Grindelwald. Thanks for the info @telford_mike!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Spoiler Alert!!
One of the finest powder days I can remember! Forecast was for a modest 15 to 30 CMS.
Spent the morning at First skiing consistently 45 to 50 CMS. Very cold first thing snow in fantastic condition.
Serious note. A very significant avalanche released on the cliffs below Oberjoch chair.
Nobody caught in it, pleased to report. Possibly a cornice collapse.
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I'm really tempted to change my French trip to this region  Base depths look a lot less than Val D'isere, but seems like the region doesn't need as much to get decent skiing?
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One big advantage over here@Alex A, this doesn't get tracked out the way VD does.
We had acres of untracked all morning.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| Rogerdodger wrote: |
One big advantage over here@Alex A, this doesn't get tracked out the way VD does.
We had acres of untracked all morning. |
Sounds awesome! I've been in the summer twice and it's stunning there. Really drawn by the scenery. To be honest, after no skiing for 2 seasons, I'd be happy just being in the mountains in some snow!
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@Rogerdodger, agreed, it was one of the best days of the season - absolutely epic!
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FAQ
So I had to go to the testing facility at the airport which fortunately opened at 5am to get another test. Having paid CHF75 for the privilege I then got back my (negative) result in English emailed to me within 30 minutes so I was then able to get my bags processed, go through security and reach my gate, which opens shortly. More stress and expense I could have done without, all because the UK authorities won't accept a Covid certificate in German. I think even a child could understand it, after all "negativ" is fairly obvious isn't it??? 
An expensive mistake, but hopefully one from which other visitors to Wengen can avoid. 
