When you're sitting in the comfort of your home on another continent, where you've lived all of your life having snow in the local mountains in December, it might not occur to you that a White Christmas in Switzerland is no guarantee. We lucked out. I didn't fact check this, but a local guy says it has been 13 years since they've had snow like this in December.
Skiing in the Swiss Alps was on the agenda today. Unfortunately I put in motion a change to that two weeks ago when I determinedly ran a marathon with a pulled groin muscle. Unable to walk for a week before our trip, I'm grateful I can now hobble without a walker or cane. But definitely no skiing for me. Instead, Greg and I went up to Wengen, the other car-less village on the opposite side of Lauterbrunnen valley.
On Christmas morning, the heathen children went skiing …
… while Greg and I went to church - for a picture of the church. Kirche Wengen has an amazing view of the valley below.
Wengen is a quintessential ski village above Lauterbrunnen valley. There's something to be said about walking through the snow-filled pedestrian town wishing cheerful strangers a Merry Christmas!
I can't decide if I prefer the Swiss Alps in the green summertime or snow-capped winter. Both are glorious!
Walking around in snowy Switzerland with its small huts gives us 'yoo-hoo' vibes reminiscent of Oaken from the movie Frozen.
Yoo-hoo! I smelled-out the adorable Swiss bell-ringing cows that seasonally dot the hillside. They're in this hut!
We went one mile beyond Wengen village to Hunneflue. Though the 35-minute uphill walk is accessible all year round, if there's a layer of fresh snow, you might need snowshoes to get to the vantage point. We had come this far and were so close! "Kristi, don't be stubborn," Greg said, refusing to follow as I tried to forge my way along some wild animal tracks.
"See, nobody has gone through there," detered Greg when the trail disappeared. I think he is the stubborn one!
Where there's a will there's a way!
The Hunneflue vantage point offers a view towards Interlaken
We ate our picnic lunch on a bench with a plaque that said: It doesn't get any better than this. Yup!
Just outside of Wengen towards Hunneflue is this fabulous panoramic view of the Lauterbrunnen valley
We took a break to watch the skiers come down the mountain
You don't have to be skiing in Wengen to have a fabulous day
Chris and Jeremy are going on their fourth season of being obsessed with skiing - and want everyone they know to be obsessed with it too. I knew it meant that our winter itinerary in Europe had to include a detour. Shockingly, skiing in Switzerland is cheaper than California. This week, Palisades Tahoe is $289 for a day pass; here it is only $88 (yet a gouging ~$100 for the rental).
The Jungfrau region is one massive ski resort with many more ski runs than you could possibly ski in one day. We decided that its Grindelwald-Wengen area had the best variety with its 64 miles of ski runs to enjoy. They rented their equipment from InterSport in Lauterbrunnen (InterSport has shops all over the area), caught the train up to Wengen, and then the gondola up to Mannlichen.
Jungfrau region ski map 2024 - you can ski this entire area for only 79 CHF
My boys in a state of ecstasy
It surprised the boys that skiing in Tahoe is at a higher elevation than here. But this scenery - the numerous majestic peaks - is unbeatable! Being the overprotective mom, I made them promise not to ski off piste or practice their jumps … I want to continue this trip together!
It was Kate's third time succumbing to the pressure of joining her brothers in their passion.
Carb loading is an important part of any ski day
Back safe at our chalet, Jeremy told me: now is an ok time to tell you an Olympic snowboarder on a closed black diamond run died in an avalanche in the Swiss alps yesterday
When I showed Jeremy a picture of our picnic lunch, he joked, "Wow did you get yelled at?" At the chalets along the ski slopes are 'no picnicking' signs. Kate and Vivian were accosted by a worker for relaxing, having already finished the beer they purchased there.
Lauterbrunnen church sits prominently in the center of the village
Returning to our chalet in the serene village of Lauterbrunnen
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