January full of adventures
And, here we are at the very beginning of 2022! January full of adventures
Brand new year, brand new goals, new hopes and dreams, new horizons and destinations. So get ready to set intentions for the whole year ahead and embark on a new journey.
Horn Sledge Races
Horn sledge races have a long tradition in the Alpine regions of Switzerland. They are happening between January and March and are held out of fun, attracting numerous participants and spectators.
The Muottas Muragl often considered the fastest of the sledge runs with an elevation of more than 2,700 feet, so hold on! The 7 km long run at Diablerets has many twists & turns and is a ton of fun. The Eiger Run is lit up at night for an evening adrenaline rush. Created by an Olympic bobsledder, the Tobogganing Park in Leysin offers exciting snow tubing and sledging runs. The short but exhilarating Gemmi Pass is a blast, with stunning views of the Valais Alps. Finally, if you want a serious challenge, the 14.5 km Big Pintenfritz in Grindelwald is billed as the longest sledge run in the world.
Silverchlausen in Appenzell
The masked procession in Appenzell, known as Silvesterchlausen, is a traditional ringing in the New Year. According to the Gregorian calendar, towns and villages in the Appenzellerland host these fascinating festivities on December 31 – and again on January 13 (Julian calendar).
On those dates, groups of men in outlandish costumes meet up in the early morning hours and roam the streets, walking from door to door and yodelling to wish everyone a Happy New Year. There are three types of the Chläuse: the beautiful “schöne Chläus” are dressed in traditional clothes and with elaborate handmade headdresses depicting rural scenes; the wild “wüeschti Chläus” wear natural materials, like fir branches, moss, lichen and pine cones, while the natural “Naturchläus” boast artful, wildly decorated bonnets, masks and animal furs. The Silvesterchläuse mummers stay out until midnight, visiting the inns in the vicinity during the evening. A festive Swiss custom that has existed for centuries remains a truly unique living tradition that you really must experience.
International Lauberhorn World Ski Cup
Ski fans are already planning to be in Wengen from 14-16 January at the 92nd International Lauberhorn World Ski Cup. It is one of the world’s highest in popularity winter sports events. Bringing the world’s ski elite in the Bernese Alps to compete in three first-class alpine ski races – Downhill, slalom, and combined. An established attraction is a unique air show by the Patrouille Suisse, the aerobatic demonstration team of the Swiss Air Force, and a supporting program in an “open-air World Cup village”. Traditionally on Sunday, the award ceremony will take place in the finish area in Innerwengen.
World Snow Festival
Under the theme of “Mountain,” Grindelwald will host the 39th World Snow Festival from January 17-22. During five days, ten teams of international artists will sculpt ice-cold pieces of art out of massive snow blocks. What started in 1983 with a giant Heidi sculpture hewn by Japanese artists has become an annual cultural happening. The show has become one of the most popular events in the region, at the foot of the Eiger mountain, and has become an annual tradition.
Inferno Ski Races
The world’s oldest and longest amateur ski competition Inferno Ski Races will be in Murren from 17-22 January 2022. The 78th edition of this spectacular international event includes a Langlauf, i.e. cross-country skiing, and Giant slalom, as well as the Downhill, which takes place on Saturday, January 22. The fascinating history of the Inferno Race in the alpine resort of Mürren began in 1928. It all started with a handful of British ski enthusiasts. Today it is the largest amateur skiing race globally. So popular that participation has to have a limit to “only” 1850 competitors. The course covers 14.9 kilometres of contrasting terrain and topography and is open to the skiing public at other times of the year.
Some events saw cancellations in January, but we do look forward to visiting them again in 2023.
Let’s keep positive, and try to spend as much time as possible outside during this magnificent winter period in Switzerland.
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Photo by John Bakator on Unsplash
