This was my second visit to Wengen, the first being in 2000 and in fact the
third time with a Ski bob, the first when I was 18 in Scotland, now aged 59. I
had a major problem in obtaining a Bob in 2000 as they are not known around
there, but did eventually manage to get a sports shop there to find me one. This
year, none at all were available, but after an afternoon on the internet found
the association and managed to borrow a great Stalmach Snow Horse from Brendan
West. A colleague made me up some Boot skis, from a pair of old Carving Skis, as
I have a bad left foot and can't wear Ski Boots, which, with some modification
were fantastic.
Again, we drove down, four up in a Chrysler Voyager, stopping this time in a
cheap hotel in Metz arriving at Lunnenbrun Station and the car park after a
total of about ten hours total travelling from Calais, non stop, except for the
usual fill up's. You have to leave the car there, as Wengen is car free and then
load all onto the train for the trip to the village, about 35 minutes. We stayed
again at the Eiger Hotel, which is family operated and in the heart of the
village. It is about 8300 feet up and close to the station and all amenities.
Behind the hotel is a Cable Car to take you to the top of the mountain, near the
Eiger, to about 11500 feet. The Bobbing and Skiing from there is fantastic with
a lot of runs always ending at an excellent bar or chair lift. There are also
trains every 20 minutes to take you up another mountain, which likewise offers
great long runs, especially through the forests. There are superb watering holes
at each starting point offering a vast selection of freshly cooked lunches. If
in a crowd, booking a table is a must.
We arrive just after Christmas and were there for a week, to take in the New
Year. It was very busy although the lifts were quick to get through. However
immediately after the New Year celebrations, held in the main street with lots
of music and impromptu Fireworks, most people left and we virtually had the
slopes to ourselves. One good thing about the Chair lifts is that when the
operator saw you with the Bob, he slowed the lift down to enable and easy access
and disembark. This hospitality was shown by all the locals who were excellent
hosts.
The Bobbing was first class, with a good amount of snow and fine weather. The
Piste's are packed every night and it is a joy to go early in the morning, have
a couple of hours Bobbing and stop for a long lingering lunch. On top of the
mountain, being so high, the non skiers can lie on Sun beds, wrapped in a
blanket and obtain a great sun tan.
As mentioned this is my second visit and would recommend Wengen to anyone. The
food was wonderful, we had Bed Breakfast and Evening meal, for £150.00 per
night, for the two of us, which included the best New years Eve Buffet I have
ever seen. How they did it I will never know. The Bobbing is great, even if you
are the only one on the slopes! and as I have said already, you have to go a
long way to beat the hospitality
David V. Brown