Successful Winter For Schilthorn
The Schilthornbahn AG dares to take a look back at the winter season: Numerous well-known events and always good slope conditions ensure a positive first balance. Winter sports operations will be going into one last round next weekend.
Winter on the Schilthorn is not quite over yet: next weekend from 29./30. April 2023, the Riggli chairlifts and the Schilthorn piste will once again be open to winter sports guests. Nevertheless, looking back, the Schilthornbahn dares to take stock of the 2022/23 season. A glance at the statistics paints a pleasing picture: in winter sports, the Schilthornbahn was only two percent down on the previous year at the end of April. In comparison: The Bernese Oberland as a whole region has recorded a slump of 19 percent. It looks even better with excursion traffic. Here the figures for the first three months are 50 percent higher than the 2018/19 season. The new tariff structure of the Jungfrau Ski Region has also proven its worth. Since all ski passes, including BOB feeder lifts, were valid throughout the ski region, a lively exchange of guests within the region could again be recorded. Overall, there were only a few complaints about the higher prices, and the majority of guest feedback was positive.
Early start of the season thanks to snow farming
The longest winter season on the Schilthorn to date, at 159 days, started as early as November 5, 2022. Thanks to snow farming, those responsible were able to set up a perfect slope in the Engetal in good time. Because of the hot summer, the snow conditions on the glaciers were poor and so from day one there was good demand from ski teams. Numerous training sessions were completed in November and two official FIS slalom races were even held.
Challenge lack of snow
In the end, snow farming and snow-making were also the most important components in the higher-lying Birg-Schilthorn sub-area, thanks to which the challenging warm periods and the unprecedented lack of snow could be defied throughout the season. Despite an accumulated total amount of natural snow of only 2.8 meters, the slope conditions were always very good. However, the difficult conditions were noticeable in the lower part of the area around Mürren: without snowmaking and on a sunny slope, the Gimmeln ski lift, for example, was only in operation for a few weeks.
Wide range of well-known events
In addition to the guaranteed snow, numerous events spread over the season have also increased the attractiveness of the Schilthorn. The railway company was able to further establish itself in the freestyle scene in particular. The popular Skyline Snowpark once again offered an ideal platform for small and large events. For the first time this season, the Schilthorn Rookie Fest took place as part of the World Rookie Tour; the most important global youth freestyle contest as well as a talent factory par excellence for future pro riders.
The Swatch Nines followed in mid-April as the crowning glory. The top-class freestyle event, which is considered the end of the season in the scene, took place for the first time in the area and will in future be held every two years on the Schilthorn, alternating with Crans Montana. With the 79 International Inferno races - the traditional highlight of the season - the revived Whitestyle Open in Mürren or the FIS Telemark World Championships with the local world champion Martina Wyss from Lauterbrunnen, numerous other well-known events found their place in the calendar.
Finally, from May 5th to 7th, the freeheelers will meet at Telemark Only before the summer season finally begins at the Schilthorn. Of course, not without looking ahead to next winter, when the start of the season on November 4, 2023 is already being planned.
