 Poster: A snowHead
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Wengen News
Leitner awarded contract for new Wixi-Fallboden chairlift
Leitner was awarded the contract for the construction of the new Wixi-Fallboden chairlift. The concession for the old chairlift expired at the end of October 2022. Due to its age, an extension of the existing facility was no longer possible. The replacement project for the Fallboden chairlift with a mountain station on the Eiger Glacier, which was already planned in 2010 and considered during the construction of the Wixi chairlift, failed during the approval process in 2021 due to a negative ENHK report.
Operating experience from the past two winter seasons has shown that the closure of the Fallboden chairlift has created a bottleneck in the Wixi Valley near the Wixi chairlift. The newly snow-covered "Black Rock" slope is proving very popular. The newly planned mountain station will be located east of the existing mountain station, directly next to the Jungfrau Railway tracks. Thanks to a double underpass with a gradient, guests can access Grindelwald on one side and Wengen on the other.
Assuming a speedy planning process, the lift could begin operations as early as the 2026/2027 winter season. The lift will be a modern six-seater chairlift from Leitner with weather protection hoods and a capacity of 2,000 passengers per hour. The cost is estimated at CHF 13 million.
link - https://www.jungfrau.ch/de-ch/unternehmen/news/jungfraubahnen-bestellen-seilbahnanlagen-im-umfang-von-ueber-70-mio-franken/
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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Looks lovely in the summer too!
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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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And a couple of earthquakes in recent days - 4.3 Mon 21 July.
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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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@Chris Brookes, Great photo. Really does look inviting
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| DCG wrote: |
| @Chris Brookes, Great photo. Really does look inviting |
thanks
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| colinstone wrote: |
| And a couple of earthquakes in recent days - 4.3 Mon 21 July. |
nothing to write home about though...lol
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| Quote: |
| And a couple of earthquakes in recent days - 4.3 Mon 21 July |
| Quote: |
nothing to write home about though...lol
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Something to write on Snowheads about though! 
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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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Very quiet here so i thought i would bump the page
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Where - in Muerren? Pretty quiet on the River Schelde/Escaut in Tournai.
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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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Jungfrau Region
Mürren-Schilthorn ski area
22.11.2025 - 26.04.2026 continuous
- additionally 01./02.11. & 08./09.11. & 15./16.11.2025
Ski area Grindelwald-First
20.12.2025 - 06.04.2026 continuous
Wengen Ski area - Kleine Scheidegg
15.11.2025(1) - 26.04.2026 continuous(2)
1 with favourable snow conditions
2 restricted operation from 07.04.2026
Subarea Männlichen
13.12.2025 - 06.04.2026 continuous
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I'm attending a Jungfrau Ski Region and Grindelwald Tourism event in September.
Any questions you'd like me to ask their representatives?
Questions on a postcard to the usual address 
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You know it makes sense.
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| Mike Pow wrote: |
I'm attending a Jungfrau Ski Region and Grindelwald Tourism event in September.
Any questions you'd like me to ask their representatives?
Questions on a postcard to the usual address |
No questions for you but would like to hear any gossip from the event!
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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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| Chris Brookes wrote: |
| Mike Pow wrote: |
I'm attending a Jungfrau Ski Region and Grindelwald Tourism event in September.
Any questions you'd like me to ask their representatives?
Questions on a postcard to the usual address |
No questions for you but would like to hear any gossip from the event! |
Will report back
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Poster: A snowHead
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AI system to be installed on Winteregg chairlift:
AURO System: Winteregg Chairlift Relies on Artificial Intelligence
At the start of the 2025/2026 winter season, the Winteregg chairlift in the Mürren-Schilthorn area will be equipped with the latest AURO technology. The AI-based operating system from Doppelmayr-Garaventa promises increased passenger safety and savings in personnel costs through autonomous chairlift operation.
A major digitalization project by Schilthornbahn AG is currently being implemented at Winteregg: At the start of the coming winter season, the chairlift will be equipped with the latest AURO technology from Doppelmayr-Garaventa. AI-supported image processing is used in the so-called Autonomous Ropeway Operation (CLD). The straightforward control system and its software are capable of analyzing and evaluating image and video data in real time and deriving automated actions. Two camera columns plus a camera on the building, safety mats, and various switching gates detect dangerous situations in the exit area at the mountain station in fractions of a second. The system decides independently and situationally whether the lift can continue, slows down, or shuts down. The fault is ultimately rectified by a person from the Ropeway Operation Center (ROC) at the valley station. They can determine the cause of the incident via video transmission and, once the fault has been resolved, manually restart the lift.
Increased personal safety and reduced personnel costs
The constant attention and responsiveness of the AI-trained system will increase safety. At the same time, thanks to one-person operation, personnel costs are expected to be saved by around a third. "Initially, especially during the holidays, we will employ an additional person at the mountain station to visually monitor the system," plans Christoph Egger, Director of Schilthornbahn AG. "Once operations are running smoothly, only one person will be working on the system. This saving in personnel resources will help us, among other things, address the growing risk of a shortage of skilled workers," Egger predicts.
Young, emerging technology
Autonomous operation for gondola lifts was already implemented in 2020. After two intensive years of testing at two installations in Switzerland and Austria, the Federal Office of Transport approved autonomous operation for chairlifts at the start of the 2023/24 winter season. The system will be seamlessly integrated into the existing system. The cost of the conversion, including new installations and adjustments to the Winteregg chairlift station, is approximately CHF 350,000. Construction work began in August 2025.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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It is also planned be used on the Schiltgrat chair. This will happen next season if it works well on the Winteregg chair (26/27 plus other more interesting things in the pipeline)
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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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Intrigued to see how AI picks up a pole or glove
Or makes sure a kid gets on the chair
Once again, short sighted bean counters making the decisions
Customer service to the back of the queue
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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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| Mike Pow wrote: |
Intrigued to see how AI picks up a pole or glove
Or makes sure a kid gets on the chair
Once again, short sighted bean counters making the decisions
Customer service to the back of the queue |
It will be interesting to see the results after the season ends !!
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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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Hi.
I'm looking into visiting Wengen for the first time. The dates would be 14th Dec to 18th Dec for a quick few days. Flying from Manc to Zurich.
My question is.... are all the runs usually open, I'm assuming so as they'll be getting ready for the Xmas rush? As I understand it from the lift pass, First doesn't open until the 20th.
I suppose the other question is whether Dec is a bit risky?
Thanks
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Gaz_H, I contemplated doing this a few times myself and lurked here in previous years.
I always chose Zermatt for mid December till now, feeling it will deliver more that early in the season, before Christmas.
Awaiting the local residents' response as well.
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@Gaz_H, I did a pre Christmas week in Wengen at that time last year, 14th to 21st Dec. It was very enjoyable and what was open had decent cover on it, obviously every year can be different etc. etc.
There was about 50 - 60km of piste open across Wengen and Murren. The First side of Grindelwald didn't open till the day we left. I think they could've opened a couple more pistes earlier but were trying to preserve the snow a bit for the upcoming busier weeks, for example they only opened the home run back to Wengen on our penultimate day though lots of people were ducking under the tape and skiing it. They did open the run all the way down to Grindelwald midweek.
Had the quantity of snow been a bit better/deeper earlier I suspect they'd have opened more earlier so obviously you are taking your chances anywhere that time of year. We had some good snowstorms midweek which was setting things up nicely for the week after! You'd be very likely to have a good bit to ski regardless as we did, just can't expect everything to be open.
Other pluses were it was fairly quiet, had many pistes to ourselves so lapping several without anyone else which was great. Also nice and christmassy everywhere and we visited Interlaken of an afternoon and evening to go Xmas marketing which was good.
I'd go again that week knowing there's a risk on exactly how much is open.
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Worth mentioning I've also done Cervinia/Zermatt once very early season and there was loads open Italian side but much less Swiss side. Partly because the snowfall had favoured the Italian side but also think they need a bit more to cover more of the terrain Swiss side and like above they were being more conservative in preserving what they had for future weeks.
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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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@Rowlski, cheers!
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| Gaz_H wrote: |
| @Rowlski, cheers! |
. My plan B was to go to Cervinia but I really fancy Wengen. I'm very open to dates so could just go very early Jan when everythin is open, providing I can get the same deal in the Victoria Hotel
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Both very good places imho though very different. We really enjoyed our trip last year, we did the (eye wateringly expensive) Jungfrau Joch glacier visit too which the kids (and all of us) really enjoyed. Also liked that the Santa up there gave us loads of free Lindor chocolates 
Was lovely over in Murren too with almost deserted pistes. The Jungfrau region is spectacular so I'd be inclined to give it a go but the choice is yours!
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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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@Rowlski, literally just booked. I did a like for like comparison with Cervinia
Flying from Manc to Zurich/MXP
Train from Zurich, hire car from MXP
Hotel central and HB in Wengen but CieloAlto in Cervinia and Self Catering.
Wengen is £300+ cheaper! Bargain
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You know it makes sense.
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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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@Gaz_H, well done, I'm sure you'll love it! 
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Poster: A snowHead
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Forgot to say..... I've booked 5th Jan
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Gaz_H, I know you are sorted but if any of the above prompts others to consider a mid dec trip to the area I notice the Ski Miquel chalet in Lauterbrunnen is an excellent price for this early season week. I may have been tempted by the pictures from @telford_mike, but already booked for Arabba
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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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[quote="toyah807"]@Gaz_H, I know you are sorted but if any of the above prompts others to consider a mid dec trip to the area I notice the Ski Miquel chalet in Lauterbrunnen is an excellent price for this early season week.
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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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[quote="toyah807"]
| toyah807 wrote: |
| @Gaz_H, I know you are sorted but if any of the above prompts others to consider a mid dec trip to the area I notice the Ski Miquel chalet in Lauterbrunnen is an excellent price for this early season week. |
I don’t understand people that travel so far to experience the mountains and then decide to stay on the valley floor..
If you search around and email the local tourism boards they will give you a list of available accommodation on your required travelling dates. Some very good prices currently!
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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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@Gaz_H, you won't get your "free" Christmas chocolates now! Virtually everything should be open by then though, have a fantastic time, I'm jealous as not going to be able to get back there this season.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Rowlski, damn..... its a nice little warm up foe my Arabba trip at the end of Feb.
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How easy is it to transport ski on the Zurich to Wengen train journey..... thinking about the changes mainly? I'm assuming its really well set up?
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@Gaz_H, pretty easy, the SBB app tells you which platform you'll arrive on, and which one you need to get to for your next train. There's usually plenty of time.
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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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| Gaz_H wrote: |
| How easy is it to transport ski on the Zurich to Wengen train journey..... thinking about the changes mainly? I'm assuming its really well set up? |
We did it twice last year with the kids in tow too.
I think we managed to catch the direct train to interlaken on both occasions which helps. You can just leave your skis downstairs on the train where the bike racks are.
From memory, we had 7 minutes between the train arriving in interlaken and the train to Lauterbrunnen which was plenty.
Probably the same again between lauterbrunnen and the wengen train.
It is definitely my favourite way to arrive in resort. When you land in Zurich you’ll likely have time to go in the shop for some train beers
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@Gaz_H, as youngun85 said, the trains from Zurich are double deckers. Some carriages (look for the white bicycle symbol on the door window to identify carriages with dedicated bike spaces) have a space at the end of the carriage for bicycles, strollers etc and there's usually ample space for a ski bag. Alternatively depending on the thickness of your ski bag it may fit onto the overhead racks. As regards space for general sized luggage on the lower deck there's usually a luggage area as you enter the carriage (although it tends to get full early), one good tip is that many of the slightly tilted seats are arranged back to back (i.e one facing forward and one facing backward) and there's a space between them at the bottom that you can often fit a bag into (but not a long ski bag obviously). If you go up the stairs to the upper deck there's usually a luggage space just after the top of the stairs.
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FAQ
