Important tips: This makes your visit to the Lauberhorn a unique experience

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The 94th international Lauberhorn races will take place in mid-January. Anyone who wants to experience the ski classic on site will find the most important information and valuable tips here to make the visit an unforgettable experience.

• Thursday January 11: Departure (12:30 p.m., replacement race for Beaver Creek)
• Friday January 12: Super G (12.30)
• Saturday January 13: Lauberhorn descent (12.30)
• Sunday January 14: Slalom (10.15/13.15)

The most important question before visiting the Lauberhorn: where do you want to watch the descent? Basically there are four variants.

• Target area: The easiest option, easily accessible on foot from Wengen (approx. 25 minutes). In the stands you can follow times and races on the big screen. You can also see the last meters in real life when the drivers turn from destination S towards the destination. The slalom slope can be seen from the steep slope to the finish. Of course there will also be food and entertainment and a speaker will guide you through the race.
• Girmschbiel: Great atmosphere, lots of racing action. Most of it can be seen in the fan zone under the Hundschopf (note, only during the speed races). You follow the riders as they fly over the legendary jump, then master the Minschkante and race away via Canadian Corner towards Kernen-S. ‘This is our cauldron. There are almost 10,000 spectators on the slopes at any time, which creates a unique atmosphere,” says Andreas Mühlheim, director of Lauberhorn. In addition to the racing, there is food, entertainment, big screens and speakers.
  The fan zone is easily accessible via the gondola and train from Grindelwald. But: You are in the middle of the mountains and standing on a snow slope. Therefore, you must be equipped differently than in the target area (see equipment below).
• VIP Arena Canadian corner: Right next to the Girmschbiel and even closer to the action. Mühlheim: “You can almost hear the drivers swearing and panting.” Of course this comes at a price (see tickets below).
• Starting area/piste: This can only be achieved by people traveling with ski or snowboard equipment. The Lauberhorn chairlift (which the drivers also use) takes you to the starting area, but there are no food stalls or anything like that. But the impressive panorama with the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.
  Visitors can experience the speed races along the route from the start. You can ski off-piste all the way to the Russi Ski Jump and from there to the Hundschopf. You can also get some food at the Hundschopf. Further on you can also access the route via the Langentrejen, Haneggschuss, Seilersboden or Silberhornsprung passages.

The best way to get there is by public transport. The trips are included in all Interlaken Ost tickets. The Lauberhorn races provide an overview of individual travel options on a map under this link. The options are briefly summarized here.

• Target area: Easiest to reach via Wengen. The village can be reached by train from Lauterbrunnen. From there you continue on foot to the finish area. This should take approximately 25 minutes into account.
• Girmschbiel/Canadian corner: The organizers recommend traveling via Grindelwald. From the terminal take the gondola via Eigergletscher to Kleine Scheidegg. The train from Grindelwald station also goes there. But that takes a little longer. Then continue by train to Wengneralp station. After a five-minute walk you reach the fan zone.
• Starting area: Here you need ski or snowboard equipment and a piste pass. The start can be reached from Kleine Scheidegg via the Lauberhorn chairlift.
• Heli flights: Air-Glaciers AG and Swiss Helicopter AG offer helicopter flights to the take-off area. Winter sports equipment is also mandatory here. Flights are available from just CHF 130 per person. Reservations in time are mandatory.
• Time: Whether you come from Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald: it is important to arrive on time. “The sooner you arrive, the better,” says director Mühlheim. You may have to queue as early as 8am. If you don’t want to go up the mountain until after 9 a.m., you can expect long waiting times. The first gondolas from Grindelwald leave at 7:30 am. The trains from Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen leave before 7am. You can find the travel times on the SBB homepage or at the counter. If you get to the mountain early, you get your money’s worth. “You then have the option to eat anywhere.”

In addition to the sporting spectacle on the circuit, there is also a lot to experience on the Lauberhorn.

• Fondue: Stir in hot cheese at 1,899 meters above sea level? For many people, fondue at Girmschbiel is simply a must. In any case, a culinary experience that makes a visit to the Lauberhorn unique.
• Patrol Suisse: If the weather cooperates, the Patrouille Suisse jets thunder over the fans in the starting area and on Girmschbiel about an hour before the race, causing amazement. At Girmschbiel the planes sometimes seem so close that you feel like you can touch them.
• March to Wengen: From Girmschbiel you can walk to Wengen after the race. Two hours of walking, a small migration of many spectators. Some people also travel by sled; with caution, this is a viable alternative.
• World Cup village: There is a lot to do in the evening in the village center of Wengen. Prize giving, bib number presentation and lots of partying. There is something for almost everyone. From the fondue chalet, the outdoor catering stands to the Roaring Hirsch tent, where mainly young visitors celebrate. There are lounges for the VIPs where they can attend the awards ceremony in the warmth. There are also conversations with former skiing greats.
• Meet drivers and celebrities: Wengen is car-free. Accordingly, the drivers and famous visitors move on foot. “They walk through the village street just like the spectators,” says Mühlheim. He reveals a special experience: “Every afternoon during the training week, the Canadian drivers meet the Americans on the ice to play hockey.”
• Drive the slope yourself: The slope will be open to winter sports enthusiasts from December 25 until early 2024, Mühlheim reveals. “This doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world.” Even after departure, the original route is open to tourists again – from Monday until the end of the season.

• Drink: Your physical well-being is taken care of almost everywhere, but in some cases you have to accept waiting times. And walking up and down the slope on Girmschbiel is not always easy either. That is why it is wise to bring at least some of your own food. Hot drinks will get you through the long morning – ideally without alcohol, according to the organizers. However, there is no ban on spirits as there is this year in Kitzbühel. The many spectators also carry liters of wine, beer and water up the mountain.
• To eat: Bringing your own fondue is especially popular, but you can also see cold dishes or raclette everywhere on the mountain. There are actually no limits to your imagination. There is also plenty of food available at the stands.
• Waste: To throw away the leftovers, large recycling bags are placed everywhere.
• Toilets: There are also mobile toilets on the track at Girmschbiel and of course in the finish area.

Watching the race at this altitude is a challenge. The right equipment makes it easier.

• Spade: A small avalanche shovel helps to find a good spot on the slope. If you don’t have one, don’t despair. It is common and natural for most people to help Girmschbiel with the various accessories.
• Table: Fonduing is more comfortable with a sled that has been converted into a table. And if you don’t have to prepare it in the snow, it’s easier to cook. Some fans even show up at Girmschbiel with a camping table.
• Stove: It can be difficult with just a chafing dish, depending on the weather. You are definitely better off with a gas stove.
• Seat cushion: The day can be long on Girmschbiel. If you want to sit down occasionally, a pad is a good choice.
• Flag: The sea of ​​flags on Girmschbiel is legendary. The flags are usually distributed at the top. So grab it when the opportunity presents itself.
• Very good clothes: Depending on the weather, it can become very annoying at almost 2000 meters. Warm, weatherproof winter sports clothing is recommended. Above all, robust and warm shoes are worth their weight in gold. Anyone who wants to climb the mountain in sneakers will inevitably suffer.

Tickets are available on the homepage of the international Lauberhorn races. The pedestrian ticket on Saturday costs 95 francs (Friday 85, Sunday 55). With the ski pass it becomes 30 francs more expensive. To get into the stands you have to pay 150 francs (Fr 100 / Sun 75)

The Gold Card with delicacies from the VIP kitchen is available for 350 francs (Friday and Sunday 270 francs).

If you want to go to the Canadian Corner VIP arena, you’ll have to dig deep into your pockets. Saturday is budgeted at 930 francs, but is already sold out. Otherwise, admission costs 730 francs.

Source : Blick