Ski Lodge Bulletin #3

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SKI LODGE BULLETIN GET OUT The hut life with Mattias Fredriksson

PRO TOWN Engelberg’s professionals

SNOW SURE Engelberg’s record snowfalls

GALLERY Twelve pages of ski photo magic


PROUD SKIWEAR SPONSOR OF THE FREERIDE WORLD TOUR GENERAL STORE ENGELBERG, KLOSTERSTRASSE 8


a skier knows. matilda rapaport in heli vertical. engelberg, schweiz


skiing is believing EDITORS

JOHAN JONSSON

ARON ÖSTMAN

DAMIAN PHILLIPS

SPECIAL THANKS

OSKAR ENANDER MATTIAS FREDRIKSSON JOHAN AXELSSON HENRIK ANDERSSON FREDRIK NORDHEIM KRISTOFFER JOHNSSON DANIEL RÖNNBÄCK

ON THE COVERS WINTER PIERS SOLOMON PHOTO OSKAR ENANDER SUMMER LINUS ARCHIBALD PHOTO OSKAR ENANDER

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without permission from the publisher. If you do not obey you will be haunted by snowless winters until the end of time.

@SKILODGE_EBERG

/SKILODGEENGELBERG

@SKILODGEENGELBERG

PHONE / +41 41 637 35 00 ERLENWEG 36, CH-6390 ENGELBERG INFO@SKILODGEENGELBERG.COM SKILODGEENGELBERG.COM



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Snow sure

Big 5

08 // The endless winter 18 // Small 50 19 // Mountain mentor

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20 // Get home safe 22 // World champion food 24 // Mountain delights


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Photo gallery

Pro town

40 // Earn your turns 48 // Pow(d)erful tales 50 // Get out

56 // Hotel information 58 // Piste map 63 // Summer guide

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D FROM THE OWNERS A WOR

The endless winter PHOTO / MATTIAS FREDRIKSSON

WE ARE OFTEN asked why we started Ski Lodge Engelberg. As it’s a combination of many things it’s never a simple and short answer, but our love for skiing, and the dream of the endless season has always been our inspiration and driving force. AT THE TURN of the century we spent several ski bum seasons in Engelberg, and as the experience was so positive, we really wanted to make it possible for others to have as much fun. So we have created a place where all kinds of people can meet, ski and have an experience to remember. We love it when we see a nineteen year old season worker from Sweden in deep discussion with a fifty five year old banker from London about what type of rocker profile is best suited for a deep day in Laub. Or which beer is the best after completing the Big 5 in one day. WE ARE REALLY PROUD that we have several regulars who come here on their own, as they know they will meet and ski with other like-minded people from all over the world. We have always wanted for everyone working or staying at Ski Lodge Engelberg to be those friends you have in Berlin, who are so proud of what they have that their first instinct is to share it with you and point you towards all the good stuff. This magazine is the best starting point for your time in Engelberg, but as we don’t want you to waste precious days searching for the best snow, remember that everyone who works here skis every day and is equally enthusiastic about sharing. LAST, BUT NOT LEAST, we really love good food and drink but not the silly rules and conventions that often go with them. That’s why the heart of the hotel is our restaurant – a brasserie where you can eat modern, high class cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere which is more like a dinner with good friends, at a good friend’s place. Welcome. Eric and Niklas If you’re reading this online, remember that sharing is caring.

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Eric

Niklas SKI LODGE BULLETIN |

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S RE LBERGS’ EN G E

CORD SNOW FALL S

Snow sure “The snow has never been bad when I’ve been skiing in Engelberg” so says photo wizard, Mattias Fredriksson, who has had his fair share of good and bad days in mountains all over the world. The question is whether this is really true, part of some selective amnesia or a reflection of Mattias’ exceptional sixth sense and ability to always be in the right place at the right time. To find the definitive answer we decided to turn to science and called Christoph Marty at SLF (the Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research).

PHOTO / OSKAR ENANDER

NATURALLY WHEN you start talking to someone who really knows about these things, and has the evidence to prove it, you worry that they may just crush your beliefs about how good and deep it really is? – The village itself is relatively normal really and has an average snowfall compared to other places at this altitude. However, when you go up into the ski area it’s a different story altogether. In the middle of the ski area we have a station, called Trübsee, which often records exceptional snow falls and which really sticks out. In-

terestingly it sticks out not just in central Switzerland, but for the whole country! MOUNTAIN WEATHER IS notoriously fickle and dependant on many variables that are hard to consistently pinpoint and forecast. Many of us know this already and will have undoubtedly danced a secret snow dance, just to please the powder gods, ahead of a day on the mountain. But what’s the real reason for the great snowfall? – It’s a combination of different things. As this ski area is part of a bigger

TRÜBSEE

facts

THE ANNUAL SNOWFALL ON TRÜBSEE IS ALMOST DOUBLE THE SWISS AVERAGE FOR THIS ALTITUDE.

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mountain range the weather and clouds coming from the north usually hit the area and stop for a while. The bowl like shape of the ski area also encourages clouds to “get stuck” and drop more precipitation which makes a big difference. Then due to the number of north faces and shade in the area the powder is able to stay cold for longer which has the added benefit of extending the season. WITH OR WITHOUT a snowdance it seems like we’re on the spot!


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SKIER DANA FLAHR

LOCATION ENGELBERG

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B ig 5 e h T VERY AND E

THING AROUND TH EM

It is for good reason that Engelberg’s ‘Big 5’ have become pretty famous. The mountain is blessed to have these magnificent ski runs, but it’s not all the mountain has to offer. Read the guide and ski the big ones, but don’t forget to discover the playground and hidden gems all around them, and always wear proper safety equipment.

PHOTO / OSKAR ENANDER

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SKIER PIERS SOLOMON LOCATION WENDELÜCKE SKI THE BIG 5 IN ENGELBERG

Wendelücke 46°45’55.1”N 8°23’20.7”E

HUGE POWDER FIELDS with very few people sums up Wendelücke. You can ski big parts of this run straight off the lift (which is called Steintal), but if you walk for a few minutes and do a little bit of traversing, you will be greeted by the opportunity of many more fresh turns. Remember to save some energy for the short hike back to the lift at the bottom of the run.

CHECK OUT THE MAP ON PAGE 58 TO FIND Wendelücke

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SKI THE BIG 5 IN ENGELBERG

Galtiberg 46°46’38.1”N 8°26’00.1”E

MUCH BIGGER THAN its four siblings, Galtiberg starts at the very top of Titlis and ends 2000 vertical meters lower down in the valley! This is not a run to take on without a mountain guide or someone who knows and respects the mountain, but if the conditions are right, and you do decide to drop in, you will probably have the run of your life (and a lot of lactic acid in your legs). Few runs in the world will make you feel as small as Galtiberg, so be sure to drop into Restaurant Wasserfall at the bottom of the run to absorb the runs immensity with a beer (or water) before you catch the bus back to town.

CHECK OUT THE MAP ON PAGE 58 TO FIND GALTIBERG

SKI THE BIG 5 IN ENGELBERG

Steinberg 46°46’16.4”N 8°25’26.8”E

THE HUGE RUN you see under the Titlis Rotair lift looks both terrifying and inviting in equal measure. If you have the right equipment, and know what to take into consideration when skiing on a glacier, Steinberg will treat you well. An endless playground where the powder stays cold longer than anywhere else on the mountain.

CHECK OUT THE MAP ON PAGE 58 TO FIND sTEINBERG

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SKIER DANA FLAHR LOCATION LAUB SKI THE BIG 5 IN ENGELBERG

Laub 46°47’34.9”N 8°24’58.6”E

SAFETY FIRST

ENGELBERG’S CLASSIC RUN is a 1000 vertical meter powder heaven! Once you’ve skied it and been able to reset your smile from ‘permanent grin’ to ‘normal’ you will understand why you see so many “I q LAUB”- stickers on people’s skis. It’s not the most extreme run, but many call it the best. Savour the experience and combine your rest with a visit to the local cheese factory at the bottom of the run.

Avalanche Bulletin

CHECK OUT THE MAP ON PAGE 58 TO FIND LAUB

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Don’t forget to read the Avalanche bulletin every morning. You will find it at the reception and at many of the lifts around the mountain.


SKIER DANA FLAHR LOCATION SULZ SKI THE BIG 5 IN ENGELBERG

Sulz 46°46’47.7”N 8°23’37.5”E

THIS AREA IS divided into three different runs: Small, Middle and Big Sulz. Small is the shortest and a natural warm up run whilst Big is the run for those who like cruising deep powder. Middle is extra special though and is the favorite for many locals as it’s the perfect cliff jumping playground, which ends with steep icefall couloirs - if you choose to end the run on the skier’s left. If you’re on the mountain with someone from town, ask them about the Jamie Pierre Cliff and Julian Carr Cliff, but it’s probably best not to try them. CHECK OUT THE MAP ON PAGE 58 TO FIND Sulz

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Small

50 With the scale, variety and beauty of the Big 5 it’s easy not to look beyond them and see what else is around, but there is so much more! We have had some of our most epic days on nameless and less famous runs and wanted to share some of that knowledge with you. PHOTO / OSKAR ENANDER

MANY LOCALS DO their warm up runs just skiers left of the Jochstock lift. Somehow they almost always end up staying there longer than they were planning. Why? Because it’s a fun and easy run! We suspect that it’s also because they can air the “HOLLYWOOD CLIFFS” in front of everyone in the lift. THE ÄLPLERSEIL LIFT was known as “The Secret Lift” for many years. Although it may be a bit less secret today it’s still as good as ever! The charming and small gondola provides access to some of the most enjoyable terrain on the moun-

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tain and as most of it is below the tree line it’s a great area when the visibility is difficult up in the high alpine. You will feel like a kid again as you cruise through the trees and hit as many jumps as you can! IN THE EARLY SEASON, before the sun gets too strong and affects the powder, we really love the SCHLÄCHSTISMATT run, also referred to as “Stand-Trübsee”. Get a place on the right side of the Stand gondola and scope your line on the way up. LAST, BUT definitely not least, there’s a

whole ski area on the other ‘sunny side’ of the valley, BRUNNI, where we have had many of our best ski days in Engelberg. What Brunni lacks in altitude it gains in epic tree skiing and the cosiest slope restaurant around, Brunnihütte. Our favourite run on this side is Grünewald, which is reminiscent of a snow covered Sound of Music-scene as you ski powder over old farms and through white meadows all the way down to the road in the valley. Call Taxi Hess at +41796699415 to catch a ride back to town for a beer, or to the lift for one more.


TOBIAS GRANATH

Mountain mentor PHOTO / MATTIAS FREDRIKSSON

– Naturally I had already heard a lot about Engelberg, but the reason we made the move here was because my wife got a job in town. However it’s been a great move for the both of us and after my first season I can really see the full potential of the resort. The famous Titlis and Brunni have already left an impression on me, but what’s most impressive is the variety available at all the smaller and unknown resorts in the valley.

guides is high and the nice thing about Engelberg is that many clients are already good skiers, which means we are likely to have a lot of fun. I will also start working with Skiers Accredited as one of their High Mountain Mentors, which will kick off in October with glacier training in Engelberg. This approach suits me perfectly as I love working with dedicated groups who want to evolve and take their skiing to the next level.

TOBIAS GRANATH IS breaking new ground as he is the first Swedish mountain guide living full time in Engelberg. Considering the number of Scandinavian skiers here that’s quite strange, but booking time in his calendar is already getting difficult.

SO WHAT IS SKIERS ACCREDITED? Their cars and stars have been around for a while now, but as we haven’t quite figured out exactly who they are we asked Nina Öqvist to explain.

– The demand for mountain

– It’s hard to give a quick overview but we are basically a ski community created to support anyone who wants to develop a

deeper awarness about their own skiing and who can then evolve in many aspects of the sport. It’s really important for us to include the mountain as a whole and how we need to adapt to it; different situations, different conditions, etc. We have mentors for all the elements of skiing – ranging from racing gates to big mountain skiing and awareness. One essential ingredient for us is to understand an individuals movements, which then allows us to develop and prepare them for any situation which could occur on the mountain. In short: to become a conscious skier. VISIT skiersaccredited.com for more information.

Visit tobiasgranath.com or prime-engelberg.ch to book a day with Tobias

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Get home safe Off piste skiing conjures up images of smiling faces slashing through beautifully deep, fluffy snow. Luckily that’s exactly how it feels and looks most of the time, but to be able to get the most out of the mountain you also need to know a few things about safety. Read on. PHOTO / JOHAN JONSSON

THE FOLLOWING TEXT can only hope to scratch the surface of what you need to know, but it will highlight some very basic off piste skills that you need. We hope it will help you avoid simple mistakes, or remind you of things you may already know, as the mountain will treat everyone equally regardless of experience. WHENEVER YOU plan to go off piste skiing you must have the right safety equipment. An avalanche transceiver, which is worn close to your body (underneath your shell layer) and which is turned on all day is the first essential. Remember that knowing how to use it is as important as owning it, so practice, practice, practice! To complement your

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transceiver you should always carry a shovel and probe in your backpack. Water, snacks and an extra warm layer are also recommended, especially if you leave the ski area. As a rule of thumb the further you go into the backcountry the more equipment you need to stay safe and manage all possibilities. However, no amount of kit can ever replace your knowledge, which is the most important safety tool you have, so keep it up to date. THE BIGGEST HAZARD to watch out for is avalanches. Even for professionals they are hard to predict, but if you know what to look for the danger signs can be seen by anyone. Avalanche danger quickly rises with NEW SNOW, WIND and CHANGING TEMPERATURES and

when two or more of these are combined you need to be extra careful. It is useful to remember that conditions can change dramatically during your ski day and which will impact the snowpack. A good starting point is to always read the daily avalanche bulletin (read it in the reception after breakfast) which will give you information on avalanche risk as well as what to expect from the coming day. GLACIERS AND their crevasses should always be treated with the respect they deserve. Steinberg is the obvious run in Engelberg where you need to use well developed glacier skiing knowledge, but there are many other smaller glaciers and routes which demand the same consideration.


Alarm CH 1414

PRACTICE YOUR TRANSCIEVER SKILLS ON TRÜBSEE

REGA RESCUE Don’t forget to buy a Rega insurance at the post office across the street. We can’t be 100% sure, but it must be the best and cheapest insurance in the world. Their number is 1414. Save that in your phone.

IF YOU ARE in doubt about whether you have the right glacier skiing skills then it is always better to ski with a guide or people you trust and who know the area well. Falling into a crevasse is not fun and retrieving people from them is extremely complicated for the ski patrol. REGARDLESS OF what kind of off piste skiing you are planning you should always scope out your run before you ski so that you know where you are, your chosen route and where you will end. Following tracks may often lead to some fresh turns but it’s as likely to lead you to trouble, know your route and stay away from exposure. DON’T ski on your own! This is a simple

but critical rule to follow for several reasons; no one can help you if you get hurt; no one can help you if you get caught in an avalanche; no one can call for help if you fall in a crevasse; and no one will be able to see your massive air or drop! OUR BEST ADVICE for everyone is to hire a mountain guide for a day or more. It’s the best way to stay safe, find the best skiing and guides always have the latest information and the best stories. Ask them anything about how to think and act in the mountains. There’s a reason why professional skiers ski as often as they can with mountain guides.

REMEMBER!

transceiver

On at the car. Off at the bar. That’s how you use your transceiver. Don’t turn it off in the lift or at lunch.

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WORLD CHAMPION FOOD Ever since Ski Lodge Engelberg’s first year we’ve always looked at our restaurant as the beating heart of the hotel. Last winter we were overjoyed to have Jonas Bolling back in the basement as our head chef. We are glad, not only as we are able to ski powder and do backflips with Jonas again, but because Jonas came back to the Lodge straight from a gold in the Culinary World Cup 2014. We’re really proud of Jonas and that his worldchampion food will be served in our restaurant.

brasserie

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at sk

i lodge


– Konrad will evolve, like it has done every year, but the original idea will stay the same – no shortcuts, everything made from scratch, quality ingredients. Konrad will serve modern, Scandinavian cuisine with European influences made with local Swiss produce. We don’t want to compartmentalize ourselves but rather find creativity and influences from our global experiences and the styles we like.

vours and experiences is convenient and a great way to socialise.

STABLE ROOTS with new inspiration will be the approach leading Brasserie Konrad into the coming year. One trend that we see taking hold is food sharing. For some people ordering one dish is easy, but for others having to compromise on one choice is difficult. Being able to order several dishes, where everyone around the table can indulge in new fla-

WHETHER YOU’RE sharing your dinner, eating the Skier’s or ordering à la carte, our sommelier will gladly help you with the perfect drink to match. The Swiss wines in our collection are rightly famous – Pinot Noirs from Valais and Merlots from Ticino are our particular favourites – but our cellar also covers the rest of the wine world.

ONE CONCEPT we won’t change is the Skier’s Dinner – a prix fixe three-course dinner that changes daily, depending on seasonal availability. It is guaranteed to make your taste buds happy and big enough to get your engine fuelled up for the next ski day.

PST!

SPECIAL GUESTS

World Famous Chefs Every year we invite world famous chefs and wine makers to make their particular mark on a weekend or evening. Celebrities like Tommy Myllymäki and Niklas Ekstedt have been working side by side with our resident chefs and we suggest you keep an eye out for updates in our blog to make sure you don’t miss out!

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Mountain Delights Not everyone will have the power to ski from the first chair to when the last lift closes. As a consequence we really don’t recommend following the pro route of a fast snack on the go, which is almost always a disappointing experience for your taste buds. Instead, we really think it’s better to sit down, enjoy a real tasty lunch and rest your legs for the action to come. Luckily Engelberg is blessed with a great selection of good restaurants to choose from. PHOTO / OSKAR ENANDER

ON THE TITLIS SIDE of the mountain restaurants are well spread out which means you can really choose a restaurant based on where you plan to ski. When you’re doing laps at Steinberg, Berghotel Trübsee, has a great salad buffet, and if you want something a bit fancier then you can carve your way to SKIHÜTTE STAND. AT THE BOTTOM of Laub we recommend a Käseschnitte at RITZ GERSCHNIALP, but consider that you may have to go for a double dose of caffeine afterwards in order to get you out of your seat and back on track. WHEN SKIING SULZ and Wendelücke it’s easy to have lunch at BERGHUIS JOCHPASS. The building is home to three restaurants but Jochstübli is best

suited for a long culinary experience. IF YOU DECIDE to ski big Galtiberg then you may be in for a treat at the bottom of the run as local hero, “Bimba”, claims that RESTAURANT WASSERFALL has the best Schnitzel anywhere in the world! AND IF YOU NEED some extra energy on the way home one day, just stop at RESTAURANT UNTERTRÜBSEE and order a meringue. The big version is a meal in itself! FOR ANYONE SKIING on the Brunni side we recommend BRUNNIHÜTTE, as much for it’s magic atmosphere as the food. We also think you should consider spending a night there – the view over Titlis under moonlight is hard to beat!

CHECK OUT THE MAP ON PAGE 58 TO FIND THE RESTAURANTS

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PHOTO GALLERY

The Humble Master Oskar Enander is what Swedes call a “go gubbe”. It’s not easy to translate, but basically he’s a good guy. Never any trouble and always nice to everyone. This is one of the main reasons we like him. Another is his incredible photos.

– The Afterglow weeks were crazy, for sure. We slept during the day and worked all night. Dragging around tons of light and electricity equipment. And I don’t mean metaphorically, I mean literally. Tons! Everynight. OSKAR TALKS about the now world famous short film, Afterglow, where he was invited along as the still photographer. The photos are nothing less than magical, and have received critical acclaim the world over. – Winning Photo Of The Year at the Powder Awards for the third time was overwhelming. I have never counted on winning any of the previous awards as the competition and level of ski photography is so high. But this time I knew I had shot some very special photos. OSKAR’S THE only photographer who’s won what’s known as the “Oscar of ski photography” on three occasions. We’re happy but not surprised. If you take a look at the ski photos hanging on the walls of Ski Lodge, you’ll understand why. This year you’ll also have a better chance of seeing Oskar, in person, at the bar or on the mountain. – After becoming a father it’s natural to focus on work around the mountains which are closer to home. To be honest though there’s no reason to stray too far away either as Titlis is great for shooting and is like a giant studio. But there’s also Brunni, ski touring, huts, day trips… the possibilities really are endless and even though I’ve been living here for almost 15 years I am still discovering new things all around the resort. IF YOU LIKE the photos hanging on our walls, you also have the opportunity to buy copies. Ask the front desk and they’ll help you.

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LEFT

SKIER DANA FLAHR LOCATION ENGELBERG

RIGHT

SKIER ERIC HJORLEIFSON

LOCATION SENTRY LODGE, BC (PHOTO OF THE YEAR)


Buy me as a print! All pictures in this gallery and on the walls of Ski lodge are possible to buy. Ask how at the front desk.

SKIER OLOF LARSSON LOCATION ENGELBERG

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Buy me as a print! All pictures in this gallery and on the walls of Ski lodge are possible to buy. Ask how at the front desk.

LOCATION ENGELBERG

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35 SKIER PIERS SOLOMON

LOCATION ENGELBERG

Buy me as a print! All pictures in this gallery and on the walls of Ski lodge are possible to buy. Ask how at the front desk.


Buy me as a print! All pictures in this gallery and on the walls of Ski lodge are possible to buy. Ask how at the front desk.

SKIER DANA FLAHR

LOCATION ENGELBERG

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This is our bar manager, Jonas Engelin. He skis and hikes faster than most people and mixes better drinks too. His favourite run on the mountain is Hahnen Rundtour, and this is his best drink tip: PHOTO / OSKAR ENANDER

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MINT JULEP the Tingeling way

5 cl Bulleit Bourbon 3 cl Maple syrup 1 cl Lemon juice 5 Mint leaves


SKIER FRÉDÉRIC FÜSSENICH

LOCATION GRÜNENWALD, BRUNNI

This page was supposed to be a text about Engelberg Titlis Tourism CEO, Frédéric Füssenich, and why he’s such a great guy and skier. But then we found these photos of him from last winter, and it was obvious that they describe him better than any words could. PHOTO / HENRIK ANDERSSON

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LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

Piers Solomon Try ski touring around Führenalp. It’s great skiing and cool to see Titlis from a different angle.

R SKI TOU

ING IN ENGELBERG

Earn Your Turns We’re pretty sure that the current trend in health is a good thing, but what we know for certain is that the après ski beer and dinner always tastes that bit better if you’ve broken into a sweat during the day on the mountain. There are many reasons why we believe that ski touring is the best way of exercising in winter but the most obvious is that it is the perfect package deal of training and finding more untouched powder. That’s a win-win situation, and as the mountain is littered with routes, here are some suggestions for a big or small day of touring. PHOTO / OSKAR ENANDER

WENDELÜCKE IS a great place to try ski touring and we recommend everyone to ski this Big 5 member from the top. The hike takes about an hour from the top of the Jochstock Express, and the views down “the other side” will take your breath away. Don’t stray too close to the edge unless you brought along your parachute and make sure you have scoped your route down on the right before the hike, the end can be a little tricky

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if you don’t know where you are. THE HIKE TO Gross Titlis starts just next to the top of the ski resort. You can view most of the hike from the start, but when you reach the top things take on a whole new perspective. Be sure to stop for a moment to take in your surroundings and revel in its stunning natural beauty before enjoying the powder cruising all the way back to the lifts. Remem-

ber that parts of this run traverse glacier terrain, so take care and have the right equipment. IF IT HASN’T SNOWED in a while and the snow pack and conditions are very stable, the Reissend Nollen tour is a must. It is a less frequented route but if you want the challenge of a longer and more demanding walk then the rewards are really worth the effort. You start from


the same place as the hike to Wendelücke with the only difference being that your goal is lookers left, instead of right. This is not a tour suitable for beginners, but it will provide a day to remember for those with some experience and who decide to do it! TITLIS RUNDTOUR IS Engelberg’s classic tour for those who want an adventure accompanied by a mountain guide.

Your skiing ability and legs will need to be strong as they will both be tested during the day. Before that though your ability with heights will be brought into sharp focus as you start the route with a traverse across the very airy “Knife” before rappelling into a couloir! Any trepidation is soon left far behind though as once you are out of the couloir you are treated to great skiing and hiking on the backside of Mount Titlis. When you get

back to town you’ll feel ten centimeters taller and the smile on your face will be permanent. THESE ARE just the ski tours that start in the ski area. If you want to explore more of the valley we recommend you hire a mountain guide. They will show you the best tours suited to your abilities.

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SKIER MATILDA RAPAPORT

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T o w o r n P Olympic gold medalists, world champions, big mountain slayers. Even if the skiers that live in Engelberg come from all the different parts of the skiing community, the percentage that are international superstars is pretty mind blowing, especially for a town this size. Is it something in the water?

PHOTO / OSKAR ENANDER

SOME WERE BORN here, some have been living here for a long time and some have just arrived. What is in this valley that creates and attracts professional skiers? For Dominique Gisin, the 2014 downhill Olympic gold medalist, the answer is easy. – It’s the surroundings. It’s impossible not to ski when you live in a place like this. We’re a big community that loves to ski, and we all share a real passion for skiing, irrespective of discipline. We’ve always been skiing together, big mountain skiers, alpine racers and jibbers. This melting pot seems to create something unique,

and out of the pot, out of Engelberg, comes world-class athletes! DOMINIQUE HAS just retired from the World Cup circuit, but she is part of a talented family, and brother Marc and sister Michelle continue race for the national team. With a bit more free time Dominique will be able to ski more in Engelberg, but what’s her favourite run? – Steinberg. But… I love Laub, of course. And Brunni is really nice on snowy days. Älplerseil! If I have to pick one, it’s the Älplerseil.

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SKIER DOMINIQUE GISIN

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LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

Dominique Gisin The ingredients for a bowl of älplermagronen might sound odd, but once you try it I promise you’ll be hooked!

IT’S A PRETTY GOOD selection and we can’t disagree, especially as Dominique is looking forward to skiing more powder and less ice! We are also looking forward to following the exploits of her brother and sister, along with Denise Feierabend and Leana Barmettler who are also Engelberg locals, putting on Swiss coloured speed suits.

– The whole mountain is a terrain park! Of course I have also skied a lot on man made parks and jumps, but on the weekends and when I have free time, I spend it in the Engelberg backcountry, skiing powder with my friends. The terrain here is fun and it has helped nurture my skiing and shaped me into the skier I am today. It seems to work pretty well!

A LOCAL TALENT well regarded on the international scene, and who is definitely not wearing a speed suit, is Fabian Bösch who has amassed some great results in recent years. However 2015 was different and he took it to a whole new level by becoming slopestyle World Champion and winning the prestigious Jon Olsson invitational, all at the ripe old age of seventeen! It must be hard for someone who is a park skier not to have a big terrain park to train in?

IT’S NOT ONLY the locals who love Engelberg though. Superstars from other countries, most often Swedes, are also settling down at the end of the road in Obwalden. – Engelberg is great because there’s a fantastic community here. There are a lot of great skiers who live here, but there are also great skiers who come to visit. says one of the world’s best big mountain skiers, Matilda Rapaport.

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LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

Matilda Rapaport Having the opportunity to shred every day, with other pros and kick ass locals, is a luxury which also makes me a better skier.

MATILDA’S BOYFRIEND, Mattias Hargin, is a regular competitor in the slalom World Cup but loves the Engelberg powder when he’s between competitions. – I love racing, but skiing deep powder runs instead of solid ice is good for the mind, body and soul. It also helps that Engelberg is so close to the airport as it makes stopping off for a few powder turns and then getting back to travelling that bit easier. MANY FILMMAKERS and photographers, who have followed the skiers to the mountain to capture those perfect Engelberg moments, have also ended up as local residents. Oskar Enander has been photographing skiers on

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this mountain for 15 years and now lives here permanently with his family. For the last four winter seasons Henrik Andersson decided that it should also be his home. – For a cameraman Engelberg is great since there are always so many good skiers here to film, those that come on the back of the last storm and those who live here permanently. It is a mountain with a healthy dose of professional skiers, but the coolest thing is watching all the unknown season workers and locals who shred every bit as hard! The percentage of skilled skiers on the mountain at any one time is really high, which makes Engelberg feel like a special place. I don’t know why it’s like this though, maybe it’s something in the water?


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Pow(d)erful Tales Over the last fifteen years Engelberg has gone through a big transformation, from the unknown village at the end of the road, to the ski town we know today. But in the days before the web, social media and digital word of mouth were so common what made this change possible, and what kind of skiers are coming here today? PHOTO / OSKAR ENANDER

SKIER DANA FLAHR

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LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

Ville Persson Ville Persson is one of the happiest guys in town. If you ask him how he got his beard caked in snow he might tell you about his secret powder runs.

LEGENDARY big mountain skier, Kent Kreitler, has witnessed the evolution first hand. – When I came here for the first time in 1994, we were building jumps in Laub, and there were about five people passing by each day. Maximum. I came back to spend a couple of winters here in 2005 and things had clearly moved on from 1994. But looking back and seeing the contrast to today is mind blowing, it’s as if the world’s best skiers all decided to come to the same place! IN THE TWILIGHT years of the last millennium more and more freeskiers found themselves dropped off at Engelberg station. Swedish ski film company, Down Film, released ‘Free Radicals 4’ in 2001 which not only featured some of the world’s best freeskiers, but also shone a light on the epic skiing terrain that set Engelberg apart. SOON AFTER one of the free radicals, and editor of this magazine, Johan Jonsson, moved here. Along with another new ‘local’, photographer Oskar Enander, they started working together on their ideas to capture big mountain skiing which were deeply influenced by Engelbergs natural beauty and set new standards for ski photography. ABOUT TEN YEARS AGO Engelberg started to become world famous in the freeskiing community and the biggest US ski film companies started rolling into town with new projects. At the same time more and more stories were being published in ski magazines everywhere, all telling a similar

story; that powder skiing in Engelberg was unreal! As far as we know no-one ever mentioned anything other than the great off piste skiing. AS ALL THESE articles and films started to take shape many tour operators began adding Engelberg to their list of Swiss destinations. Pitched as a freeride paradise the number of freeskiers increased and more and more lift tickets were sold, but not only to powder hounds. Instead all sorts of skiers, families, couples, companies started to arrive, some for the powder, some for the slopes, most of them for a little bit of everything. TODAY ENGELBERG’S position is quite unique. People who previously only knew about giants like Chamonix or Verbier, now say things like “Yeah, I’ve heard about Engelberg. Great skiing, huh? Lots of powder! We might spend our Easter holiday there.” REFLECTING ON HOW Engelberg went from the sleepy village to trendy ski town is a topic worthy of discussion. Photos and movie clips from Titlis and Brunni found their way all over the world, through the core of the action sports community, then into the hearts of parents, those who ski just a week per year and those who spend every single penny on hunting fresh tracks. How is it that a slow motion powder turn in a movie attracted a big family from Stockholm or that the cover of a ski magazine persuaded a company to hold their conference in town? Those tales must be powderful!

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ING SKI TOUR

ADVENTURE

GET OUT Do you feel like you know ski touring well and now want to take a step up and increase the challenge? Or maybe that you just want to get away from your Facebook addiction for a couple of days? If so then go for a hut trip! Throughout the mountains nearby there are several different and amazing huts that you can book for a night or two. Some of them are relatively easily accessed, some demand a bit more sweat and some may even need a helicopter. The extraordinary ski photographer, Mattias Fredriksson, tried a couple of them last winter.

PHOTO / MATTIAS FREDRIKSSON

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LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

Mattias Fredriksson A hut trip is not luxurious, sometimes it’s not even comfortable, but I still promise you won’t regret it.

PORTRAIT PHOTO / ELLE COCHRANE

– Our original plan was to do the whole Urner Haute Route, which is a hut to hut route for four or five days from Andermatt to Engelberg. “Unfortunately” it snowed so much that we couldn’t complete the mission due to the heightened avalanche risk. MATTIAS AND the rest of the crew still got out, however, and with the help of a heli they could avoid the dangerous sections of the long approach to the Tierberglihütte where they stayed to ski tour the area. – It’s truly amazing out there. It’s real wilderness. You need to be prepared and know that you might need to dig out the front door and that it may not be easy to heat up the hut. But that’s also the charm of it. I think it’s a great complement to a “normal” ski vacation, to have a day or two away in a hut somewhere experiencing a real adventure! FOR THOSE WISHING to take slightly smaller

steps on the adventure ladder, there are also several huts closer to the village and ski area, which are easier to access by skis and skins. Local mountain guide, Daniel Perret, knows them all. – It’s hard to pick favourites, but I think a good starting point for anyone is the Grassen Biwak, especially if you’re doing the Titlis Rundtour as it’s almost on the way. Don’t forget to bring some cash though as adventure in remote mountains doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a bad wine cellar! Another great option is the Rugghübelhütte from which you can access great skiing in several directions. OUR BEST TIP is always to contact Dani or any of the other mountain guides in town and tell them how far you want to hike, what kind of skiing you’re after, and for how many days you want to stay away from Facebook and mobile phones. They will then take care of the rest so you can just enjoy getting out!

VISIT PRIME-ENGELBERG.CH TO BOOK A MOUNTain guide

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AGE IS JUST A NUMBER

Geny Hess YOU THINK YOU’RE too old to ski powder? Think again, and take a good look at Geny Hess, who might soon be turning 70, but still has some of the best style in the valley and still skis most powder days in a season. Look closer and you will also see the happiness shining in his eyes. Rolemodel!

PHOTO / MATTIAS FREDRIKSSON

Galtiberg GENY DID IT FIRST

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to-do

This isn’t a mandatory list, but it is fun!

z z z z z z

Ski a day with a mountain guide. Quite simply the best way to learn about spending time safely in the mountains whilst being treated to the best skiing available. What’s not to like!?

Ski the big 5. Not because you can tick it off your bucket list, but because it’s great skiing!

Feel extra badass? Ski the big 5 in a day. You might have to get up early and have legs of oak, but you will have definitely earned the bragging rights at the apres ski. Although the rights may not last long as you’ll probably fall asleep at the bar before your second beer! Try ski touring. The best way to exercise if you like skiing. Rent equipment if you don’t have your own and hire a mountain guide to get the best out of the experience.

Pack a lunch and eat it outside on the mountain. Preferably combined with the point above.

Do a backflip. We know it sounds crazy, but after a big dump snow is often a lot softer to land in than water. Build a nice steep jump, practice with a few test runs and soon you’ll nail it! (If your kids do it instead it’s still ok to semi-tick this box but you’ll have to buy them ice cream.)

z

Try local specialities. As potatoes, pasta, cheese, onions and mashed apples sounds like an odd combination it took a while before we tried the Älplermagronen. However, it tastes great and it opened up our eyes and minds to all the other great dishes in the valley. The local cheeses don’t need any introduction though – they are simply great and should be consumed in vast quantities!

z

Try wider skis. There’s still a misunderstanding that wide skis are harder to ski. In the powder it’s the complete opposite. So borrow or rent a pair and feel the sensation of skiing faster with more control and making bigger powder sprays!

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HO T E L INFORMATION PHOTO / DANIEL RÖNNBÄCK

SAUNA GOD CHAD SAYERS

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All our ROOMS have en-suite bathrooms, LED TV and free WiFi. Our towels are changed every fourth day, or more often on request. The RECEPTION is open daily from 7.30am until late. If you have any questions after hours, you can always ask the bartender, or call +41 78 675 33 66. BREAKFAST is served from 7am to 10am. The BAR is open daily and from 4 pm you can order food from the bar menu. Our RESTAURANT BRASSERIE KONRAD is open daily from 6 pm. Choose between à la carte selections or a prix fixe three course Skier’s Dinner. SMOKING is of course strictly prohibited inside Ski Lodge. If you ignore this, you will have 500 CHF less to spend on the après ski. Avoid the queues at base station and purchase your SKI PASS at our reception desk. Please leave your ski equipment in the SKI AND BOOT ROOM in the blue house basement. We’ve even installed boot warmers for you! Fancy a SAUNA AND HOT TUB? Our reception staff can book an appointment for you. Hiring a MOUNTAIN GUIDE assures a safe and fantastic day on the mountain. The reception staff can help you book one.

RENTAL SKIS are available at several places. Our front desk staff can help you find the best option for your needs. We have eight PARKING spots in front of the hotel. If they are occupied, ask the staff for the closest option. The name of our FREE WiFi is Ski Lodge and the password is Nagano98. Surf around, but please wait until you get home before you download all seasons of The Wire. In case of EMERGENCY, call 144 for an ambulance or 117 for the police. If there’s a FIRE, stay calm and follow the instructions listed on the inside of the door. Fire extinguishers are located by the staircase on every floor. Our dear Powder Express minibus provides AIRPORT TRANSFER in a bit more than one hour. Although the train to the airport leaves from outside the hotel, you’ll have to add another hour to the trip. If you want to EAT OUT or experience the vibrant Engelberg NIGHT LIFE, our reception staff will clue you in with latest and greatest info on where to go. For FOOD AND DRINK SHOPPING, the COOP is open 7.30 am to 19.00 pm on weekdays, to 18.00 on Saturdays and 17.00 on Sundays. During summer, the COOP is closed on Sundays.

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Ruchstock

Hahnen

Engelberger Rotstock

2811

2606

Gr. Spannort 3198

2818

Fürenalp 1850

Schonegg 2040

Rigidalalp

Brunnihütte

Panoramaweg

1860

Horbis Neuschwändi Eienwäldli

Rodelbahn

Klostermatte Globis Winterland

Yeti-Park

Ristis 1606

Kloster Flühmatt Museum

Sprungschanze Sporting Park

Engelberg 1050

Bahnhof

Schwand

Brunnihütte 24 58 | SKI LODGE BULLETIN

Sporthalle

Bergli

Home

Gschneit

n

er

z Lu

Nachtloipe

SKI LODGE Ror


Titlis 3239

Klein Titlis 3028

Kl. Spannort

Reissend Nollen 3003

Stotzig Egg

3140

Ice Flyer Big 5

Rotair

Gletscherlift Rotstöckli

Big 5

Jochstock

Steinberg

Rotegg

2450

Big 5

2564

Stand 2428

Big 5

Jochstock Xpress

Laubersgrat Obstacle-Park

Jochpass 2207

Engstlenalp

Speedstrecke Big 5

Rindertitlis

Laub

Jochpass

Graustock

Trübsee 1800

Rutschpark

Trübsee-Hopper

Alpstübli

Obertrübsee

Ritz

Älplerseil

Gerschnialp

Standard Kanonenrohr

1262

Untertrübsee

Skihütte stand 24

Laub 16 Ritz Gerschnialp 24

Galtiberg 15

Steinberg 15 Berghotel Trübsee Avalanche training center 24 20

Sulz 17

Berghaus Jochpass Wendelücke 14 24 SKI LODGE BULLETIN |

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The ultimate lift to the Alps. Fly with the ski experts and not only will your skis travel free, but you’ll also be greeted with the same hospitality that awaits you in our ski villages. In fact, we bring you closer than anyone with ďƒ&#x;ights to Zurich and Geneva. All you have to do? Relax.

Book now at SWISS.COM



3 turn the page for next season


SKI LODGE BULLETIN CHEESE MAN Powder in winter and Sbrinz in summer

TRAIL RUNNING Paradise for your legs

HIKING Crisp clean air with mountain views

BIKING Flowy trails and alpine climbs


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Running on a high

Cheese and powder

66 // Green season 74 // Business as unusual

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76 // On two wheels 80 // Climbing


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Hiking

All you need

84 // Engelberg map 01 // Winter guide

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GREEN SEASON PHOTO / OSKAR ENANDER

WE REALISE that we have said this before, but as it’s worth repeating, we’ll say it again: Summer is not the off-season, just another great season! SUMMER IN ENGELBERG has really broadened our horizons and given us the ability to try new things. We bought our first downhill bikes here, we tried (and got (literally) hooked) on Via Ferrata, our hiking is constantly being taken to new levels and we finally understood what it’s like to go trail running in an environment that is truly inspiring. WE REALLY HOPE you will get a chance to discover these, and other activities, in the valley during the sunny, snow free season. If you don’t fancy all the physical exertion though, then just relaxing and resting your eyes on some of the world’s most beautiful mountains is totally ok.

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RUNNER LINUS ARCHIBALD LOCATION ENGELBERG

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SUMMER IN

Engelberg

n i n g n on u R a hi gh Over recent years we have witnessed the explosion in trailrunning. From a relatively small movement, it has now grown year on year and influences new and old runners worldwide. In a way it’s easy to understand, especially when you compare beating along asphalt roads to running free on whatever trail you can find. When you mix that freedom with natural landscapes and find yourself on winding trails surrounded by beautiful 3000-meter peaks, it’s easy to understand the explosion and inspiration involved in trailrunning. PHOTO / OSKAR ENANDER

ENGELBERG IS a mecca for trailrunning as you will find trails starting, ending and running through almost every little corner of the valley. They range from short loops around the village, beautiful forest runs on both sides of the valley to full day mountain missions for those with the strongest legs. With the views and pure air to fill your ever expanding and demanding lungs, we would recommend that everyone ventures onto the higher routes up in the mountains.

MANY OF the trails can be combined with visits to restaurants and mountain huts, which are otherwise inaccessible by car. If you feel like adding some extra strength training to your exercise, running through the Vita Parcours course is a great option. It’s a two-kilometre course with different exercise stations where you can put your strength, balance and coordination to the test.

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Cheese

& Powder It’s no secret that we are big fans of both powder and cheese, so when we heard about a local man who works as part of the ski patrol in winter, and then makes cheese during the summer, we just had to pay him a visit! PHOTO / OSKAR ENANDER

– Well, as it ends just outside my cheese factory, my favourite powder run has to be Laub! ANSELM “SÄLMI” TÖNGI may have travelled all over the globe, but for skiing he still prefers his home mountain, despite his work restricting how much time he can spend carving above the clouds. DURING THE SUMMER the focus is strictly on cheese making, especially as according to Sälmi, you can’t just follow a recipe – you need the right feeling. Anyone who has tasted his cheese will know that whatever the ‘feeling’ is, Sälmi has got it! We are extra fond of his Sbrinz, which is a four year old hard cheese similar to Parmesan. But what’s his own favourite? – I like most sorts of summer “Alpkäse” made up here in the mountains. They’re all different depending on which farm they come from as they all have their own character and unique tastes. SÄLMI AND HIS cheese are both full of character! If you’re curious about the taste, order the local cheese platter as a dessert in our restaurant, or buy some at Molkerei Hurschler and take it home.

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3 Local cheeses you shouldn’t miss

Halbharten Alpkäse from Stäfeli

Dallenwiler Wychäs

Alp-Sbrinz from Gerschnialp

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SUMMER IN

Engelberg

Hiking PHOTO / OSKAR ENANDER

TRYING TO RECOMMEND hikes in and around Engelberg is an almost impossible task. It’s not because they’re hard to find, but because there are so many. They range from smaller strolls around the village, close to the lifts and roads, to full day adventures where your fitness and stamina will be tested. Many hikes can be combined with visits to mountain huts and cheese factories, and others can also be extended to overnight or multi day walks. IT’S ALWAYS HARD to pick favourites when there are so many to try, but the hike from ENDE DER WELT UP to Fürenalp is one we really like. It’s not a short hike though, so make sure to start early and eat a proper lunch before you take the lift down and bus back to town. ANOTHER HIKE we love goes to SPANNORTHÜTTE. We’re still undecided on whether it’s the beautiful surroundings, or the fact that you pass cosy restaurants and cheese factories on the way up, that we like the most! FOR MORE OPTIONS take a look in the activity map or the new Engelberg guide book.

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Business as unusual

Planning a business conference can be done in many ways. The usual route though is to pick a big, probably not very charming, conference hotel, pack the agenda full of presentations and meetings and then have a ‘team’ beer in the evening (maybe). Although it is a tried and tested method there really is a better way to inspire your team and find the solutions to business issues. Our way, which we believe is a better way, is to approach conferences from another point of view and mix up meetings with activities or use the nature on our doorstep to drive ideas, energy and inspiration to tackle the next big issue.

PHOTO / OSKAR ENANDER

THE ENGELBERG VALLEY is basically one big playground, where you can choose from a long list of things to do. You could opt to have a trail run, bike tour or climbing session, all during a long lunch break or as part of an extended conference session. As you approach the next multi-pitch climbing challenge just imagine the business problems you could solve with the same team driven approach. WE BELIEVE that inspired ideas come from inspiring environments, and we can almost guarantee that whatever issue everyone in the company is working on, it will be much easier to find the right solution when the brain is fuelled with endorphins and fresh Alpine air!

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Pretty epic golf course location.

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BIKERS LARS WINDLIN & KEVIN WINDLIN LOCATION ENGELBERG

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SUMMER IN

Engelberg

On two wheels As you would expect, skiing is a passion for full time skiers, but less expected maybe is how most of them reproduce that passion on bikes over the summer months. If you compare the feeling of skiing down a big powder run with cruising down a flowy bike trail on a mountain bike, they are so similar it seems like a natural crossover.

PHOTO / OSKAR ENANDER

LUCKILY THE Engelberg valley is littered with flowy trails, ranging from man made versions, like Jochpass’ Trudy Trail, to natural ones with every level of difficulty. If you were to ask local ski- and bike hero, Lars Windlin, he would recommend the natural Wellenberg trail down the valley as it never disappoints. Biking also offers the opportunity to see things differently, and because of the astonishing views we are really fond of the tours to Melchsee Frutt and Surenenpass. For more options have a look at the activity map at the front desk. IF YOU PREFER getting into lycra and on a road

bike then there are options all around town. We like to pretend we’re doing one of the mountain stages in the Tour de France and climb straight up the Brunni side. It is a relatively short ride, but as it climbs steadily, your legs will scream at you. A longer version of our Tour fantasy is to ride down the valley towards Stans. When you feel strong why not go all the way to Vierwaldstättersee, take a dip and then climb back up to Engelberg. Although you are unlikely to win any Tour stages you will have earned your après bike beer.

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OUTDO

ORGUIDE ENGELBER

G

All you need The moment you enter Engelberg you appreciate the beauty, scale and endless opportunities on offer in the valley. Strangely enough, however, there has never been a guidebook which gives you the insights to the whole valley. It could be because the skiing on Titlis is so good that no one has ever bothered to think about the rest, but we caught up with author and local mountain guide, Daniel Perret, who’s decided that it’s time to write such a guide. PHOTO / FREDRIK NORDHEIM

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PST! Can you spot Dani?

– Titlis is a great mountain, but there is so much more to the valley that people are currently unaware of. There are amazing opportunities for both ski touring and ski mountaineering and the area is just as good in summer. Strangely for many tourists the summer is “off season” but the potential during the summer months is amazing, it’s just that most people don’t know about it. WE KNOW THAT the summer here is great, and have always hoped that more people could experience this green paradise as we do. The guide is a great start to discovering the summer opportunities and various activities on offer: Climbing; biking; hiking; via ferrata. But what do the locals say, wouldn’t they rather keep the secret spots to themselves?

do that. Plus, there are so many wonderful things to do that I couldn’t possibly find space for everything in the book. There’s definitely room for more people in the valley, and I don’t think it’s a bad thing for visitors to be able to explore new and remote parts of the valley. That way there will be more space on Laub! WE TOTALLY AGREE and really hope that more people will read the book, hire a guide, and discover the valley more thoroughly! Ask in the reception if you want to take a look at the book or buy a copy.

– Well, of course some older people think that everything should remain a secret. But most people understand that this is good for Engelberg and everyone who works here. We are a tourist destination and we always need to encourage more visitors to stop a while and I hope this book will help SKI LODGE BULLETIN |

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SUMMER IN

Engelberg

d e h c i n king a v d A imbing an , d cl Via Ferrata

PHOTO / OSKAR ENANDER & JOHAN AXELSSON

THE MOUNTAINS ARE crying out to be explored and hiking is a fantastic way to discover their beautiful views and summer shades. With the addition of some basic climbing equipment, a few ropes and a healthy dose of adventure you could access places you never thought possible. To many the idea of traversing a ridge or scrambling on exposed routes high above the clouds is terrifying rather

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than inspirational, but if you hire a guide they will work their magic on the butterflies in your stomach. Not only will they take you up and bring you home safely, but they will also leave you with new memories, experience and confidence. FOR THOSE WHO are seeking a more direct, and vertical, route to the top, Engelberg has some great climbing


CLIMBER ROBERT LONNELL LOCATION ENGELBERG

Both experienced climbers and beginners can benefit from the advice of a mountain guide. www.prime-engelberg.ch will help you out.

[OE]

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opportunities. You can find everything from bouldering, sport climbing, big walls and multi pitch climbs. For the inexperienced climbers who may not know the area that well then tapping into the local knowledge a guide brings is highly recommended. Those with experience can try the Bettlerstock wall on Brunni or the Schlänngen wall close to the golf course. The latter may not be big, but as the overhang is pretty severe, you may find yourself wondering which way is up! VIA FERRATA IS another kind of climbing, the main difference being that you are constantly attached to a series of ladders and bridges bolted to the wall. As you move with your security equipment it’s a pretty safe way to get out on big walls, and without the need for advanced climbing skills. There’s nothing wrong with hiring a guide for this adventure either though, as a calming word here and there can be useful when you only have air below your feet. CHECK OUT the activity map or Dani Perret’s new guide book for inspiration.

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A GUIDE WILL KEEP YOU SAFE

[JA]

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SKI LODGE

Hiking 72

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Home

Via Ferrata 80

Cheese X2 70


Trudy trail 76

Epic trail running 68

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