Last weekend the tiny Swiss village of Mürren came alive for the 74th Inferno Ski Race. PlanetSKI was in the start gate.
The amateur ski race attracts over 1,850 participants from all over the world; around 250 enter from the UK alone.
Starting just below the top of the Schilthorn, renown for the James Bond film, “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”, and including at least one uphill climb on skis, this year’s 7.6km race finished in the centre of Mürren.
One amateur racer on the course… Credit photo Robert Webb
On a good snow year the full 14.9km course ends in Lauterbrunnen down in the valley.
Checking out the ski area in the days running up to the race, there was plenty to ski on in Mürren although the run to Winteregg below Mürren was a bit patchy and most of the recent fresh snowfall had gone.
On a day trip over to neighbouring Wengen we were able to ski untracked powder down to Grindelwald.
Back to the race – we had a beautiful clear day, just perfect conditions.
This year’s winning time was 7.10 minutes by racer with start number 17.
My time of 11.45 minutes as racer number 1381 earned me a ‘Bronze award’.
photo credit Robert Webb
Special thanks to the DHO for lending me the streamlined catsuit!
The inferno parties are legendary- think beer-fest with live Swiss bands and teens to retirees all enjoying one huge sports hall with table dancing and more.
It creates a very special party atmosphere!
Check out more on the Inferno race and festivities here.
We left Mürren, after a short weekend visit, to go back to its beautiful, sleepy self… until next year when the devil will be burned again before the 75th anniversary Inferno ski race – already in the planning with a new pro-am style team race.
I’ll be back!
Check out the website of the resort of Muerren here.
See here for the main PlanetSKI news page with all the latest stories from the world of snowsports.
