Sue Skis Again After Her Heart Transplant

May I introduce you to Sue Swinson.

I first met Sue in winter 2008 when she joined some regular ski guests of mine on holiday. She struck me as being very independent, self sufficient. Obviously a keen skier, fit and healthy, being also a keen walker.

The following year her husband came alone. Something wasn't right with Sue's blood pressure. Didn't seem possible to us considering her hobbies.

Over the next couple of years I heard snippets, like Sue's heart isn't good, which developed into she is rather ill. Then, her heart has failed and she needs a heart transplant; Sue is in hospital with a machine doing the work of her heart; Sue is waiting for a suitable donor.

Well, this winter we met again, she came skiing.

Sue is on the left

Sue is second from right


Sue is so grateful to have been given a new lease of life she wishes to give back and enable others to have the same chance. She is entering for the Winter Transplant Games January 2014, skiing. 
Please take a look at her webpage. 

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/changeofheart

Wengen in Spring

More pictures from today.

Snow in Spring

We woke up this morning to this!

Skied at the Schilthorn yesterday. The pistes were fabulous, perfectly groomed, just softening snow, delicious. But fog and rain. It was only open to Riggli due to avalanche danger. The advantage....we were  alone. Looking forward to getting up there again this weekend for powder. Although at the moment even Riggli is closed probably because of all the snow.

Schilthorn only!

Skied the Schilthorn this morning.
It hadn't quite frozen over night so the snow was already slightly soft, especially lower down.
The pistes were beautifully groomed.
From the Kannonrohr down it was a smooth, soft carpet, perfect, dreamy, but closed!
And as we turned the first corner, having gone under the barrier, we could see why. At 10.15 there was already avalanche debris on the track.
Keeping a close eye on the snow still to slide, a decent distance between us, and an eye on each other through the danger area, we thoroughly enjoyed the ride to Murren.
An hour later we skied down that way again. It was just as before, debris wise. This time we turned left after the Kannonrohr to follow the Inferno route to Winteregg, which includes a short walk uphill. But meant being able to catch the train and therefore get home quicker.

Kleine Scheidegg Closes

This weekend marked the last of this season for Kleine Scheidegg.
Saturday we woke to fresh snow, about 10cm. We managed to find a few, nice, off piste powder runs to enjoy. The pistes were all beautifully prepared right down to the village. Open, were Lauberhorn, Arven, Eigernordwand, and Wixi. Which gave us quite a range of skiing possibilities.
Unfortunately, I've no photos for you as my camera carrying bag is broken. But the good news is that even four years on it is still under guarantee. Well done 'Lowe pro' and Photo Fritz. The quality of service here in Wengen is brilliant, friendly and helpful.
So now we are skiing at the Schilthorn til the end of the week. It has started to warm up now, so it'll be early starts with early finishes. Spring is here.

Fantastic Easter Skiing

I've just got to tell you how fantastic the skiing still is. Not a brown patch in sight. No cow pat hopping needed to get back to the village, either Wengen or Grund.
Mind you we always seem to have our best snow around Easter, whether it is early or late, and of course this year was very early. Next year is very late. Mark my words for then!
Despite the beautiful, perfect conditions the area is closing down slowly. First is already closed. Bumps and Fallboden also. This weekend is the last for Maennlichen. Then we'll have Kleine Scheidegg til 14th and the Schilthorn area til 21st.
The Jungfrau Region always closes in stages, not necessarily because of lack of snow, although sometimes it is. But more due to the fact that there is no one here. It is only us season pass holders who are using the lifts. Boy do we enjoy ourselves at this time. Empty pistes, beautiful snow all just for us and our friends. Don't you even think of it, we guard this time jealously!