The Idle Skiers were away early this morning. The 9.30am cable car was full with mainly local skiers. What we all expected was that the wind would blow strongly later in the day, and a prompt start was the best thing.
On Mannlichen, everything seemed fine and the skiing was excellent. Leaving the Gummi chair though, it was clear that the forecast was spot on. At the top of Wixi, by the start hut, it was blowing a gale. Still the pistes were corduroy perfect all the way to the nursery slopes.
Mrs IS headed for home when we reached the village, but I boarded the cable car once more. The afternoon was altogether wilder. Eigernordwand and Honegg closed more or less at the same time. The Eiger Express came to a stop for a while and the chairs on Arven and Lauberhorn slowed to a crawl as well. The Wixi lift had been closed all day.
By mid afternoon a few clouds were starting to gather. As the wind strengthened, and having been pebble dashed by wind blown ice on the Lauberhorn piste, I took refuge at the Bumps lift. Snow is forecast, but this evening, the wind is still blowing still.
The day brought 9,337 vertical metres in 26 lift rides and 59 kilometres travelled.
Idle thoughts from a mountain 