SWITZERLAND - Best of Europe 2014 - page 1541

Yoga: Denise offers weekly yoga lessons in summer (off Chalet Fontana, mobile
078-642-3485).
Skiing and Snowboarding: The Mürren-Schilthorn ski area is the Berner Oberland's best
place for experts, especially those eager to tackle the famous, nearly 10-mile-long In-
ferno run. The runs on top, especially the Kanonenrohr, are quite steep and have pre-
dictably good snow; lower areas cater to all levels, but can be icier. For rental gear, try
the friendly, convenient Ed Abegglen shop (best prices, next to recommended Chalet
Fontana, tel. [phone]), Alfred's Sporthaus (good selection and decent prices,
between ski school and Sportzentrum, tel. [phone]), or Stäger Sport (one shop in
Sportzentrum and another on the lower road near cable-car station, tel. [phone]).
Self-Guided Walk
Welcome to Mürren
(See “Mürren” map, here .)
Mürren has long been a top ski resort, but a walk across town offers a glimpse into a time
before ski lifts. This stroll takes you through town on the main drag, from the train station
(where you'll arrive if coming from Lauterbrunnen) to the cable-car station, then back up to
the Allmendhubel funicular station.
• Start at the...
Train Station: The first trains pulled into Mürren in 1891. (A circa-1911 car is perman-
ently parked at Grütschalp's station.) A display case inside the station displays an original
carfromthenarrow-gauge,horse-poweredlinethatrolledfancyvisitorsfromhereintotown.
The current station, built in 1964, comes with impressive engineering for heavy cargo. Look
out back, where a small truck can be loaded up, attached to the train, and driven away.
• Wander into town along the main road (take the lower, left fork) for a stroll under the...
Alpin Palace Hotel: This towering place was the “Grand Palace Hotel” until it burned
in 1928. Today it's closed, and no one knows its future. The small wooden platform on
the left—looking like a suicide springboard—is the place where snow-removal trucks dump
their loads over the cliff in the winter. Look back at the meadow below the station: This is
a favorite grazing spot for chamois (the animals, not the rags). Ahead, at Edelweiss Hotel,
step to the far corner of the restaurant terrace for a breathtaking view stretching from the big
three (Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau) on the left to the lonely cattle farm in the high alp on the
right. Then look down.
• Continue toward an empty lot with a grand view.