A Splendid Snowstorm in a High Alpine Village

The Alpine Village of Mürren is perched high on a cliff in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland.

For visitors, the only way to reach this town is by train from Grutschalp, or via cable car out of Stechelberg. The cable car stops at Mürren, which is at 1850m. Beyond Mürren, the gondola continues to the ski area above, the next stop is Bing at 2677 m., and all the way to the top is Schilthorn at 3000m. Schilthorn is the headquarters of the evil scientists (played by Telly Savalas) and his “angels of death” in the in the 1969 – 007 movie “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” — more on that later.

It is quite a thrilling ride, rising above these sheer cliffs, all of your necessary possessions in hand, leaving below other such things.

As we suffered through our jet lag in this remote village, perched on a ledge, we watched the snow fall and accumulate, wonderful entertainment when sleep is inaccessible. In the morning we had 1 to 2 feet of powder (depending upon the elevation) in which to play.

Historic Mürren, which dates from 1384 is filled with charming, aged structures. One of the things I love the most about the chalets in Mürren and this region is the use of natural and lightly stained wood on the sides of the buildings, allowing the natural grain of the wood to be seen.

Especially fabulous is the scalloped siding which is common,

The names on the chalets peak the curiosity, what is the history?

Then there are the shutters, the obvious consideration of the contrast of colors is wonderful.

Beyond the accent of the colors, the abuse these shutters suffer during the long, cold winters is more than apparent. I love the weathered charm.

The accents on the chalets are a hint into the lifestyle of the locals,

the pastimes,

and the appreciation of their fauna.

For the horses and stags or for the humans to enjoy the fresh mountain waters? I’m not sure. But the watering troughs throughout the village, with the ironwork details and stone enclosures are very special.

Larger, neater stacks of wood we have never seen. Even as Winter turns to Spring, the people of the Bernese Oberland are more than well prepared for an evening around the fire.

During our visit to this region, we loved enjoying a second Spring (their gardens are about a month behind ours in Seattle this year).

The crocus and daffodils were emerging in the lawns.

This petite wild primrose just couldn’t be left behind.

Comments

French-Kissed says

April 10, 2010 at 4:57 am

Delighted to catch up with you and find you in Switzerland!!! This village is lovely and I adore the scalloped siding and all the colorful shutters. It is clear you are having a fabulous time. Enjoy and please keep the travel posts coming.

~jermaine~

Emily Heston says

April 11, 2010 at 10:08 pm

Welcome home Jermaine — I loved seeing you posts from the south of France. I am going to be on the mountains for a week and will miss reading French Kissed. I am looking forward to catching up in a week. I am going on the haute route with a group of friends. ebh

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