Spring skiing in Switzerland and I’m one of the first to use the new lift from Birg to Schilthorn summit above the iconic resort of Mürren.
It opened on March 15, and there we were, excited … waiting to go skywards on a day that marked another success in the tale of a classic cable car system’s re-invention.
The sun shone, we cruised upwards and I looked out, wondering just how all this was possible.
Started in 2022 the new cableway is part of the Schilthornbahn 20XX’s Project – a superloop that zips you from the Lauterbrunnen Valley to the summit in just 22 minutes. It also cut journey time by a third and doubled passenger capacity to 800.
(when the new lift was under construction)
But the first leg isn’t for the faint hearted … you ‘fly’ the world’s steepest cable car from Stechelberg village (866m) to Mürren (1,641) … in just four minutes. The 775m high cableway spans almost 1,200 meters of track, and its 159.4% gradient is – well – eye-popping, with cabins suspended from 11-meter-long arms to manage the steep slope. The record was previously held by Norway’s Leon Skylift, with its upward gradient of 60%, and that seemed daring enough!
Back to our journey… you go from car-free Mürren to Birg (2,676m), then you’re back up to the latest lift – Birg to Schiltorn (2,973m) – in this CHF135m adventure. Previously visitors had a four-stage journey, which included going by gondola via car-free Gimmelwald. Now it’s a three-stage hop and a skip.
The opening of two more cable cars, by late autumn 2025 and spring 2026, completes this project. These will run from Mürren to Birg and further to the Schilthorn, providing second tracks next to the existing cars.
Once finished they will be linked electronically to the cableway to allow the system to run without maintenance breaks.
Michelle Wyss, Schilthornbahn AG’s media and product manager, said: “We needed to meet the ever-increasing expectations of international guests and remain competitive.”
It’s certainly a megastructure worthy of a movie, but it’s at the heart of the Bernese Oberland’s highest ski area, and Mr Bond already paid a visit.
Scenes for On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (OHMSS) were shot here in 1969, with the Piz Gloria Restaurant (which originated in Fleming’s book) the mountain-top hide-away for villain Blofeld.
The Alps’ first revolving eatery now serves skiers and the set jet (those who make movie locations their vacation) and you can feast on fine food and fine views as you float slowly 360.
The UNESCO World Heritage Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau are amongst the highlights to see, along with 200 other summits.
These can also be seen from the skyline viewing platform, which pinpoints which peaks are where, from the Bernese and Valais Alps, to Lake Thun and the Swiss central plateau. On really clear days you’ll even see Germany’s Black Forest and France’s Mont Blanc massif from here.
If you still have a need to scratch an espionage itch, a trip around Spy World should do the trick.
This interactive museum is a chance to study the film shoots and be George Lazenby – from swishing down the bobsleigh, to flying the helicopter simulator, it’s classic Bond stuff. And 007’s ski scenes are a fitting showcase for the Mürren-Schilthorn ski scene, with striking views ‘a given’ for its 56 kms of slopes.
But only try Slope 9, the “Direttissima” if you’ve Bond level ski skills, as this 88% incline is the Jungfrau steepest, running from Birg down to Engetal There’s also the Skyline Snowpark and a ski cross course to enjoy, with snow sports running until the end of April.
Indeed, snowsports have been running here for a long time.. Early tour operator Sir Henry Lunn launched Mürren as a winter sports resort in 1910/11.
His son, Arnold, promoted Alpine ski racing between the wars, and helped found the Kandahar Ski Club in 1924. Arnold’s son, Peter, captained the 1936 British Winter Olympic’s team.Quite a family!
The world’s longest amateur Alpine ski race (15km) launched here in 1928, and the route – from Schilthorn to Lauterbrunnen – now forms part of an annual January festival.
Arnold developed ski racing from his base at the Mürren Palace Hotel (the large building on the left in the picture above) …and we stayed there! His dad bought the hotel in 1911, and it was appealing to spend time in a place that has such a long Alpine history. Re-opened in December 2024, after a 15 year closure, Mürren Palace has had a £27m investment.
The four-star superior hotel’s listed exterior and spacious ballroom have been beautifully restored. It’s stunning …but in my view its staff are its very best asset, as nothing is too much trouble to help you have a good stay. The 49 room/suite property now has a restful spa and exercise area, and guests also have access to the well-equipped local sports centre.
As I was leaving I bumped into hotel director Samuel Bichsel, and asked his view on the new infrastructure: “The direct connection from Stechelberg to Mürren means real added value for our guests. The shorter journey time, no more reloading and of course the spectacular ride on the steepest cable car in the world is extraordinary.,” he said.
“The future 365-day access from the Schilthorn as our excursion destination will also open up further opportunities for our Hotel Mürren Palace as a year-round destination.”
Fact Box
Switzerland Tourism
For more information on Switzerland, visit switzerland.com
Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS)
SWISS connects Switzerland with the world, offering more than 160 weekly flights from London Heathrow, London City, Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh to Zurich or Geneva. One-way fares start from £76 to Zurich and from £54 to Geneva, and include all taxes, fees and surcharges, one piece of checked luggage weighing up to 23kg and one piece of hand luggage. SWISS are also happy to transport your first set of ski or snowboard equipment and boots free of charge in addition to your standard free baggage allowance subject to availability (excluding hand-luggage-only fares). swiss.com
Travel Switzerland
Travel Switzerland’s Swiss Travel Pass offers international visitors to Switzerland unlimited travel on consecutive days across the rail, bus and boat network, plus scenic routes (seat reservation fees apply) and local trams and buses in around 90 towns and cities. It also includes the Swiss Museum Pass, which grants free entry to 500 museums and exhibitions. Prices start from £229 for a three-day second-class ticket. travelswitzerland.com
