Adelboden Friday 31 Jan - Day 7

Great day to finish, sunny from the start. Left about 9.15 so I could get over to Lenk. Very quick runs over to Metsch, all newly pisted and empty. Bit of a wait for the bus to Betelberg but then some glorious runs from the very top. These were 1 km descents in height, with combination of wide open slopes and nice parts through trees.

Timed runs so as to get 11.28 bus back to the telecabine then went up to Metschstand and across to Buhlberg on way back. Took in Lavey and Abie before arriving at usual Hannenmoos restaurant. Hilary was already there after walking part of the way up.

Did the Buhlberg Lavey Abie Silleren route back to Berglager, having to stop on the last bit because a snow plough was repairing the red run that crossed it.

Pizzas at ours then early night after more packing. Surprised at the high tourist tax, which was an extra 70 Francs. Down to last coins after buying snacks for the journey home.

Adelboden Thursday 30 Jan - Day 6

Overcast again and almost no sun all day apart from trying to break through late morning. After talking about it we agreed Hilary shouldn't ski as the light wasn't going to be good. She came down to Oey with us and took back the skis and boots but came back up to use the iPad and find local walk information.

The others weren't feeling adventurous so Dave B and I went to Metsch and did the blue before going up to Metschstand and the run that branches left to Breggen and down to Buhlberg. Met the others at the round drinks bar beside Hannenmoos restaurant, and Hilary appeared almost at the same time having met a nice Swiss lady who shared the gondola up.

Did a few runs at Metsch during the hour before lunch. Shared a pizza before setting off on my own again as the others didn't like the conditions and were making their way back to Berglager.

Went up to Lavey and down the long red to Abie. Fast conditions and adequate light but looking like snow was on the way. Came down the blue run parallel to the poling route, delightfully quick and easy by comparison. Hilary was there with the new friend, having walked with her from Geils.

Adelboden Wednesday 29 Jan - Day 5

Overcast to start and taking until after lunch for cloudy sunshine to appear. Hilary not skiing, giving her knee more time to recover.

Left the group and went to do some faster runs, to Metsch and Luigli before meeting at Hannenmoos for lunch.

Hilary made her way up there to meet us, getting along very well. Visibility not great but adequate.
Again left the group to do their well rehearsed runs after lunch, going up to Lavey and doing the long run down to Abei, then a few more there.

Headed back using the nice fast blue instead of the poling route.

Adelboden Tuesday 28 Jan - Day 4

Hilary's knee was very swollen and painful so no chance for skiing. Met the others at Oey, with the ladies heading off for a second lesson and the three Davids going off together.

Did another Abie run, this time on well prepared pistes so fast, easy and exhilarating. David H had a fall on the second run, this time going left out of the ski lift but with some steeper bits.

Then went down to Buhlberg and on to Metsch, doing some nice fast reds. Did look at the red from the top of Metschstand direct to Geils but David H didn't fancy the tricky hairpin bend at the top. Instead went back down to Buhlberg and up Hannenmoos rather than taking the T-bar lift.

Arrived at the Geils restaurant to find the ladies already there after their lesson.

Went back down to Buhlberg after lunch but straight down, leaving the others to do the traverse right to the other blue run. Made my own way back from there to see how Hilary was. She'd bought some frozen peas as an icepack and had had a couple of walks to exercise her knee, but still not good.

Adelboden Monday 27 Jan - Day 3

Quieter night but Hilary feeling very rough in the morning, with headache and persistent cough. It was also snowing and windy so not looking good.

Rang the others to say we'd join them later, probably at lunch.

Instead went to the Coop for provisions for tonight's meal then made our way to the ski slopes at about 11.30. Meantime the skies had miraculously cleared to bright sunlight.

No queues so fairly quickly up to Silleren. Still windy but any snow was that being blown off roofs etc. Went down the furthest of the reds towards Abi, which was quite tough because of accumulations of soft snow.

Did another of the routes down but Hilary fell and twisted her knee. Decided to go for some simpler options, going down to Geils and Buhlberg then back up to Hannenmoos.

Met the David's and Sheila half way down and decided to head for the restaurant as it was getting towards 1.30 when Sue and Chris were due to finish their lesson. They didn't appear for a long time after, by which time we'd had our lunch.

Everyone was happy to call it a day because it had started snowing again and was totally cloudy. We set off ahead of the others, getting the bus down to Berglager then the bubble to Oy.

Our turn for providing the meal, which was sort of spaghetti bol but with pasta.

Adelboden - Sunday 26 Jan - Day 2

Disturbed night as the wind got up and made the chalet creak. Woken at 12.30 and didn't go back to sleep for a while.

Up at 8 and at the top of the gondola lift at 9.45 ahead of the others who'd had various delays.

Snowing a bit to start and bad visibility all day, so hard to see the texture of the slopes. Stopped for coffee (gluhwein) then Hilary and I did some quicker runs on our own before meeting up again for lunch.

Didn't do much afterwards because of light and first day but synchronised at the Wigwam for a final drink and telecabine back down. Left skis at bottom. Over to the other apartment for supper.

Skiing in Adelboden - Saturday 25 Jan 2014

Up at 3 after a restless night. Quick bowl of cereal before this taxi arrived at 3.35, 10 mins early.

Easy check in and quickly to Pret a Manger for a top up. Flight away on time and arriving 20 mins early. Bags there as soon as we arrived then onto the waiting train. Changed at Bern then had to move to the front coaches because the train split later. Bus waiting at Frutigen.

Checked into the Waldrand apartment and then went back to join the others in the ski hire shop. Left the skis with them whilst we went to the cafe for cakes, drinks etc.

Then went back to move into the apartment before meeting up again in the Coop for provisions. Went to see the other apartment, which was very spacious and comfy for the five of them.

Back to ours for supper, opting out of the haggis, not least because Hilary was still coughing badly and needing an early night.

Beautiful sunny afternoon and a lot of very recent snow.