Apres Ski in Murren
The car-free ski resort of Murren (1,650m) is among the prettiest and most peaceful ski resorts in Switzerland. One of three Jungfrau resorts, Murren is an idyllic place for a romantic or family ski holiday with unparalleled views of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau mountains.
The Village of Murren
Inaccessible by car and perched high above the Lauterbrunnen valley and on the edge of a cliff-top favoured by base jumpers, Murren is the highest, permanently inhabited village community in the canton of Berne. A favourite destination of the British since Arnold Lunn invented slalom racing here in 1928, Murren is a favourit choice of families seeking a relaxing winter holiday and for whom winter walking, tobogganing, socialising and unrivalled scenery is as important as the skiing and snowboarding.
A community first and ski resort second, Murren’s charming village is totally unspoiled and features a delightful collection of Swiss chalets and chalet style hotels, with dark sun-burned wood and shuttered windows. Almost everything in Murren is presented in the most charming way possible including the local fire station, which is a reminder of the risks run by a village built almost entirely from wood, and it’s hard to imagine a prettier place; one where you might choose to abandon your skis and go for a walk instead.
Shops include the local butcher (with a useful sideline selling sheepskin rugs and slippers), the village baker, a Co-op, a small selection of snowsports shops, the local Photo shop capitalising on those amazing views of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau, and the trendy Exile on Main Street selling an interesting assortment of cool clothing, accessories and gadgets. The village also includes a bank, post office, doctor, tourist office, ski school and amenities for locals and visitors which include the Alpine Sports Centre and outdoor ice rink with nine curling lanes in the centre of the village, a handful of cafes, restaurants and bars, private chalets, holiday apartments and 15 hotels in the 2-star to 4-star categories and mostly family owned.
Apres Ski Bars & Restaurants in Murren
Après ski in Murren mostly revolves around the hotels and a few bars in the village, and is almost invariably quiet and relaxing except during the Inferno Race weekend. Likewise most of the eating is in hotel restaurants offering enjoyable Swiss cooking and local Valais wines.
The newly renovated cosy Stubli restaurant at the 4-star Hotel Eiger and the hotel restaurants at the Eiger Guesthouse, the Alpenruh, the Edelweiss and the Jungfrau are all recommended. For eating out the cosy Stagerstubli serves excellent rosti, raclette, lamb and other meat dishes as well as vegetarian options and is one of the most popular restaurants and also popular with locals.
The Tachi Bar at Hotel Eiger is a pleasant place to relax for drinks before or after dinner and the Eiger Guesthouse Bar which serves pints of Guiness, Swiss draft beer, fine wines, coffee and cake is another popular venue for après ski and well-frequented by friendly locals. The Hotel Jungfrau also has a cosy bar which is also open to non-residents.
In fine weather, especially late season, there are sun terraces outside many hotels where you can enjoy a drink and splendid views of the Jungfrau peaks. The sun terrace at the Hotel Jungfrau is a popular place for afternoon drinks, next to which is one of the carriages from the old Schilthorn cable car which has been converted into the Jungfrau’s Gondel bar where drinks are served from mid-day onwards.
For light snacks after skiing try the Cafe Bistro at the Sports Centre,
Hotel Alpenruh
Tel: +41 33 856 88 00
Web: www.alpenruh-muerren.ch
Hotel Edelweiss Portrait Restaurant
Tel: +41 33 856 56 00
Web: www.edelweiss-muerren.ch
Eiger Stubli Restaurant
Tel: +41 33 856 54 54
Web: www.hoteleiger.com
Eiger Guesthouse Restaurant & Bar
Tel: +41 33 856 54 60
Web: www.eigerguesthouse.com
Hotel Jungfrau Gruebi Restaurant & Bar
Tel: +41 33 856 64 64
Web: www.hoteljungfrau.ch
Other Activities in Murren
Murren is a great place for skiing, taking it easy and enjoying the views. Other activities in include tobogganing, winter walking, ice skating, curling and, for extreme sports enthusiasts, the cliff top at Murren is well known for base jumping!
The Alpine Sports Centre has been renovated in 2012 and offers now a splendid alpine spa on the first floor with two saunas, hot and cold footbath, Turkish bath, cold basin and relaxing room as well as modern wardrobes and shower facilities. Professional therapists offer massage, qi gong, yoga and facial treatments in three therapy rooms. The workout gym is spacious and so is the children’s paradise for child care with its numerous toys and games.
The Alpine Sports Centre also has a meeting room seating up to 15 persons which can be rented. No changes have been made in the indoor swimming pool (free entrance for holiday guests staying inn Mürren hotels or apartments) and the large sports hall with its numerous possibilities. A modern cafeteria with a large sundeck completes the new meeting place of the village. (see more detailed information on the flyer attached).
Ice Skating and Curling in Murren
Murren’s large outdoor ice rink is located in front of the Alpine Sports Centre in the middle of the village. Ice skates can be hired at Stager Sports in the Alpine Centre. Guests can also try their hand at curling and ice stick shooting on Wednesday afternoons (4-6pm) from early January until late February. Instruction in curling is also available for individuals or small groups. For more information contact the curling office at the Sports Centre. Tel: +41 (0) 33 856 86 81.
Village Walking Tour in Murren
Enjoy a one hour walking tour through the village, free of charge, with a local guide who will tell you all about the village, historic houses, the lives of local people and, of course, the landscape. Tours are offered on Mondays only, from mid December to late April, and start from Murren Tourist Office at 5pm, and for a minimum of four people.
Winter Walking and Tobogganing in Murren
Murren is a delightful place for a walking holiday in winter and summer. Walking paths are well-maintained and clearly signposted and also used for tobogganing. The Bobrun from Allmendhubel to Murren (3km) is perfect for families and is also open for toboggan rides at night after a cosy cheese fondue at the Allmendhubel mountain restaurant.
Fondue Evening in Murren
The Allmendhubel mountain restaurant hosts a fondue evening with live music each Thursday evening from mid December until late March. You have the option to travel up and down by funicular or return to make a torch-lit ski descent (using your own skis) to Murren. Phone Restaurant Allmendhubel Tel: +41 (0) 33 855 25 12 for more information and to book a table (minimum of four people) and register with Murren Ski School Tel: +41 (0) 33 855 12 47 for the torch-lit descent.
Cross-Country Skiing in Murren
Murren is perched on the edge of a cliff with a ski area between 1,638m and 2,970m, which is mostly quite steep so there are no opportunities for cross-country skiing in Murren. The nearest cross-country skiing is down in the valley, but not near enough to be convenient.
Wellness in Murren
Only one of Murren’s hotels, the 4-star Hotel Eiger, has an indoor swimming pool. The Alpine Sports Centre in the village includes a public swimming pool and a Jacuzzi and most hotels offer their guests free access to the sports centre and the swimming pool, but if you’re looking for superior hotels with luxurious spa and wellness facilities you’ll not find them in Murren.
Mountain Biking in Murren
A sign at the cable car station in Lauterbrunnen warns that there are no official downhill trails for mountain biking in the community of Lauterbrunnen and when you see the cliff-face that separates Murren from Lauterbrunnen you might wonder what unofficial downhill routes exist. There are, however, marked biking routes down in the valley and bikes can be rented in summer only at Stager Sport or at the Imboden Bike shop in Lauterbrunnen Tel: +41 (0) 33 855 21 14.
Murren Tourist Information
For more information contact the Tourist Office in Murren:
Murren Tourist Office
Murren CH-3825
Tel: +41 (0) 33 856 86 86
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.mymuerren.com