Mid June 2009 - On The Road

Jungfraujoch - Interlaken
The Jungfrau Region is a compact area in the
heart of the Bernese Oberland, stretching a
mere 18 km, from its ‘capital’ Interlaken, to the
Jungfrau massif, its snow-clad queen!
The first impression in this remarkable region
is the scenery, so spectacular that no picture
postcard can do it justice. It includes resorts
such as Grindelwald, Wengen and Mürren,
first made famous by Britain’s ski-crazy elite.
The Eiger, Mönch & Jungfrau, three stunning
summits renowned throughout the world, are its
hallmark, and the notorious Eiger North Wall
is a major part of the region’s mountaineering
history.
Jungfraujoch – Top of
Europe
There are numerous crystal clear mountain
lakes, rivers and streams with cascading
waterfalls and glaciers and peaks that include
the Aletsch Glacier, which at 22 kilometres is
the longest in the Alps and which belongs to
the UNESCO World Heritage. Then there is
Europe’s highest-altitude railway station (3454
m) at the Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe with its
Ice Palace, which is build 30 metres beneath
the glacier surface and the Sphinx with its
unique viewing platform, which is the highest
vantage point at 3571 metres altitude.
First – the active mountain
for families
The First Flyer originated in the USA where it is
known as a Zip Rider can now be experienced
the first time in Europe.
It gives four people the chance to
simultaneously yet independently, glide through
the air on a length of cable about 800 metres
long, at speeds of up to 84km/h.
In effect the construction is four parallel
Tyroliennes, which link the starting and finishing
platforms without supporting masts. Guests sit
in a special harness which is very similar to that
used for paragliding. The harness is attached
to a safe roller mechanism.
This new attraction is available all year round
and makes a spectacular addition to the other
mountain activities on offer. The First Flyer
is suitable for young and old people: it will
fascinate children (from 10 years onwards) and
adults and the fact that four people can use
the First Flyer at the same time highlights the
attraction as a family and group experience.
Flying through the air becomes reality with the
First Flyer; particularly as the high speed and
maximum height of 45 metres above ground
exhilaration in the extreme!
First – has become the active mountain – it is
not only the hikers paradise, but also a family
paradise, with the new 700 m2 children’s
playing ground at Bort and the Trottibike rent.
A fusion of folk culture
and nature
INTERfolk Jungfrau is a brand new event
beginning in October 2009 within the Jungfrau
Region, packed full of events involving national
and international participants. This event will
be taking place every year in October.
The aim of this festival is to highlight the
great diversity of folkloric cultures. INTERfolk
Jungfrau is to be a platform for the exchange
of Swiss traditions. It presents a multi coloured
bouquet, chock-full of folklore from Alpine
countries. The aim of this major event is to
enable everyone to experience and enjoy the
diversity and topical character of folk culture.
It will increase awareness of folk culture
which is such an important part of the local,
national and international infrastructure. Most
importantly folklore is such a vital ingredient
of our tourism infrastructure. Bringing to life
local customs, traditions, myths, legends and
colourful costumes and giving vital insight to
visitors about local history. Often the highlight
of any trip to a foreign country.
INTERfolk festival 14 to 18
October 2009
The programme is packed with folk music,
song and dance, language and customs,
handicrafts and artisan trades, sport and
games and food and drink.
Events and topics will include:
• Music from Switzerland and other Alpine
countries, yodelling, alphorn playing
• Traditional costumes, clothes, textiles, folk
dancing, flag throwing
• History, languages, customs, handicrafts,
traditional trades, market trading
• Nature, plants, animals, agriculture,
landscape conservation, ecological systems,
• Ancient medicines, medicinal herbs and
herbal remedies
• Sports and games from the alpine countries
• Mouth watering ( and sometimes not!)
international culinary delicacies – the
opportunity for visitors to taste traditional fare
• Evening events will be held each day
with great performances by national and
international performers
Where
This 5 day event will take place within the
Jungfrau Railways network; including Schynige
Platte, Winteregg-Mürren, Harder Kulm,
Grindelwald- First, Kleine Scheidegg and the
Jungfraujoch–Top of Europe.
Contact Jungfrau Railways in Interlaken. T+41 33 828 72 33
email info@jungfrau.ch
16 On The Road - Mid May - Mid June 09