School’s out, snow’s in

Murren, the cradle of Alpine ski racing and home of the Kandahar Ski Racing Club, launches the Murren Kandahar Snowsport Festival from December 18 to 20. This new family-friendly pre-Christmas ski racing festival guarantees an exciting start to the season at an affordable price. Three-night packages are priced from £370 (£195 for children up to 16yrs) for ½-board accommodation, ski hire, lift pass and use of the new Alpine Spa. Five-night packages are from £580/£300 on the same basis, with discounts for those not needing ski hire. Race details/registration: murrenkandaharrace.com

Professionally organised and controlled to the highest safety standards, this is an international all-comers/all-ages event. Previous ski racing experience is not needed and there are prizes for different categories.

The new Murren Kandahar Snowsport Festival sees the car-free village revive its historic role as innovator in Alpine winter sport. With the Eiger and Jungfrau for a backdrop in the beautiful Bernese Oberland, the races will include a classic Giant Slalom, a freeride (off-piste) contest for skiers and boarders, and a GS/SkiCross ‘combi’ race. Stay until Sunday Dec 22nd and enter another SkiCross race organised by the Murren Ski School.

Programme:
18th December 2013: Giant Slalom 
19th December 2013: Peter Lunn All-Terrain Challenge (Freeride contest for skiers and snowboarders). Off-piste ski experience required. 
20th December 2013: Combi Race (Giant slalom with elements of SkiCross)

Rates:Inclusive prices (converted from Swiss francs at current rate): Murren Tourist Office is offering discounted packages of accommodation, ski pass, ski rental and access to Murren’s new Alpine spa. 3 nights/3 days hotel half board, ski hire, lift pass and spa use from £370 (£195 for children up to age 16). 5 nights/5 days from £580 (£300). Lower prices for those not needing ski hire. Race entry is £31 per race.

Travel:Fly to Zurich or Geneva with Swiss (swiss.com) from £56 one way, including ski equipment. By train and cable car to Murren (3 hours from Zurich, 3hrs 45 from Geneva) with a Swiss Rail Pass transfer ticket (swisspasses.com): £89 per adult, accompanied children up to age 16 travel free. Rail timetables from sbb.ch

More Information: Race details and registration: murrenkandaharrace.com

Accommodation/ski packages: email info[at]murren.ch