By Edward Byrne, CEO of Powder Byrne
There are ski weeks… and then there are experiences that stay with you long after the legs have recovered and the skis are back in the rack. The Inferno Ski Race Week in Grindelwald–Mürren is very much the latter.
Part of our Client for Life programme, this hosted long weekend brings together adventurous skiers and non-skiers alike for one of the most iconic amateur ski races in the world. Set in the heart of Switzerland’s Jungfrau Region, it is a celebration of challenge, camaraderie and the enduring spirit of Powder Byrne.
Our Client for Life philosophy, played out on the slopes
At Powder Byrne, our Client for Life philosophy is simple but deeply felt: Once a Client, Always a Client. It is a promise built on relationships, shared memories and the belief that
travel should challenge you, inspire you and make you smile in equal measure. We believe there are moments when stepping slightly outside your comfort zone, testing yourself, overcoming personal obstacles, becomes not only rewarding but unforgettable. And there is no better stage for that than the Jungfrau Region.
This is where Powder Byrne was founded, where our story began in Grindelwald in 1985, and where skiers have been pushing their limits for generations. Linking Grindelwald, Wengen, Mürren and the Schilthorn, this remarkable corner of Switzerland offers vast, beautiful terrain and the chance to take on the legendary Inferno Downhill as part of Team PB.
A hosted luxury ski weekend – the Powder Byrne way
The Inferno Ski Race Week is open to both active skiers and non-skiers. Whether you are racing, spectating or simply soaking up the atmosphere, everyone is very much part of the experience.
This is a long, indulgent mountain weekend, fully hosted and seamlessly delivered with the full Powder Byrne service – and, of course, plenty of bubbles along the way.
Ahead of travel, you will be introduced to your fellow guests and your dedicated Resort Manager during a Welcome Call. This is where the week comes together: the itinerary is explained, questions are answered, and every detail is prepared well before arrival. The programme runs Monday to Sunday, with flexibility to join earlier or mid-week if required.
Guests stay in one of our hand-picked luxury partner properties, perfectly located for easy access to the slopes and village life. Private Powder Byrne transfers collect you from the airport, while ski hire is effortless thanks to our Ski Butler Service, with top-end equipment ready and waiting on arrival.
The week begins with a relaxed welcome evening in one of the region’s finest dining rooms. Drinks flow, introductions are made and the tone is set for what quickly becomes an enjoyable – and highly addictive – experience.
Skiing beneath giants (and lunching like locals)
Daytime is all about discovering the Jungfrau Region at its very best. Enjoy exclusive Powder Byrne ski guiding across Grindelwald First, Männlichen and Wengen, skiing beneath the imposing north face of the Eiger.
These are social ski days, with relaxed pacing, insider routes and memorable mountain lunches shared with new friends. Our guides take care of every detail, allowing you to focus on the skiing, the scenery and the company.
Non-skiers are equally well looked after. Powder Byrne Mountain Hosts lead scenic winter walks, snowshoe adventures and gentle hikes, allowing guests to explore the mountains at a slower pace and still rendezvous with skiers for lunch in the sun.
Evenings are spent discovering some of the area’s best restaurants – always hosted, always convivial. Stories are shared, plans refined and friendships formed over exceptional food and wine.
Friday: training day and alpine traditions
Friday shifts the focus towards Mürren and the Schilthorn. This is a pivotal day, led by Inferno expert Mela Stüeri, 2007 Inferno Downhill Champion, who joins the group for a morning of guiding, course inspection and racing insight.
Nerves are gently calmed as strategies take shape and excitement builds for race day.
As dusk falls, the group gathers under the floodlights at Bodmi for a special local team challenge, complete with hot wine, music and stories from the region’s rich skiing history. Dinner follows at Pinto’s, where their famous cheese fondues – from classic blends to champagne, chilli and truffle – provide the perfect fuel for the night ahead.
Saturday: race day at the Inferno Downhill
Race day begins early. A private Powder Byrne vehicle transports racers and supporters through the breathtaking Lauterbrunnen Valley towards Mürren. From there, the ascent via the steepest cable car in Europe delivers you to the dramatic, car-free village perched high on the cliff edge.
The morning is deliberately calm. Racers enjoy warm-up runs, gentle stretching and plenty of laughter, conserving energy for the afternoon start. Surrounded by 1,850 fellow amateur racers, the atmosphere is electric.
This is not a race against others, but an individual challenge. Racers depart every 12 seconds, each tackling the course in their own way. After a light lunch at Piz Gloria, the iconic revolving restaurant, racers prepare skis and head for the start line.
Supporters are right in the action. Powder Byrne Mountain Hosts set up deckchairs and drinks along the course, creating perfect vantage points to cheer as racers fly past. The course is wide and naturally downhill – aside from three long, gruelling uphill sections that make pacing and strategy just as important as speed.
Crossing the finish line leads straight into the celebration zone. Team PB, supporters and the entire village of Mürren are there to mark the achievement, followed by lively après-ski with locals, past champions and friends of Powder Byrne reliving every moment of the historic race.
Sunday: a gentle farewell
On Sunday morning, those who wish can enjoy early-bird Powder Byrne ski guiding for a final few turns. Everyone reunites in town for a relaxed farewell lunch, sharing reflections on an extraordinary week before private transfers return guests to Zurich Airport.
More than a race – a true Client for Life experience
The Grindelwald–Mürren Inferno Ski Race Week is about far more than the race itself. It is about shared challenge, deep-rooted local friendships and returning to where the Powder Byrne story began.
It is about discovering what you are capable of – and having a great deal of fun along the way.
Once a Client, always a Client. And sometimes… always a racer.
Inferno Ski Race Week – Grindelwald & Mürren
From £7,495 per adult, the experience includes:
- Pre-travel Client Concierge services
- Return private transfers from Zurich Airport
- Five nights’ four-star superior or five-star luxury accommodation (single occupancy)
- Bed and Breakfast, plus hosted mountain lunches and dinners
- Powder Byrne ski guiding and resort services
- Full Inferno Race experience, including training, transport, participation and après
Spaces for this Inferno Ski Race Week are limited. Contact the Powder Byrne team today to secure your place and be part of one of the most iconic ski experiences in the Alps.
