CREUX-DU-VAN in Winter - home of the Alpine Ibex

 

The Creux du Van is a natural rocky cirque approximately 1,400 metres (4,600 ft) wide and 150 metres (490 ft) deep, on the north side of Le Soliat,in the Val de Travers district in the Swiss canton of Neuchâtel. A very well known, amphitheatre-shaped natural attraction, it is at the heart of a nature reservation area of 15.5 km2 (6.0 sq mi). It's also on the Federal Inventory of Landscapes and Natural Monuments of Switzerland.

During Winter you can see the Alpine Ibex from near, they are not very afraid of us human beings. And you will be punished if you are too near - the horns are strong ....

Geology (by wikipedia)

The rocky arc of Creux du Van was created in three phases:

Phase 1: A glacier covered the area of today's Val de Travers around 140,000 years ago (Würm Ice Age). The stream of meltwater eroded material, making a V-shaped valley.

Phase 2: During subsequent ice ages, other glaciers were created and hollowed out the valley. In warmer periods, the material was eroded by meltwater.

Phase 3: After the removal of rocks from the fault, erosion of a stronger layer from a different age was much slower.

The ground beneath the Creux du Van held permafrost until recently.(permafrost).

I've taken my Bike in the train 'till Travers. Due snow and ice on the small roads in the shadows I had to take the big road for cars at Couvet to reach the summit, the last few kilometers I had to walk. In the afternoon I've taken the road on the other side down, direction Yverdon for the train back.

I will revisit in spring, taking the JuraBike Trail #3 from lake geneva to Basel. The Ibexes have to share the area with Cows in the summer, so it's not so easy to watch them then.

I recommend visits in every weather and season but the sunny weekends - the crowds of people since Corona are crazy. Website

The 46th International Hot Air Balloon Festival - le 46ème Festival International de Ballons - Château-d’Œx, Switzerland - January 24th-31st, 2026

Already received the press kit - time to inform interested visitors to this spectacle !

With a lot of spectacular forms - this time some Alien balloons from the UK, a lot of colors on ground and in the skies, interesting games for the crews and all this in the beautiful mountain area of Pays-d’Enhaut near Gstaad mountain resort, this event is an must if you are in the area of western switzerland. On weekends direct trains from Palézieux station (Bern-Fribourg-Lausanne).

WEF'26 - World Economic Forum 2026, Davos

World Economic Forum Annual Meeting

The World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting will take place in Davos from 19 to 23 January 2026. Various measures have been taken at the request of the Graubünden government in order to guarantee security. These include restrtictions on the use of Davos airspace and aerodromes from 16 to 24 January 2026. The Federal Council has tasked the Air Force with maintaining air sovereignty.

Payerne will be main base, Sion first Alternate.

Restricted Airspace

Air traffic over territory of Switzerland and Liechtenstein will be restricted within a radius of 25 nautical miles (about 47 kilometres) from the centre of Davos. Similar restrictions apply to border regions in Austria and Italy. Approaches and departures at aerodromes within the security zone are subject to special rules and procedures which the Air Force has drawn up in cooperation with the Federal Office of Civil Aviation.

Special rules and procedures for flight operations apply to the aerodromes in Bad Ragaz, Balzers and Samedan, which are located within the restricted area (LSR). All flights to and from these aerodromes require prior authorisation from the Air Force.

Aviation includes more than helicopters and winged aircraft; other airspace users will therefore also be subject to restrictions.

The operation of model aircraft, drones and tethered balloons is restricted in an area between Davos Monstein over the Wolfgang Pass into Prättigau to Landquart and the region of Chur from 14 to 24 January 2026. Details are available on the drone map.

Flights with hang-gliders and paragliders are restricted on the 16th and from 19 to 24 January 2026: details are available on the Swiss Hang-gliders association website.

Detailed information can be found in official publications (VFR Manual SUP, NOTAM, DABS; see further information).

two times 25 - Grimmi is now 50 Years

 Yes, those years went by unnoticed and I will be there in 50 years still I hope 🎉

Limited edition batch with many themes included - and some pictures made in those years of those legends om the sky or on railroad tracks, nature and cyvling/hiking