Like the dawn of life in the Tigris and Euphrates valley of Persia, International Ski Racing its roots in the valley of Lauterbrunnen and its two famous ski areas, Wengen and Muerren. This is where competition-hungry British visitors started some of the first ski races. Arnold Lunn, the founder of the Arlberg Kandahar races in the 1920's, had one of his headquarters at the Palace Hotel in Muerren. The mountain-railway from Wengen up to Kleine-Scheidegg was built in 1910 and attracted many skiers from Great Britain who formed the D.O.C (The Downhill Only Club). After the success of the first Kandahar events in St Anton am Arlberg in 1928, a Swiss ski pioneer, Arnold Gertsch launched the first Swiss "Classical" race, the "Lauberhornrennen". Organized for the first time in 1930 on a superb track - which remains the longest on the World Cup at a leg-burning 4260 meters - it became an international highlight. Gertsch also competed in the first races before becoming its main driving force. Now his son Viktor is in command.
Wengen, situated on a wide sunny shelf overlooking the precipitous Lauterbrunnen valley is only accessible by mountain railway. There are only a few cars (taxis) allowed in the traditional resort but can also be reached by cable car from Grindelwald. It has superb views of the Jungfrau mountain range and is a very scenic resort. The start of the Lauberhorn run is dominated by the mass of the impressive Eiger, one of the most challenging climbs of the Alps.