George Lazenby may have been the least memorable James Bond but his legacy in the Swiss Alps is enduring.
Spy World, at the 2,970m summit of Schilthorn mountain in the ski resort of Murren, pays homage to one of the most innovative (and bloody) ever movie ski chases.
Lazenby’s turn as Bond in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service in 1969 was perhaps underwhelming – the Australian model-turned-actor had previously appeared only in commercials – but some footage was definitely licensed to thrill.
The attraction offers visitors everything from a mission briefing by ‘M’ to hair-raising simulated helicopter and bobsleigh rides to recreate jaw-dropping scenes.
Not for the squeamish is the account of how a dead sheep was used to produce blood for when a baddy was chewed up by snow plough blades in pursuit of Bond and his love, played by Diana Rigg.
If you aren’t left feeling too queasy, there is the James Bond Brunch in Piz Gloria, named after Blofeld’s mountaintop lair, where you can dine for less than £40 with unlimited prosecco, while the restaurant revolves 360 degrees over 45 minutes.
The first revolving restaurant in the Alps, it was a work in progress – and in dire need of money – when Bond producer Cubby Broccoli decided the setting would be perfect for the sixth Bond movie.
It was a great choice. From Piz Gloria, you can observe the menacing hulk of the peak of the Eiger (ogre) threatening neighbouring Jungfrau (virgin) as the brave summit of Mönch (monk) intervenes to protect her.
Elizabeth Linehan heads to Murren, Switzerland, the scene of one of the most innovative ski chases on the silver screen
‘George Lazenby may have been the least memorable James Bond but his legacy in the Swiss Alps is enduring’, says Elizabeth Linehan
Ski resort Murren, dating from the 13th century, was settled by one of the ‘lost tribes’ of Europe, the Walsers, who hailed from the Wallis (now Valais) region of Switzerland and spoke a distinctive Walser German dialect
Ski resort Murren, dating from the 13th century, was settled by one of the ‘lost tribes’ of Europe, the Walsers, who hailed from the Wallis (now Valais) region of Switzerland and spoke a distinctive Walser German dialect
In the distance is the Mount Blanc massif, dominated by the Alps’ highest mountain at 4,806m.
Then there’s the skiing. Brits have long enjoyed a special relationship with Murren, the car-free ‘Walser’ village at 1,638m in the Bernese highlands.
I swear that first-timers will never again countenance a ski break in one of the purpose-built, soulless carbuncles that blight the French Alps.
Murren, dating from the 13th century, was settled by one of the ‘lost tribes’ of Europe, the Walsers, who hailed from the Wallis (now Valais) region of Switzerland and spoke a distinctive Walser German dialect.
While Murren is today the model of a modern ski resort – connecting with Grindelwald and Wengen – you cannot help but sense its isolation, which still permeates the quiet, narrow streets lined by old stone and wood houses.
Sir Henry Lunn, of travel agent Lunn Poly fame, began bringing British tourists here in the winter of 1910/11.
In 1924, son Alfred Lunn founded the Kandahar Club – still going strong today – to promote the fledgling sport of alpine ski racing.
The club initiated the Inferno in 1928, the world’s longest and largest amateur, downhill ski race (and the notorious post-race party).
Murren has enjoyed a series of recent improvements, including the ‘world’s steepest cable car’ up a looming cliff face, which opened last December from Stechelberg at 866m to the village at 1,641m
It takes place on the third weekend of January annually attracting 1,800-plus competitors on a 15km route.
Murren has enjoyed a series of recent improvements, including the ‘world’s steepest cable car’ up a looming cliff face, which opened last December from Stechelberg at 866m to the village at 1,641m. It’s a knee-trembling ascent taking less than four minutes.
Then there’s a new gondola run from Murren to Birg (2,676m) with a dramatic backdrop of peaks.
Another new link from Birg to Schilthorn opened in March, providing access to the steepest black run in the Jungfrau region with an 88 per cent gradient.
From valley floor to summit takes 22 minutes, a third of the previous time, combined with a doubling of capacity.
In yet another development, last season witnessed the reopening of the 49-room legendary Hotel Murren Palace after 15 years following a £28million refurbishment.
Its 19th-century exterior and listed ballroom has been preserved and a six-storey, wooden-clad tower, the Palace Ellipse, added with 14 suites, spa and a gym.
If you like 007, skiing, beguiling Alpine villages and thrills – I almost forgot the terrifying Skyline Walk, a glass platform above a precipice – Murren is hard to beat.
TRAVEL FACTS
Doubles at Hotel Murren Palace from £279 B&B (muerren-palace.ch). Return flights from Heathrow to Zurich from £143 with Swiss (swiss.com), with a direct train to Murren BLM. Plan your journey at switzerland.com. For lift pass information, visit jungfrau.ch. For more information on Murren, visit muerren.swiss.
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