Ski resorts closed but skiing nostalgia alive and well

When the Swiss government decided to lock down the country in mid-March, some ski resorts at first refused. Skiing is not only economically vital in many parts of the Alps, but is also part of the Swiss DNA, especially for older generations.  Before the coronavirus crisis hit Europe, an exhibition opened at the Swiss Alpine Museum called “The Lost and Found of Memories”, to showcase old ski gear and trophies, and even x-rays of bones broken in skiing accidents. Many of the objects were donated by the public.  Like all cultural institutions in the country, and across Europe, the Alpine Museum has had to close its doors as part of the lockdown. However, choice bits can be viewed on the museum’s website, or seen in a book made especially for the exhibition. It is a collection of postcards harking back to the decades when skiing was a passion - not just a pastime - for the Swiss.  The number of days people spent on the ski slopes declined dramatically from the 2008/09 season to ...