Out and about with the Samichlous
In many countries around the world, Samichlous makes his grand entrance on 6 December. In Switzerland, the children recite a "Samichlous verse" to him. In return, they receive nuts, mandarins, chocolate and small gifts. But what does Samichlous do before and after all this time? According to legend, he lives in the Arctic Circle. But we have tracked him down in the Jungfrau Region - and received permission from him to follow in his footsteps.
(Too) sweet mulled wine
Yes, even Samichlous has to get into the Christmas spirit first. When we visit, he is busy making mulled wine in his holiday home, a cosy chalet in the Haslital. Is he nervous about our camera? In any case, he makes a faux pas during the preparation. Yes, even if Samichlous likes it sweet - that's too much sugar in his mulled wine.
Want to bet your mulled wine tastes better?
Ingredients for four 2 dl glasses
- 2 star anise
- 4 cloves
- ½ cinnamon stick
- 3 dl water
- 2 bags of black tea
- 5 dl strong red wine
- approx. 60 gr raw sugar
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 oranges
Preparation
Bring the star anise, cloves and cinnamon stick to the boil in water. Leave to infuse for about 10 minutes. Pour the water into the tea bags. Leave to infuse for 3 minutes. Remove the tea bags. Add the wine, sugar and lemon juice and bring to the boil again briefly.
Cut the oranges in half. Squeeze one half and add the juice to the mulled wine. Cut the remaining orange halves into slices and cut them into thirds. Add to the mulled wine. Sweeten to taste and serve hot in heat-resistant glasses.
Or you can follow the advice of Samichlous in the video - and visit the mulled wine festival in Wengen.
The darned last ball
Today is Samichlous' big day. Today he will make many children's eyes light up. In Switzerland, it is customary for Samichlous to give presents to children on 6 December. In his chalet on the Hasliberg, he fills bag after bag with nuts, mandarins and chocolate. And he also uses the time to spread Christmas cheer within his own four walls. Samichlous decorates his home with garlands – and of course there is also a Christmas tree. He already puts the first parcels under it for Christmas Eve. He decorates the tree with lots of love. Everything is perfect. Almost. The last bauble is still missing. And that's when the mishap happens. Samichlous gets caught in the Christmas tree, pulls it to the ground – and has to start all over again.
A raclette in the snow - in front of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau
All the chlouse bags are distributed. All the children have received their presents. But 6 December has sapped Samichlous' energy reserves. He treats himself to a break from all the Christmas hustle and bustle - and goes to Mürren. For a snowshoe hike. Total relaxation? Only almost. Samichlous feels his old bones on the Chänelegg Trail. But fortunately he's in no hurry. He pauses again and again to enjoy the view. Samichlous has a raclette in his rucksack. He prepares the Swiss cheese speciality on a bench in front of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. A culinary delicacy against an impressive mountain backdrop - it doesn't get any better than this.
Buying presents at the Christmas market
On the way back from snowshoeing, Samichlous makes a stop in Lauterbrunnen. For good reason. The Christmas market is taking place here today. It's pretty cold in the valley of the 72 waterfalls. But the Samichlous is only cold for a short time. He receives a delicious punch at the very first stand. He savours it in front of the beautifully decorated Christmas tree. The Christmas market in Lauterbrunnen mainly offers local products. From homemade candles to delicious mulled wine. From handmade jewellery to cheese from local farmers. Samichlous seizes the opportunity and buys a few presents for his loved ones. After all, Christmas is not far away. Yes, the detour to Lauterbrunnen was more than worth it. Not just because of the Christmas market. The Samichlous thinks the famous backdrop alone, with the church and the Staubbachfall Waterfall in the background, is worth a visit. Do you agree with him?
Hit the slopes
Samichlous has been looking forward to this for days. Today is the day. He can finally hit the ski slopes of the Jungfrau Region. But where? Samichlous is spoiled for choice. He has four ski resorts to choose from in the Jungfrau Region. He opts for the Grindelwald-Wengen ski area Even the journey there is a highlight. Samichlous has never seen such a modern terminal. He takes the Eiger Express from Grindelwald Terminal to the Eiger Glacier. The journey takes just 15 minutes past the north face of the Eiger - and he is already at 2320 meters above sea level, in the middle of the ski area. But Samichlous wants to go even higher. He takes the chairlift up to the Lauberhorn. Minutes later, he is standing in the starting house of the notorious Lauberhorn downhill run 3, 2, 1 - and off he goes down the rapid descent. Samichlous confidently carves his first turns in the snow. On the way, he is constantly overwhelmed by the impressive mountain scenery. The morning goes by at breakneck speed. And yes, skiing makes you hungry. At the chalet bar on Kleine Scheidegg, he treats himself to a delicious cheese slice for lunch. Freshly fortified, he then heads back onto the slopes - with a selfie stick. Yes, people were really looking at him. The longer the afternoon goes on, the more exuberant Samichlous becomes. He skis backwards, tries out tricks, jumps over jumps. Until the inevitable happens. The Samichlous crashes...
The Samichlous in après-ski
Samichlous has a stroke of luck - and survived the fall unscathed. But he has had enough of skiing for today. However, he has been told that a proper day's skiing also includes après-ski. And so Samichlous heads to a bar, Frankie's Bar. He orders a beer and soaks up the good atmosphere. He soon feels like dancing too. And once Samichlous gets going...
But he also realises that he is no longer twenty. Dancing after a whole day on skis, including a fall, makes you pretty tired. Samichlous treats himself to a break - and almost forgets the time. Until the alarm on his mobile phone brings him back to reality. It's Christmas - and children in many countries around the world are waiting for his presents. He leaves the bar head over heels. But he promises: "That wasn't my last visit to the Jungfrau Region. I'll be back. I promise. It's too beautiful here."
