As snow melts, you can ski on grass!

This content was published on April 14, 2018 11:00 AMApr 14, 2018 - 11:00

You don't necessarily have to have snow to race down the slopes on skis – grass skiing on green pastures can be similarly exhilarating. 

The best in the world glide across the meadows at a speed of 90 kilometres per hour, on special skis, which have grooves like tracked vehicles.

Grass skiing is practiced at three locations in Switzerland. The regional training bases are in Bömmeli/Urnäsch (Appenzell), Goldingen (St. Gallen) and Escholzmatt/Marbach in Lucerne, where national competitions take place. 

Grass skiing competitions are held mainly in the disciplines of Slalom, Giant Slalom and Super G. Together with Austria, Italy and the Czech Republic, Switzerland is one of the world leaders in this curious sport.

Skiing on grass was established in Germany in the 1960s to give athletes the opportunity to train during snow-free periods. 

It has remained a marginal sport, but according to the grass skiing association (Grasskiverband), global warming and the lack of snow could well increase its popularity in the future.

The citizens' meeting

The citizens' meeting