MONSTERS OF THE ALPS
1
Start your journey in the Blaue
Stube exhibition, owned by
Heinrich, Ruth and Agnes
Rieder, which houses a vast
collection of masks and costumes
in an old residential building in
Wiler, and delves into the history
of the carnival. Heinrich’s shop is
nearby; pop in to pick up a rather
unusual souvenir and perhaps
see him at work on a mask.
2
Try your hand at making
your own mask at a carving
workshop in Ferden. Over
three hours you’ll whittle, chisel
and scrape at a wooden
template under instruction from
an experienced woodworker.
Once you’ve added hair and
teeth, the creation is yours to take
home (£40).
3
The Tschägättäprocession
takes place on Thursday 28
February this year, starting
in Blatten at around 8pm and
ending in Ferden. A good place
to sit out the cold beforehand,
and knock back some glühwein,
isZumfröhlichenJassinBlatten,
near the start of the procession.
Expect assaults by monsters at
least once while you wait. There
are food stalls and bars along
the route, and much general
merriment on the streets once the
procession has officially ended.4
If you need a break from
terrifying creatures, take
the cable car up the
mountain from Wiler to the ski
resort above the valley. There are
various runs at the top, as well as
tobogganing, hiking and
snowshoe routes. If that all
sounds too strenuous, you can
just admire the view.5
For a fuller picture of the
region’s history (and some
terrific early masks), head
to the Lötschental Museum in
Kippel. The history museum has
displays on farm and local life
in the valley.6
The daytime carnival is
on Saturday 2 March in
Wiler. This is a more
family-friendly event, and the
streets will be busy. The whole
thing ends in the sports hall,
with a prize presentation for
the best monsters.For more information on
all of the activities above,
visit loetschental.ch.)*&)ä($ ,"
One of the many brass musicians
taking part in the parade on the last
SaturdayofTschägättä,forwhich
each band wears a different,
distinctive costume