Parsenn Derby

The world's first T-bar ski lift was put into operation at the foot of the Jakobshorn in Davos on Christmas 1934. Ten years earlier, the Parsenn Derby, which is now the most traditional ski race in Switzerland, took place: the story begins in 1924 with a race for men and women from the Parsennfurka to Küblis. At the suggestion of the English spa guest Fred W. Edlin, the event was organized by the two Davos ski clubs: the Ski Club Davos and the Davos English Ski Club. Edlin himself was a member of the Ski Club of Great Britain, had come to Davos years earlier as a spa guest and discovered the suitability of the Parsenn area for alpine skiing.

The winner of the first derby completed the course in 22 minutes and 27 seconds, while the fastest woman needed 35 minutes and 37 seconds. The race was a success and was to be held annually from then on. Due to unfavourable weather conditions, however, the second derby could not be held until three years later. Since then, it has taken place every year, with a few interruptions.

Until the Parsennbahn was completed, all participants had to climb over the Wolfgang Pass to the Parsennfurka. The starting point was moved several times over the course of history - until it was finally held on the Weissfluh summit for women and men in 1933 and on the watershed below the Weissfluhjoch for the general category. The women were accommodated at the finish: for them, the ski safari ended at the Conterser Schwendi, while the men had to continue on to Küblis.

Until 1942, participants could choose their own route. However, when Edy Rominger achieved a time of under 14 minutes for the first time by taking a summit shortcut, two compulsory gates were required on the Wasserscheide and in Schwendi. In comparison, today there are 35 gates halfway through the route. There was no actual piste back then. Everyone chose their own route, which was around 13 km long. This remained the case until the invention of piste machines.

Since the introduction of the Ski World Cup in 1967, the Parsenn Derby has lost international importance - today it is primarily a popular race in which amateur ski racers and prominent ex-ski racers take part. Names on the winners' board include Nando Pajarola, Jos Minsch, Walter Vesti, Urs Lehmann, Martina Accola and Kristian Ghedina, who was the first Italian to win the derby in 2002. For organizational and weather-related reasons, the route has been shortened in recent times. Since 1998, the finish has been at Erezsäss. And since 2000, a team race has also been held, with each team consisting of four runners. More information about the Parsenn Derby can be found on the Davos Ski Club website.