There are still a few weeks to go, but Christmas came early to the Swiss Alps today – in the form of multiple skiing Santa Clauses and St Nicholases.
Obviously there’s only one real Father Christmas, so any children witnessing the blur of red that whizzed down the slopes at Verbier needn’t be alarmed.
The occasion marked the ski season’s opening day – and saw men (in fake white beards) and women (also in fake white beards) turn up in their droves to celebrate.
Christmas came early to the Swiss Alps today – with thousands of skiing Santa Clauses and St Nicholases
Men, woman and children dressed in character to celebrate the opening of the ski season at Verbier
Now in its fourth year, the event has proved very popular, especially since the resort offers a daily pass to every skier who comes dressed in character
Last year, just over people 1,200 took part – but this year, that record was smashed with 2,656 St Nicholases/Father Christmases in attendance
This makes it the largest gathering of the great bearded one ever in Switzerland – as certified by a representative from Guinness World Records, according to verbier.ch
In the absence of magic reindeer and a sleigh, these Santas had no choice but to take the chair lift to the summit
Children – some wearing St Nick’s mitre and holding a crook – were also seen smiling for the cameras.
Now in its fourth year, the event has proved very popular, especially since the resort offers a daily pass to every skier who comes dressed in character.
Last year, just over people 1,200 took part – but this year, that record was smashed with 2,656 St Nicholases/Father Christmases in attendance.
This makes it the largest gathering of the great bearded one ever in Switzerland – as certified by a representative from Guinness World Records, according to verbier.ch.
As an extra incentive, those who booked in advance could travel for free on a special train from Geneva.
Meanwhile, winter fuel for the participants came in the form of free coffee and croissants.
As an extra incentive, those who booked in advance could travel for free on a special train from Geneva
Meanwhile, winter fuel for the participants came in the form of free coffee and croissants
All present and correct for a day of fun and snow action in the Swiss Alps
Stopping for a pho-ho-ho-to. If only there had been elves present, they could have had an ‘elfie…