What’s on: Snowy insanity, festivals and Irish fun

Ski cross week, Grindelwald & Meiringen-Hasliberg, through March 14

For the third year running, this event unleashes hordes of daredevils on skis. This year brings 150 athletes from more than 20 countries. How many of them are eager for a rematch after the Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver?

Schlaraffia gourmet festival, Weinfelden, March 11-14

Fine wine isn’t the only thing on the menu in Weinfelden in Canton Thurgau this weekend. Expect beer and a smorgasbord of sweet and savoury foods to sample, plus cooking demonstrations, kitchen gadgets and cookbooks.

Wood fair, Bulle, March 12-14

If you can do it with wood, you’ll see evidence of it at Salon Bois. Nearly 70 exhibitors will share their expertise on furniture, building techniques and heating systems. Meanwhile, another 20 stands are geared toward craftsmen.

Carnival, Orbe, March 12-14

Bringing up the rear on the carnival agenda: the French-speaking town of Orbe. So if you haven’t had your fill of wild costumes, parades, “Guggen” music and the excuse to dance on tabletops, now’s your chance to indulge once more in 2010.

Nendaz Freeride, March 12-17

Who needs half-pipes? This freeride contest is for snowboarders as well as skiers, both male and female. Its category winners qualify automatically for the Freeride World Tour’s “X’treme of Verbier” – the big finale on March 20.

Crans-Montana Snow Games, March 13-14

Some crazy stuff is in store in Crans-Montana this weekend. Its winter sports disciplines include the “Big Air Jam Session,” “Snowblades Cross,” “Water Slide Contest” and the promising-sounding “Elastic Man Contest.”

International film festival, Fribourg, March 13-20

The annual Fribourg International Film Festival promotes quality films while bringing cinematic and cultural diversity to Switzerland and Europe. For this reason, most of the films featured are from Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Classical music festival, Interlaken, March 13 to April 5

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Interlaken Classics festival. Its motto is, “Meet the stars of tomorrow today.” The festival provides the opportunity to enjoy internationally-acclaimed youth orchestras as well as famous performers.

International jazz festival, Bern, March 13 to May 22

For the past 35 years, this festival has been bringing top international jazz musicians to the heart of Switzerland. Several venues are hosting concerts as part of the ten-week festival, including Kursaal Bern and Marian’s Jazzroom.

St. Patrick’s Day fun

Guinness sale and live music, Mr. Pickwick pubs, through March 17

Mr. Pickwick may be British, but he knows how to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. The Swiss pub chain is selling “buy three, get one free” beer passes for Guinness this month, and there’s live Irish music at some pubs on March 17.

The Cranberries, Zurich, March 17

After a seven-year break, this Irish quartet is back on tour. As luck would have it, they’re playing Zurich’s Hallenstadion on St. Patrick’s Day. The playlist includes Cranberries classics as well as solo material from singer Dolores O’Riordan.

”Treasures of Ireland,” Lucerne, March 19

Château Gütsch extends the St. Patrick’s Day spirit with an Irish-themed event. Its “treasures” include live music with Brendan Wade and Brendan Walsh, a “Riverdance”-style dance show, a four-course Irish menu and whisky tasting.