Lauberhorn Winter Event – Switzerland
Wharfedale Pro XLA and WLA Systems Conquer Extreme Alpine Conditions at Lauberhorn.
This year’s Lauberhorn winter event in Switzerland featured a Wharfedale Pro sound system across key race and hospitality zones, with XLA and WLA series line arrays selected to deliver clear announcements and controlled music coverage in one of Europe’s most demanding outdoor environments. The system was supplied and deployed by Stagepro Technical Solutions S.R.L of Studen, Switzerland, working together with Swiss distributor Sacher Music.
High altitude, sub-zero temperatures and wind exposure defined the brief. With operating conditions between –15°C and –20°C and wind risk planning up to 150 kph, the audio design prioritised intelligibility, stability and consistent coverage across multiple audience areas.
On the main slope, Wharfedale Pro XLA series arrays formed the core PA system, projecting race commentary and programme audio across exposed open areas. The configuration was designed to maintain vocal clarity and tonal balance despite changing weather and wide listener distribution.
In the lower arena, pairs of WLA-112 clusters covered around 1,500 spectators, providing focused coverage for announcements and music while keeping levels controlled and even across the audience zone.
The VIP hospitality tent required a different approach. Here, Stagepro Technical Solutions S.R.L deployed a flown combination of XLA and WLA-112 elements around the main screen structure to achieve smooth, even coverage within the enclosed space. This allowed speech to remain highly intelligible while music added energy and atmosphere without becoming intrusive or tiring for guests.
Amplification across the site was handled by Wharfedale Pro DP-2200N and DP-4100N amplifiers, offering Dante® control, monitoring and reliable output under continuous load. System transport and rigging logistics were also challenging, with subwoofers being removed from the mountain by helicopter after the event build-down!
Feedback from the organising team confirmed a marked improvement compared with previous years.
“At this year’s Girmschbiel, we had a setup for the first time that really met both our information needs and created the right atmosphere,” said a member of the organising committee. “The announcements were consistently clear, and music could be used effectively without being distracting. Compared to previous years, the acoustic result is clearly a step forward.”
Technical evaluation on site was equally positive:
“The Wharfedale Pro system deployed here clearly positions itself in the top tier of its performance class. It offers precise system tuning, remains consistently stable even under demanding load conditions, and delivers a highly detailed and intelligible reproduction of both speech and music. In a venue like this, such performance is far from a given.”
Stagepro Technical Solutions S.R.L has previously deployed Wharfedale Pro WLA systems at other major Swiss mountain events, and this latest Lauberhorn installation further demonstrates how scalable XLA and WLA solutions can deliver dependable, high-clarity results in extreme alpine conditions.
