Ski Holidays in Adelboden, Switzerland

Snow report issued:	6th Feb 12
Last snowed:	3rd Feb 12
Fresh snow depth:	5cm
Depth at resort:	70cm
Mountain depth:	220cm
Piste state:
Excellent (Great skiing thanks to the recent snowfalls)
Weather report:
Overcast skies
Temperature:	-14°C
Open lifts:	56 of 57

View Adelboden snow history

Slope Direction	NW, NE
Very Easy Runs	1
Easy Runs	40
Medium Runs	50
Difficult Runs	14
Toughest Run Name
Skiable Vertical	1022m
Number Of Lifts	56
Top Lift Height	2362m
Night Skiing	Y
Snowboarding Parks	3
Half Pipes	0
Swimming Pools	4
Night Clubs	2
Mountain Restaurants	47

Zürich:	2 hours
Geneva:	2 hours and 30 minutes

The ski school offers lessons from Monday to Friday with sessions lasting about three hours. The ski school operates a bus and lessons begin at the tourist centre. Tickets (which are best purchased the day before) include use of special beginner lifts so you do not need to purchase a full area lift ticket from day one if you are a complete beginner.

With more than 20 high speed chair lifts, gondolas and cable cars it's easy to get around Adelboden's huge ski area which stretches for more than 10km (six miles) as the crow flies to Lenk, with runs up to seven kilometres (four and a half miles) long. Night time skiing on Chuenisbärgli takes place every Friday in February and is free for multi-day lift ticket holders. The pistes are open from 7pm to 9.45pm.

With 14 black runs covering more than 20km (13 miles) of piste, Adelboden has well above average attractions for the advanced skier. These are multiplied by numerous off-piste routes available to be tackled with a local mountain guide.

The Alpine School Adelboden runs tour weeks of the high elevation, Engstligenalp which enjoys snow from December to mid-May. It is the largest high plateau in the western Swiss Alps. To the North is the Fitzer mountain, to the West the Ammerten peak, to the South West the Wildstrubel dominates and in the North East lies the Aetelen Ridge. Fully-qualified mountain guides explain how to assess the avalanche situation, operate the avalanche rescue device, improve ski technique and how to measure the mountain gradient. Having climbed to the top of one of the surrounding mountains, you can enjoy the magnificent view before skiing back through deep snow to Engstligenalp.

Adelboden always has a lot of major snowboarding events each winter, centred on the resort's highly regarded Gran Masta Park. Located in the Hahnenmoos sector, the park offers different lines with rails and jumps designed for all ability levels from beginners to experts. The park is well maintained by a dedicated team led by Dänu Kaufmann and has recently had local toilets and a new chill out zone added. The Official Snowboard School Adelboden offers "sampler" courses, private and group tuition at all levels. It was the first boarding-only school in the Swiss canton of Bern to open, back in 1992. The school is located next to Crazy Sports which rents out all required gear.

Dog sledding is available with dog driver Markus Röthlisberger who has set up winter home with his four-legged friends on Engstligenalp.

From the end of December to the end of February, a two kilometre long cross country ski trail in Boden (near Adelboden) is floodlit from 6.30pm to 9.30pm every Monday and Wednesday. The route is perfect for beginners and the Snow Sports School Adelboden organises private lessons on request. Other activities include paragliding, sleigh rides, snowshoeing and curling.

The main indoor leisure centre is the sports centre at neighbouring Frutigen. This has a 25 metre long main pool for swimmers, a large multi-function pool, a children's fun pool with a small slide and a whirlpool for 12 people, with a relaxation room where people have a beautiful view over the mountains. Frutigen is also home to an indoor horse riding centre.

The Alte Taverne has built a long standing reputation for top bands in a cosy, informal venue. Here you will find everything from the little known genre of Bernese Hip-Hop group to pop hits parties and rock performers. The Berna Bar in the Hotel Bernerhof is another popular choice and the ARTE bar is an interesting venue combining works of art with a bar serving rum, whiskies, port and fine wines, to provide an experience of artistic ambience.

Adelboden's restaurants offer a choice of dining from fast food to gourmet, The Bodenhuettli is a homely restaurant where you can enjoy fresh "wood oven" pizzas. The Baren serves local and international dishes in a cosy dining lounge and has a choice of 160 wines in their cellar to choose from to accompany your meal. The Beau Site has a rustic dining area with gourmet lounge.

The village of cosy chalet style buildings is particularly popular with families - indeed Adelboden has won the accolade "Families Welcome" from the Swiss Tourist Board for its children-friendly infrastructure and range of activities for its younger guests. The award results from many initiatives across the resort, but some of the more unique include bedtime stories read on Monday nights, family sledging evenings and even bakery for children aged six and older in the Haueter bakery on Wednesday afternoons.

There is no non-ski nursery for babies but the children's club run by the Swiss Snowsports School Adelboden is suitable for all children from three to five years old. Especially popular are the children's races and of course the children's parties. Children aged from four years upwards are welcome to join the day or week long ski classes organised by the school.