Kandersteg Skiing Holidays

• Kandersteg Resort Statistics+

  Slope Direction
  Very Easy Runs	0
  Easy Runs	3
  Medium Runs	4
  Difficult Runs	0
  Toughest Run Name
  Skiable Vertical	820m
  Number Of Lifts	7
  Top Lift Height	2000m
  Night Skiing	N
  Snowboarding Parks	1
  Half Pipes	0
  Swimming Pools	2
  Night Clubs	1
  Mountain Restaurants	3

• Kandersteg Piste Map+

  

• Kandersteg Transfer Times+

  Zürich + Geneva:	4 hours
  Bern:	1 hour and 30 minutes

Kandersteg is one of the most picturesque ski resorts in Switzerland, having maintained its traditional chalet architecture when many well known Swiss resorts have been somewhat blighted by twentieth century concrete developments.

To add to the resort's appeal, the surrounding mountain scenery is particularly beautiful, making Kandersteg one of the world's best destinations for those seeking an unspoilt, traditional Alpine ski holiday. Even the locals are relaxed and friendly.

What Kandersteg doesn't have is extensive skiing, so it is a best choice for beginners and early intermediates who are not bothered about clocking up hundreds of piste kilometres during the week. The skiing is divided in to two smaller-still ski areas, the bases of which are linked by a ski bus service.

Accessed by gondola or cable car from the end of the resort at Sunnbuel or Oeschinen, each has a few drag lifts serving easy and intermediate slopes at each area. Mirroring the offer of ski resorts a century ago it instead offers a wide range of non-mechanised snow sports such as walking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, sledging and climbing.

• Beginners+

  Sunnbüel, with runs peaking at 2000m, offers a snowsure beginners area, with two special drag lifts reserved for beginners. By the end of your first week you should be able to ski the long blue back down to the village. With only six kilometers of mostly gentle runs it's a lovely unintimidating area in beautiful scenery in which to learn to ski.

• Intermediates+

  Intermediates who do not need large quantities of groomed piste will enjoy the limited opportunities in Kandersteg's two ski areas. Runs are up to four-and-a-half kilometres (three miles) long and there's snowmaking right down to the valley, covering virtually all of the pistes.
  
  An area lift ticket includes the Lauchernalp ski area in the Lötschen valley, which has pistes for beginner to expert level skiers. The lifts carry up to 5600 people per hour. There are several cosy mountain restaurants.
  
  The combined ski-pass for Oeschinen, Sunnbüel and Lauchernalp allows free use of the ski-buses and the train through to the Lötschen valley, and buses and trains to this third and slightly larger area.

• Advanced+

  Although not a natural choice for experts looking for steep groomed runs, Kandesteg does have one long black of note, descending 600 vertical metres down from the top of the Sunnbüel cable car. The area is also the starting point for many ski tours in the Gemmi and Wildstrubel area, which a local guide can take you to.
  
  There are also good rail inks to some of Switzerland's leading resorts including Saas Fee, Zermatt and the Jungfrau resorts of Grindelwald and Wengen making day trips feasible.

• Snowboarding+

  Facilities for snowboarders are limited to the small terrain park which is built when there's adequate snow cover. Otherwise there are good learning opportunities courtesy of the local snowboarding school and the chance for free riding off the marked pistes.

• Other Activities And Facilities+

  There's probably more to do off the slopes than on in Kandersteg, which has dozens of activities available, many through its hotels, four of which have indoor pools. You will also find venues for bowling, billiards, darts and fitness centres. Health spa services include massage, saunas, pedicure and cosmeticians. Sightseeing flights and paragliding are also available above.
  
  A guest card provided free to anyone staying in the resort gives 10 - 30 percent savings for most activities.
  
  Out on the snow and ice there's curling, skating, ice climbing, snowshoeing and cleared winter hiking trails. Lakes in the area are a paradise for ice-fishing.
  
  There's a sledge run in the lower part of the "Oeschiwald" ski area (length 800m) which is floodlit every evening from 20.00 - 22.00. There is a longer exciting sledge run from lake Oeschinen to Kandersteg (length 3.5 km).
  
  The Lötschberg region offers the third largest cross-country ski region in Switzerland. Up to 90 km of prepared pistes are available daily, including the high mountain pistes at the Sunnbüel. There are also floodlit pistes in Kandersteg and Kippel open until late in the evening.

• Apres Ski And Dining Out+

  Most of the local watering holes are hotel based. The Hollenbar Gampel is one of the leading nightspots in the village with The High Moon Pub in the Hotel Alfa Soleil also popular. The Hotel zur Post has a bar and bowling alleys.
  
  There are more than 20 places to eat ranging from pizza options up to gourmet. In the latter category Au Gourmet in the Waldhotel Doldenhorn offers creative local specialities, and the restaurants in the five star Royal Park Hotel are Michelin Guide listed.

• Families+

  A beautiful location for a high quality family ski holiday. The Children's Paradise "Oeschiland" ski kindergarten at Oeschinen accepts children for ski classes from age three years old. However be aware that this usually only operates for two hours in the morning except in peak season when it may also operate for two hours in the afternoon. Babysitters can be arranged in the village but the cost is high for more than a few hours.