Snowshoeing, Cross Country Skiing and Ice Climbing in Kandersteg
One winter, we took the cable car, Luftseilbahn, up to the Sunnbuel plateau and did some cross-country (primarily flat) on the high alpine 5-12 km/3.1-7 mile loops. There are restaurants at the top of Sunnbuel, Schwarenbach and back country ski tourers can go as far as Hotel Wildstrubel at the Gemmipass or up and over other mountains. I would definitely advise taking a guide with you. Kandersteg also clears walking paths, winterwanderweg, in the winter up on this plateau. Cross country skiing was beyond glorious on a sunny day with avalanche booms ricocheting off the mountains every now and then, far from the very safe skiing loops. Incredible and heavy snow on the Alps, frozen waterfalls and lots of people enjoying the beauty and fun. Our stay at Hotel Schweizerhof even included a cheese fondue party on top of Sunnbuel one evening for its guests. Fun!
Other cross country choices are:
- The well-prepared cross-country tracks that stretch from one end of Kandersteg to the other ranging from 3-14km/1.8-8.7 miles including a night trail illuminated from 6 to 9 p.m. in the evening;
- Up into the Oeschinwald (forest)...View image;
- A difficult black loop (hardest) on the Allmenalp; and
- The 30km/18 miles of marked trails in the Lotschental Valley (see article on the Lotschental).
Cross country skiers have to buy a trail pass that ranges in price from CHF 8 for a one day pass to CHF 30 for a one week pass. The fee helps maintain the trails and are sold at the trailheads or Tourist Office.
If Ice Climbing is your sport, Kandersteg is reputed to be one of the most famous ice-climbing areas in the world. There are waterfalls that range in difficulty from simple to classic routes. Climb in the Oeschi Forest, the Allmenalp Waterfall, Sunnbuel with shorter, easy waterfalls, and long tours in the Gastern Valley. There is also a yearly ice climbing Festival, usually in January. Now that would be something to see!
There are also 55kms/34 miles of tracked winter hiking paths, sleigh rides, sledge runs, ski jumping (I'll pass on that one along with the ice climbing), or just shop, sit around and do nothing. Whatever you decide to do in the Winter or Summer, Kandersteg is your place. (Swiss saver flexipass)
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