We loved the Hotel Waldhaus at Leukerbad for a luxury ski getaway. Located in the heart of Leukerbad, just 100 yards from the Cable Car on the skiers’ “Promenade”, you can ski directly back to the door. This classic family-owned chalet hotel offers modern services, with old-world charm. We were warmly greeted by Evelyne and the next generation – her son Joshua and his mate Lorenzo who were all helpful, gracious, and proud of their place.
Waldhaus location is perfect, with incredible scenery of Leukerbad’s rock cliffs, waterfalls and surrounding peaks. The classic Swiss hotel is also a short walk to the ancient village and Spas.
Waldhaus is an historic wood chalet hotel – but with splendid amenities and enhancements. Skis are stored downstairs along with ski boots in a boot drying room with cozy sheepskin covered benches to start and end your ski preparation.
Our Waldhaus room on the 3rd floor was alpine chic, clean and neat, with a spectacularly scenic balcony to view the morning sunrise over the mountains and Alpen glow each evening. A fluffy down duvet, robes and nice bath amenities delivered the right touch of luxury while still being cozy including a bench seating area with carved wooden table.
Our Waldhaus Hotel reservation included half board – which turned out to be over-the-top cuisine with a nightly 6-course gourmet dinner in their chic Restaurant Waldhaus, adorned in wood, stone and red velvet. I loved the glass floor offering a peak at their extensive wine cellar below, Greg loved the Alps view from our window table. Breakfast and dinner are served in this sophisticated scenic dining room which is popular with the local public too, but hotel guests receive the best reserved seating.
Our first night’s dinner started with shrimp wrapped in potato, followed by the freshest salad and homemade soup, entrée of braised deer, and apple strudel dessert – wow! Our next evening, we started with local ham wrapped fresh melon, artful bacon-wrapped pork filet mignon with delicious sauces, and a fantastically decadent warm chocolate fondant cake and Irish coffee to conclude our feast. Evelyne’s husband is Master Chef Harald, and his passion for his Hotel and his cuisine are evident.
No surprise that Waldhaus is a Swiss Guild cuisine award-winning restaurant. We felt the Swiss “Gemutlichkeit”- love this expression that describes a feeling of warmth, friendliness, and good cheer, and we experienced some of the best food in Switzerland here.
A perfectly convenient and fun après ski option at Waldhaus is their cool “Pischür” sunny outdoor terrace and bar with a view of the ski slope end and the entire valley. The Lounge is named for the Pishur waterfall in view. Skiers gravitate to this spot for a Glühwein (hot spiced wine), or aperitif on their way back to the village, while kids play in the snow in sight. Its chic with sheepskin covered couches and inviting tables, and welcoming.
Our hospitality and dinner at Waldhaus was the perfect end to our ski days after a visit to the Leukerbad thermal bath – Walliser Alpentherme, a 2 minute walk away – one of three thermal bath spa facilities in Leukerbad where the hot springs date back to their discovery by the Romans! They came, they conquered, they soaked …
Mornings at Waldhaus, a lovely breakfast buffet is spread – breads, pastries, local meats and cheese, granola and yogurt plus fruit. We enjoyed our breakfast, petite dejeuner, or frühstück in this German speaking region of Switzerland. We were replete and stoked for first tram – just a short walk from the ski room to the Tram Torrent. You won’t find a closer hotel than Waldhaus to the ski tram, it’s a 100-yard walk to the ski.
And at the end of your ski day, you can download the tram if you prefer not to ski Leukerbad’s black diamond run #15. We loved this interesting crazy piste that zig-zags down the mountain, including a ski tunnel, really fun. You can stop at the authentic WeidStubli, just a few turns above the Village for an aperitif or Gluhwein, or you can ski directly back to “Pischür” at Waldhaus for aprés.
Skiing Leukerbad and exploring this incredibly historic village is a highlight in the Valais and Rhone Rive valley region.
Leukerbad is two hours from Geneva. From Leukerbad, you can easily ski other Swiss ski areas, also on The Magic Pass, including Anzère, Grimentz -Zinal, St Luc Chandolin, Verocorn and others, to add to your ski safari in the Valais of Switzerland. You are also near Les 4 Vallées – Switzerland’s largest interconnected ski region – where Epic Pass holders have ski privileges.
See our Top Reasons to Ski The Swiss Alps
Top Ski Resorts in the Swiss Alps
More Switzerland Ski Reviews