Leukerbad ski vacation review

Leukerbad Skiing at Glance:
Vertical 4,000’
Summit Elevation 2610 Meters, 8,500 Feet
50 kilometers of prepared slopes
8 lifts
3 on mountain chalets and restaurants
Leukerbad Web Site

Leukerbad is one of Switzerland’s most dramatic mountain valleys, surrounded by steep rocky cliffs and frozen waterfalls in winter. From Leukerbad’s spectacularly scenic ski slopes, you have views of over 20 unique 4000-meter peaks.

The ancient chalet village of Leukerbad is charming, and car-free in the center. Leukerbad is perfectly walkable, there’s a free bus as well. Leukerbad was put on the map by the Romans upon discovery of the therapeutic hot springs, now it should be on every skier’s map.

Leukerbad’s skiing is high elevation at 2610-meters, 8,500’, fun and scenic, with the bonus of hot springs at three unique bath spa facilities in the village for “après ski.” Strolling Leukerbad’s ancient alpine village is a pleasant pastime as well.

Leukerbad’s moderate size ski area is served from the base Torrent tram up 3,000’ vertical. The Flaschen gondola at another base climbs up 2,600’ vert to the same altitude. This Flaschen lift is proposed to be replaced and upgraded winter 2027. These two major lifts meet midmountain at Rinderhutte, where you have 50 kilometers of prepared (groomed) slopes, a dozen trails with mostly western exposure and a spectacular panorama.

To reach Leukerbad’s summit you jump on the 1,000’ vertical six-pack Schwalbennest chair. There’s a weird abandoned hotel mid-mountain, if you want to buy a Swiss ski hotel – good luck! Or Bon Chance as they say in Swiss French.

Leukerbad is a ski area where you may want to sleep in a bit in the morning, as the sun does not hit most of the terrain until at least 10am. There are a dozen interesting trails, plus hundreds of acres of off-piste. Several surface lifts access learn to ski terrain plus a fun park and a speed course mid mountain.

Leukerbad has plentiful off-piste in a good snow season, including two marked (yellow) ungroomed runs. Hire a guide to safely explore beyond, as there are big alpine adventures, but also big risk. There are beautiful winter-wandering trails and a long sledding run, ride the gondola up or hike, then sled down. Skiing Leukerbad for two days, we found the slopes entertaining, especially skiing all the way down to the gondola (3,500’ vertical) or Tram base for the full 4,000’ plus vertical.

For on mountain chalets for lunch, the modern glass self-service Panoramic Rinderhutte sits atop the Gondola and Tram building, with surprisingly good food and outstanding vistas. There’s also an outdoor umbrella bar here. Chalet Briand is a short ski down, located next to the gondola mid-station, offering a large panoramic deck, also self-service. Our favorite, the charming Weid Stűbli hut, is down an exciting narrow twisty ski trail from the upper mountain on your ski back toward Leukerbad village. After the “ski tunnel” you’ll come upon this classic Swiss spot serving traditional fare in the cozy chalet or out on the large sun terrace. We loved our lunches here at Weid Stűbli, so nice we went twice.

Its an exciting end to your ski day, when you ski the challenging twisty turny black diamond trail #15 of switchbacks through the ski tunnel to Leukerbad village– if you don’t decide to download the Tram. Or maybe you stop halfway along your ski descent for a Glühwein at previously mentioned Weid Stűbli.

Gemmi is another cable car across town for pedestrians, sightseers, sledders and hikers. From Leukerbad’s historic village, this Tram takes you up to a scenic plateau, and Gemmi’s summit hotel “Berghotel Wildstrubel” restaurant and day spa. Here you can walk to the Gemmi viewing platform and Lake, there are winter wandering trails and Nordic ski touring circuits.

Leukerbad’s three hot spring facilities are Leukerbad Therme – the big family-oriented spa facility with waterslides and kid pools, the more “adult” spa in an impressive glass building called Walliser Alpentherme with an outdoor mountain-view pool, and Therme 51°.

We loved staying at Hotel Waldhaus, the closest ski chalet hotel to the Torrent Tram. This family-owned chalet is cozy, sophisticated, with wonderful food, neat Swiss alpine rooms with balconies, a convenient ski room, and super friendly generational owners. Breakfast buffet and multi-course gourmet dinners were extraordinary here. Waldaus also has a chic, inviting après ski space outdoors with firetables, blankets and sheepskin, and a fun vibe with music! Otherwise, Leukerbad is rather tame on the après ski scene.

Skiing Leukerbad and exploring this incredibly historic village is a highlight in the Valais and Rhone River valley region. Leukerbad is on the Indy Pass and The Magic Pass for skiing.

Leukerbad is two hours from Geneva. From Leukerbad, you can easily ski other Swiss ski areas, including Crans Montana, Anzere, Grimentz -Zinal, St Luc Chandolin, Lauchernalp, Belalp, and more. Many ski areas in the region are on The Magic Pass like Leukerbad, making for an excellent ski safari opportunity 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.