Leukerbad luxury ski vacation review

Leukerbad Skiing at Glance:
Vertical 4,000’
Summit Elevation 2610 Meters, 8,500 Feet
50 kilometers of prepared slopes
7 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.

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 “après ski.” Strolling Leukerbad’s ancient alpine village is always a pleasant event.

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. 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.

Leukerbad is a ski area that you 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.

Leukerbad has plentiful off-piste in a good snow season, including two marked (yellow) ungroomed runs. Plus there are beautiful winter-wandering trails and a sledding run. 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.

Leukerbad’s on mountain chalets include the modern glass self-service Panoramic Rinderhutte, an umbrella bar, and Chalet Briand at the gondi mid-station.

For an exciting end to your ski day, it’s a challenging twisty turny black diamond trail #15 of switchbacks through a tunnel back to Leukerbad village– if you don’t stop for a Glühwein at Weid Stűbli hut in the sun near the base.

Gemmi is another cable car across valley 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.

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 with wonderful food, neat Swiss alpine rooms with balconies, a ski room, and a wonderful family of generational owners.

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, including Crans Montana, Anzère, Grimentz -Zinal, St Luc Chandolin, and more. Many in the region are also on The Magic Pass like Leukerbad is making for an excellent 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.