Sörenberg

The views from the top of the Brienzer Rothorn cable car over the Jungfrau and the long black run back down to the car park (and bus stop) are the highlights of this resort. In a seperate area there are plenty of pleasant, mostly flattish blue runs down the valley, about an hour by train and bus, or car, south of Luzern.

Brienzer Rothorn
Ski Area Sörenberg
Resorts Sörenberg, Schönenboden, Eisee, Brienzer Rothorn, Flühli
Ski Region Central Switzerland
Piste (km) 50
Top run (m) 2350
Bottom (m) 1166
Max Drop 1184
Snow’n’Rail Y
Black (km) 10
Red (km) 20
Blue (km) 20
Lifts (#/hr) 20000
My Rating 4
Alpine 2
SnowPark 1
Nordic 3
Hiking 2
Family 2
Apres Ski 1
Free Ride Y
Snow making Y
Fun park Y
Snow park
Half pipes
Spa

In Brief

The ski area in the village is pleasant enough, from 1166m to 1690m, with too many t-bars, but fortunately a gondola and pair of linked modern chairlifts can get you around most of the resort. The runs are all blue and red and below the tree line so the area makes for an enjoyable area for intermediates and beginners. The village itself follows the ski runs, so you are likely to find convenient eating, accommodation and public transport if you stick to the village.

The real treat of Sörenberg, however, is the Brienzer Rothorn. I didn’t find a direct bus service to the cable car, but the link to the bus from Schupfheim at Sörenberg Post is seamless. You can also use a trail (it only works one way) from the village ski area to ski and snowboard across – keep your speed up if you don’t want to walk too many sections. The cable car dumps you in a long, long tunnel but when you emerge at 2350m you have one of the best viewpoints in the Alps. Absolutely stunning, and it won’t go away – the view across the Jungfrau can be seen from many vantage points. The skiing off the Rothorn is strictly for experienced skiers – skinny reds and a long, sometimes steep, black valley run interspersed with some very pleasant skiing. Which is good, because there is only (in effect) one place for food and drink on the whole mountain and the valley station has no facilities at all. Aside from the cable car there is only one old chairlift and a t-bar, but it is still a must-visit ski and snowboard area. There are the views, the vertical drop (2350-1265m), a few great reds, some challenging mogul runs and limited but respectable off-piste.

Sörenberg is popular with locals for good reason. Not a perfect resort, but with plenty of positives.

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Hoch-Ybrig

In the heart of the most traditional Swiss canton is one of its oldest ski areas and the location of the very first Swiss Ski School. Hoch-Ybrig has a loyal following of friendly regulars and day-trippers from Zurich, less than two hours away by a combination of train and bus (via Wädenswil and Einsiedeln), and little more than an hour by car. There is enough variety to justify a day’s outing for skiers or snowboarders, on and off piste – particularly after a good dump.

Ski Area Hoch-Ybrig
Resorts Hoch, Ybrig, Oberiberg
Ski Region Central Switzerland
Piste (km) 50
Top run (m) 1820
Bottom (m) 1050
Max Drop 770
Snow’n’Rail Y
Black (km) 8
Red (km) 22
Blue (km) 15
Lifts (#/hr) 13000
My Rating 4
Alpine 3
SnowPark 3
Nordic 2
Hiking 1
Family 2
Apres Ski 2
Free Ride Y
Snow making Y
Fun park Y
Snow park
Half pipes
Spa

In Brief

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Leukerbad

Leukerbad has some beautiful skiing and stunning scenery, and the bonus of the wonderful spas in the village make it a perfect escape for relaxed skiers. The Torrentbahn up to the main ski area can get busy at weekends – the answer is to start early or wait until after lunch. For beginners there’s Park Erli nursery slopes in the village itself.

Ski Area Leukerbad
Resorts Leukerbad
Ski Region Valais
Piste (km) 52
Top run (m) 2700
Bottom (m) 1411
Max Drop 1289
Snow’n’Rail Y
Black (km) 17
Red (km) 25
Blue (km) 8
Lifts (#/hr) 12000
My Rating 4
Alpine 3
SnowPark 2
Nordic 3
Hiking 2
Family 5
Apres Ski 3
Free Ride Y
Snow making Y
Fun park Y
Snow park
Half pipes
Spa Y

In Brief

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Anzère

This small, sunny, south-facing resort half an hour from Sion was established in 1965 and provides very pleasant cruising for intermediates – it doesn’t get too busy so it is perfect for weekend skiing, although sadly not yet part of the Snow’n’Rail scheme.

Ski Area Anzère
Resorts Anzère
Ski Region Valais
Piste (km) 52
Top run (m) 2462
Bottom (m) 1500
Max Drop 962
Snow’n’Rail  
Black (km) 5
Red (km) 34
Blue (km) 3
Lifts (#/hr) 10750
My Rating 4
Alpine 2
SnowPark 3
Nordic 3
Hiking 4
Family 4
Apres Ski 4
Free Ride Y
Snow making Y
Fun park Y
Snow park  
Half pipes  
Spa  

In Brief

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