It’s more than a century since the first ski race that attracted competitors from outside the country took place on Swiss slopes.
And it wasn’t in one of those internationally famous areas but it took place on the Gurten, the Swiss capital Bern’s local mountain.
But that was how it all began. After that first race the popularity of heading downhill on two planks spread across the wider Bernese Oberland region.
Today the Bernese Oberland, which can honestly declare itself the home of competitive winter sport, is not only home to the world’s most spectacular World Cup downhill racing course, but also a vast choice of recreational ski slopes for all sorts of skiers – be they on-piste carvers or Telemarkers or off piste ski tourers as well as snowboarders looking to freeride or hit the terrain park.
And the villages of the Bernese Oberland don’t just welcome downhillers, there are also some 350 kilometres of cross-country ski trails, a further 200 kilometres of cleared and marked winter hiking and snowshoeing trails along with lots of other winter fun activities to try like ice climbing walls or long, lift-accessed toboggan runs.
The Nature Park Gantrisch, located just outside the city of Bern, also provides the perfect opportunity to go cross country ski touring while the frozen waterfalls are also great for some ice climbing.
Kandertal with 50km of great groomed pistes and another 50km of prepared cross country trails is one of the winter sports destinations in the Bernese Oberland that encapsulates all that’s great about the region. Like all the resorts, it gives you the option to take it easy and have a relaxed winter holiday, or go for the full adrenaline experience!
There are 50km of great groomed piste here and another 50km of prepared cross country trails, plus the opportunity to go cross country ski touring in The Nature Park Gantrisch but the frozen waterfalls are also great for some ice climbing.
If you’re looking to clock up the piste kilometres then Adelboden-Lenk is Switzerland’s third-largest ski area and with 210km of groomed runs its actually one of Europe’s bigger players too. If you really want to let your hair down (whilst keeping your helmet on of course), take a viosit to the excellent Snow Park Gran Masta there.
The Jungfrau region is of course world famous for its spectacular scenery couresy of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau peaks. You can opt to have a kind of mini-city break with skiing in the town of Interlaken, known for its very affordable winter accommodation options as well as it shopping and dining scene, or up in one of the classic mountain resorts of Wengen, Mürren and Grindelwald. The area lift pass covers all the skiing and the rails and bus network between them.
Again there’s lots to do here besides that world class skiing. Skydiving, paragliding and long toboggan runs are all options, and if you want to splash out heliskiing is also available in the region.
The Haslital region is particularly well geared up for families and you can leave the kids in carefully supervised care with the Skihäsliland which is totally focused on children’s needs.
And finally for our list for now (although we could keep going on!) there’s the classic resort of Gstaad with its 250km of piste within the Saanenland. It’s an area of romantic chalet style buildings although properties range from simple mountain pensions to famous five star deluxe hotels.
You can even opt to stay in an igloo if you like in one of Gstaad’s romantic igloos, furnished with ice sculptures by international artists, these aren’t igloos from the story books as they come complete with restaurant, bar and even a hot tub!
Wherever you choose in the Bernese Oberland you’re sure to enjoy an unforgettable holiday!
For more information and offers, visit www.madeinbern.com/en
