Aletsch Arena – 7 tips for the winter around Bettmeralp

In between, I receive mails from blog readers who ask me for winter tips. “Which ski resort can you recommend to me”? Or “which ski resort do you like best?” Honestly, it’s a difficult question that often makes me hesitate to give a concrete answer. Why? Well, because for me it’s an individual thing whether I like a ski resort or not and I don’t want to recommend something to anyone that they don’t like at all.

The Aletsch Arena is one of the ski resorts that I like to pass on as a tip in such cases, because it has something to offer for many tastes. Whether it’s a family holiday, a day of skiing with friends, a day trip to the sun – the three destinations Riederalp, Bettmeralp, Fiescheralp (called Kühboden by the locals) offer a wide range of offers for unforgettable winter holidays. And to give you an impression of what the region has to offer, I have compiled my seven highlights from numerous ski days and weekends in the Aletsch Arena:

1. Free gondola ride to the sunny plateau

In times when the expensive ticket prices of Swiss ski resorts dominate the reporting, real added value is particularly noteworthy. The three car-free villages of Riederalp, Bettmeralp and Fiescheralp are enthroned at almost 2,000 m above sea level high above the Upper Valais on a sun-drenched plateau. If you are travelling with the GA travelcard, you benefit from free use of the Mörel-Riederalp feeder lifts, Bettmeralp valley station and Fiesch – Fiescheralp. So I can get from Zurich with the GA travelcard with two changes and a few meters walk directly up the mountain, without having to buy an expensive additional ticket. Great stuff! Of course, the Half-Fare travelcard is also valid when you buy your ticket. Ideal for winter hikers and snowshoe hikers who want to take advantage of the panorama.

2. Photograph the ultimate postcard motif – Maria Chapel on Bettmeralp

Probably the most idyllic photo motif of the Aletsch Arena is located not far from the Bettmeralp mountain station. The Maria zum Schnee chapel (funny name, in my opinion) was built at the end of the 17th century and is now surrounded by old chalets in the heart of Bettmeralp. Directly behind it is the Imhof bakery and confectionery, which is worth a stop both on foot and on skis.

3. Check out the Aletsch Glacier viewpoints

In terms of landscape, the Aletsch Arena offers a number of highlights. On the one hand, there is the view towards the Valais summit and, on the other hand, the view of the longest ice stream in the Alps and the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch. Magnificent panoramic views of the 23-kilometre-long Aletsch Glacier can be enjoyed from the Moosfluh (from Riederalp), the Bettmerhorn (from Bettmeralp) and the Eggishorn (from Fiescheralp). The so-called “View Point Ticket Aletsch” costs CHF 48 for adults. This means that all facilities with pedestrian operation, including feeder cable cars, can be used.

4. Winter hiking trails and snowshoe trails in the Aletsch Arena

For all those of you who like to put your skis aside for a day in between or are generally out and about without skis, the Aletsch Arena offers a wide range of groomed winter hiking trails and snowshoe trails. As an aid, an interactive hiking map is provided, where the tours can be filtered according to preference. For beginners, I recommend the Riederalp-Golmenegg-Goppisberg-Greich winter hiking trail or the forest promenade on Bettmeralp. Both are varied routes that can be done directly from the feeder cable cars at no additional cost. If you would like to gain insights into the fabulous world of the Aletsch Glacier away from the hustle and bustle, I recommend a snowshoe tour through the Aletsch Forest. Observe the usual precautions and only go off the marked trails with a local guide. The Aletsch Winter Hiking Pass (adults 40 CHF) includes the feeder lifts, the MGB route Mörel – Betten – Fiesch, the Hohflueh & Wurzenbord chairlifts (ascent) and the Mossfluh gondola.

5. Wedel down from the Eggishorn

The ski areas of Riederalp, Bettmeralp, Fischeralp are connected to each other. The ski pass for the entire region costs CHF 59 for adults including a feeder from valley level (with the GA travelcard – or without a feeder from the valley level – 55 CHF).

Day trips have always started from Riederalp, because it is the quickest to reach from Brig. The slopes of Riederalp and Bettmeralp are mostly easy to ski and therefore suitable for beginners. For experienced skiers, I recommend a detour to the Eggishorn to whiz down the black slope after a short stop on the wonderful summit. Gorgeous, I’ll tell you! If your stomach is rumbling after such a brilliant descent, then make a detour to the Kühboden market restaurant. The self-service restaurant is a welcome, refreshing change from the usual self-service smell we have here in Switzerland. In the market restaurant, the concept has been turned upside down. In a cosy ambience, you can enjoy freshly prepared dishes at fair prices. And um yes, we couldn’t resist and ordered burgers with fries.

6. Prepare the slope with the heroes of the night

Would you like to get a glimpse behind the scenes of a winter sports resort and experience what the many employees do day after day so that we can all whizz over perfectly groomed slopes? In the Aletsch Arena, holiday guests have the opportunity to take a ride on the Pistenbully once after closing time and experience first-hand how much work it is to prepare piste by piste for the next day.

We rode as a passenger on the Riederalp for an evening in the thickest fog and learned some interesting facts. For safety reasons, the snow groomers on the Riederalp are usually only on the road outside operating hours and only start their tour in the evening when the piste control gives the “okay”. The evening tour lasts from 5:00 PM to approximately 11:00 PM. A total of four vehicles are in use. Especially in the thickest fog, it is absolutely fascinating how the drivers find their way around. After just a few minutes, I have no idea where we are. The Chüestall restaurant serves as a point of reference. Tonight we are responsible for the middle section of the Moosfluh gondola.

From the passenger’s perspective, the steepness of the slopes is impressive. I have to hold on several times with all my strength so that I don’t end up in the front of the window. From a skier’s perspective, I’ve never seen the slopes so sloping. At around 11:00 p.m., when all the slopes are ready to go again, the Bully drivers meet at on the Rocks for a nightcap. When the snow cannons run through the night or the white splendour comes straight from the sky, the next day starts for the crew at 4:00 a.m. to get the slopes in shape for the start of operations.

At the moment, the ride-sharing offer is not yet actively advertised. If you are interested, you can contact the cable cars directly.

7. Wake up to a panoramic view of the Riederalp

Waking up with a view of a white powdered mountain world is one of the most beautiful moments on a ski holiday for me. On the Riederalp, Bettmeralp and Fiescheralp there are numerous holiday apartments in rustic chalets and hotels on offer for every taste. What they all have in common is the sun-drenched location on the south-facing slope with a view of the steep mountain slopes on the other side of the valley. We stayed at the Valais Spycher on our last visit. This chalet-style hotel is within walking distance of the Mörel-Riederalp gondola lift on the Aletsch promenade. Friendly family-run business with simple, rustic rooms and an absolutely recommendable restaurant. Be sure to try the handmade spaetzli!

Note: This trip was supported by the Aletsch Arena – thank you very much for this. As always, my readers can be sure that I always represent my views and enthusiasm here.

Merken