Winter Activities
Cross-country skiing  |  Downhill skiing  |  Winter hiking  |  Winter Walking  Sledge run  |  Paragliding  |  Various

Cross-country skiing
75 km of cross-country tracks on nine different routes, both nordic and skating.  There are also cross-country tracks at Oeschinen and Sunnbuel.
Details: Kandersteg offers 75 km of cross-country skiing with varying levels of difficulty from beginner to advanced, and for the classical or skating styles.  The five circular trails, the illuminated night trail in the village, and the trails at Oeschinen and Sunnbuel (1600-2000m) ensure that skiers can always find a different route, and that snow is guaranteed.  Some trails in the village are maintained with artificial snow when necessary and special attention is given to skiers who use the skating style.

Downhill skiing
Details: Both the Oeschinen and Sunnbuel ski areas are ideal for beginners, intermediate skiers, and families.

Ski area Oeschinen (a)
1 chairlift, 2 ski lifts, 1 baby lift

Ski area Sunnbuel (b)
1 cable car, 1 ski lift, 2 baby lifts

Ski area Holiday region Lotschberg (abc)
Good skiers, who are looking for a change, can easily reach the ski area of Lauchernalp (c) in the Lotschental.

The Ski area Kandersteg is a partner of the Ski area Adelboden-Lenk-Frutigen.  New: Season tickets of the area A-L-F are also valid in Kandersteg.

Price- Skiregion Kandersteg (ab) and Skiregion Kandersteg-Lauchernalp (abc)

Winter Walking
Walking and hiking in wintry scenery is becoming increasingly popular. Isn't it wonderful to escape from the fog and the noise and find relaxation by getting some exercise "at a higher level"? Kandersteg is constantly extending its net, and is able to offer you about 55km of marked winter waling paths. It's easy to follow the blue signs with a snowman and then meander through the idyllic countryside.  On top of that, each of the eight tours is marked with a corresponding colour. We know you will understand that not all of the paths can be cleared at the same time after a strong snowfall.

Tip for winter walking:

• Water-resistant shoes with treaded soles and a cane are a big advantage when walking on snow.
• During the day, temperatures can vary very much.  Warm clothing, sunglasses, and sun cream will protect you from unpleasant surprises.
• The scenic charms of the mountains are coupled with a certain degree of danger. Therefore, never leave the marked walking paths.  Also, refrain from walking on ski runs and cross-country skiing tracks.
• Please respect the Wildlife's habitat.  To survive the hard winter, they use a lot of energy even without human influence.
• Winter can change nature into a wonderful piece of art.  So have your camera handy to record your impressions and experiences.

Niedermatti-Tour (3.3 km): duration approx. 50 min.
This simple walk leads you into one of the sunniest areas, called Niedermatti. There, when the weather is nice, you can admire the para-glider landings. On you go in the direction of the weir and finally, following the Kander bank, back to your starting point.

Filfalle-Tour (4.5 km): duration approx. 1Hr. 20 min.
This tour starts behind the railway station, and after 15 minutes leads you to the interesting run of the Kander. Along the stream, the path takes you to the International Scout Centre. Turning south, you cross the main road and walk into the wonderful area "Filfalle". Here you'll find the popular 5-km cross-country skiing trail and you can experience the charm of Nordic skiing.  Over "Ruedihubel", then alongside the BLS railway tract takes you back to the station.

Oeschi-Tour (5.8 km) duration approx. 1Hr. 30 min.
This very varied round trip takes you from the Protestant church into the area "Wildi". After only a few minutes you'll find yourself in the middle of the deeply snowed-in Oeschi forest - this little spot is really relaxing! After the sledge run starting point, you cross the Oeschi brook and walk along to the bottom terminal of the Oeschinensee chairlift. The "Oeschigassli" will take you towards the ski jump now. With a little luck, you can see the athletes "fly". The last part of the hike takes you to the Kander weir and back to where you started.

HoH-Tour (6.3 km) duration approx. 2 Hrs.
This tour starts along the Kander in the direction of the weir, then rises into the Hohwald.  After you've mastered the 140-metre difference in height, we suggest a short detour to the view point Risetenegg.  A wonderful view of the whole village of Kandersteg awaits you. The short descent back into the village follows now. We leave the Hohwald near the Waldrand ski lift and finally walk back in the direction of the railway station.

Kandersteg-Tour (12.2 km) duration approx. 3 Hrs.
This tour around Kandersteg offers a rewarding challenge. There are many highlights during this walk: the almost Nordic Oeschiwald, the unique looking point "Risetenegg", the wonderful paths along the Kander stream, the charming fields in the Filfalle area. After this walk, you return to your warm quarters with many impressions.

Kandersteg-Blausee (5.7 km.) duration approx. 1 Hr. 30 min.
Along the left bank of the Kander stream, this hike will take you to another gem of the Lotschberg Holiday Region: Blue Lake (Blausee), which lies approx. 300 m lower on the way, and at Blausee itself, you will marvel at enormous boulders, giving the area a character of its own. They came from the Fisiberg fall, about 10'000 years ago. You can see the crack where they came from on the right of the Doldenhorn today. From Blausee, after refreshments, you can return to Kandersteg simply and comfortably by bus.

Kandersteg-Gemmi Pass (12.0 km) duration approx. 3 Hrs.
After a half-hour walk, you will reach Eggenschwand and the bottom terminal of the Sunnbuel cable car, which will take you up to 1920 m.a.s.l. Now you can tackle the historic path to Gemmi Pass, which, a couple of centuries ago, used to be an important traffic connection between the cantons of Berne and Valais.  First, the short descent to the "Spittelmatte" Plains is followed by the ascent to Schwarenbach. The hike will take you on, towards Daubensee and finally to your destination, Gemmi Pass (2322 m.a.s.l.). Here you'll be rewarded with an impressive view of the Valaisian Alps.  Now you can either hike the same way back or descend to Leukerbad with the Gemmi cable car to return to Kandersteg by bus and train. You can buy the corresponding return ticket at the railway station. Please note: This hike can only be made in good weather. Before starting this alpine pass hike, please get information on the local conditions first.

Kandersteg-Oeschinensee (3.0 km) duration approx. 1 Hr.
From the railway station the road leads to the Oeschinensee bottom terminal. This nostalgic chairlift will take you up to Oeschinen. (1682 m.a.s.l.).  At the foot of the impressive Blumlisalp Massif the path will take you to lake Oeschinen.  When the ice is strong enough, cross-country skiers, hikers, and ice fishermen meet on the mountain lake. A hot tip is the short detour on the left lakeside to the ice tower - the artist is nature! If tobogganing is your thing, you can return to Kandersteg with a smashing run.

Sledge run
The 3,5 km long, exciting sledge run from lake Oeschinen to Kandersteg is fun fro everybody! The sledge run in the Oeschiwald is illuminated every night from 20:00 to 22:00.

Paragliding
Winter starting point at Oeschinen.  Landing zones are near the bottom stations of the Oeschinen chairlift and the Allmenalp cable car.

Various
Ice rink
Swiss Skiing School, cross-country school <<Edelweiss>>
Curling
Snowshoeing
Famous ice-climbing area

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