The Lötschental lies in the Swiss Canton of Valais, probably best described as “small but excellent.” No wonder the locals call it The Magic Valley!
When snowboarding and/or skiing at the Lauchernalp Ski Resort in Lötschental you will be surrounded by mountains that are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Although the Lauchernalp is small, having only 5 lift installations, it offers a ski and snowboard terrain that is well known to free-riders due to its challenging areas. But also, skiers and boarders that love the lesser crowded ski domains in Valais make their way to Lötschental and up to Lauchernalp.
The imposing mountain wall with the highest peak, the Bietschhorn, (3934m) makes you feel so small when skiing opposite on the wide prepared pistes at the Lauchernalp.
A stunning view over to the Bernese Alps and far into the Valais Alps opens up when you are riding up the glacier cable car to the Hockenhorngrat (3111m). Take some time and click away. An absolute mesmerising vista with many 4000m peaks and glaciers to be seen.
Travel tip: If you are traveling with your family to Lötschental with non-skiers or beginners, you should still ride up to the Hockenhorngrat. The view is accessible for everybody.
Also at the Hockengrat is a small winter hiking trail. It leads to the panorama boards at just over 3000m altitude where the view will take your breath away.
If there has been fresh snowfall you might be better off with snowshoes. Best to check conditions directly at the tourism office.
Lauchernalp Ski Resort Map
Click on the map to get a larger view and the interactive map. You will also find all the winter trails, snowshoe tracks and if they are open or not.
How to reach the Lauchernalp Ski-Resort
If you are travelling by car, make your way to the Lötschental in the Swiss Canton of Valais.
You can take the car-train from Kandersteg to Goppenstein if you plan to arrive from the Swiss-German part. From Goppenstein it is only a 5km drive to the ski resort. Otherwise, drive along the Rhône Valley and then head up direction Gampel – Goppenstein through the tunnels and along the Lötschental until you reach the village of Wiler.
It is from here where the Lauchernalp gondola departs.
Travel tip: Go and get your ski lift tickets the day before. That is of course if you are staying the night in Lötschental with your family.
The ticket office is in the building of the Lauchernalp Gondola and closes around 16H00. This way you do not have to stand in the queue the next morning and can ride straight up and enjoy skiing or the winter walks at Lauchernalp
Parking around Wiler – Lauchernalp Gondola station
Around the Lauchernalp gondola station, you can find payable parking places. Check on the map above and the photo below where the parking areas are located. The parking areas are well sign posted.
The pay machine is by the bus stop in front of the gondola station. We paid Chf 8.-for the day during winter 2022. If you overnight in Lötschental ask the hotel whether you can leave your car and take the public bus which stops right at the gondola station.
What to expect when skiing at the Lauchernalp in Lötschental?
Located on a sunny plateau, the snow-sure Lauchernalp lies between 1,900 and 2,100 meters above sea level and it is here where the ski fun starts. The winter domain reaches up to the Hockenhorngrat at 3111m.
Next to some beautiful chalets, alpine huts and restaurants at the Lauchernalp, a great beginner’s area with a magic carpet awaits. Adjacent you find a more progressive slope accessible by chairlift and a draglift to Staffel. This will help you and the family to improve your turns quickly and with a lot of fun.
After that point, the ski domain Lötschental opens up and the more advanced skiers and snowboarders will find all kinds of slopes and powder runs to keep them happy. Whether it is a fun run from Gandegg back down to Staffel, or a crazy powder run all the way from Hockenhorngrat. The fact is that the Lauchernalp has something for the whole family and for every skill level.
Even for the non-skiers!
Restaurants at the Lauchernalp
You have many choices for lunch at the Lauchernalp. If you have little ones who are having fun with their ski instructor at the magic carpet, I would suggest the Panorama Restaurant & self-service area Zudili. This is situated right by the main building and offers, as the name suggests, a stunning panorama.
Another restaurant at Staffel is also right by the ski lift.
Further options can be found just slightly off the marked piste amongst the beautiful holiday chalets that are for rent.
Check out the ski map above. Restaurants are indicated with a knife and fork.
Free-riding the Lauchernalp
On days with great conditions, amongst the freeride community, it is no secret that the Lauchernalp has some of the finest powder freerides in Valais.
If you are interested in a great ski tour followed by an epic descent in untouched snow in a yet still relatively “secret” place, then contact the pros and ride with them.
Paragliding from the Lauchernalp
During our ski day at the Lauchernalp, there were many paragliders flying down from the Hockenhorngrat to Stafel. They all looked like they were having a lot of fun. We’re not paragliders so I cannot give you any specific information about the conditions etc. If you are a paraglider you can get information at the tourist office.
What to do at the Lauchernalp for NON-skiers?
Don’t worry your day will be just as amazing.
After riding all the way to the Hockenhorngrat 3111m, and having marveled at the 360-degree breathtaking view it is time for a hike.
You can walk the short distance of Europe’s highest Alpine Trail just above 3000m. The 1km return hike offers great views. The trail leads to the panorama viewpoint where two information boards indicate the various peaks that can be seen from there. Make sure it is good weather when you walk the trail.
After that walk back and ride down to Stafel from where you can easily hike down to the Lauchernalp Gondola station.
Note, that the winter hiking trails are Blue and snowshoe trail signs are pink.
Another great circular winter walk would be The Winter Adventure Trail. It features 12 interactive stations which lets you discover winter in the Lötschental a bit better. This 4.6km circular trail is ideal for families and children! You can even bring a sledge along.
Sledging at the Lauchernalp
You can sledge down to the valley floor on two different trails. One is the official sledge run down to Wiler. The second is on the walking trail to Kippel (see below).
The run is also shared with pedestrians and skiers, therefore be careful when on this trail. It can get quite busy at the end of the day.
On the winter map this trail is number 35.
Winter Walk down to Kippel
Another alternative to leave the Lauchernalp on foot is via Hockenalp. From the Lauchernalp station, you need to take the chairlift up. Cross the ski piste (be careful) and there you will see a dedicated footpath on your left. You may even bring a sledge if you walk down with kids, they will love it.
This will bring you to the beautiful hamlet of Hockenalp. If you can try to be there whilst the sun is still shining as it is such an idyllic, peaceful place with the Hockenalp Kapelle (chapel) as its centre point.
From there just follow the path all the way down to Kippel and follow the route back to Wiler.
The total length is 5.5km with a descent of 650m. It is the quieter of the trails which lead from Lauchernalp to the valley floor.
Other things to do in Lötschental
Cross country skiing from Blatten
The beautiful Lötsch Valley has great cross country ski trails, offering both classic prepared tracks and freestyle terrain. A special thanks to Dominika from Swiss Voyage for these two photos.
Winter walks in Lötschental
The difference between winter walks and snowshoe trails is that the walks are on groomed paths, meaning you do not need snowshoes. The trails are prepared with a machine like a ski piste.
From Blatten there is a great path within a great natural environment leading you to Fafleralp and the end of the valley.
Also, walk around Blatten itself. It is a beautiful Valais village where old traditions are still kept alive.
Snowshoe trails along the Lötsch Valley
If you want to head further and discover more beauty of the Lötschen Valley, then a good idea is to put your snowshoes on and follow some of the dedicated trails.
Here you might find yourself in areas where you need to leave the trail and make the first step. The trails are not prepared and can be snow-covered, hence the need for snowshoes to facilitate your walking.
One trail we love is the circular route from Blatten to Fafleralp and back. A medium strength winter walk combined with snowshoe trail of 10Km. ( I will be linking to that route soon)
If you like all kinds of snowshoe trails then check out our Ski touring & Snowshoe tracks suggestions in Nendaz Valais. Only one hours drive from the Lötschental and you could be enjoying these trails as well.
Where to stay in Lötschental
A great idea is to overnight in Lötschental in either of the villages along the valley. This gives you easy access to the Lauchernalp early in the morning before the day tourists arrive from near and far.
From most accommodation in the Lötschental, you can easily get to Wiler by public bus. In fact, if you can leave your car at your hotel I would highly recommend to do so as the parking at the gondola station gets busy at weekends and during holidays.
The perfect place to stay in Lötschental whilst skiing at the Lauchernalp is the Hotel Nest- und Bietschhorn. Read all about this hotel on our full blog article.
Our tips when Skiing at the Lauchernalp
There is no doubt about that the Lauchernalp is a stunning ski resort in Valais. Alone the vistas over the UNESCO World Heritage Site are worth the visit, even for non skiers.
Due to its size, I would recommend if you are visiting the Valais for one week to split it with another ski resort nearby. Maybe with the Bettmeralp Family Winter Resort.
This would be a perfect combination to have the best time in Valais whilst on a winter break.
As far as the skiing is concerned, we found that the runs are of similar gradient to the 4 Vallées ski domain, but also much wider. This helps to get down the steep sections with wide turns. The runs are long and on a great powder day the terrain is endless.
The Lauchernalp ski resort is charming and will give you and the family a great ski holiday in Valais.
You may also Like these Winter Activities
- Val d’Anniviers Ski Resorts in Valais
- Relaxing moment in Lötschental – Genuss Hotel Nest- und Bietschhorn
- Lucerne self-guided city tour
- Lucerne – LILU Licht festival- Light festival
- Arolla – How to visit the Glacier cave in Arolla Valais
- Meiringen Hasliberg – The perfect winter resort for families
- Zermatt – Visit the World’s Highest Glacier Palace
I hope that the information provided here will prove itself useful when planning your ski holiday in Valais at the Lauchernalp in Lötschental.
If I have left anything out or you have a question, please ask your questions in the comments below. This way other readers can join in the conversation and benefit from your queries also.
Note: This visit was in collaboration with Lötschental Tourism – Thank you again. As always, you can be sure that we will express OUR views and enthusiasm here. The purpose of such collaborations is to introduce to you great new family destinations and activities and give you tips and suggestions 1st hand.
Thank you & Never Forget to Explore
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