Meiringen-Hasliberg Ski Resort

Meiringen-Hasliberg is a family-friendly ski resort best for families with young children, empty nesters and seniors seeking a quiet winter holiday in the heart of the Swiss Alps; and fans of Sherlock Holmes.


Situated in the Haslital valley in the Bernese Oberland, Meiringen is a small town at an altitude of 700m above sea level connected by cable car to Hasliberg Reuti at 1,000m. Getting to Meiringen is easy by road or rail from Zurich or Bern airports. Other ski resorts nearby include the Jungfrau resorts of Grindelwald, Wengen and Murren which are easily reached by train from Meiringen.

Best known for the Reichenbach Falls and its connection with the fictional detective Sherlock Holmes, Meiringen-Hasliberg is equally busy in summer and winter. Cheaper than better known Swiss ski resorts it offers 60km of enjoyable pistes skiing served by a small but efficient ski lift system as well as easily-accessible off-piste and reasonably good mountain restaurants.

The family-friendly ski area is best for intermediates and improving beginners and for skiers and boarders alike. More advanced skiers will need perfect snow conditions if they are to attack the off-piste terrain and avoid having to ski the same runs over and over again. Après ski is practically non-existent outside of the hotels and a few ordinary bars.

The majority of visitors to Meiringen-Hasliberg come from Switzerland (50%) and Germany (30%) with Holland and the UK accounting for around 10% and 5% respectively. Many Swiss guests come for the day or for a weekend. Consequently the ski area and the town are generally quieter during the week.

The town is relatively unsophisticated and the choice of accommodation includes a dozen hotels, mostly 1-3 stars, but no luxury hotels or chalets.

Meiringen-Hasliberg Ski Area

The ski area at Hasliberg is a large open bowl beneath Glogghűs (2,534m) and Rothorn (2,525m) with over 1,400m vertical elevation, plenty of off-piste in addition to the 60km of groomed pistes and splendid views of surrounding peaks.

There's 60km of groomed pistes including one black run, 14 red runs and eight blue runs which are generally uncrowded and ideal for intermediates and improving beginners. Facilities for beginners are good and conveniently close to the Meiringen ski school office at Bidmi. They include secure areas for young children, a slope and T-bar designated for novice boarders only as well as wide open beginner slopes for skiers. A quick glance at the ski area also reveals plenty of relatively easy off-piste terrain between the pistes for advanced skiers as well as more challenging off-piste for experts. The ski lift system is heavily reliant on the main cable car and four high-speed gondolas to bulk shift but queuing is generally not a problem.

There is artificial snowmaking on the main slopes from Häägen (2,010m) and Mägisalp (1,710m) to Bidmi and between Käserstatt (1,840m), Lischen and Bidmi, but no artificial snowmaking on the lower blue runs between Bidmi and Reuti which are mostly too low for snowmaking. Consequently, if snow conditions are patchy early or late in the season, the blue runs from Bidmi to Reuti may be closed due to lack of snowcover in which case the only way down without wrecking your skis is to ride the gondola.

More advanced skiers and boarders will easily cover all of Meiringen's groomed slopes in a couple of days, but when snow conditions are favourable there's plenty of off-piste including easy to access ungroomed terrain between the pistes which helps avoid having to ski or ride the same pistes again and again.

Those that want to ski more challenging terrain can arrange a guide locally through the ski school. Glogghűss 2,534m and Rothorn 2,525m are protected area for the benefit of Chamois, but experts can access more difficult off-piste descents including steep couloirs by booting up the ridge from Planplatten 2,250m towards the shoulder of Rothorn then ski fresh tracks down to the gondola at Mägisalp. Heliskiing is also possible, usually in April, on Sustenhorn, Ebneflu or Rosenhorn and can be arranged by the ski school.

Other activities in the ski area include ten hiking trails, two toboggan runs (Mägisalp-Bidmi and Käserstatt-Balisalp-Lischen) each of which is around 3km long and a short cross-country ski circuit between Bidmi and Lischen. The hiking trails are of between 30 minutes and three hours duration and allow winter walkers to access the popular mountain restaurants at Käserstatt (1840m) and Mägisalp (1710m) without having to ride the lifts. It's also possible to walk all of the way from Hasliberg Hohfluh down to Meiringen at 700m in the Haslital valley below.

Meiringen-Hasliberg Ski Lifts & Lift Passes

The Meiringen-Hasliberg ski lift system starts with the cable car at Meringen which is a 10-minute walk or a short free bus ride from the town centre; then five minutes by cable car to Hasliberg-Reuti where the first of a series of three gondolas provide fast access to the ski area.

Meiringen-Hasliberg Ski Lifts

Meiringen's ski lift system comprises 14 ski lifts including a cable car, four high-speed gondolas, four chairlifts and five surface lifts with total uplift capacity of 15,400 riders per hour. The main uplift is provided by the cable car between Alpbach and Reuti then a sequence of three gondolas bewteen Reuti, Bidmi, Magisalp and AlpenTower. A fourth gondola from Twing to Käserstatt provides fast access to the ski area for those staying in Hasliberg Wasserwendi.

The cable car and gondolas make it easy access for beginners and non-skiers to reach the most popular mountain restaurants and meeting points at Bidmi, Mägisalp, Kästertsatt and Planplatten. The sequence of two chairlifts from Mägisalp lead to the highest point in the ski area (2,433m) and offer uninterrupted views of the ski area and a good appreciation of the freeriding opportunities which makes it easy for advanced skiers to plan new routes from above.

The cable car is open all year round apart from a few days for maintenance in May and November and the gondolas are running in winter from early December until late April and in summer from late May until late October. It's just 2-3 minutes by free shuttle bus or a 5-10 minute walk from the centre of Meiringen to the cable car on the outskirts of town and the free ski shuttle bus service runs from mid-December until mid-March.

Meiringen-Hasliberg Lift Passes

An adult ski lift pass costs around CHF 240 for a six-day pass or CHF 55 for one day, with 10% discount for seniors aged 65 or over and for youths aged 16-20 and a 50% discount for children aged 6-16. Non-skiers wanting to make occasional visits to the ski area can buy limited access lift tickets for specified lift journeys including the cable car from Meiringen to Reuti and gondola rides from Reuti to the Panorama Restaurant Alpen Tower.

Meiringen-Hasliberg Ski Lift Company
Bergbahnen Meiringen AG
Bahnhofstrasse 22
CH-3860 Meiringen
Tel: +41 (0) 33 972 51 10
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.Meiringen.ch

Meiringen-Hasliberg Beginner Skiing

Meiringen-Hasliberg’s family-friendly ski school at Bidmi has excellent facilities for young children and novices learning to ski. A well structured programme helps beginners progress quickly from nursery slopes to blue runs and easy red runs.

Beginner Skiing in Meiringen-Hasliberg

Meiringen-Hasliberg's ski school main office is located on the mountain at Bidmi and easily reached by gondola from Reuti. The ski school meeting points at Bidmi are well sign-posted and facilities for novices and young children at Bidmi generally are excellent. The ski lift system allows beginners easy access to the ski area by cable car and gondola.

The ski area includes a family-friendly area at Bidmi with a designated area, tow rope and magic carpet for young children to be introduced to skiing and to gain confidence in the company of a parent and instructor in a playful but structured setting. There are special slopes for beginners and a surface lift exclusively for snowboarders, a short slalom slope, an igloo village and two child-friendly mountain restaurants.

The blue ski slopes (2, 1 and 21) to the left of the gondola from Wasserwendi to Käserstatt are often noticeably quieter than the central area around Mägisalp and the easy blue runs from Käserstatt to Balisalp and Lischen offer beginners the chance to ski confidence boosting gentle slopes in a peaceful setting before tackling relatively steeper and busier blue runs between Häägen, Mägisalp and Bidmi.

Older children and adults learning to ski or board in Meiringen are limited to just eight blue runs at relatively low altitude (mostly below 1,840m) so beginners will need to progress quickly from blue runs to red runs if they are to make the most of the ski area, and especially if snow cover is thin on the lower slopes below Lischen and Bidmi. That said, Meiringen ski school offers a well-defined programme of group lessons and special skills training for skiers and boarders of all ability levels to fast-track their progress to higher levels.

Ski Schools & Ski Lessons in Meiringen-Hasliberg 

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Meiringen-Hasliberg Intermediate Skiing

The Hasliberg ski area offers 60km of groomed trails including one easy black, 14 red runs and eight blue runs as well as some easy off-piste terrain within the ski area boundary.

Although smaller and quieter than most other ski resorts in the Bernese Oberland, Meiringen-Hasliberg offers enjoyable skiing and boarding and is a good choice for intermediates and improving beginners seeking a cheaper Swiss ski resort for a ski weekend or short ski break mid-week, especially in prime conditions.

The ski area is compact and easy to navigate. Ride the cable car from Meiringen to Reuti then a series of three gondolas from Reuti to Bidmi, Magisälp and Planplatten (2,250m) where you have a choice of four long red runs and one easy black run. Reds 15, 16 and black 17 lead back to the Alpen Tower Eagle Express gondola at Magisälp (1,710m) where you can ride the gondola back to Planplatten and repeat runs or use the Tschuggi T-bar to remain high.

In good conditions, adventurous intermediates and advanced skiers also have the opportunity to ski plenty of ungroomed terrain which is easily accessible between pistes.  On a clear day it's worth stopping at the Alpen Tower at Planplatten (2,250m) for a quick drink and to enjoy impressive views of the surrounding peaks, before tackling long reds 18 and 19 past the Alphittli Gummenalp to the Spycher T-bar or continue as far as the gondola station at Bidmi.

When you've finished skiing on Planplatten ride the chairlifts from Magisälp to Häägen (2,010m) and Glogghűs (2,433m), which offer you a choice of four enjoyable red runs and an easier blue run, all of which lead back to Magisälp making it easy to ski laps.

Ten mountain restaurants and bars offer reasonably good choice. When hungry or thirsty, check out the cosy Häägenstubeli mountain restaurant, which is visible on the right close to the top of the Häägen chair. Or ski red runs 9 then 8 from the top of the Glogghűs chair lift to Käserstatt (1,840m) which is a popular place for lunch or for a drink between runs.

The ski area to the left of Käserstatt and Lischen is relatively quiet and offers early intermediates and beginners the chance to ski easy blue runs to a middle gondola station at Lischen or to the lower Twing gondola station at Hasliberg-Wsserwendi then ride back up to the ski area. The quiet left hand side of the ski area also includes some decent powder pitches and is worth checking out if searching for untracked snow.

If lucky enough to arrive in prime conditions, adventurous intermediates should consider booking a private instructor or a guide to help them explore the area more fully including the some of the ungroomed terrain between the pistes which is good for learning to ski off-piste. Contact the ski school to arrange a guide.

Meiringen-Hasliberg Advanced & Expert Skiing

Advanced piste skiers can easily ski all of Hasliberg’s 60km of groomed runs in a couple of days or less, but when snow conditions are favourable there’s also plenty of skiing off-piste between the pistes and more challenging off-piste for experts.

While a cursory inspection of the ski map reveals just twenty three groomed runs totalling 60km in extent, of which only one is black, in good snow conditions there are plenty of opportunities for advanced skiers and boarders to test themselves off-piste.

Advanced piste skiers will soon exhaust Hasliberg's groomed pistes, but the entire ski area is like a wide, open bowl with plenty of all-mountain terrain for advanced skiers and riders and lots of easy off-piste terrain between the pistes which offers good opportunities for confident intermediates to make fresh tracks and to improve their skills off-piste.

The upper reaches of the Glogghűs and Rothorn peaks are protected for Chamois and generally too steep for skiing, but the freeride area beneath Rothorn can be reached by a series of steep couloirs from the shoulder of the Rothorn or more easily lower down by skiing a high traverse then picking a suitable line. Ride the chairlift from Mägisalp to Häägen to appreciate the possibilities and to figure out the best exit lines to bring you back to the ski area.

There's more good off-piste terrain visible on the left as you ride the chairlifts running between Mägisalp, Häägen and Gloghghűs (2,433m). Ski red runs 9, 10 and 11 and ride the lifts a couple of times to assess the best routes and take note of the no go area (cliffs) in the area below the lower reaches of red run 10.

Best advice is to check snow and weather conditions very carefully then when sure that snow conditions are good enough make a late booking; and contact the ski school to arrange a guide. The ski school also offers day-long mountain safety seminars including avalanche risk reduction, reading snow conditions, correct use of avalanche safety equipment and first aid for those interested in learning to ski safely off-piste.

Other opportunities for experts include affordable heli-skiing flights to the Rosenhorn, Sustenhorn and Ebnefluh and high-alpine descents in untracked snow with an experienced mountain guide. Heli-skiing prices vary according to group size and route and can be arranged locally by the ski school.

A cheaper option for those in good physical condition for is a full day's ski touring which can be arranged through the ski school for groups of up to 10 people at quite reasonable cost. Ski touring equipment can be rented locally.

Meiringen-Hasliberg Snowboarding

Meiringen-Hasliberg ski area includes well groomed pistes for boarders to carve and the wide open expanses of ungroomed terrain between the pistes will appeal to those who enjoy freeriding off-piste.

Hasliberg's groomed pistes are boarder-friendly and there are not many flat areas for boarders to worry about. There's some excellent off-piste terrain to the left of the Tschuggi drag lift which includes natural couloirs and roller coaster terrain down to Mägisalp. Meiringen also boasts Switzerland's first natural Boarder Cross.

The professionally designed Freestyle Park Alpenregion Brienz-Meiringen at Mägisalp (1,710m) includes four jumps between 7 and 20 metres, a slidebox, kinkrail and rainbowrail of between 4 and 6 metres, a 6 metre high and 15 metre long cornerjump and a  quarterpipe with rail plus two jumps for kids.

The ski school offers specialist tuition for boarders including a designated slope with own tow rope reserved only for those learning to board.

Meiringen-Hasliberg Mountain Restaurants

Hasliberg ski area includes half a dozen mountain restaurants and a few bars. The restaurants generally quite good and being conveniently situated near the top of a gondola are easily reached by skiers and non-skiers alike.

Alpen Tower

Alpen Tower at 2,250m is Meiringen-Hasliberg's highest mountain restaurant and a popular meeting place. Enjoy a generous breakfast buffet with a glass of prosecco served from 9:00-11:30am and arrive early for a late morning aperitif or for lunch with stunning 360-degree panoramic views. The impressive timber, glass and steel building on three floors features a first floor Panorama Restaurant with sun terrace and either table-service or self-service. The varied menu includes pasta and salads as well as traditional Swiss dishes and a good selection of house wines. Alternatively, visit the 360-degree Tower bar on the upper floor for a drink. Tel: +41 (0) 33 972 53 26

Bergrestaurant Mägisalp

Bergrestaurant Mägisalp, is in the centre of the ski area at 1,710m. Easily reached by cable car from Meiringen to Reuti then riding the Reuti-Bidmi-Mägisalp gondolas. The biggest mountain restaurant in Meiringen it's also one of the best featuring self-service and table service restaurants and a popular Pizzeria. Open in the evening as well as during the day, Mägisalp has seating indoors for over 300 people and can seat a similar number outside on the sun terrace. The menu includes traditional Swiss dishes such as raclette and cheese or meet fondue, some excellent meat dishes, homemade pizzas and desserts. The restaurant also hosts corporate events and wedding parties and hence standards are quite high. Tel: +41 (0) 33 972 53 20

Bergrestaurant Käserstatt

Bergrestaurant Käserstatt at 1,840m has a large sun terrace with excellent views and is possibly the most popular of all of Hasliberg's mountain restaurants with indoor seating for 250 in the main restaurant and a further 70 seats in the cosy parlour restaurant. The large sun terrace seats up to 150 people with splendid views of the Wetterhorn and the Eiger to the south. Situated at the top of the Wasserwendi-Lischen-Käserstatt gondola, above Twing, it can also be reached by skiing red run 8 from Hochstrass (2,180m) or riding the chairlift from Bidmi to Käserstatt. Ski-in, ski-out accommodation is also available for families and groups. Tel: +41 (0) 33 971 27 86

Hääggenstubeli

Hääggenstubeli is a traditional mountain hut restaurant at 2,010m serving traditional Swiss dishes. Specialities include a roesti, grilled sausage, raclette, chäsbrätel (grilled cheese on a crusty bread) slice) and macaroni main dishes and a selection of freshly prepared desserts. It's quite tiny inside with just four or five tables seating up to 30 people, but the sun terrace seats up to 100 and is a pleasant and popular meeting place for lunch or a drink in fine weather. It's located close to the top of the Mägisalp-Häägen chairlift and open only in winter. The WC's, set apart from the main restaurant in a Hansel and Gretel style chalet, are surely the prettiest of conveniences in the Alps. Tel: +41 (0) 33 971 49 29

Bärgbeizli Bidmi

Bärgbeizli Bidmi is an unsophisticated restaurant with a no frills menu, located close to the ski school offices, children's area and beginner slopes at Bidmi. The chalet style building comprises three sections with plenty of outdoor tables and benches. While reasonably attractive at first glance on closer inspection it's quite ordinary, but serves an acceptable lunch in an attractive mid-mountain setting and is easy for novices and beginners to reach. Tel: +41 (0) 33 971 45 90

Family Restaurant Bidmi

Family Restaurant Bidmi forms part of the gondola lift station building at Bidmi. Although not especially attractive from the outside, it proudly bears the "Families Welcome" seal of approval from the Swiss Tourism Organisation. The interior is specially designed and furnished to meet the needs of families with younger children with child-friendly seating including high-chairs for babies. Tel: +41 (0) 33 971 10 80

Kuhstall Bar Mägisalp

Kuhstall Bar Mägisalp is a small cowshed bar serving hot and cold drinks and snacks, with tables and benches seating up to 100. It's a popular meeting point and convenient for pit-stops on warm sunny days. It gets busiest in March and April when in party mode with DJ's and live music. It's situated next to the Mägisalp restaurant, close to the gondola station and the foot of the Mägisalp-Hääggen chairlift. Open only in winter. Tel: +41 (0) 33 972 53 20

Aquarium Ski Bar

The Aquarium Ski Bar at Käserstatt 1,840m serves hot and cold snacks as well as a large variety of drinks. A popular meeting point next to the piste, this curiously named ski bar sometimes hosts open-air ski parties and events with live music.  Tel: +41 (0) 33 971 27 86

Meiringen town and Hasliberg village

Meiringen ski resort includes the small town of Meiringen in the Haslital valley and the community of Hasliberg comprising four small villages situated on a sunny plateau overlooking the town and the valley.

Best known for the Reichenbach Falls and Sherlock Holmes, Meiringen is also a small Swiss ski resort with 60km of groomed pistes and some quite interesting off-piste for advanced skiers. The majority of guests come from Switzerland (50%), Germany (30%) and Holland (10%) with the UK and other countries around 5% each.

The Reichenbach Falls are famous as the setting for the apparent death of the fictional character Sherlock Holmes at the hands of his arch rival Moriarty in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's novel The Final Problem. The Sherlock Holmes museum and Reichenbach Falls attract Sherlock Holmes fans from all over the world and the connection with Sherlock Holmes and author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is evident throughout the town. It's also claimed that Meiringen is the place where meringue, a dessert made from whipped egg whites and sugar, was invented although that is contested.

Meiringen

A small town with all of the usual amenities and shops required to meet the everyday needs of its 4,500 residents, Meiringen is more functional than pretty. Most of Meiringen's accommodation and shops are on main streets Hauptstrasse and Rudenz. The town centre is about a 10 minutes stroll from end to end and it's about a 10 minute walk (or a 2-3 minute free bus ride) from the centre of town to the Meiringen cable car station on the outskirts of town. Getting to Meiringen is easy by road or rail via Lucerne and Interlaken and the main railway station is just a stone's throw from the centre of town.

Buildings are mostly of stone construction rather than wood and include a mix of architectural styles including some modern hotels built in the 1960's which are mostly better inside than out. The main landmark in the centre of Meiringen is the Parkhotel du Sauvage, which is a large and quite attractive five-storey art deco hotel. There's a wide range of shops selling mostly day-to-day products, rather than high-end designer goods and the best delicacies in town are homemade Swiss chocolates and confectionary at the charming Confiserie Café Brunner and in cosy tea rooms. There are not many restaurants and bars nor much in the way of après ski or nightlife so 18-30 year olds will soon get bored.

Hasliberg

Hasliberg is the setting for a series of four tiny villages - Hohfluh, Wasserwendi, Goldern and Reuti - at an altitude of about 1,000m with views across the Haslital valley. The villages are about 1-2km apart and although Reuti is just 300m higher than Meiringen and connected by cable car, it's about an 11-16km journey from Hasliberg villages to Meiringen by road.

The Hasliberg villages are quieter, prettier and closer to the ski lifts and the ski area, especially if staying near the gondola stations in Reuti or Wasserwendi.  Because of their higher elevation and south-facing aspect, the Hasliberg villages are sunnier than Meiringen which is sometimes blanketed by thick cloud cover that lingers over the Haslital valley until late in the day.

Meiringen & Haslital Tourism
Bahnhofplatz 12
CH-3860 Meiringen
Tel: +41 (0) 33 972 50 50
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.haslital.ch

Meiringen-Hasliberg Bars & Restaurants

The majority of Meiringen’s guests are families with young children and empty nesters for whom the lack of apres ski is not a problem, but if Meiringen is to appeal to a wider and younger audience a significantly better apres ski scene and an injection of fun would be high on the list of priorities.

 

There are traces of après ski on the mountain when the weather is fine later in the ski season when some bars feature DJ's and live music to generate a reasonable Swiss party atmosphere between 3-5pm, but other than that Meiringen has no apres ski and no nightlife apart from a few quite ordinary bars. While that suits the local demographic and typical guest profile, 18-30 or 40 year olds wanting to party or just have a fun night out will be better off elsewhere.

Meiringen Apres Ski Bars

Most bars and restaurants in Meiringen have a distinctly local feel. Bar staff are too often indifferent and in some bars visitors may find themselves outnumbered by locals.

Kristal on Bahnhofstrasse is a warm and welcoming bar restaurant with an attractive interior and is the closest you'll find to a busy après ski bar. There's no name plate outside, but it's conveniently situated in front of the Parkhotel du Sauvage and a reasonably fun place to meet for drinks or for a bite to eat. Tel: +41 (0) 33 971 41 41.

Parkhotel du Sauvage is an Art Nouveau hotel built in 1880 with an attractive bar and snug leather chairs. The cosy bar is open to non-residents and is worth visiting for quiet après ski early in the evening or for after dinner drinks. Tel: +41 (0) 33 972 18 81

Lyons-Pub also on Bahnhofstrasse is a sports bar with a ghastly interior over-decorated with flags from all over the world caused by a strong interest in football. There's also a large drop down screen for viewing those important matches. Tel: +41 (0) 33 971 63 69.

Hasli-Lodge in Kirchgasse is a clean and comfortable budget hotel with a reasonably attractive bar restaurant which serves the local Eichhof beer from Luzern on draft and is a convenient for après ski drinks. Tel: +41 (0) 33 971 59 00.

Meiringen Restaurants

Hotel Victoria in Bahnhofstrasse is a small 3-star superior hotel punching well above its weight in the restaurant. Awarded 14 Gault Milau points in 2010 and cited in Guide Michelin, the Victoria's chef offers mostly French cuisine with Asian influences. For a lighter meal or a snack the Hotel Victoria also has a cosy bistro. Tel: +41 (0) 33 972 10 40

Alpin Sherpa Hotel in Bahnhofstrasse is an attractive modern hotel built in 1980 and named after the Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, who was the first to climb Mount Everest. The only 4-star hotel in Meiringen it features an acceptably good restaurant and a comfortable bar as well as a stylish lobby with feature fireplace for drinks. Tel: +41 (0) 33 972 52 52.

Hotel Alpbach in Kirchgasse is another option for fine-dining and offers a good choice of classic international cuisine and fine wines. The interior design is very Swiss featuring extensive wooden panelling creating a traditional and cosy atmosphere. Tel: +41 (0) 33 971 18 31

Adler Central in Schulhausgasse, running north off the main street, is a small hotel with a cosy and inviting bar restaurant with an open fire and a modestly priced menu serving mostly grilled meat dishes. Tel: +41 (0) 33 971 10 32

Pizzeria Lucia in Alpbachstrasse and Pizzeria Rössli on Bahnhofstrasse offer a typical choice of Italian pizza and pasta dishes and are comparatively inexpensive option if dining out on a low cost budget. Tel: +41 (0) 33 971 44 24 and +41 (0) 33 971 16 21.

Meiringen Nightclubs

Sherlock Alpenclub is the most obvious late nightspot and appeals to a younger clientele. The presence of a pair of burly bouncers in black paramilitary uniform outside the entrance was enough to persuade us not to test the rumour that "it gets better with each drink". Tel: +41 (0) 33 971 18 25.

Meiringen-Hasliberg Other Activities

Meringen and the Haslital valley offer a extremely wide range of other sports and cultural activities so there’s plenty of activities besides snowsports and especially in summer.

Besides a full range of winter sports there is hang gliding, paragliding, scenic flights, sky diving, ballooning, canyoning, white water rafting or kayaking, bungy jumping, trekking, climbing, mountain biking, racket sports, riding, watersports and fishing in Haslital lakes. The shops in town are mostly functional and pleasant enough to wander but there's no demand locally or from visitors yet for luxury brands or designer boutiques.

Winter Walking

There are 40km of well-prepared winter hiking trails on the Hasliberg with a choice of half a dozen trails the shortest of which is a 30 minute 1.5km walk from Lischen to Bidmi and the longest a three hour 9km walk from Brűnig to Reuti. There's winter hiking nearby in the Rosenlaui valley with a 6km of well-marked trails between  Schwarzwaldalp 1,454m and Gschwandtenmaad 1,304m and another 5.5km nearby at Gadmen.

Tobogganing

There are two toboggan runs in the ski area on Hasliberg each of which is about 3km in length and easily accessible using the ski lifts. Other more secluded toboggan runs include the trail from Winterlűcke to Hasliberg Reuti, which can only be reached on foot, and a 5.5km trail at Gross Scheidegg. The latter is reached by bus from Meiringen through the scenic Rosenlaui valley to Grosse Scheidegg 1,942m then a fast toboggan ride in front of the imposing Wetterhorn 3,692m down to the homely Chalet Schwarzwaldalp at 1,454m to enjoy a well-deserved drink or a meal. Tel: +41 (0) 33 972 50 50

Night tobogganing

On New Year's Eve and every Wednesday from January until early March there is night tobogganing on a floodlit slope between Mägisalp and Bidmi until 10p. Tickets include a fondue or raclette meal with live music at the Mägisalp mountain restaurant as well as lift access to the ski area and restaurant. Tel: +41 (0) 33 972 53 20 Web: www.meiringen-halsiberg.ch/maegisalp

Snowshoeing

There's snowshoeing on well-marked trails through the silent winter landscape of the Rosenlaui valley where you can also enjoy splendid view. You can hire snow shoes and a guide in Meringen and to get there, take the bus from Meiringen to Schwarzwaldalp. Tel: +41 (0) 33 972 50 50

Ice Skating

In January and February, when it is cold enough, a temporary ice rink is built in Casinoplatz in the centre of Meiringen (next to the Parkhotel du Sauvage) with ice skating for the whole family until late in the evening and skates available for hire locally. Tel: +41 (0) 33 972 50 50

Night skiing

There's night skiing on a floodlit slope between Käserstatt and Lischen Friday nights from mid-January until March and until 10pm. Tickets include a fondue or raclette meal with live music at the Kaeserstatt mountain restaurant and lift access by gondola from Hasliberg-Wasserwendi. Tel: +41 (0) 33 971 27 86 Web: www.Meiringen.ch/kaeserstatt

Cross-Country Skiing

There's cross-country skiing at Bidmi on Hasliberg and another 15km long circuit at Gadmen which includes a shorter circuit for floodlit cross-country skiing on Tuesday-Friday evenings. Tel: +41 (0) 33 975 14 26

Sherlock Holmes Museum

A pilgrimage destination for fans of Sherlock Holmes, Meiringen's Sherlock Holmes museum in the English Church in Casinoplatz houses the best re-creation of the home of master detective Sherlock Holmes at 221B Baker Street, London. Open Wednesdays and Sundays from 16:30-18:30 in winter and from Tuesday-Sunday from 13:00-18:00 in summer. Tel: +41 (0) 33 972 18 80 Web: www.sherlockholmes.ch

The Reichenbach Falls

Author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle chose the Reichenbach Falls as the setting for the apparent death of detective Sherlock Holmes in a final struggle with his archenemy Professor Moriarty. Take the Reichenbach funicular or follow the hiking trail to Schwendi to reach the site of the dramatic struggle in the adventure of The Final Problem. Tel: + 41 (0) 33 972 90 10

Scenic Helicopter Flights

Helicopter flights can be booked Monday - Saturday all year round from heliport Schattenhalb above Meiringen for flights over the Haslital to the Wetterhorn or from heliport Gsteigwiller above Interlaken for flights over the Jungfrau including the Eiger, Mőnch and Jungfrau mountains. Winter heliskiing trips can also be arranged through the ski school in Meiringen or contact BOHAG. Tel: +41 (0) 33 828 90 00 Email: [email protected] Web: www.bohag.ch

Indoor Sports and Wellness

There are plenty more activities in Meiringen including indoor climbing, tennis, badminton,  swimming, massage, solarium and sauna at indoor sports centres in Meiringen.

Climbing - Tel: +41 (0) 33 971 39 00 Web: www.kletterhalle-haslital.ch
Tennis - Tel: +41 (0) 33 971 39 00
Swimming - Tel: +41 (0) 33 971 16 68
Fitness & Wellness - Tel: +41 (0) 33 971 60 00

Tourist Office Information

For more information contact the tourist office in Meiringen

Meiringen & Haslital Tourismus
Bahnhofplatz 12
CH-3860 Meiringen
Tel: +41 (0) 33 972 50 50
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.haslital.ch

Meiringen-Hasliberg Events

The Trychlerwoche between Christmas Day and 30 December each year is one of the longest and noisiest events in the Alps. This historical and deeply traditional event may not be the most melodic but it's an amazing spectacle nonetheless - Swiss costume or fancy dress and bizzare face masks obligatory!

Trychlerwoche

Between Christmas Day and 30 December each year the normally quiet town of Meiringen is the setting for the Trychlerwoche, one of the longest events in the Alps that reaches a peak on 30 December with a mass procession of local "bands". Each group repeats a monotonous and consistent rythmn of drum beats and bell ringing as loudly as possible in competition with each other to ward off evil spirits. Participants wear traditional Swiss costume or fancy dress including bizarre face masks. On the final night, the noisy bands march up and down the main street, stopping periodically at local bars for refreshment and continue "playing" through the night and most of the next day(s) until the last man standing, playing or drinking then suddenly fade away.

Meiringen Winter Sports Festival

The Meiringen wintersports festival is an annual event in the last week of February at Bidmi which includes games, activities and entertainment for families and children including a tubing-run, magic park, inflatable castle, face painting, introduction to boarding and/or telemarking, children's ski race and live music.

Coop Skicross FIS World Cup by BMW xDrive

Meiringen (together with Grindelwald) is one of two Bernese Oberland ski resorts chosen for the fourth year running to host the Skicross FIS World Cup. The spectacular Skicross races involve four skiers racing head to head and the World Cup event early in March attracts around 120 of the World's elite male and female Skicross athletes. Racers ski down an obstacle course which includes bumps, jumps, banked turns and rapid changes of direction. The vertical elevation is 200m and the run takes about 60 seconds to complete flat out. Skicross is a knock out event - the two fastest skiers qualify for the next - and provides exciting viewing for spectators. Further Information contact Verein Skicross Berner Oberland. Tel: +41 33 972 50 21; Email: [email protected]; Web: www.skicross-worldcup.ch.

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