Winter weather warning for Western Europe issued 09:00 GMT Tuesday Dec 8th. Following a very mild autumn in Britain and the near continent much colder conditions will develop across most of Europe by the weekend. Next week should see significant snowfalls for the Alps and the Pyrenees as well as snow falling to lower elevations across large parts of mainland Europe. Update 04:00 Thu Dec 10th. Snow likely to affect parts of Britain later in the week.
Adelboden, in Switzerland (in the Bernese Oberland region), is a large resort with 42 lifts (8 chairs, 24 surface lifts) that offers skiers an incredible 1050 metres (3445 feet) of vertical descent. Adelboden has 85 pistes with a total length of 170 kilometers (106 miles). Adelboden is best suited to intermediate skiers and snowboarders but there is some terrain for beginners and advanced skiers. There are 23 kilometers (14 miles) of cross country ski trails at Adelboden. For snowboarders, there is a terrain park and 2 half pipes. About one third of the pistes at Adelboden are covered by snow-making. The closest airport is at Geneva but, at 3 hours, the transfer time is very slow. The nearest train station to Adelboden is at Frutigen. There is accommodation located close to the pistes but we would welcome additional information about any hotels or chalets in Adelboden.
I've been going to Adelboden for a few years. We always went late January/early February, and even got to see the World Cup.
I believe it's an amazing place, not only are there plenty of runs, but it is also rather unknown. There's rarely any waiting time at all, and the people you meet going down the slopes are mostly very friendly and terribly helpful. Maybe they are not so patient for ignorance and rudeness (That's for my mate Colm!) but that's because of how polite they are themselves.
I must say we also use Jeka. They're great, and any little problem we had was quickly solved.
The runs are wide and the snow was always great. I must say, though, that it is not a resort for experience skiers, there's very little choice for black runs. So, unless it is for a short break and a first time, if you are looking for danger... well I'm sure there are much better out there.
