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Adelboden Resort Reviews


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Visitor reviews for Adelboden Ski Resort

Adelboden Ratings

Overall: 3.7. Based on 9 votes and 9 reviews. Vote

Snowsure: 3.8

(1) Occasionally gets enough snow for skiing, (2) is often closed due to a lack of snow, (3) occasionally suffers from a lack of snow, (4) rarely suffers from a lack of snow, (5) Adelboden is snowsure even in the poorest seasons.

Variety of pistes: 4.1

(1) The ski runs are featureless and unvaried, (3) the ski runs are varied but not extensive enough for a week, (5) Adelboden has diverse and interesting pistes including forests and high alpine terrain.

Off-piste: 3.5

(1) No off-piste worth mentioning, (2) off piste is out-of-bounds, (3) some varied offpiste that stays fresh for one or two days, (5) a vast array of off-piste routes that can stay untracked for several days.

Scenery: 4.3

(1) An ugly resort in a bland setting, (3) average mountain views and resort, (5) a spectacular setting and a beautiful / historic resort town.

Access: 3.7

(1) At least one overnight stop, (2) requires a whole day, (3) requires more than half a day – you may have time for a few turns (4) arrive by lunchtime and ski all afternoon, (5) there is a main airport within an hour of Adelboden.

Public Transport: 4.1

(1) There are no buses or taxis to Adelboden, (3) there are slow or infrequent buses / trains available, (5) getting to the resort is easy with frequent bus / train connections.

Accommodation: 3.8

(1) No places to stay in/near Adelboden, (3) a few places to stay in the resort, (5) a wide variety of accommodation suitable to suit all budgets.

Cheap Rooms: 2.1

(1) No budget accommodation available, (3) just one or two hostels so book ahead, (5) several cheap hostels and pensions available.

Luxury Hotels: 4.0

(1) No luxury accommodation available, (3) just one or two luxury hotels so book ahead, (5) several up-market hotels in Adelboden.

Ski in/Ski out: 3.4

(1) The ski area is located far from any accommodation, (3) a free ski bus takes you to the ski area in a short trip, (5) Ski-in ski-out accommodation is available.

Childcare: 3.7

(1) There are no child care facilities at Adelboden, (5) the resort has excellent child-care facilities including at least one reasonably priced creche.

Snowmaking: 3.8

(1) Adelboden relies entirely on natural snow, (3) there are just a few snow cannons, (5) there are snowmaking facilities on all pistes.

Snow Grooming: 4.1

(1) There are no snow groomers at Adelboden, (3) occasionally some pistes are left ungroomed and in a poor state, (5) all the runs at Adelboden are groomed daily.

Shelter: 3.4

(1) there is nowhere to ski when it is windy or visibility is bad and lifts often shut, (3) there are some trees for poor visibility but main lifts sometimes close, (5) Adelboden is mostly in forest where you can ski in flat-light and windy days, lifts rarely close.

Nearby options: 3.6

(1) If snow conditions are poor at Adelboden, it will be poor everywhere nearby, (3) there are good alternatives within an hours drive, (5) other locations on the same lift pass provide a rich variety of snowsure ski conditions.

Regional rating: 3.7

(1) Adelboden usually has poor snow conditions compared to other resorts in region, (3) has average conditions for the region, (5) usually has the best snow conditions in the region.

Lift Staff: 4.2

(1) The staff at Adelboden are rude or unhelpful, (5) lift staff at Adelboden are pleasant, cheerful and eager to help.

Crowds/Queues: 3.8

(1) the resort is always busy and there are usually long lift queues, (3) it is quiet apart from occasional weekends and school holidays, (5) it is uncrowded and lift queues are very rare.

Ski Schools: 4.1

(1) No ski schools available, (2) one or two ski schools but local language only, (3) a few ski schools but book early for multi-lingual instructors, (4) plenty of ski schools and multi-lingual instructors available, (5) excellent ski schools with friendly multi-lingual ski instructors.

Hire and Repairs: 4.2

(1) Nothing can be sourced, not even ski-wax or ptex. (3) there are some ski shops but rentals need to be booked in advance, (5) good quality ski equipment can be purchased or hired and overnight repairs are possible.

Beginners: 3.6

(1) Beginners can only watch others ski and snowboard, (3) a few gentle slopes but beginners will get bored in less than a week, (3) Vast areas of gentle terrain.

Intermediates: 4.0

(1) No intermediate terrain at Adelboden, (3) intermediate skiers will get bored after a few days, (5) vast areas of cruising runs.

Advanced: 3.7

(1) Nothing for advanced skiers and snowboarders, (3) enough steep terrain for a few days with some good offpiste, (5) Enough steep terrain and offpiste areas to entertain advanced skiers for at least a week.

Snow Park: 3.2

(1) Not even a kicker at Adelboden, (3) average sized park quite well looked after, (5) huge park area and expertly crafted pipes, jumps and boardercross trails.

Cross-country: 3.9

(1) There is nowhere to go for cross-country skiing around Adelboden, (3) there are some cross country trails available, (5) the area features many spectacular and well maintained cross-country trails.

Luge/Toboggan: 3.9

(1) No designated luge or toboggan runs, (3) there are toboggan runs that open quite often, (5) Adelboden has long and well maintained luge / toboggan facilities suitable for all ages.

Mountain Dining: 4.0

(1) Nowhere to buy food by the pistes, (3) some places to eat up on the mountain but they are often busy and expensive, (5) there is a variety of excellent mountain eateries right next to the slopes to suit all budgets.

Eating: 4.1

(1) Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. (5) A wide variety of places to eat and drink in the resort, from fast food to fancy restaurants.

Apres-Ski: 3.1

(1) Nothing to do, not even a bar, (3) there are a few bars in the resort but nothing special, (5) clubs and bars stay open until very late and have a friendly atmosphere.

Other Sports: 4.0

(1) No sports facilities at all apart from ski lifts, (3) resort has just a small public swimming pool, (5) resort has all kinds of sports facilities, including a full-size swimming pool.

Entertainment: 3.3

(1) Besides the snow and walking there is nothing to do here, (3) the non-skier will find things to do for few days but may become bored after a week, (5) the resort area is a fascinating place to visit, regardless of winter sports.

Winter Walks: 4.2

(1) Very limited walking and no snowshoe trails, (3) a couple of designated scenic walking/snowshoe trails, (5) extensive and diverse winter walking trails for all abilities.

Ski Pass Value: 3.6

(1) A 1 week ski pass is overpriced compared to the number of lifts available, (3) the ski pass is averagely priced and covers a reasonable number of lifts, (5) ski passes are excellent value for money and cover a lot of lifts spanning a big area.

Value (National): 3.3

(1) Overall, Adelboden is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the country and not worth the money, (3) overall represents average value for money, (5) overall offers the best value resort in the country.

Value (Global): 3.3

(1) Overall, Adelboden is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the world, (3) overall it offers pretty average value for money compared to resorts from other countries, (5) internationally the resort offers excellent value for money.

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February 24, 2015
Hans from Ski Netherlands Netherlands
This year was my first time in Adelboden, Switzerland (we usually go to Austri)a. I (think I) am an advanced skier. I liked Adelboden for the possibilities. Most of the lifts were fairly new with hoods and one even had heated seats. Some tow lifts and one or two older lifts. When we were there we had lots of snow. Pistes were adequately groomed and many opportunities to go outside of the piste to get some deeper powder snow. People were friendly and the area is beautiful. What I did not like were the prices. We paid 310 Euros for a 7-day lift pass. Coffee was €5,50, a bowl of soup: €8. Parking was €5 per day (this was the first time I had to pay for this; never in Austria) and a ski locker was €8 per day per person. And above all this you have to pay 4,20F Kurtax per person per day. What you get for this amount was in no way visible for me. What I also missed were the cosy huts, on the piste, where you can sit and get something to drink. Most of them were so basic; I have seen better canteens in factories. On the bright side, it being so expensive kept people away so there were never any waiting lines at the lifts. Every disadvantage has it advantage ;-) I am not sure if we would come again to Switzerland. Maybe if the prices drop a little.
December 27, 2009
Gary Curtis from Ski Afghanistan Afghanistan
Travelled to Adelboden this Christmas for a week. Wasn't too much info about the resort so was looking forward to finding out more! Booked with Crystal and the rep on the bus told us we were the only English people in resort. They rarely get English skiiers or boarders travelling there! Anyway... RESORT: Adelboden village is the typical beautiful Swiss unspoilt village. Stunning views over the valley and full of snow covered trees. Very seasonal! There are a few shops in town, enough for your holiday bits, food, souvenirs, drinks and papers etc. Also, a couple of very good skate/snow shops. One called 'Diamond' who fixed my broken binding for free! Locals are very friendly... SKI / BOARDING: The actual ski area is slightly away from the Adelboden village but you are taken there by a awesome ride over the simply perfect Swiss scenery in a very nice four man gondler system. Was a joy each morning to have this. This takes you across the valley then up the main lifts. The actual area is awash with chair lifts which is great for a boarder like myself. All the lifts and runs were open. One thing worth pointing out is that the slopes had been prepared but not groomed to a slab of concrete. Everyone was enjoying the thicker snow and little jumps and bumps. Think they look after the resort fantastically well. Indeed, one of the days was the best snow I have ever had! There are a few flat and very narrow parts, so boarders beware. First day was a bit annoying until I knew where they were and could prepare with plenty of pace. I would expect Adelboden is a great and interesting place for skiers. Also, there are lots of places to go off-piste and not be too worried. There are runs through the trees and shortcuts everywhere. If you haven't gone off-piste, good place to try it out. Have to point out though, we missed 1 day due to high winds and the lifts not being run. Gave us a chance to explore but a bit annoying as the snow was great! Also, the light is very flat after about 1pm. So get up there early. The lifts open at 8am! HOTEL: We stayed at the recently refurbished Arena Steinmattli which was right next to the town and the lifts to the ski area. The staff were fantastic. The owners made you feel very special, being a rare UK visitor! The rooms were fantastic, the views over the trees are the best I have ever had. I cannot say enough nice things about this hotel. They were expecting the Swiss TV and Ski teams for the up coming world cup event. Must be good! Pros: Unspoilt, not tourist based, great snow, scenery. Cons: Cable cars effected by wind, some flat areas on slopes.
January 06, 2006
from Ski Switzerland Switzerland
hi tim, its a shame you didnt get the ski that you had hoped for. sorry for the mistake about the first day -- it was the 2nd day the resort was open i believe, as you had wrote! world cup race , they make the course so snow is brought in from surrounding area to ensure the course is good - thats why they can hold it. only prob i find with the resort is it has lots of flat areas - not too bad for ski but not very good for snowboard hope u have better time this year
January 02, 2006
Hector Luis G from Ski Spain Spain
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.
December 28, 2005
Tim Wilkinson from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Rob - yes lots. Good look on their internet site and I took the advice of Adelboden tourist office who also sent much information and dates of what they expected to open and by when. Sadly, despite the plentiful snow, they didnt honour their information. Our visit was third week in December, by no means their 'first day.' As for 'Adelboden doesnt perform well till mid season', they seem to get a World Cup race organised and fulfilled every mid January. Done plenty of skiing in Switz, and found that some resorts try harder than others. Had a lovely time in Adelboden, its a magnificent place, but stick to my opinion that they could have done more to cater for early season visitors, as Crans Montana managed the year before.
December 02, 2005
rob from Ski Switzerland Switzerland
Regarding the comment from Tim Wilkinson: sorry, but did you do any research on Adelboden before you went??? I would say not because it is very well known that Adelboden doesnt perform well until mid season and that like most of the ski resorts - isn't fully open on the first day. As for the CHF51 charge for Adelboden, you will find that this is the NORMAL charge for nearly every ski resort in the whole of Switzerland.
July 24, 2005
jacinta sullivan from Ski Ireland Ireland
We have just spent a week in Adelboden with Jeka group holidays and it is the most beatiful,peaceful place I have ever visited. The local people are very friendly and welcoming,the mountain views are breath-taking, it is beatifully maintained and the cakes are to die for. Staying at Hari 1 was a like a step back in time and all the more enjoyable for it. I hope that I will return again to this beatiful tranquil place someday.
December 29, 2003
Tim wilkinson from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Just returned from Adelboden, Switzerland. Arrived on Monday 15th to a foot and a half of fresh snow, down to a level well below the village, in fact the valley bottom. With its reputation as a World Cup, somewhat well heeled and patronised, resort advertising itself open from 13th Dec I expected they might get themselves organised and a few lifts open...ha ha. Gondola and one chair open serving 4 reds and a baby button, full whack 51 sfr. By Friday a second area open Tshentenalp - absolutely no pisting done whatsoever! Lovely resort, picturesque, but early season forget it, they just cant be arsed providing anything worthwhile for the top dollar they charge.

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