December 15, 2008
zlatan pilipovic
from
United Kingdom
Great winter resort for families with small kids, even good for experienced skiers. There is not many ski lifts like in other winter resorts, but still good. In Leukerbad nothing is to far, everything is at walking distance. Few good restaurants, open swimming pools with thermal water, good for kids. This is my 5th winter holiday in lovely Leukerbad.
Being a half decent skier and having said yes to going on a family ski trip to Leukerbad I was a little concerned by the size of the ski area with it being only 50km of piste. However, having just returned in Jan 08 - I really enjoyed the skiing it had to offer. Some really nice cruising reds and some challenging blacks with some beautiful views into the Rhone Valley and beyond to the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc. The down side was once you had taken the main cable car up to the ski area it was a pain to ride drag lifts all day. However, I guess I have been spoiled by the larger Europeon resorts where you can rest your legs on the plentiful chair lifts. Also there is very little on offer for the beginner . My sister who had just learned was a little frustrated by the one blue slope in the main Torrent ski area. This was only matched by my frustration trying to help her - but that's another story.
Another highlight are the thermal spas at the end of a long ski day. Top Tip - don't go the the spa at Burgerbad as it is like the local grotty swimming baths . Go to Linder Alpentherme - really classy and clean.
We spent 4 days skiing in Leukerbad (one day-rained off!) and a day at Chandlin/St Luc - well worth a visit. Also Crans Montana is only an hour away too - never made it there though unfortunately. Enjoy.