Adelboden-Lenk: Family-Friendly In A Village Atmosphere.
Looking for a winter holiday where the "family-friendly" label is guaranteed? Look no further than the Adelboden-Lenk ski connection in the Bernese Oberland of Switzerland. Both communities have been awarded the "Families Welcome" quality label.
These two villages are generally looked at as one ski region, though they are about 15 km miles apart as the crow flies. Adelboden, an idyllic chalet village, is about twice the size of Lenk, which is known as a center of culture and music.
But, we're going to ski and ride, right? The villages are united by interconnected lifts in a large ski complex that contains 170 km of prepared pistes, serviced by 56 transportation devices. Frutigen and Kandersteg, nearby, increase the possibilities. The ski areas appeal mostly to intermediates, at least those who enjoy long runs. Expert skiers and snowboarders will like the off-piste options on vast snowfields. Cross-country skiing is plentiful, too.
You'll want to pause a while at Schwandfeldspitz, a vantage point above the Tschentenalp at an altitude of 2025 metres above sea level. It's at the cable car summit station and the panoramic views are inspiring.
You can play spectator at the FIS Ski World Cup races at the Chuenisbärgl each January, a regular stop on the tour. You might want to be on hand in February for the annual international sled dog racing weekend. There are usually about 100 teams of pups.
Winter guests benefit from the fact these are year-round resorts. These villages are used to looking after guests when they are not on the slopes. There are museums, concerts, bars, and discos. There's a wide choice of restaurants, (more raclette than you can ever devour) and the music runs from Strauss waltzes and gypsy melodies to disco and rock.
Travel comfortably by train via Bern-Spiez-Zweisimmen, or by MOB (Montreux-Oberland Bernois, one of the oldest electric railways in Switzerland) via Montreux-Zweisimmen to Lenk-Simmental. Drive by way of the Autobahn Bern A6, exit Wimmis/Zweisimmen; it is 40 km from Bern to the entrance to the Simmental valley, and 90 km up to Lenk.
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