Great ski town village in Switzerland new to the Irish

I learned to ski in Verbier in Switzerland many moons ago so that country holds a special place in my heart. Switzerland is the quintessential postcard image of a ski country that most people have of picturesque traditional villages in pine filled valleys surrounded by snow-capped peaks.

I am just back from Adelboden in Switzerland and this laid back ski resort, that is beloved by the Swiss, is one of the most beautiful ski villages I have ever stayed in. Adelboden is a very traditional town with farming still the main source of income through the valley. Hence the local cheese sold everywhere. This gives the town the feel of a real lived-in town rather than a tourist resort. I got the same line from any locals I talked to who said it is even more beautiful in the summer and a great place for hiking and mountain biking.

I flew with Swiss Air from Dublin to Zurich and my journey from the airport to Adelboden was a window into the country. My eyebrows were raised when I saw the travel plan because I have to take 2 trains and a bus with the transfer ranging from 2 to 5 minutes. Being Switzerland it was seamless with every train and bus running like a Swiss clock. It actually added to the enjoyment of the holidays travelling through valleys with lakes and mountains to be viewed from the window.

Adelboden is surrounded on all sides by mountains giving the sense you are in the middle of the alps. This resort was perfect for me because it has many kms of wide open gentle red runs making it perfect for the average Irish skier and I would say it is a great resort for families or couples. Switzerland is quieter than the lively resorts in Austria but better for a more relaxed ski trip where the skiing is the focus. If you are looking for a lively Swiss resort then Verbier is the spot. The last time I was there I had ordered a round of drinks for friends and Prince Harry helped me get them from the bar counter to our table. It is that sort of place.

WORLD SKI CHAMPIONSHIPS
Adelboden is famous for hosting the ski world championships every January and I was lucky enough to ski the world famous black run that is raced for the world championships. My nerves were not helped at the top of the steep run when my guide Christian picked me out of our group of 6 and said I didn’t have to do it if I wasn’t comfortable. I ignored my nerves, and skied the run at my own snail’s pace but it was such a thrill. The run goes down into the town and Christian told me that on race day there are over 30,000 fans roaring on the skiers.

January is probably the most popular month for ski holidays from Ireland but I would really recommend going later in the season in March. The Adelboden season goes to April and even May sometimes. Later in the season the days are longer, the weather is much warmer and the slopes much less crowded with the midterms in the UK finished and so the prices are often cheaper for accommodation.

Adelboden’s low key charm has always made the resort popular with Swiss people but there is a new local tourism push for visitors from Ireland and the UK since the opening of 4 star hotels like the Cambrian hotel where I stayed.

The Cambrian is owned by two Welsh brothers and is part of the Design hotels of the world group. The hotel looks out onto the most spectacular mountain view I have ever seen in the alps. I’ll never forget the sight of the orange glow of the setting sun moving over the mountains from the outdoor infinity pool.

What I love about travel is experiencing new activities and local customs. This can mean I have to go outside my comfort zone sometimes but that is when I often learn most about a country, their people and their lives. The Cambrian has a great spa with indoor pool, outdoor infinity pool and yoga room all looking at the most stunning view.

They also have the classic alps sauna and steam room. Anyone who has gone to a sauna in the alps will know what I mean by classic and that is naked. Being an innocent Irish man abroad, I strolled into the sauna after my first day of skiing to heal my aching bones. I didn’t notice the sign on the door saying it was a “naked sauna”. When I opened the door and saw several bodies in varying degrees of nakedness, I got a little shock and quickly backed out the door.

TRYING NEW EXPERIENCES
But I have learned over the years when travelling it is important to always try new experiences as they are often the most memorable. Over the next few days, I observed the dynamics of alpine sauna etiquette.

One time I entered the sauna and there were two couples lying out on top of their little white spa towels fully naked. This made me very overdressed, as I self-consciously clutched my tiny white towel, which was barely big enough to go around my waist. I held onto it as tight as a jockey holding a horse’s reins. Those couples soon left and then two new couples entered immediately. I guessed they were new to the hotel as they were wrapped up in huge green pool towels. I had gone from over dressed to underdressed in seconds, so I left too. It did give me a window into Swiss life though.

I love being in the mountains in both winter and summer and there are many Irish people who don’t ski but I would still recommend going to a town like Adelboden to experience the mountain life. There are so many activities that you can do outside of skiing like tobogganing, which I really loved and anyone can do. I also went snow shoeing for two hours at night which is an amazing experience as you walk silently through forests and over passes. That trip was finished with a meal of cheesey raclette in a mountain hut and Switzerland is the place for you if you like cheese. They are famous for raclette and fondue and you can smell it in every restaurant. I loved it.

I loved everything about the trip but particularly the laid back charm of the locals who always had a smile and welcome which you don’t often get in busy ski resorts. Switzerland is more expensive than most ski countries but the best in my opinion for the full traditional experience and worth a visit.

Check out my Swiss Ski special on Switzerland visit podcast . Check out the Cambrian hotel here https://www.thecambrianadel boden.com and Swiss tourism here https://www.myswitzerland.com