The country is divided into three geographical zones: the Rhine Valley, the northern plain and a piece of the Tyrolean Alps. One fifth of the country’s territory is covered with forests, the country grows grapes, vegetables, wheat, and raises cattle.

Despite the fact that Liechtenstein occupies an area of ​​only 160 square kilometers, it is famous for its majestic mountain peaks and excellent ski slopes located in the picturesque Rhaetian Alps. Mountains: the Rhaetian ridge and the Falknis peak (2660 m) and Grauspitz (2699 m) occupy about two-thirds of the state. The terrain here is perfectly suited for skiing. The resort area is ideal for family vacations and for people who have never skied but want to do it. Comfortable gentle slopes contribute to a quick adaptation to the process of skiing in mountain conditions, and experienced instructors of the ski resort can always give valuable advice. The presence of a large number of trails for beginners does not mean that the snowy peaks of Liechtenstein are alien to experienced skiers. There are excellent routes here, both for professionals and for fans of intermediate alpine skiing.

The developed tourist infrastructure allows guests of the resort to have a fun and interesting time on the hotel grounds and not experience problems moving along the slopes, since modern and multifunctional equipment allows you to do this quickly and safely. The season is relatively long, from November to April, with the peak season just around Christmas, and the light frost typical of mountainous areas, combined with thick snow cover, contribute to the feeling of this winter and make vacations in these places even more high-quality and interesting.

A vacation in Liechtenstein in winter is truly an amazing trip. The ski slopes here are mainly red or black according to international marking. It doesn’t matter that their length is small – here you will find rocky cliffs and boulders, here and there protruding from the ground. Such slopes are preferred by extreme sports and slammers.

Winter resorts of Liechtenstein

The main and, in general, the only skiresortinLiechtenstein of international level is Malbiun, located 17 kilometers from the capital city of Vaduz, at an altitude of 1600 meters above sea level. The total length of the slopes here is a little more than 20 kilometers. About half of them are designed for beginners, although there are also several good routes for experienced skiers. The difference in altitude here is not very significant, only a few hundred meters. The slopes are served by high-tech lifts and have modern equipment to maintain the required level of snow throughout the season. For snowboarders in Malbun there is a fan park with a half-pipe. At the foot of the snowy peaks there is a tourist area, with hotels, restaurants and a skating rink. Unlike the elite ski resorts of neighboring Switzerland, there are no noisy discos and nightclubs here, so families who come here with small children can sleep peacefully. The resort is ideal for a quiet, carefree vacation, surrounded by alpine nature and soft fluffy snow, which lies in a thick layer on the surface of the slopes from November to April.

Ski resort Malbün, Liechtenstein

The second and last most important ski resort in the country, Steg, is located at an altitude of 1300 meters above sea level and is a real find for cross-country skiers, for whom there are excellent flat routes here. Steg is located a few kilometers from Malbün and has unique landscapes that are especially breathtaking in the summer. Those who wish can not only enjoy skiing, but also take a fascinating walk along the mountain trails to places where fabulous views of the surrounding areas open. Of course, professionals and intermediate skiers have a direct route to Malbun from here, but beginners can easily master their skills on the small, gentle slopes of Steg. The entire hotel and entertainment industry is also located in neighboring Malbun, as are the two ski schools, which are the only ones in this dwarf state.

Steg Ski Resort, Liechtenstein

Among the attractions of Liechtenstein, its capital, a town called Vaduz, occupies a special place. You can get there by bus from Malbun in just 10 minutes. Among the most interesting objects of this city are the princely castle of the 9th century, the elegant chapel, made in the Gothic style and dating back to the fifteenth century, and the wine factory, which also has an unusual architectural design. In addition, it is worth paying attention to the National Museum, with its collection of ancient coins and antique weapons, the Art Museum with an exhibition of craft compositions, as well as the ski museum, which is interesting for fans of winter sports. The city’s architecture is also very interesting and resembles a medieval village lost in the mountains.

How to get there

Liechtenstein is a very small state and the most convenient way to get here is through the Swiss border. A visa is also issued through the embassy of the same country. There is no public transport, as well as an airport, in Liechtenstein, so tourists usually use bus routes or rent a car. Prices in the country are at the Swiss level, and since there are two tourist seasons here, both winter and summer, the cost of local goods does not tend to decrease.

Climate and recreation in Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein has an alpine temperate continental climate. In winter, the average air temperature is -3 degrees, and it is quite cloudy. In summer, there is no heat, and the air smells of the forest. From November to April, precipitation falls mainly in the form of snow. In summer, it rarely rains, and the picturesque nature promotes frequent trips to the mountains. The ski resort of Liechtenstein, Malbun, is always quite busy in the season, despite the fact that the country is not among the elite in terms of winter sports. The main feature of this unique dwarf state is that it is attractive to tourists at any time of the year, and in many ways, therefore, it is one of the most prosperous and successful countries in Europe.

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