Leukerbad is a typical Alpine Swiss ski resort, located at an altitude of 1400 m in a picturesque location right at the foot of the peaks. Nature has been very generous to this region. The mild climate and beautiful landscapes make Leukerbad attractive to tourists.

The history of Leukerbad dates back to 400 BC, but it became known as a winter ski resort only a few decades ago. Since ancient times, people have come here for treatment. Today, this resort is a real paradise for skiers and an ideal place for family and health holidays. Thermal springs are located right in the center of the town. The water temperature is 51 degrees. The useful mineral water is cooled and poured into numerous pools, where tourists who have come to Leukerbad spend their leisure time.

There are many thermal complexes, open at each pool and hotel, indoor and outdoor baths, Roman baths with wet steam and Irish baths with dry. Guests of the resort are offered a variety of massages and health treatments. So that nothing distracts the skier from water procedures, the ski pass here is combined with a spa pass, which opens the doors to most health centers.

In addition, in these places you can get acquainted with the Welsh traditions, cultural winemaking and ancient architecture. In one of the oldest villages in the canton of Valais – Albinen, old houses with walls of dark larch and a foundation of raw stone have been preserved. And in the village of Inden – the last on the way from the Rhone Valley to Leukerbad, you will certainly be charmed by a beautiful church with a unique altar in the Baroque style. If you want to learn about the “drunken” traditions of the region, go to the village of Waren, where winegrowers live. The local Pfyfoltru wines are simply too good!

Both adult tourists and young beginner skiers can study at the Leukerbad ski schools. There are lessons for toddlers aged 2.5 to 4 years, as well as skiing lessons for children aged 4 to 6 years.

How to get there

The nearest airport is Geneva (transfer time 1-2 hours). Travel time from Zurich airport is 3.5 hours. The nearest train station is Leuk, then a direct bus along the mountain serpentine takes 30 minutes to the center of the resort.

Slopes and lifts

Leukerbad has two areas for active recreation, located high in the mountains – on the Gemma Pass and on Torrent. In winter, the slopes of Torrent turn into a skiing area for alpine skiers, while fans of ski touring, cross-country skiing, sledding and long snowshoe walks head to Gemma, where there are no ski slopes. Two cable cars operate in Leukerbad, connecting the resort with Torrent and Gemma.

Training and qualifying races for the World Cup are held on the ski slopes. For beginners, there is a slope on the outskirts of the village with three green runs. There are alpine and cross-country skiing and snowboarding schools.

The total maximum elevation gain in the Torrent ski area is just over 1100 m, which is not bad for a resort with only 50 km of slopes. There are practically no transitions, gentle sections, slopes and roads – you do not waste time getting to your favorite steep section and then getting out to the lift. The entire slope is “working”. Skiing in Leukerbad is mainly “black” and “red”. Half of the slopes are for confident amateurs, another 35% are for those who consider themselves professionals. So it is not surprising that Karin Rothen Mayer, who twice won the stages of the Alpine Skiing World Cup, grew up here. Leukerbad has seven black slopes, the most difficult of which is considered to be the Rinderhalde FIS, where the Alpine Skiing World Cup races are held. It turns into the black Alter Stafel, also certified by the FIS, and then into another black slope, which finishes in the Feillerette area. From there, you can return to the resort via the red slope of the same name. In the west, the panorama of Leukerbad, which opens from this slope, is particularly good. Higher than the middle station of Rinderhutte, in a wide hollow that stretches from the highest point of the region, there is a snow park with a halfpipe. Snowboarders, newskiers have fun here … It is perfectly visible to the right of the chairlift leading up from Rinderhutte. Good terrain, many different shapes and close proximity to the lift – all you need! It happens, though, that the snow park “falls headfirst” with snow (with snow in Leukerbad, everything is in order!) And they are in no hurry to dig it up – it’s a pity for virgin land.

Waldpiste. The nine-kilometer red run and the Fiss black “Forest Trail” start from the Ringerhütte and finish at the Flaschen gondola lift, returning skiers and snowboarders to the starting point in two turns. Above Ringerhütte are spacious red slopes, one of which, Fun Park (2.5 km), is specially prepared for snowboarders and “new schoolers”.

Snowpark Sportarena. The children’s area is located in the center of Leukerbad in the Sportarena complex. There is a special lift for children from 2.5 to 6 years old. There is also a toboggan run – simple and fairly gentle, about 400 m long. And for slightly older athletes, the Snowpark Sportarena has 6 freestyle figures designed specifically for beginners.

The snowpark with a half-pipe is located above the middle station of Ringerhütte, in a wide hollow that stretches from the highest point of the region. Good terrain, many different figures and close proximity to the lift – all you need!

Cross-country skiing. Cross-country skiing enthusiasts can try their hand at 4 different routes near Leukerbad or take the lift to the Gemma Pass, where several more trails are laid around Lake Daubensee. In total, the region has 25 km of cross-country skiing trails.

Leukerbad: from the slopes to the thermal baths

The famous Swiss resort is a unique place for those who want to ski downhill and undergo health and beauty treatments in spa centers, where water comes from local thermal springs.

The ancient Romans were the first to discover these places, who appreciated the healing properties of local thermal springs. Much later, I. V. Goethe and V. Nabokov restored their strength here. And already in the middle of the last century, skiing became an addition to the medical and health program for most resort guests: in Leukerbad, one and a half dozen trails of varying degrees of difficulty have been created, with a total length of about 50 km.

In the hotels and clinics of the resort (the largest of them are the Lindner Alpentherme and Burgerbad complexes) there are three dozen thermal pools – indoor, outdoor, sports and with hydromassage, as well as special children’s pools. The water entering them is cooled: its natural temperature reaches +51°C. The resort offers not only thermal baths and spa treatments, but also serious balneological therapy, which helps in the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, respiratory tract, cardiac disorders and neuropathology.

Lindner Alpentherme is the most prominent among the balneological centers of Leukerbad. The complex includes swimming pools, saunas, a spa center, restaurants, shops and several hotels. The lion’s share of this structure is occupied by a giant pool with thermal water, part of which is located in the open air: lying in hot, steaming water and on an underwater hydromassage bed and watching snowflakes melt as they approach your warmed body is a separate and incomparable pleasure.

Burgerbad. One of the largest thermal complexes in Europe is a real water park created for fans of hydromassage. Here you can take it lying down, sitting, standing, with your whole body and each part of it separately, in proud solitude or in a cheerful company. And all kinds of pools in general are enough for a small sea – open and closed, large and small, sports and thermal, with hydromassage, waterfalls, grottos and water slides. You can float your own child there and with a clear conscience take care of yourself – the child will happily splash in the warm water under the supervision of instructors. For especially romantic people, Burgerbad organizes breakfasts with champagne – for 41 francs, those who get up early will get breakfast right in the pool with orange juice, canapes with salmon and coffee. Most tourists prefer to take Snow & The Spa Pass, which gives you the right to use all the lifts in the region, includes the possibility of daily visits to the two thermal complexes described above.

Where to stay

There are about 30 hotels in Leukerbad. The main accommodation fund is made up of chalets and apartments, there are 1,700 of them (6,900 beds). The chic Les Sources des Alpes 5* has an amazing atmosphere that promotes rest and relaxation. Even the rooms here have romantic names instead of numbers: “Hyacinth”, “Orange”, “Violet”. The Le Bristol Leukerbad 4* hotel has a good reputation. The real pearl of Leukerbad is the Lindner Alpentherme 4* hotel, which has a wonderful thermal complex. The offers of tour operators also include the hotels Badehotel ReginaTerme 4*, De France by Thermalhotels 4*, Alpina Adora 3*, Alex 3*, Alfa 3*, Alpenblick-Leukerbad-Therme 3* and some others.

Hôtel Les Sources des Alpes 5-star hotel

At the service of the Hotel Les Sources des Alpes in Leukerbad, there is member of the exclusive Relais & Châteaux hotel group, a luxurious spa, a gourmet restaurant and free WiFi.

The gourmet restaurant La Malvoisie with its charming terrace was awarded 15 points by the Gault & Millau restaurant guide. The wine cellar offers a wide selection of the best fine wines in the world, including wines from the Valais region.

The spacious, bright and elegant rooms are equipped with a minibar, desk and balcony. For guests’ convenience, slippers, bathrobes and hairdryers are provided in the bathrooms.

For relaxation, the Les des Sources Alpes hotel has 2 thermal baths (outdoor and indoor), a sauna and a Turkish bath. It also offers a solarium and a beauty salon. A variety of wellness treatments, treatment packages and comprehensive programs for cleansing the body and losing weight are available. Additional amenities include a gym and free parking.

Upon arrival, guests are given the Leukerbad Plus card. Its holders are granted discounts on visits to public thermal springs and purchase of tickets for the cable car, as well as the right to free participation in the entertainment program and free use of local buses and various sports facilities in the area.

Le Bristol Leukerbad 4-star hotel

The traditional 4-star Hotel Le Bristol Leukerbad is just 200 metres from the from the Torrentbahn cable car. It features its own thermal baths, a massage room and a beauty salon. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the building.

Guests can enjoy the indoor and outdoor thermal baths, relax in the steam bath or sauna, and work out in the fitness room. The hotel also offers a wide range of professional beauty and massage treatments.

The restaurant offers panoramic mountain views and serves balanced meals made from fresh, seasonal products. The Leukerbad Le Bristol also has a bar with live piano music.

A games room, parking, and banquet and conference rooms are available.

The Sportarena sports centre is a 10-minute walk away. Interlaken can be reached in 2 hours and Geneva Airport is a 2.5-hour drive away.

Hotel Alex 3-star hotel

The Alex Hotel enjoys a quiet location in Leukerbad. Guests can reach the village centre and the Torrentbahn cable car directly.

All rooms are non-smoking and feature a balcony and free WiFi.

The Alex Hotel’s quiet spa area features a Finnish sauna, a steam bath, an ice cave, a Kneipp pool and a panoramic gallery.

Hotel Alex offers discounted ski passes and mountain railway tickets. The Leukerbad Card Plus can also be purchased on site. Cardholders enjoy discounts on public thermal spas and cable car tickets, as well as a free entertainment program and free use of local buses and various sports facilities in the area.

Hotel Alpenblick-Leukerbad-Therme 3-star hotel

Hotel Alpenblick is located next to the thermal baths in Leukerbad. Guests enjoy free use of the thermal baths and the Gemmibahn cable car. It features a restaurant serving barbecue dishes, free WiFi, and a ski storage room.

The spacious rooms have a bathroom and a flat-screen TV with cable channels. Some rooms also have a balcony.

The Torrentbahn Cable Car is 400 metres from the Alpenblick Hotel, and the Gemmibahn Cable Car is 800 metres away.

De France by Thermalhotels 4-star hotel

Нещодавно відремонтований 4-зірковий готель De France by Thermalhotels розташований прямо в центрі Лейкербаду на площі Дорфплац, поруч з термальною купальнею Walliser Alpentherme. На території надається безкоштовний Wi-Fi.

Номери оформлені в сучасному стилі і теплих тонах. У числі зручностей телевізор з плоским екраном, письмовий стіл, вітальна зона, міні-бар і ванна кімната. Гостям надаються тапочки і халати.

Гості можуть відвідати оздоровчий центр готелю з критим і відкритим басейнами і соляною купальнею. Крім того, гості можуть безкоштовно відвідувати термальний комплекс Walliser Alpentherme, який з’єднаний з готелем підземним переходом.

Щодня сервірується рясний сніданок «шведський стіл» з різноманітними гарячими і холодними стравами. За запитом можуть бути подані страви без глютену або лактози. У відомому ресторані Sacre Bon на 1 поверсі подають страви швейцарською, інтернаціональної, французької та гриль-кухні, а також сезонні страви та харчування по системі «напівпансіон».

Інші визначні пам’ятки включають канатні дороги Торрент (в 200 м) і Ерлі-Теллерліфт (в 600 м). Крім того, в розпорядженні гостей спортивна арена з льодовим катком, тенісний корт, корт для бадмінтону, корт для сквошу і поле для міні-гольфу. Найближчий аеропорт знаходиться в Сіоні, у 40 хвилинах їзди на автомобілі. Поїздка до аеропорту Женеви займає 2 години, а до Цюріха – 2,5 години.

Де перекусити

Відзначимо, що в Лейкербаді працюють 50 ресторанів, п’ять барів і нічний клуб. Одним з найзатишніших місць вважається ресторан-бар Chinchilla der Pub в англійському стилі. Один з кращих традиційних ресторанів в Лейкербаді – Waldhaus Grichting. Серед відвідувачів багато сімей з дітьми (ціни цілком прийнятні – 60 CHF за меню з 5 страв). Для маленьких гурманів тут є спеціальне меню, а також книжки, розвиваючі ігри та мініфутбол на нижньому поверсі. Папи напевно оцінять значний бар з багатою колекцією вин, місцевих настоянок, лікерів і всяких благородних напоїв (господарі також володіють винним бутіком Al Vino і знають в цьому толк). Ще одна визначна пам’ятка Waldhaus – це розташована у дворі дерев’яна хатина на вісьмох осіб з місцем для гриля (комплексний обід тут обійдеться в 95 CHF за особу, замовлення дійсне при бронюванні хатини мінімум на чотирьох).

Активной відпочинок

Ковзани. У спортивному комплексі SportArena у дитячої гірки Snowpark Sportarena дорослі за 9 CHF, а діти від 6 років за 7 CHF можуть кататися на ковзанці скільки душі завгодно. Прокат ковзанів коштує 5 CHF, а за 30 CHF можна купити сімейний квиток на двох дорослих і двох дітей, включаючи прокат ковзанів. Якість льоду дуже пристойна, народу, як правило, зовсім небагато. для малюків є смішні помічники – пінгвіни і ведмеді, що кружляють по катку з дітворою на підніжці.

Санки. Санна траса є в районі Feuillerette (3 км) і ще дві траси розташовані на перевалі Гемма. Звідси, прямо від верхньої станції підйомника, вони ведуть вниз, до озера Daubensee. Назад наверх вас доставить маленький підйомник. Брати з собою наверх санки та інше обладнання зовсім не обов’язково – на Гемма працює прокат всього необхідного.

Параглайдінг. Парні польоти стартують на Rinderhutte – верхньій станції гондоли, що піднімає гірськолижників з Лейкербада в зону катання Torrent. Можливих фінішних майданчиків два – Obere Maressen і Susten. Дітям і групам знижки.

Sportarena. Вражаючий набір спортивних дисциплін: катання на ковзанах, керлінг, футбол, теніс, сквош, фітнес. Для дітей до 8 років вхід безкоштовний. Спінінг (зал з велотренажерами), настільний теніс, волейбол, 6 тенісних кортів (25 CHF за годину), майданчик для гри в сквош і навіть футбольне поле. Тут же є дитяча ігрова кімната з різнобарвними пластиковими меблями і дитячою гіркою – можна пограти з малюками молодшого віку, які ще не ганяють в м’яч і не катаються на ковзанах.