- LOCAL AREA: Blatten / Belalp, Valais, Switzerland
- SEASON START & END: Mid-December – Early April
- SKI ALTITUDE IN METRES: Local resort 1,322 m – 3,118 m / Vertical Drop 1,796 m
- PISTES: 40% Beginner / 32% Intermediate / 28% Expert
- 23 pistes for a total of 38 km (Blue: 15 km / Red: 12 km / Black: 11 km)
- LIFTS: Total 10 (Cable cars 2 / Gondola 1 / Chair lifts 3 / Drag lifts 4)
- SNOW: Snowmaking coverage on key pistes / High natural snow reliability due to altitude and north-facing slopes.
- LIFT TICKET PRICES: See Online
- CROSS COUNTRY SKIING: 10 km of cross-country trails in the Blatten and Belalp area
- LANGUAGE: German (English and French widely spoken)
- AIRPORT: Sion 65 km / Geneva 220 km / Zurich 240 km
- TRAIN: Brig railway station (10 km), then bus connection to Blatten
- SKI FACTS:
- The summit height of 3,118 m ensures excellent snow reliability
- Home to one of Switzerland’s longest descents, from Hohstock to Blatten
- Fantastic freeride and ski-touring terrain
- Family-friendly Hexenland children’s area
- Spectacular views of the Aletsch Glacier (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Belalp, The Town
Driving up from Naters, the road curls and twists past tiny hamlets that look as though gnomes themselves built them. Eventually, you reach Blatten, a village so small it barely bothers with a welcome sign. There is a shop, a couple of hotels, a café, and that is about it. Perfectly quaint and utterly charming, Blatten is the perfect staging post for the real prize: Belalp. In Blatten, make sure to take a little tour of the original historical village, a beautifully preserved one; it looks like a higgledy piggledy Nepalese village.
Belalp itself is not a proper village. It ismore a scatter of chalets, a few mountain restaurants, and enough ski lifts to keep you busy without feeling crowded. At 2,094 metres, the views are jaw-dropping. Across the Valais, the main Alpine ridge stretches out in front of you. You will want a mountain-identifying app because there is a lot to look at. With similar views as from Crans Montana, but lesser known as a destination. Keep it quiet, though; this is a secret worth hoarding.
Belalp, A Secret Slice of History
Head east towards the Belalp Hotel, and you will be looking down at the tail end of the Aletsch Glacier, where history and snow collide. John Tyndall, an Irish scientist and one of the first people to discover greenhouse gases and global warming, yes, we knew in 1859, and yet here we are, made this area his playground.
He rallied Victorian investors from Britain and Switzerland to fund glacier research and the building of the Belalp hotel. One can even visit his untouched bedroom at the Belalp Hotel. He studied the Aletsch Glaciers over many years and wrote one of the first books on glaciology, ‘The Glaciers of the Alps’, published in 1860. Later, he built his own chalet, Villa Tyndall, on Alp Lusgen, and his wife built the stone monument to commemorate John, which still stands proud above the slopes, so make sure to pay it a visit via red piste #14.
For those who fancy a wander, there is a little English church, apparently remnants of a tennis court, and Tyndall’s chalet scattered along the snow hiking trails. Fun fact: Tyndall lived in my hometown, Hindhead in England, when not in Belalp, a village once nicknamed ‘Little Switzerland’.
Belalp, The Skiing
Belalp is perched at 2,094 metres, and from here the skiing playground unfolds. The ski area is compact but surprisingly varied, spread across the mountain, serviced by a cable car and gondola from Blatten. Beginners, intermediates, and experts all have their moments, with pistes weaving past chalets, mountain restaurants, and viewpoints that make you pause mid-turn to take a photo or just stare in awe.
The snow is consistently good thanks to the altitude, and on a clear day, the views stretch across the Valais to the main Alpine ridge. Download a mountain-identifying app; you will need it to spot the famous mountains of the Alps. Belalp does not get crowded, with mostly local Swiss and Dutch visitors, which makes for a relaxing day on the slopes.
Belalp also has a special winter event, the Belalp Hexe or Witches’ Descent, held in January. Inspired by a 14th-century local legend, it celebrates with costumes and themed festivities, a perfect reminder of the history of the people who lived here.
Overall, the combination of consistent snowfall, high altitude, variety of pistes, and minimal crowds makes Belalp a joy to ski. You can spend a full day exploring, from playful blues to challenging blacks, stopping for a break at one of the mountain restaurants along the way, and still feel like you have discovered a hidden Alpine gem.
For equipment, stop by the Rip Zone shop at the base. They stock AK skis, among other quality brands, and the staff are excellent for recommendations.
Belalp quietly delivers what every skier dreams of: low crowds, excellent snow, epic views, and a dash of history. It is playful without being chaotic, scenic without being pretentious, and just challenging enough to keep your skis sharp. Treat it well, ski hard, and maybe keep the secret, you will thank yourself next winter.
Beginners
Blue pistes are plentiful and fun. Piste #10 is a long, rolling route with gentle undulations that keep things interesting without being intimidating. Early beginners will love piste #23, which is perfect for learning to link turns without fear of colliding with anyone else. On a good winter, you can even make it all the way down to Blatten on a long, winding blue run, though sadly it was not open during our visit.
Intermediate
Red runs provide plenty of variety. Piste #21 on the skier’s right is a lively route with curves and rollers that make every turn playful. Piste #13 is another favourite, while #14 takes you via John Tyndall’s monument and then onto the Belalp Hotel for lunch. These runs are challenging enough to keep things interesting but never punishing.
Experts
Black pistes are where Belalp shows its teeth. Piste #3 is simply outstanding, with high-altitude snow and panoramic views that make every turn feel cinematic. Other black runs #7, #9, and #12 offer thrilling descents for those who want a proper test of skill. Piste #1, accessed via a tunnel, was closed when we visited, but reports say it is one of the most beautiful runs in Switzerland, so it is high on our list for next time.
Belalp, Mountain Dining
Lunch with a view comes in two flavours. The Belalp Hotel offers cheese fondue that is almost as memorable as the mountains themselves, a proper Alpine classic with a side of breathtaking scenery. Hamilton Lodge in Chiematte is run by a Dutch fellow named John, and the name, Hamilton Lodge, is inspired by Tyndall’s wife, Charlotte’s maiden name. It is a melting pot of Canadian, Swedish, Norwegian, and Alpine influences, with great food and cosy lodgings, perfect for refuelling before hitting the slopes again.
Ecology & Sustainability Facts
- Focus on soft tourism and preservation of alpine landscapes
- Cable-car access reduces private vehicle use on the mountain
- Regional commitment to sustainable tourism in Valais
- Promotion of public transport access via rail and bus connections
For more information, visit Online
