Balderschwang Ski Resort

The ski resort Balderschwang, located in the Bavarian Allgäu splits up into 12 km (7,5 miles) of blue trails, 10 km (6 miles) of red trails and 8 km (5 miles) of black trails. With that said, the ski resort accommodates skiers of all ages and abilities.

Five training lifts await kids and beginners so they can familiarize with all kinds of winter sport. Plus the ski resort brings enough practice area in form of blue trails so beginners can practice their skills. Like slope No. 5 that takes you in a huge arc to the valley station of Schelpenbahn high-speed quad chairlift. No. 10 has its base close to  ´Bodenseehütte´ and by skiing down you get to the snowboard trail. Head down No. 7, a blue marked race slope, to  access  ´Fuchshütte´ restaurant.

Intermediate skiers will find enough runs too. No. 16/17 are on extreme skiers right and are tough, both based on the top station of the Riedbergerhornbahn double chairlift. Alternatively check out No. 11/12 to the valley. Those who bring small children can leave them in the ski kindergarten at the valley station of the quad chairlift Schelpenbahn. They are being supervised by professional staff and learn how to ski themselves while parents enjoy more difficult trails.

Slopes No. 1, 2 and 3 are other ´Experts Only´ trails, so make sure everyone can hold their own on this fast terrain. The fun starts at the top station of Schelpenbahn quad chairlift and you can actually ski down to the valley.  If you ski difficult trails the route 14 is pretty great. ´Brunos Käsehütte´ mountain restaurant is your starting point and off you go on a quite winding trail to the ´Höflealp´. Slope No. 2 is a race slope and brings guaranteed fun for speed junkies.

Snowboarders are not left behind either. They even have their own snowboard trails in Balderschwang, really close to the ski tow H. There even is a specially designed snowboard center with its own parking lane at ski tow G.

Even night skiing goes without saying. Many trails are lighted at night: The slopes at the double chairlift ´Riedberghornbahn´, the blue training slopes, the snowboard slope at the ski tows G and H as well as the red slopes No. 11, 12, 4 , plus the black slopes No. 1 and 3.

The choice is yours at the self-service cafeteria of  ´Schelpenalp´ hut situated right next to the chairlift valley station. A diversified offer waits for the hungry skiers at lunchtime.

The ´Höflealp´ right at the exit of the lift ´Höflealp´ is the right address for you if you´re a fan of regional specialties. Special attention deserves the award-winning and selfmade famous cheese ´Sennenalpkäse´.

´Brunos Käsehütte´ offers the typical Bavarian ´Brotzeit´, that consists essentially of pretzels, bread and many delicious toppings. This is one of the best places to eat at Balderschwang because the sun deck has the best view and you can spend some quality time in the deck chairs that welcome you for hours of sunbathing.

The longest slope in the ski resort Balderschwang is the family slope with a length of 4,5 km (2,8 miles) and a drop of 450 meters (1476 ft). Definitely check out the FIS standard slope Kohlerhang.
 

You will find some picturesque winter hiking trails in the area. To access the height hiking trail you need to ride the double chairlift ´Schelpenbahn´. The trail starts at the top station, then continue until you get to ´Brunos Käsehütte´ and take the same way back.
The starting point for the winter hiking trail to ´Bodenseehütte´ is close to the snowboard trail. From there you pass the valley and the ´Socherhütte´, that goes parallel with the ´Fahrstraße´ to ´Bodenseehütte´. When you reach the top, a break with a hearty meal is well-deserved.

The ski school ´planet b´ provides guided snowshoe hiking tours. Experienced guides will lead you through untouched winter landscape.

You find a 1 km (0,62 mile) toboggan run from Alpe Oberbalderschwang, that passes the Obere-Socher-Alpe. Unfortunately you have to walk up yourself but after you really deserve to rest at ´Kienle´s Rodelhütte´ mountain hut.

Right next to ´Riedberghorn´ lift is a snow-tubing run. Take a seat in the large tires and speed downwards.

At ´Kienles Jagdhütte´ you get a wide selection of typical Allgäu foods or international cuisine like homemade waffles.

Daily changing dinner buffets await you at the Balance Resort ´Ifenblick´. Thursdays vegetarians get their money´s worth with a vegetarian buffet and every Sunday you get to enjoy  the ´Landzungen´ menu- a four-course-menu. But just in case you reserved a table early enough!

Public Transportation:
Coming by train get off in Fischen. Now take the service bus or come by a taxi to Balderschwang.

By car:
Take the A7 (connection Ulm) or the B12 (Augsburg,München) to Allgäu. Pass Kempten and make a turn at the Allgäu junction towards Weitnau. Take exit Waltenhofen toward Fischen. Riedbergpass is accessible via B19, continue on it until you get to Balderschwang. Keep left and you automatically reach the huge parking lane after 200 meters (656 ft).