Meiringen-Hasliberg
Meiringen-Hasliberg is a family-friendly ski resort best for families with young children, empty nesters and seniors seeking a quiet winter holiday in the heart of the Swiss Alps; and fans of Sherlock Holmes.
Situated in the Haslital valley in the Bernese Oberland, Meiringen is a small town at an altitude of 700m above sea level connected by cable car to Hasliberg Reuti at 1,000m. Getting to Meiringen is easy by road or rail from Zurich or Bern airports. Other ski resorts nearby include the Jungfrau resorts of Grindelwald, Wengen and Murren which are easily reached by train from Meiringen.
Best known for the Reichenbach Falls and its connection with the fictional detective Sherlock Holmes, Meiringen-Hasliberg is equally busy in summer and winter. Cheaper than better known Swiss ski resorts it offers 60km of enjoyable pistes skiing served by a small but efficient ski lift system as well as easily-accessible off-piste and reasonably good mountain restaurants.
The family-friendly ski area is best for intermediates and improving beginners and for skiers and boarders alike. More advanced skiers will need perfect snow conditions if they are to attack the off-piste terrain and avoid having to ski the same runs over and over again. Après ski is practically non-existent outside of the hotels and a few ordinary bars.
The majority of visitors to Meiringen-Hasliberg come from Switzerland (50%) and Germany (30%) with Holland and the UK accounting for around 10% and 5% respectively. Many Swiss guests come for the day or for a weekend. Consequently the ski area and the town are generally quieter during the week.
The town is relatively unsophisticated and the choice of accommodation includes a dozen hotels, mostly 1-3 stars, but no luxury hotels or chalets.