Skiing in Meiringen-Hasliberg
The ski area at Hasliberg is a large open bowl beneath Glogghűs (2,534m) and Rothorn (2,525m) with over 1,400m vertical elevation, plenty of off-piste in addition to the 60km of groomed pistes and splendid views of surrounding peaks.
Meiringen-Hasliberg Ski Area Overview
There are 60km of groomed pistes including one black run, 14 red runs and eight blue runs which are generally uncrowded and ideal for intermediates and improving beginners. Facilities for beginners are good and conveniently close to the Meiringen ski school office at Bidmi. They include secure areas for young children, a slope and T-bar designated for novice boarders only as well as wide open beginner slopes for skiers. A glance at the ski area also reveals plenty of relatively easy off-piste terrain between the pistes for advanced skiers as well as more challenging off-piste for experts. The ski lift system is heavily reliant on the main cable car and four high-speed gondolas to bulk shift but queuing is generally not a problem.
There is artificial snowmaking on the main slopes from Häägen (2,010m) and Mägisalp (1,710m) to Bidmi and between Käserstatt (1,840m), Lischen and Bidmi, but no artificial snowmaking on the lower blue runs between Bidmi and Reuti which are mostly too low for snowmaking. Consequently, if snow conditions are patchy early or late in the season, the blue runs from Bidmi to Reuti may be closed due to lack of snow cover in which case the only way down without wrecking your skis is to ride the gondola.
More advanced skiers and boarders will easily cover all of Meiringen’s groomed slopes in a couple of days, but when snow conditions are favourable there’s plenty of off-piste including easy-to-access ungroomed terrain between the pistes which helps avoid having to ski or ride the same pistes again and again.
Those who want to ski more challenging terrain can arrange a guide locally through the ski school. Glogghűss 2,534m and Rothorn 2,525m are protected areas for the benefit of Chamois, but experts can access more difficult off-piste descents including steep couloirs by booting up the ridge from Planplatten 2,250m towards the shoulder of Rothorn then ski fresh tracks down to the gondola at Mägisalp. Heliskiing is also possible, usually in April, on Sustenhorn, Ebneflu or Rosenhorn and can be arranged by the ski school.
Other activities in the ski area include ten hiking trails, two toboggan runs (Mägisalp-Bidmi and Käserstatt-Balisalp-Lischen) each of which is around 3km long and a short cross-country ski circuit between Bidmi and Lischen. The hiking trails are between 30 minutes and three hours in duration and allow winter walkers to access the popular mountain restaurants at Käserstatt (1840m) and Mägisalp (1710m) without having to ride the lifts. It’s also possible to walk all of the way from Hasliberg Hohfluh down to Meiringen at 700m in the Haslital Valley below.
Beginner Skiing in Meiringen-Hasliberg
Meiringen-Hasliberg’s family-friendly ski school at Bidmi has excellent facilities for young children and novices learning to ski. A well-structured programme helps beginners progress quickly from nursery slopes to blue runs and easy red runs.
Meiringen-Hasliberg’s ski school main office is located on the mountain at Bidmi and easily reached by gondola from Reuti. The ski school meeting points at Bidmi are well sign-posted and facilities for novices and young children at Bidmi generally are excellent. The ski lift system allows beginners easy access to the ski area by cable car and gondola.
The ski area includes a family-friendly area at Bidmi with a designated area, tow rope and magic carpet for young children to be introduced to skiing and to gain confidence in the company of a parent and instructor in a playful but structured setting. There are special slopes for beginners and a surface lift exclusively for snowboarders, a short slalom slope, an igloo village and two child-friendly mountain restaurants.
The blue ski slopes (2, 1 and 21) to the left of the gondola from Wasserwendi to Käserstatt are often noticeably quieter than the central area around Mägisalp and the easy blue runs from Käserstatt to Balisalp and Lischen offer beginners the chance to ski confidence boosting gentle slopes in a peaceful setting before tackling relatively steeper and busier blue runs between Häägen, Mägisalp and Bidmi.
Older children and adults learning to ski or board in Meiringen are limited to just eight blue runs at relatively low altitudes (mostly below 1,840m) so beginners will need to progress quickly from blue runs to red runs if they are to make the most of the ski area, and especially if snow cover is thin on the lower slopes below Lischen and Bidmi. That said, Meiringen Ski School offers a well-defined programme of group lessons and special skills training for skiers and boarders of all ability levels to fast-track their progress to higher levels.
Ski Schools & Ski Lessons in Meiringen-Hasliberg
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Intermediate Skiing in Meiringen-Hasliberg
The Hasliberg ski area offers 60km of groomed trails including one easy black, 14 red runs and eight blue runs as well as some easy off-piste terrain within the ski area boundary.
Although smaller and quieter than most other ski resorts in the Bernese Oberland, Meiringen-Hasliberg offers enjoyable skiing and boarding and is a good choice for intermediates and improving beginners seeking a cheaper Swiss ski resort for a ski weekend or short ski break mid-week, especially in prime conditions.
The ski area is compact and easy to navigate. Ride the cable car from Meiringen to Reuti then a series of three gondolas from Reuti to Bidmi, Magisälp and Planplatten (2,250m) where you have a choice of four long red runs and one easy black run. Reds 15, 16 and black 17 lead back to the Alpen Tower Eagle Express gondola at Magisälp (1,710m) where you can ride the gondola back to Planplatten and repeat runs or use the Tschuggi T-bar to remain high.
In good conditions, adventurous intermediates and advanced skiers also have the opportunity to ski plenty of ungroomed terrain which is easily accessible between pistes. On a clear day, it’s worth stopping at the Alpen Tower at Planplatten (2,250m) for a quick drink and to enjoy impressive views of the surrounding peaks, before tackling long reds 18 and 19 past the Alphittli Gummenalp to the Spycher T-bar or continue as far as the gondola station at Bidmi.
When you’ve finished skiing on Planplatten ride the chairlifts from Magisälp to Häägen (2,010m) and Glogghűs (2,433m), which offer you a choice of four enjoyable red runs and an easier blue run, all of which lead back to Magisälp making it easy to ski laps.
Ten mountain restaurants and bars offer reasonably good choices. When hungry or thirsty, check out the cosy Häägenstubeli mountain restaurant, which is visible on the right close to the top of the Häägen chair. Or ski red runs 9 then 8 from the top of the Glogghűs chair lift to Käserstatt (1,840m) which is a popular place for lunch or a drink between runs.
The ski area to the left of Käserstatt and Lischen is relatively quiet and offers early intermediates and beginners the chance to ski easy blue runs to a middle gondola station at Lischen or to the lower Twing gondola station at Hasliberg-Wsserwendi then ride back up to the ski area. The quiet left-hand side of the ski area also includes some decent powder pitches and is worth checking out if searching for untracked snow.
If lucky enough to arrive in prime conditions, adventurous intermediates should consider booking a private instructor or a guide to help them explore the area more fully including some of the ungroomed terrain between the pistes which is good for learning to ski off-piste. Contact the ski school to arrange a guide.
Advanced & Expert Skiing in Meiringen-Hasliberg
Advanced piste skiers can easily ski all of Hasliberg’s 60km of groomed runs in a couple of days or less, but when snow conditions are favourable there’s also plenty of skiing off-piste between the pistes and more challenging off-piste for experts.
While a cursory inspection of the ski map reveals 23 groomed runs totalling 60km in extent, of which only one is black, in good snow conditions there are plenty of opportunities for advanced skiers and boarders to test themselves off-piste.
Advanced piste skiers will soon exhaust Hasliberg’s groomed pistes, but the entire ski area is like a wide, open bowl with plenty of all-mountain terrain for advanced skiers and riders and lots of easy off-piste terrain between the pistes which offers good opportunities for confident intermediates to make fresh tracks and to improve their skills off-piste.
The upper reaches of the Glogghűs and Rothorn peaks are protected for Chamois and generally too steep for skiing, but the freeride area beneath Rothorn can be reached by a series of steep couloirs from the shoulder of the Rothorn or more easily lower down by skiing a high traverse then picking a suitable line. Ride the chairlift from Mägisalp to Häägen to appreciate the possibilities and to figure out the best exit lines to bring you back to the ski area.
There’s more good off-piste terrain visible on the left as you ride the chairlifts running between Mägisalp, Häägen and Gloghghűs (2,433m). Ski red runs 9, 10 and 11 and ride the lifts a couple of times to assess the best routes and take note of the no-go area (cliffs) in the area below the lower reaches of red run 10.
The best advice is to check snow and weather conditions very carefully then when sure that snow conditions are good enough make a late booking, and contact the ski school to arrange a guide. The ski school also offers day-long mountain safety seminars including avalanche risk reduction, reading snow conditions, correct use of avalanche safety equipment and first aid for those interested in learning to ski safely off-piste.
Other opportunities for experts include affordable heli-skiing flights to the Rosenhorn, Sustenhorn and Ebnefluh and high-alpine descents in untracked snow with an experienced mountain guide. Heli-skiing prices vary according to group size and route and can be arranged locally by the ski school.
A cheaper option for those in good physical condition is a full day’s ski tour which can be arranged through the ski school for groups of up to 10 people at a quite reasonable cost. Ski touring equipment can be rented locally.
Boarding & Freestyle in Meiringen-Hasliberg
Meiringen-Hasliberg ski area includes well-groomed pistes for boarders to carve and the wide open expanses of ungroomed terrain between the pistes will appeal to those who enjoy freeriding off-piste.
Hasliberg’s groomed pistes are boarder-friendly and there are not many flat areas for boarders to worry about. There’s some excellent off-piste terrain to the left of the Tschuggi drag lift which includes natural couloirs and roller coaster terrain down to Mägisalp. Meiringen also boasts Switzerland’s first natural border cross.
The professionally designed Freestyle Park Alpenregion Brienz-Meiringen at Mägisalp (1,710m) includes four jumps between 7 and 20 metres, a slide box, kink rail and rainbow rail of between 4 and 6 metres, a 6-metre high and 15-metre long corner jump and a quarterpipe with rail plus two jumps for kids.
The ski school offers specialist tuition for boarders including a designated slope with a tow rope reserved only for those learning to board.
Meiringen-Hasliberg Mountain Restaurants
Hasliberg ski area includes half a dozen mountain restaurants and a few bars. The restaurants are generally quite good and being conveniently situated near the top of a gondola are easily reached by skiers and non-skiers alike.
Alpen Tower
Alpen Tower at 2,250m is Meiringen-Hasliberg’s highest mountain restaurant and a popular meeting place. Enjoy a generous breakfast buffet with a glass of prosecco served from 9:00-11:30 am and arrive early for a late morning aperitif or lunch with stunning 360-degree panoramic views. The impressive timber, glass and steel building on three floors features a first-floor Panorama Restaurant with a sun terrace and either table service or self-service. The varied menu includes pasta and salads as well as traditional Swiss dishes and a good selection of house wines. Alternatively, visit the 360-degree Tower bar on the upper floor for a drink. Tel: +41 (0) 33 972 53 26
Bergrestaurant Mägisalp
Bergrestaurant Mägisalp, is in the centre of the ski area at 1,710m. Easily reached by cable car from Meiringen to Reuti then riding the Reuti-Bidmi-Mägisalp gondolas. The biggest mountain restaurant in Meiringen it’s also one of the best featuring self-service and table-service restaurants and a popular Pizzeria. Open in the evening as well as during the day, Mägisalp has seating indoors for over 300 people and can seat a similar number outside on the sun terrace. The menu includes traditional Swiss dishes such as raclette and cheese or meat fondue, some excellent meat dishes, homemade pizzas and desserts. The restaurant also hosts corporate events and wedding parties and hence standards are quite high. Tel: +41 (0) 33 972 53 20
Bergrestaurant Käserstatt
Bergrestaurant Käserstatt at 1,840m has a large sun terrace with excellent views and is possibly the most popular of all of Hasliberg’s mountain restaurants with indoor seating for 250 in the main restaurant and a further 70 seats in the cosy parlour restaurant. The large sun terrace seats up to 150 people with splendid views of the Wetterhorn and the Eiger to the south. Situated at the top of the Wasserwendi-Lischen-Käserstatt gondola, above Twing, it can also be reached by skiing red run 8 from Hochstrass (2,180m) or riding the chairlift from Bidmi to Käserstatt. Ski-in and ski-out accommodation is also available for families and groups. Tel: +41 (0) 33 971 27 86
Hääggenstubeli
Hääggenstubeli is a traditional mountain hut restaurant at 2,010m serving traditional Swiss dishes. Specialities include a roesti, grilled sausage, raclette, chäsbrätel (grilled cheese on a crusty bread) slice) and macaroni main dishes and a selection of freshly prepared desserts. It’s quite tiny inside with just four or five tables seating up to 30 people, but the sun terrace seats up to 100 and is a pleasant and popular meeting place for lunch or a drink in fine weather. It’s located close to the top of the Mägisalp-Häägen chairlift and open only in winter. The WC’s, set apart from the main restaurant in a Hansel and Gretel style chalet, are surely the prettiest of conveniences in the Alps. Tel: +41 (0) 33 971 49 29
Bärgbeizli Bidmi
Bärgbeizli Bidmi is an unsophisticated restaurant with a no frills menu, located close to the ski school offices, children’s area and beginner slopes at Bidmi. The chalet style building comprises three sections with plenty of outdoor tables and benches. While reasonably attractive at first glance on closer inspection it’s quite ordinary, but serves an acceptable lunch in an attractive mid-mountain setting and is easy for novices and beginners to reach. Tel: +41 (0) 33 971 45 90
Family Restaurant Bidmi
Family Restaurant Bidmi forms part of the gondola lift station building at Bidmi. Although not especially attractive from the outside, it proudly bears the “Families Welcome” seal of approval from the Swiss Tourism Organisation. The interior is specially designed and furnished to meet the needs of families with younger children with child-friendly seating including high-chairs for babies. Tel: +41 (0) 33 971 10 80
Kuhstall Bar Mägisalp
Kuhstall Bar Mägisalp is a small cowshed bar serving hot and cold drinks and snacks, with tables and benches seating up to 100. It’s a popular meeting point and convenient for pit-stops on warm sunny days. It gets busiest in March and April when in party mode with DJ’s and live music. It’s situated next to the Mägisalp restaurant, close to the gondola station and the foot of the Mägisalp-Hääggen chairlift. Open only in winter. Tel: +41 (0) 33 972 53 20
Aquarium Ski Bar
The Aquarium Ski Bar at Käserstatt 1,840m serves hot and cold snacks as well as a large variety of drinks. A popular meeting point next to the piste, this curiously named ski bar sometimes hosts open-air ski parties and events with live music. Tel: +41 (0) 33 971 27 86