Current as of: April 24, 2024 - 05:23
Cross-country Skiing in Kandersteg Trip Notes
- Ways to Travel: Self-Guided Holidays
- Destination: Switzerland
- Programmes: Winter
-
Activity Level:
Multi-Level
- 8 Days: Land Only
- Ages: 16+
- Trip Code: K07AF
Trip Overview
Cross country skiing in Kandersteg, one of the last surviving picture-postcard Swiss villages in the heart of the Bernese Oberland.
Your base for this holiday is Kandersteg, one of the last surviving picture-postcard Swiss villages in the heart of the Bernese Oberland. It’s incredibly pretty (with streets full of cuckoo-clock style houses) and very much unspoiled. The combination of high trails and wonderful open plateaux make it a superb cross-country ski choice for all ages and abilities.
As your trip is self guided, our ski programme is both varied and flexible. The glistening trails are beautifully marked, easy to follow and incredibly picturesque. They undulate through snowy pines by the hotel and extend up to the sunny plateaux at Oeschinensee and Sunnbuel, which are easily reached by chairlift or cable car. You are free to explore the local area at your leisure, however, if you prefer we can arrange tuition at a local ski school to get you started.
We’ve included unlimited free rides on the local bus network, giving you the opportunity to extend your skiing further from the hotel, which is situated on the edge of the village and offers real ‘home from home’ comfort levels. If you visit Kandersteg in January you can step back in time over 100 years during Belle Epoque week (Please enquire for dates), there are period costumes, sledging and bob-sleigh races and an afternoon tea dance!
At a Glance
- Breakfast daily and 5 picnic lunches at traditional 3 star family run hotel
- Gastronomic 5 course meal one night and 4 course meals on the other nights
Highlights
- Stay in a picture-postcard Swiss village in the heart of the Bernese Oberland
- Varied and flexible cross country skiing program
Is This Trip for You?
Cross-country skiing is an increasingly popular winter pastime. Compared to those used for downhill, the skis are longer, thinner and lighter with bindings that allow you to lift up your heel. Most cross-country skiing is undertaken on prepared tracks (loipe) covering flat and hillier terrain enabling you to explore the winter landscapes away from the confines of the alpine piste.
This is a self-guided trip suitable for all ability levels. Included in the holiday cost is a pass to access all the cross-country ski area while tuition and ski hire can also be prebooked for a supplement.
Adult min age: 16
Itinerary
Land Only
- Start City: Kandersteg
- End City: Kandersteg
Flight Inclusive
- Start City: London
- End City: London
Land Only Itinerary
Arrive in Kandersteg
Arrive at the traditional family run 3 star Alfa Soleil hotel, your base for the next 5 nights. You will receive a welcome drink and a briefing, where you will be given a map. This evening enjoy a 4 course dinner in the hotel’s restaurant.
Suggested itinerary
You can explore the miriad of trails that surround the village of Kandersteg during your stay here. There are many easy trails that lead in and out of the pine and beech forests that surround the village. If you wish to go further afield you can also add cable car tickets for Gondelbahn Kandersteg to Oeschinen and Luftseilbahn Kandersteg to Sunnbuel (additional cost). If you would prefer you can also add private X country skiing lessons (at additional cost) with the local ski school to get you started
You will receive a guest card for unlimited travel on local buses and includes other regional reductions. During your stay you will have access to all hotel facilities, including pool/gym/table tennis/drying room and wifi access.
You will receive a 4 or 5 course dinner each evening, one evening will also be a speciality theme evening. You will also receive 5 picnic lunches.
Return home
Your trip ends after breakfast this morning.
Accommodation
Hotel Alfa Soleil
The Hotel Alfa Soleil is a traditional, cosy and family-run hotel on the edge of the village (only 5 minutes’ walk from the centre) with a wonderful view over fields to the mountains behind. The restaurant is managed by owner/chef Nico Seiler, has an excellent reputation, and is rated highly by our customers so you will enjoy fine dining whilst staying here. There are 35 rooms on three floors; all rooms are en-suite and have a television, telephone and hairdryer.
For the evenings, the hotel has a cosy lounge bar with a pool table and music desk which is open to both hotel guests and the general public. There is also a large lounge area for residents with an open fire where you can relax for a quiet chat or with a book, or to play one of the hotel’s board games.
Single supplement from USD 426
Food & Drink
Breakfast is included daily as well as a 4 course dinner each evening. One evening will also be a speciality themed evening with 5 courses. You will also receive 5 picnic lunches during the week.
With such a mixture of language and tradition co-existing in such a small country, it is no wonder that there are so many regional dishes. In the Bernese Oberland, Austrian and German influences predominate; gastronomic local delicacies include geschnetzeltes Kalbsfleisch (veal in a rich cream sauce), Kandersteger Bratwurst au Mad re-Jus (roast sausage with a Madeira sauce), Lammbraten gefüllt mit Kraütern (herb roasted lamb) and smoked pork with sauerkraut, and a selection of colourful salads. Typical desserts include Caramel-Birne mit Rum-Sabayon (caramelised pear with a rum sabayon) and Aprikosen-Symphonie (apricot gateau).
Weather Charts
Joining Instructions
Our standard flights for this trip are British Airways Heathrow to Zurich, then rail from Zurich Airport to Kandersteg via Bern and a transfer to hotel (5 minutes). On the return, transfer to station (5 minutes) then rail Kandersteg to Zurich Airport via Bern, then British Airways Zurich to Heathrow.
Business/club/first class seats are available on request.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Location start: Kandersteg
Location end: Kandersteg
Regional Flights
The Flight Inclusive price is based on a London departure, but we are happy to tailor this to your local or regional airport. Please ask about flights from local or regional airports.
If booking regional flights other than with Exodus, you must allow a minimum connecting time (in addition to the international check-in time) of 1 hour at Gatwick, and 1.5 hours at Heathrow; this is longer than the official minimum, but baggage handling is known to be subject to delays.
Transfer Details
Standard transfers
If making a flight inclusive booking transfers are included from Kandersteg train station at 16:41, and back to Kandersteg train station at 10:00.
Alternative transfers
If you require alternative transfers then we can usually arrange these for you (there may be an additional charge).
What To Take
Essential Equipment
A baggy layering system works best in cold temperatures to trap warm air around the body. Breathable materials with wicking properties such as wool are recommended for use as base layers so as not to hold too much moisture. Winters tend to be cold but dry, so breathable windproof outer layers are preferable to waterproof layers (these can create moisture inside and make you cold). Clothing should be comfortable and easy to move about in.
You will need the following:
A large bum-bag or small rucksack, large enough to carry the items you will need during the day such as extra layers and a large water bottle/thermos flask. It is more comfortable to ski without a backpack, but we suggest you take both to give you the option to choose on a daily basis depending on the weather and how many layers you wish to carry.
Outdoor/winter clothing:
Walking boots for snowshoeing
Windproof anorak with hood (ideally baggy in fit to trap warm air, and a breathable fabric such as Gore-Tex)
Windproof trousers (ideally baggy in fit to trap warm air, and a breathable fabric such as Gore-Tex)
Warm fleece (2 thin fleeces are better than one thick one)
A good quality base layer is essential (breathable fabrics with high wicking properties such as wool recommended).
Sturdy waterproof walking boots (if you want to try snowshoeing or similar)
A few pairs of woollen socks.
Warm hat (which covers the ears) and mittens or gloves; mittens are much warmer than finger gloves (woollen mittens with a windproof cover are ideal).
Any creams (sunscreen, face cream, etc.) that contain water are not be suitable for cold weather; we advise to bring oil based products where possible.
Optional Equipment
Other items:
Sunglasses and high factor sun cream
Trainers/comfortable shoes for the evenings
Swimsuit (for sauna)
Headtorch
Practical Information
Visa
Switzerland
Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Switzerland. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/switzerland
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/switzerland
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/switzerland/entry-requirements
• USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Switzerland.html
Vaccinations and Health
Switzerland
There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, rabies and tick-borne encephalitis. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.
Local Time
Switzerland's time zone: Europe/Zurich (UTC +02:00)
Electricity
Switzerland's electricity: Plug types C (two round pins, European standard) and J (three round pins) – 230V, 50Hz
Money
Switzerland's currency: Swiss francs (CHF), but euros (EUR) are widely accepted
Extra Expenses & Spending Money
Money will only be required for any ski lessons, guided tours, excursions and cable cars for discovering further afield. Breakfast and dinner are included daily and 5 picnic lunches, so you will only require money on one day for lunch.
Important Information
Your safe participation
When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call the Exodus office and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary.
Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity.
By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred.
How to Book
- Check availability: Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or email.
- Secure your place: You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days.
- Complete your booking and payment
When you’re ready to book, go to our website for online bookings, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque.
After booking
You will receive your booking confirmation letter and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements.
Full joining instructions, including local emergency numbers and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately two to three weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier, please contact our office or your travel agent.
Trip Note validity
These Trip Notes are valid from the “Current as” date on page one. They will occasionally be updated after booking and before departure; if there are any updates that significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary, customers will be written to separately. They will also receive a link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes with their Final Joining Instructions before travelling.
The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons – climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.
Licensing
Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582, issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA – The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all money paid to us for your trip is fully protected.