Kleinwalsertal

Kleinwalsertal
Swinging across borders

With climbing aids The ski areas of the Austrian enclave - or rather the associated lifts on the German side - have been able to boast the latest design for several years. Most recently, the 10-person main cable car with stations, Schrattenwang, Höllwies and Wannenkopf lifts, and the extension of the snowmaking system were built at Söllereck. Now you can go up the mountain from the new entrance directly at the bus station without having to wait. At Nebelhorn, another 10-person gondola is being built on existing routes and supports, and the stations have also been newly constructed: with its wood and glass construction and curved lines, the valley station in Oberstdorf has become an architectural attraction.

It is clear that even after the Nordic World Championships, people here are not sitting back. This is not only evidenced by the abundance of new hotels and apartments (Tinn Naturchalet, Kracha Alpin Lodge, Dorf(er)leben), but also by the gradual modernization of the ski areas, after numerous lifts were replaced or newly built on the Austrian side in recent years. The attractions of the ski area are the blue valley run - at seven kilometers long, it is the longest in the valley - and the black, challenging Olympic run on the other side of the Olympic run. But Ifen is just one of the ski areas that Austria and Germany share equally. Even the region's skiing highlight, the Fellhorn/Kanzelwand swing, is located exactly on the border.

In total There are four larger ski areas - including the Walmendinger Horn and Söllereck, as well as a handful of small lifts that connect the Allgäu with the Kleinwalsertal in Vorarlberg, once a customs-free area. For the skiers, who almost exclusively come from Germany or Switzerland, this is a very attractive border area. Not just because of the mountains around the Matterhorn-like Hoher Ifen. It will be exciting to see whether the new construction at the Nebelhorn will make waiting times a thing of the past. At the family-friendly Fellhorn, the waiting is over anyway. The youngsters meet right at the middle station and do their jumps in the attractive park. In terms of skiing, the environment is not adventurous, but it is certainly varied. The most challenging is undoubtedly the shady descent into the Kleinwalsertal to Riezlern. While this descent leads "straight" into the valley, there are several beautifully hilly slopes on the opposite side that can be enjoyed with long turns. You can't get through the entire region without a ski bus, as each area is independent. But when it comes to public transport, Kleinwalsertal and Allgäu are considered more than exemplary.

In Oberstdorf Gondolas take you up to the wide Nebelhorn. The original Igloo Lodge at 2,000 meters for drinks and overnight stays fits in nicely. The fact that the Nebelhorn can unfortunately live up to its name is noticeable on many winter days. If the visibility is good, the gondola view into the valley is worth it. Down to the ski jumps, which the stars among the ski jumpers use every year between Christmas and New Year to start the Four Hills Tournament.