Travel To Lauchernalp

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Travel To Lauchernalp

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Airport Transfers

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Train & Bus Tickets

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Car Hire

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Helpful Maps

    Switzerland Rail Map
  • Swiss Rail Map
    Lötschental Valley Map
  • Lötschental Valley Map
    Lauchernalp village map
  • Lauchernalp Village Map
    Wiler village map
  • Wiler Village Map

Where is Lauchernalp Ski Resort?

Lauchernalp is in the isolated Lötschental (Lötschen Valley) of the canton Valais, Switzerland.

Lauchernalp ski resort rises above the small village of Wiler. Wiler is deep in the Swiss Alps, 85km south of the Swiss capital, Bern. The major transport hub of Brig is 35km to the south-east via road or rail. All journeys to Lauchernalp will go through the key village of Goppenstein.

Main gateway cities to Lauchernalp for international travellers include Milan (185km south via Brig), Zurich (200km north) and Geneva (200km west). Access to Lauchernalp & Wiler from Bern or Zurich will require a train trip from Kandersteg to Goppenstein. Vehicles are transported on this train as there is no road access from the north.

Flights

Gateway airports to Lauchernalp are Basel (BSL) (for UK or European flight origins), Milan Malpensa (MXP), Geneva (GVA) & Zurich. Most international travellers will probably find that Zurich is the best (& most convenient) airport to utilise. 

To search for a great deal on a flight to Zurich or other European airport, use our preferred flight search engine.

Airport & Hotel Transfers

The Powderhounds recommend taking the train to Goppenstein & bus to Wiler to ski Lauchernalp. However, if you cannot abide public transport, are in a larger group of 3+ people or just have the cash to splash, one way to avoid it is a private transfer. Search & book here for your private transfer.

Train & Bus Transport to Lauchernalp

Train transport to Lauchernalp provides a safe and convenient method to arrive in the Lötschental. The nearest train station to Lauchernalp is Goppenstein. Trains stop at Goppenstein every hour from of Kandersteg (Bern) and Brig. From Brig the hourly trains take 25min to Goppenstein. The trains are met by the local route 591 bus which travels the last 5km to Wiler and the Lauchernalp cable car valley station.

Search & book train tickets to Brig & Goppenstein. Buy bus tickets from the driver for the final journey to Wiler & Lauchernalp.

The Goppenstein PostAuto bus stop is located on the opposite side of the railway line from the main train station building. Access it via a pedestrian underpass. The station is sheltered, but the bus should be waiting for you. Purchase a ticket from the driver. The route 591 bus destination is listed as 'Blatten (Lötschen)'. The Lauchernalp stop on the monitor inside the bus is 'Wiler, Seilbahn'. Pay for your ticket on the bus. Buses in the morning and evening will have trailers attached to allow for extra luggage & ski gear, ensuring a comfortable journey. The bus stops directly at the cable car, which is one level above the road.

Driving to Lauchernalp

Driving to Lauchernalp is reasonably straight forward from the south (Brig, Italy etc.), but more complex and costlier from the north.

Only a short 40 min drive from Brig, the equation is greatly increased from the north due to the requirement to load vehicles onto the train at Kandersteg. Depending on your travel itinerary it may easier to simply take the train as a passenger and leave the car in Kandersteg or further up the line.

The road from Goppenstein to Wiler is extremely narrow in parts, particularly through the villages of Ferden and Kippel. Care is required, but then again, care is required everywhere when driving in the Alps!

Ample car parking (short or long term for a fee) is available at Wiler next the Lauchernalp cable car valley station. Car spaces are in the open and undercover a short walk to the cable car station.

For hints, tips & warnings about getting to Swiss ski resorts in winter, see our Travel in Switzerland page.

Car Rental & Hire

For those travellers wishing to drive to Lauchernalp ski resort or want to pick up a rental car once you have already arrived in the Valais, car hire & rentals are readily available at all airports and major cities. Prices are generally higher in Switzerland than other countries, but the price may be competitive if travelling with two or more persons. Car rental can be more cost effective when compared to train or bus travel, but in the case of Lauchernalp may not be convenient.

Ensure the hire car comes with snow tyres and/or snow chains (bare minimum). All-wheel drive or 4WD vehicles offer the safest driving experience on Switzerland's mountain roads. Note the detail of the security deposit, which can be high in Switzerland.

Search & book here for all rental cars.

Nearby Ski Resorts

Whilst Lauchernalp has enough diversity & freeride terrain to keep one's interest for several days, other superb ski experiences can be had in the numerous nearby ski resorts. From Brig, skiing at Belalp, Aletsch Arena and the uber traditional Rosswald is easily achievable via train & bus.

The larger ski areas of Adelboden-Lenk, Gstaad, Jungfrau, Verbier, Zermatt & Andermatt-Sedrun are within a ½day’s travel by train.

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