Leukerbad Ski Resort

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Leukerbad Torrent ski resort chairlift tops out at 2,610m altitude
Leukerbad Torrent ski resort chairlift tops out at 2,610m altitude
Leukerbad village has a charming centre situated in splendid mountain surrounds
Leukerbad village has a charming centre situated in splendid mountain surrounds
Powder skiing at Leukerbad Torrent ski resort
Powder skiing at Leukerbad Torrent ski resort
Rinderhuette mountain station is at 2,350m elevation & is a major focus for the entire ski area on Torrent
Rinderhuette mountain station is at 2,350m elevation & is a major focus for the entire ski area on Torrent
Skiing past Plandri on intermediate piste #12 at Leukerbad Torrent
Skiing past Plandri on intermediate piste #12 at Leukerbad Torrent
Getting to Leukerbad is easy via the 471 bus from the train station at Leuk.
Getting to Leukerbad is easy via the 471 bus from the train station at Leuk.
Car park & day facilities at Leukerbad Torrent
Car park & day facilities at Leukerbad Torrent's Flaschen are a good way to access the slopes
Gemmipass above Leukerbad has trails connecting to Kandersteg
Gemmipass above Leukerbad has trails connecting to Kandersteg
A modern cable car serves the Torrent ski area from Leukerbad village.
A modern cable car serves the Torrent ski area from Leukerbad village.
Rinderhuette on Torrent above Leukerbad is a great place to eat
Rinderhuette on Torrent above Leukerbad is a great place to eat
Novice learn-to-ski area at Rinderhuette - spectacular, but useful in good weather only!
Novice learn-to-ski area at Rinderhuette - spectacular, but useful in good weather only!
Perfectly groomed piste (#14), devoid of humans & ready to rip at Leukerbad Switzerland
Perfectly groomed piste (#14), devoid of humans & ready to rip at Leukerbad Switzerland
Skiers heading down into Flaschen at Leukerbad Torrent ski resort Switzerland
Skiers heading down into Flaschen at Leukerbad Torrent ski resort Switzerland
The ski back into Leukerbad from Torrent is 11km long
The ski back into Leukerbad from Torrent is 11km long
Winter walking trail at Torrentalp provides the exit for freeride steeps & trees at Leukerbad
Winter walking trail at Torrentalp provides the exit for freeride steeps & trees at Leukerbad
Après ski yurt at Rinderhuette is one of several options after skiing
Après ski yurt at Rinderhuette is one of several options after skiing
Piste trail #17 almost back at the cable car base in Leukerbad
Piste trail #17 almost back at the cable car base in Leukerbad
The Leukerbad Therme is one of 3 major thermal spas in the village
The Leukerbad Therme is one of 3 major thermal spas in the village
Wandering back into Leukerbad from the Torrent cable car base after a delightful day
Wandering back into Leukerbad from the Torrent cable car base after a delightful day
Gemmipass provides huge views across Leukerbad & has trails connecting to Kandersteg
Gemmipass provides huge views across Leukerbad & has trails connecting to Kandersteg

Leukerbad Ski Resort

Readers Ratings

Leukerbad

Leukerbad3.5/51
Leukerbad3.5 out of 5 based on 1 reviews
  • Recommend
    100%
  • Would Revisit
    100%
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Wagner Custome Skis

Nearby Ski Resorts

Crans Montana
Grimentz Zinal
Lauchernalp
St Luc Chandolin

Leukerbad Maps & Stats

     Leukerbad Ski Trail Map
  • Leukerbad Ski Trail Map
  • Vertical (m)
    1,411m - 2,610m (1,199m)
  • Average Snow Fall
    Unknown
  • Lifts (10)(Torrent only)
    1 Gondola 3 Cable cars
    1 Chair
  • Opening Dates & Times
    Mid-Dec to early April
    8:30am to 4:45pm
  • Terrain Summary
    Runs - 55km (includes freeride routes)
    Longest run - 11km
    Advanced - 43%
    Intermediate - 51%
    Beginner - 6%
  • Ski Lift Pass Price
    Day Ticket 22/23
    Adult - CHF62
    Child - CHF37
    Child u/6yr - Free

Leukerbad Torrent Ski Resort Switzerland

Leukerbad Torrent ski resort in the Valais of Switzerland is a delightful ski & spa combination above the Rhone River valley near Brig. Leukerbad’s location puts it in the heart of an expansive & snow-sure ski region with neighbouring resorts including Crans Montana, Lauchernalp & St-Luc-Chandolin.

Whilst well known for its thermal springs, the alpine ski area at Leukerbad, called Torrent, has largely fallen off the ski world’s radar, providing plenty of scope for fresh snow pillaging!

Pros & Cons for Leukerbad-Torrent Ski Resort

Pros

  • Authentic Swiss Alps spa town & ski resort in spectacular surrounds.
  • Reasonable skiable vertical of 1,200m.
  • Ski trails up to 11km long.
  • Quality on-piste trails for intermediate & advanced skiers & snowboarders.
  • Good value lift pass.
  • Snow-sure location.
  • Very quiet during the week on the slopes, particularly off-piste in the trees & steeps.
  • Wide variety of accommodation on offer.
  • Diverse, interesting town with plenty to see and do.
  • Public transport access by train & bus is very good.

Cons

  • Limited novice & beginner terrain on Torrent mountain.
  • Torrent cable car from town to the ski area runs on a slow schedule.
  • 55km of of piste terrain may feel limiting after a few days for advanced skiers & snowboarders if the off-piste is not fresh.

     

Pro or Con (depending on your perspective!)

  • Loads of non-skiing activities available.
  • Limited ski-in lodgings
  • Ski lifts disjointed from the town - require a bus ride or walk to access.

Skiing & Snowboarding, Lift & Terrain

The Leukerbad Torrent skiing & snowboarding terrain include 55km of mainly intermediate & advanced trails plus freeride routes. Unusually for a ski resort in Europe, novice and beginner terrain is limited. The 1,200m of skiable vertical is all westerly aspect and provides several top to bottom alpine & below tree line slopes up to 11km in length. Its geographic location favours a high average annual snowfall, & off-piste freeride powder opportunities are plentiful once one knows the lay of the land. Tree skiing in the lower half of the ski area, plus steeps off one of the winter walking trails will provide a few thrills.

The valley trail at Leukerbad is over 11km long and has a traffic system before a tunnel to let you know if it’s open. Go on the green for a rollicking ride down into town. Despite being marked as a black run for advanced riders, most competent intermediates should be able to safely negotiate its many twists and turns before reaching the wide-open pistes just above town.

Check out the Leukerbad Torrent & Gemmi ski trail map below.

Leukerbad Torrent & Gemmi Ski Trail Map
Leukerbad Torrent & Gemmi Ski Trail Map

The ski lifts at Leukerbad are relatively few and include 3 different sectors. As described above, Torrent is the main downhill ski sector. Essentially 5 lifts do the heavy lifting - a cable car up from the town, a two-stage gondola from the Flaschen base, a six-seater chair & one useful surface tow in the upper alpine. On the opposite side of town, the Snowpark Sportarena, provides an additional 3 surface lifts for novices & children in a beautifully sheltered area, with an amazing backdrop of vertiginous, snow-clad cliffs. Nearby, the Gemmi sector begins with the cable car heading sharply up to Gemmipass. Aside from wonderful views of the valley & mountains, the Gemmi lifts support a flourishing sledding, cross-country ski & winter walking trail network that links with Kandersteg on the northern side of the range.

Where is Leukerbad Switzerland?

The Leukerbad ski resort is in the Swiss canton of Valais (Wallis), 200km (2¼hr) by road east of Geneva, 234km (3½hr) south-west of Zurich and 48km (50min) west of Brig. The closest and most convenient airport is Geneva (GVA), but Zurich (ZRH) and even Milan Malpensa (MXP) can be efficiently utilised.

Train and bus is the recommended mode of travel to Leukerbad. Trains on the main line along the Rhone valley to Brig stop regularly at the station in the town of Leuk. From Leuk, transfer to the route 471 bus for the 30min ride up into the mountains. In Leukerbad, the bus journey stops at a large, sheltered terminal, near the centre of town, making for a very pleasant & comfortable start to your visit. The bus terminal also has a spacious heated waiting room for the return journey.

It is possible to travel directly from the Geneva airport to Leuk by rail on the hourly IR90 service, taking around 2⅓hr. From the other direction, Brig to Leuk on the train is around 20min. Brig is a handy transport hub for rail services from Zurich, Bern & Milan.

Search & book here for train tickets to Leuk & Leukerbad.

Alternatives to the train/bus combination include private transfers or car rental.

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

Leukerbad Accommodation

Leukerbad is best known as a spa town. In winter, the abundant thermal pools are wonderful when surrounded by snow. Accommodation choices in town are abundant & range from 5-star luxury (the Hôtel Les Sources des Alpes), traditional 4-stars (Hotel Le Bristol Leukerbad) down to fabulous, affordable 3-star (such as Hotel Restaurant Waldhaus) and 2-star hotels (like the Hotel Paradis-Leukerbad-Therme). A plethora of apartments are also available throughout the village. Many, but not all, Leukerbad accommodations have extensive spa pool complexes for use by the guests. Public spa baths available for everyone else are in the centre of the village at the extensive Walliser Alpentherme & Spa Leukerbad complex. Local buses connect the town to the two main Torrent ski lift bases, Gemmipass cable car & novice ski area.

Search & book here for all Leukerbad ski accommodation.

Ski Rentals, Lessons & Guiding

Ski rentals are available in Leukerbad village via our local partners. Receive a discount when you search & book via our Leukerbad Ski & Snowboard Rental page.

Ski lessons & guiding services are available in Leukerbad and surrounding resorts and can be of great assistance to get the most out of a short stay, particularly if the weather has poor visibility. You can search, compare, and book via our Leukerbad Ski Lessons & Guiding page.

Non-Ski Activities

As with most Swiss ski resorts, a visit to Leukerbad has way more than just skiing & snowboarding to keep one motivated. At Leukerbad it is no different. 40km of winter walking paths, 25km of snowshoe paths, plus sledding trails up at Gemmi Pass (which is a worth a few hours visit just for the views and restaurant). In town there are a host of thermal spa and pool complexes to relieve sore muscles. There are also 18km of cross-country ski trails up in the Gemmi Pass sector, although note it is not exactly a pretty environment due to the overwhelming presence of electricity infrastructure.

Review

The Powderhounds reviewed Leukerbad in January 2023. We loved its diversity and beautiful location. A gorgeous place to get a true Swiss Alps winter holiday experience. Click on the review link in the left column (or top of the page if on a mobile) to read all the reviews.

See how Leukerbad compares to the rest of the Swiss ski resorts on the Switzerland ski resort ratings page, or compare to the rest of Europe on the European ski resort ratings page.

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Tours in or near Leukerbad

Single-Base, Single-Ski-Area Tours

Private Ski Touring & Freeride Guiding
GUIDED OFF-PISTE SKIING & TOURING
Full Day | Multi Day
Ability: Beginner to Expert
Discover the mountains & improve your skills with private ski lessons & guided off-piste skiing for all abilities at ski resorts near 4 Vallees & Sion in the Swiss Alps Valais. Apply for your group's best dates & duration.
Price p/p From price based on full day private guiding in a group of 6.
Base/invoice currency is in CHF inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 123
View Details
 
See all Single-Base, Single-Ski-Area tours that visit Leukerbad here
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