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.
The main gateway cities to Lauchernalp for international travellers include Milan (185km south via Brig), Zurich (200km north) and Geneva (200km west). Road access to Lauchernalp & Wiler from the north side of the mountains (i.e. from Bern or Zurich) will require a car-train trip from Kandersteg to Goppenstein. As there is no road access from the north, vehicles are transported on this train via a series of long railway tunnels.
On arrival at Goppenstein, a procession of small villages & hamlets line the valley all the way to the end of the road at Blatten. From Goppenstein there is (in order) Ferden, Kippel, Wiler (where the cable car valley station is located), tiny Ried & the surprisingly large Blatten.
Check out the Lötschen Valley map below.
Flights
Gateway airports to Lauchernalp are Basel (BSL) (for UK or European flight origins), Zurich (ZRH), Milan Malpensa (MXP), and Geneva (GVA). Most intercontinental travellers will find that Zurich is the best (& most convenient) airport to utilise, and it is our recommended point of entry.
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. We have done the journey many times and it is a seamless comfortable option. 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 by using 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 either direction 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. if you haven't already purchased a ticket online, 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'. 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. The bus stops regular in all of the villages along the way & beyond Wiler, so watch the screens in the bus to ensure you make your stop.
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 be 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 both in the open and undercover, a short walk from 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.
Getting Around the Lötschental
If staying overnight in the valley, one can utilise the Postbus to get to the ski lift, if you time it right! The bus only runs once every hour but is free with your 'Guest Card' when staying in valley accommodation. Anyone staying up on the mountain in Lauchernalp alpine village will need to get themselves & their gear transported up on the cable car. As the main source of transport up, the locals are well versed in transporting all manner of goods via the cable car & its underslung cargo hold, so if in any doubt, just ask!
If staying in Wiler it is easy enough to walk to the cable car in the morning. Down valley to nearby Kippel with its lovely old ‘old town’ sector accessed by meandering, pedestrian-only lanes, it is only a 15minute walk to the lifts, but the bus will appeal to many! Beyond Wiler is Ferdun which is just too far away to walk to the lifts, so reliance is on the bus (or your own transport). Similarly up the valley at Ried & Blatten, several magnificent hotels can be used for overnight accommodation, but transport to the ski lifts is limited to once an hour if one does not have a rental car. We don’t think anyone should have a rental car in Switzerland, the public transport is too good, so just time your departures with the bus timetable.
All the villages are linked through the valley below the road by a delightful series of winter-walking & cross-country ski trails. The walking/skiing distance from Blatten to Wiler is just over 5km. Take the bus to Blatten, wander the town upriver, then walk back down the valley to get a new perspective on the Lötschental. it is possible to ski down to Kippel from the ski area via a winter walking trail too!
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, 4-Vallees, Zermatt & Andermatt-Sedrun are all within a ½day’s travel by train.