Klewenalp, CH: 03/11/25

[jamesdeluxe]

While the previous four days on this trip were at new-to-me places that finally pushed my count over 200, to close out this visit I opted for a return to a locals area on the south edge of picturesque Lake Lucerne that I skied on a powder day nine years ago.

Starting out at lake-level 754m, I took the Stockhütte gondola a couple minutes from my hotel in the village of Emmetten:

At 1,700m, there's still plenty of snow and it was ripening nicely in the sun:

Cat track to the other sector:

Approaching the bottom of the Chälen lift with its flatirons in the distance:

The top of the lift-served terrain at 1,950m:

I did the two runs on this face several times each because the north-facing sugar both on and offpiste was skiing like velvet -- the conventional wisdom of "always ski at high elevation" isn't necessarily the way to go!

The next morning, I had a leisurely drive to ZRH -- still the quickest and easiest in-and-out with rental cars of any major airport that I've used:

And here's something for @jasoncapecod, the Rösti Burger: beef, garlic sauce, soft Fribourg cheese, rösti, crispy onions, and batavia lettuce. Unfortunately, they didn't offer a faux-meat version for me.

 

[Sbooker]

I must have missed this. Just reading it now. Looks a nice place with the lake and all.

pushed my count over 200,

Show off.

 

[jamesdeluxe]

Looks a nice place with the lake and all.

Yes, and you're guaranteed to be one of very few non-locals there.

Because I usually stay in "cheap and cheerful" quarters when traveling solo, I rarely give a plug for my lodging; however, I'll do it for the aptly-named Seeblick (Lakeview) Hotel in the village of Emmetten, where I stayed three nights for a last-minute bargain rate. With its proximity to a number of worthwhile ski areas (3 minutes to Klewenalp, 30 minutes to Engelberg, and 40 minutes each to Melchsee, Hasliberg, Stoos, and Rigi), I wish I'd stayed there the entire week to dine, sleep, swim, and "wellness" (not sure if that's a verb) while looking out over that vista.

 

[Sbooker]

Looks idyllic. Can you hint as to approx cost please?

 

[jamesdeluxe]

I booked eight hours before arriving and got a $75 US per night single rate which included an excellent breakfast. I just checked for next week (Monday through Thursday) and it showed as low as $102 per night for two people. Those were both with a good-sized booking.com discount, fell on weekdays, and my stay there ten days ago was probably the beginning of their offpeak season. As we say, YMMV: your mileage may vary.

 

[jasoncapecod]

For me, that ski area looks perfect. I don't need hairball terrain, just laid back vibes and empty slopes... Hmm I sound like spicoli.
I would crush that burger!!!

 

[Tony Crocker]

James certainly has it right about the lodging. In spring 2022 we had a one night stop with half board about 15 minutes down the road from Pitztal for less than half the price we had paid for on-site in Solden. Dinners were comparable. The obscure place did have an out of order steam room though.

Comparing to lodging in Colorado is really shocking. On the online sites for one night stands in Steamboat Springs and Frisco there was little under $300/night. In both cases we managed OK motels with hot tub but no breakfast for around $175. In Steamboat Liz only got that via hoteltonight.com, which we think is a site for last minute deals. Then there’s Aspen. We will be paying 50% more to stay in Snowmass this year than we did to stay in Aspen a year ago.

I thought inflation was supposed to be a one shot blip in 2022?!?

 

[EMSC]

Chälen lift with its flatirons in the distance:

Hey, Boulder has a lock on the Flatirons name!

Comparing to lodging in Colorado is really shocking.

Comparing Colo prices in the mtns on any category can be shocking. Tickets, lodging, on mtn food, decent dinner food, etc... It's almost like we're the epicenter of the Vail vs Alterra battle. And certainly not in a good way cost wise...

Not sure where you stayed in Eagle this week, but I've seen basic hotel rooms in the heart of the season go for up to $500 on weekends even that far away from any of the resorts! It's insane.

My cheap digs go-to in Steamboat is Rabbit Ears Motel. Very old place in town, but usually the best prices. My somewhat better place at OK prices got bought up and turned into employee housing a couple years ago.

 

[Tony Crocker]

Not sure where you stayed in Eagle this week

We are staying with Paul (spinbackwards) as we did last year.

 

[jamesdeluxe]

Hey, Boulder has a lock on the Flatirons name!

Hah, we had that same discussion in 2016.

Interesting to note that the Chälen sector has two different sets of four flatirons: the ones in the center here and a slightly smaller set that face the top of the chair (red arrow). The green arrow to the right is where I had a foot of untouched powder all to myself nine years ago (before and after pix below).