Where to Ski And Snowboard - Adelboden for the weekend?

Adelboden for the weekend?

9th September 2011, by Chris Gill

Adelboden, Switzerland [Snowpix.com/ C Gill]

Swiss airline SkyWork has announced a new UK-Switzerland route for winter 2011/12, which will reduce transfer time to the resort of Adelboden and its neighbours – making them a bit more attractive for a short break.

SkyWork (www.flyskywork.com) is launching its new winter service from London City Airport, direct to Bern. Flights will operate twice daily (one morning, one evening) from Monday to Friday. There will also be one flight a day at weekends.

Flying time to Bern is one hour and 40 minutes approximately, with a shortish transfer of around 50 minutes – which is great news for reaching Adelboden. The Friday night service leaves the UK at 18:30 and arrive at 21:10 Swiss time, so you could be in the resort later evening and up on the slopes Saturday morning, bright and early.

The morning flights depart at 08:20 UK time, arriving in Bern at 11:00 am. Returning flights on a Sunday evening, for example, are at 17:20 pm, so you can enjoy much of Sunday on the slopes too.

Another plus point, is that airports are small at both ends meaning a quick check-in. The new flights start at around £50 (59 euros) one-way, including taxes.

As to baggage allowances: SkyWork permits a baggage limit of 20kg. Skis and snowboards are not free: as they are likely to be considered extra baggage anyway, they are being charged at 20 euros per one-way flight.

Our example flight: We looked at a return flight (Thurs-Sun) in January 2012. The price for the return flight was 288 euros, plus a 40 euro fee for taking skis both ways. Total: 328 euros (approximately £285). This is including all taxes, and seems pretty reasonable.

Easyjet does not fly to Bern, but has flights to Basel (further away) from £116 including carriage and baggage fees. Transfers are longer at almost two hours though.

If you visit Adelboden and want a smart place to stay for your break, the design hotel Cambrian is one option. It’s good for couples, with the 4-star property also featuring a lovely spa, pool and sauna. Prices start at £240pp per night on a B&B basis – so certainly not a cheap weekend if you stay there, but a nice choice for a special occasion maybe.