About Adelboden

Geography

  

Adelboden lies in the west of the Berner Oberland, at the end of the valley of the Engstlige river, which flows in Frutigen into the Kander river.

Adelboden is a traditional Swiss mountain village on a terrace looking south to the Engstligen waterfalls. Also part of the village are the inhabited valleys of Gilbach, Stigelschwand, Boden, Hirzboden, and Ausserschwand. Church and main street are at 1,350 m (4,429 ft), the highest point of the area is the Grossstrubel with 3,242 m (10,636 ft), the lowest point is at 1,045 m (3,428 ft) in the Engstligen valley.

 

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Engstligen falls

 

The vegetation is alpine and sub-alpine, partially wooded, the slopes, the plateaus, and terraces usually alp meadows.

The most salient mountains are Lohner (3,049 m (10,003 ft)), Steghorn (3,146 m (10,322 ft)), Wildstrubel (3,243 m (10,640 ft)), Fitzer (2,458 m (8,064 ft)), Tschenten (2,025 m (6,644 ft)) (mountain railway) and Gsür (2,708 m (8,885 ft)).

 

Adelboden has an area, as ofAdelboden, holiday, house, holiday, apartment, holiday, houses, holiday, ski, apartments, holiday, home, rent, book, winter, holiday, family, vacation, switzerland 2009, of 88.19 square kilometers (34.1 sq mi). Of this area, 36.52 square kilometers (14.1 sq mi) or 41.4% is used for agricultural purposes, while16.07 square kilometers (6.2 sq mi) or 18.2% is forested. Of the rest of the land, 2.18 square kilometers (0.8 sq mi) or 2.5% is settled (buildings or roads), 1.53 square kilometers (0.6 sq mi) or 1.7% is either rivers or lakes and 31.93 square kilometers (12.3 sq mi) or 36.2% is unproductive land.[2]

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Of the built up area, industrial buildings made up 0.1% of the total area while housing and buildings made up 1.5% and transportation infrastructure made up 0.8%.. 14.4% of the total land area is heavily forested and 3.0% is covered with orchards or small clusters of trees. Of the agricultural land, 0.0% is used for growing crops and 8.5% is pastures and 32.9% is used for alpine pastures. All the water in the municipality is in rivers and streams. Of the unproductive areas, 9.6% is unproductive vegatation, 25.6% is too rocky for vegatation, and 1.1% of the land is covered by glaciers.[2]

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History

 
Adelboden in 1900

 

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Adelboden is first mentioned in 1409 as in valle Adelboden. In 1453 it was mentioned as Adelboden alias silva.[3]

The alps Engstligenalp and Silleren belonging to Adelboden are mentioned for the first time in the 13th century. The inhabitants of Engstligental are called forest people. In the 15th century Adelboden got its own church and there were over 50 house fathers vouching for the salary of the minister.

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In the 16th century Adelboden joined the Reformation, the Catholic minister fled over the Hahnenmoospass to the Catholic Canton of Fribourg.

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Up to the 19th century, the only way to Frutigen was high on the south slope of the Engstligen valley and often impassable in winter. In the late 19th century a road along the Engstligen river was built joining Adelboden to the rest of the world.

In the 1870s the first boarding house was opened by one of the local teachers. It developed into a hotel, which is still in the possession of the same family (hotel Hari im Schlegeli). Around the turn of the century tourism led to a big increase in the population.

Adelboden was the destination of the first packaged winter sports holidays (vacations), organised by Sir Henry Lunn in 1903.

Into the 1930s the aerial ropeway to the Engstligenalp was built with further ropeways following. The Silleren area was up into the 1980s accessible by buses.

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Main sights and cultural events

 
Engstligenalp plateau in autumn.
  • Engstligen falls: the Engstligen river falls 600 m (2000 ft) over rocks into the depth and forms one of the most impressive waterfalls in the Bernese Oberland. Very impressive is the "Alpaufzug" when 350 cows are driven upward on the narrow seam path through the cliff to the summer pasture on the Engstligenalp in early summer.
  • Engstligenalp: plateau at 2000 m (6562 ft.) elevation
  • The town's church, with early-20th centuries glassworks by Augusto Giacometti.
  • Our Chalet - a inter
  • national meeting place for girl guides and scouts.
  •  Adelboden, holiday, house, holiday, apartment, holiday, houses, holiday, ski, apartments, holiday, home, rent, book, winter, holiday, family, vacation, switzerland

Cultural events include:

  • World Cup Men's alpine ski races (January)
    • the men's giant slalom course is one of the most challenging on the World Cup circuit.
  • Vogellisi-Festival (Live music, July)
  • Vogellisi Lauf (Mountain running race in July)
  • Kammermusic-festival (Chamber music, July)
  • Langlauf night - every December 30 - Cross Country races on the main street of town

Demographics Adelboden, holiday, house, holiday, apartment, holiday, houses, holiday, ski, apartments, holiday, home, rent, book, winter, holiday, family, vacation, switzerland

Adelboden has a population (as of 31 December 2009) of 3,586.[1] As of 2007, the population included 5.5% which were foreign nationals. Over the last 10 years the population has decreased at a rate of -1.2%.

In the 2007 election the most popular party was the SVP which received 38.3% of the vote. The next three most popular parties were the local small left-wing parties (28.8%), the CSP (13.4%) and the FDP (7.3%). Adelboden, holiday, house, holiday, apartment, holiday, houses, holiday, ski, apartments, holiday, home, rent, book, winter, holiday, family, vacation, switzerland

The age distributio

n of the population (as of 2000) is: children and teenagers (0–19 years old) 26.4% of the population; adults (20–64 years old) 57.2%; and seniors (over 64 years old) 16.4%. In Adelboden about 69.4% of the population (between age 25-64) have completed either non-mandatory upper secondary education or additional higher education (either University or a Fachhochschule).[4]

Historically the population was:[3]

 

 

Languages

The language is Adelbodnertütsch, which belongs to the Bernese Oberland dialects with some loans from Valais dialects and belongs to the Highest Alemannic language group.

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Most of the population (as of 2000) speaks German (95.0%), with Serbo-Croat the second most common ( 1.0%),
and Portuguese third ( 0.9%).[3]

 

Government

Legislation is adopted by the biannual general assembly. Executive is the local council with nine members, all of whom are honorary.

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Economics

Adelboden has a mixture of agriculture, local industry (wood building companies, mineral water source) and tourism. People work in tourism, (approx. 490 persons), other services (approx. 500 persons), construction industry (approx. 310 persons), automobile industry (approx. 30 persons), mineral water source (approx. 45 persons) and agriculture (fulltime approx. 45 persons), taxidermy (fulltime approx. 16 persons)

Adelboden has an unemployment rate of 1.8%. As of 2005, there were 366 people employed in the primary economic sector and about 143 businesses involved in this sector. 601 people are employed in the secondary sector and there are 57 businesses in this sector. 1098 people are employed in the tertiary sector, with 153 businesses in this sector.[4]

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Tourism and sport

 
British visitors Lawrence and Doris Ogilvie on wooden skis in Adelboden 1938

 

Tourism in Adelboden is especially suitable for families. Adelboden has 24 hotels with 1291 beds, 3800 vacation homes with 15,200 beds, 28 group accommodations with 1830 beds, 3 camp sites and 40 restaurants.

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In the summer there are 200 km (124 mi) of hiking trails, from sedate walks to alpine climbing-routes. Numerous mountain railways lead up to the mountains. Additional activities are: numerous mountain bike routes; and model aircraft construction on Hahnenmoospass with a workshop, and wind and landing opportunities.

In the winter there are ski runs of all degrees of difficulty, including the world-cup giant slalom run on the Kuonisbärgli, and cross-country ski trails. There are 40 km (25 mi) of winter hiking trails. For snowboarders there are freeride and freestyle runs.

The Adelboden slalom and giant slalom are considered classic events of the FIS Alpine World Cup.

 

Weather

Transportation

Adelboden has only one incoming road connecting from Frutigen which connects via Spiez to the N6 and Bern. There is no transit traffic.

Frutigen is a train station of the Lötschberg line, connecting to Bern and Brig; it is connected to Adelboden by regular post bus services.

There is an old mountain pass route via Engstligenalp and Chindbettipass to the Gemmi Pass and into the Valais which is still used by hikers, and another connection via Hahnenmoospass into the valley of Lenk which was formerly used as a trade route to the lake of Geneva.

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Schools

In Adelboden there is a primary school, middle-school and a secondary school; the nearest special secondary school is in Frutigen.

Schools in Adelboden: There are four primary schools officially in the Adelboden school district, three middle schools (Realschule), and a secondary school (Sekundarschule). The nearest special secondary school is 20 minutes down the mountain in Frutigen and the nearest high schools (Gymnasiums) are in Thun and Interlaken.

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Notable people

A number of notable persons in cross country skiing, mountaineering and alpine skiing were born in Adelboden:

Italian/British writer Rafael Sabatini died in Abelboden and is buried there.

 

Adelboden is a traditional Swiss resort set at 1350M above sea level in the Bernese Oberland surrounded by stunning alpine scenery with the peaks of the Wildstrubel and Lohner ranges in view. In winter a blanket of snow transforms Adelboden into a winter wonderland of narrow streets flanked by ski chalets, shops, restaurants and cafes with a warm atmosphere typical of the Swiss chocolate box village. There are 185km of prepared pistes for skiers of all abilities and Adelboden plays host each January to the world cup races at Choenisbergli. The very excellent Swiss Ski School caters for skiers of all levels from four years old upwards either in groups or for private tuition. There are also toboggan trails, ice skating rink etc. If you’re still feeling adventurous, on Enstligenalp, there is even a prepared track where you can hurtle down the mountain on a ringo!

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However, Adelboden’s greatest strength is it’s versatility. Not just a ski resort, even in winter, it is a walkers paradise with 50km of prepared paths through the snow around the surrounding mountains and many guests visit for this reason alone. Or why not take a romantic sleigh ride through the village? Adelboden in winter is as perfect for non-skiers and mixed ability groups as it is for the thousands of serious piste bashers who return year after year.

If you fancy eating out, there are around 15 restaurants in the village as well as a few pubs catering for different age groups. Young people will particularly enjoy the Alpenrose Bar on the main street or live music at the Alte Taverne. There is also dancing and music at the Hotel Bernerhof. Our favourite pub is ‘Time Out’ just on the town square where the ski school meets (at the square that is, not the pub!) but there are quite a few others to choose from.

In summer, the surrounding mountains are a delight to explore. With miles of well sign posted paths you can spend hours ambling through the summer meadows and breathing the clear Alpine air. This is a true paradise for those who love the mountains. If you are looking for a more serious challenge, there are any number of demanding peaks to climb. There is swimming and tennis in the village as well as horse riding nearby. For the thrill seekers, there are also opportunities for White Water rafting and Paragliding in the region. There is even bungee jumping at Interlaken if you feel so inclined!

Adelboden makes a great location for a holiday in the Swiss Alps. There is lots to do in the surrounding area with boat trips on the lakes of Thunnersee and Brienzersee. The famous Jungfrau Region is only 45 minutes away with the fabulous trio of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau mountains and why not take the cable car to the revolving Piz Gloria restaurant at the peak of the Schilthorn (Blofeld’s lair in the James Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service) for superb views of the surrounding area.

If you fancy rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous, the millionaire’s paradise of Gstaad is just to the West and if you can’t live without the skiing, the Diablarets glacier is open for most of the year. Why not visit Bern, capital of Switzerland where there is a real live bear pit in the centre of the city or spend a day in and around the popular tourist town of Lucerne.

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If you are considering a holiday in Switzerland, whether in summer or winter, then now is the time to go. Prices nowadays are a lot more reasonable than they were some years back and standards are usually very high, so most things represent very good value for money. An Adelboden area six day adult lift pass costs only around £100, kids are 40% off and there is a further discount of 10% for families. A beer on the mountain costs no more than in my local pub in Poole and eating out is generally of a very high standard and similarly priced to the UK. The people are friendly and the cleanliness and high standards for which Switzerland is famous is a pleasure to enjoy. I hope you enjoy it too.