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Travel Destination Guide - Kandersteg
Kandersteg (Switzerland) 
Kandersteg Information
Slideshow of Photos
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Kandersteg is a charmingly unspoilt, tranquil village, despite being the last stop on the line prior to the busy 9-ml-long, car-carrying Lotschberg rail tunnel (built 1913), which links north Switzerland with Italy.
The ribbon-like resort stretches 2½ mls N to S with the small hub centred close to the railway station. Life is run at a slow, quiet pace and Kandersteg's main season is summer, when it is well known for its walking opportunities, with 50 mls of hiking trails; Oeschinen Lake above the resort is also a popular summer fishing and boating venue.
This resort is suitable for peace-loving families and mature visitors who enjoy walking in summer, or want a quiet base in winter for learning the rudiments of skiing on unintimidating slopes; also popular with cross-country skiers. More experienced skiers, shoppers and night owls will be disappointed.
The accommodation here is generally small- to medium-sized family-run hotels and pensions with one genuine 5-star establishment. The majority stand beside main road that runs the length of valley to the Sunnbuel cable car and Lotschberg Tunnel. Also a large international scout centre.
Locality:
Kandersteg is in the upland Bernese Oberland region (28 mls SW of Interlaken. 17 mls S of Spiez. 43 mls SE of Berne. 105 mls SW of Zurich airport. 130 mls NE of Geneva airport). It is situated at the end of a long, narrow valley, flanked on all sides by wooded slopes and stunning jagged mountains; ends S-wards in the face of steep escarpments and forests.
Ski Information:
Highest lift: 1960m (6430ft), Lowest lift: 1170m (3838ft), Vertical drop: 790m (2592ft), Number of lifts: 7, Uplift capacity: 9400 p/hr, Beginner: 60%, Intermediate: 25%, Expert: 15%, Total piste length: 14km, Cross country: 55km
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The ski-school office is at the tourist office with all ski-schools meeting at the top of the Oeschinen chair-lift, where there are nursery slopes and a ski-kindergarten; English instruction is available.
There are a few souvenir shops, selling the usual Swiss trinkets, army knives etc. Couple of sports shops, small supermarket and a handful of assorted stores necessary for village life.
Kandersteg is a popular summer base for hiking, paragliding, riding and mountaineering. There is a summer toboggan run; an outdoor pool; facilities for tennis; pools for fishing and boating on the Oeschinen Lake.
The nightlife here is confined to a few bars and mainly hotel restaurants.
For food there is little choice outside the hotels, which offer mainly Swiss cuisine. There are also 4 mountain restaurants.
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Population: 7.489.400
Languages: German 64%, French 20%, Italian 7% (all official);
Currency: Swiss franc
Currency code: CHF
Local Times:
Switzerland - Bern
Switzerland - Bern
Switzerland - Zürich
Country Dialling Code: +41
Voltage: 220V 50Hz
Electrical plugs:
 
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Switzerland, in central Europe, is the land of the Alps. The fusion of German, French and Italian ingredients has formed a robust national culture, and the country's alpine landscapes are certainly vast and varied.
With snow-capped Alps, forested hills, fairytale castles, Renaissance cathedrals, shimmering lakes, stylish spas and luxury ski resorts - it's easy to see why Switzerland has been one of the world's top tourist destinations for the past two centuries.
It's the country that fashioned tourism, so it's no surprise that Switzerland caters to visitors all year round. In spring and summer it offers lakeside chalets, mountain trails and spa resorts. In the sunny southern region of Ticino, near the Italian border, visitors will find palm-fringed Riviera-style resorts offering a host of water sports. Those keen on hiking and mountaineering will find over 31,000 miles (50,000km) of mountain and forest trails throughout the country.
In November the country's ski resorts begin opening, and visitors pour in throughout the Christmas season and until the snow begins to melt with the onset of spring. With the highest pistes in Europe, Switzerland's ski runs offer reliable snow and breathtaking views. Most resorts also have plenty to do for those not so keen on skiing, making Switzerland the perfect destination for a winter fantasy of log fires, fondues and glistening snow.
Switzerland's cities are pristine and beautifully laid out with famous Swiss precision. Zurich is widely held to be the intellectual and artistic centre of the country, sporting incredible architecture and more than a thousand fountains, with many museums and galleries. Geneva is the principal city for the international community, and is home to hundreds of world organisations. Its setting on the shores of Lake Geneva give it a romantic atmosphere, and the city has an exciting, if rather expensive, nightlife.
Mostly German in Central and Eastern parts. French in the West; some Italian in the South. Raeto-Romansch is spoken in the Southeast by 1%. English is spoken by many.
Climate varies throughout Switzerland. In the Alpine regions the temperatures tend to be low. The lower land of the Northern areas has higher temperatures and warmer summers.
This is a very law abiding nation. Dropping litter can cause offence. Don't give Chrysanthemums or white Asters to a host as they are considered to be funeral flowers. Many cultures overlap in Switzerland. |
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Local Area Weather
Zurich, SWITZERLAND |
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0°C
Feels like: -3°C |
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