The giant slalom in Adelboden is one of the classics in the Ski World Cup. But year after year, the organizers worry about whether the temperature and snow cover will even allow the race to take place. The start is at 1724 meters above sea level, the legendary finish slope ends at 1294 meters - at this altitude, even artificial snow is no longer safe. So it's hardly surprising that Adelboden wants to expand its summer activities.

However, Björn Luginbühl, Technical Director of the mountain railroads, does not want to see this interpreted in this way. "Winter business is still strong, but it's also worth investing in the summer." Some of the lifts also run in the warmer months, partly to bring hikers up the mountain and partly because of the 500 scooters that are ridden down the alpine roads into the valley.

The ground-breaking ceremony for the first bike route on Adelboden soil took place at the beginning of October. The start is at the mountain station of the Höchsthornbahn, the trail first rides down to the ridge of the Chuenisbärgli, but then heads west towards Bergläger, while the famous ski slope runs north towards Adelboden. So there's a bit of Chuenisbärgli in there, but there are no bike ramps built into the ski finish slope.

The Adelboden Lenk bike region as a long-term goal

The highest trail is being realized by Trailworks. A representative of the Glarus-based company described its characteristics as an enduro flow trail. It will also challenge experienced mountain bikers, promises Luginbühl, as all jumps and difficult passages can be bypassed on chicken lines. "The trail will be a red route in terms of difficulty," he adds.

The Höchst Trail is the pilot project, five more routes will follow if the plans of Bergbahnen Adelboden go ahead. "We have the agreement of the landowners for three more," says Luginbühl, highlighting the progress made.

It took five years from the start of the project to the start of construction of the Höchst Trail. It will probably take just as long again until the small bike park in Adelboden is complete. The goal of operating a joint bike area together with Lenk is even more challenging. "Approval procedures for routes that cross municipal boundaries are even more complicated," says Luginbühl. So it's good to know that at least the pilot trail from Höchsthorn towards Bergläger will be opened next spring.