The nearly 2 km long night trail in Realp invites you to enjoy a few laps under the starry sky. The route is mostly flat, with short, crisp climbs that provide variety. Groomed for both classic and skating styles, it is ideal for beginners and advanced skiers alike. Thanks to daily lighting from 6 to 9 p.m., you can also enjoy your cross-country skiing training in the evening – surrounded by the impressive mountain scenery of the Ursern Valley.

The headlamp trail in Andermatt (Circuit 4) is perfect for anyone who doesn't want to give up their sport after dark. Between 5 and 8 p.m., you can do your laps here with your own headlamp and experience the special atmosphere of cross-country skiing at night. This gives you the opportunity to stay active outside of regular trail opening hours and enjoy the winter landscape in a whole new way.

In collaboration with the Swiss Heart Foundation and Loipen Schweiz, the Andermatt Holiday Region offers a flat cross-country ski trail approximately 2 km long. It is perfect for beginners and anyone who wants to stay active in the fresh air during winter.

The start is located directly at the Nordic House. An information board provides important health information on the prevention of cardiovascular disease. The trail is suitable for classic style and skating, clearly signposted and integrated into the regular trail network.

The Cross-Country Skills Park in Andermatt offers children, teenagers and adults the opportunity to improve their cross-country skiing technique in a fun way. Various elements and obstacles promote balance, coordination and technique. The Skills Park at the Nordic House (approx. 300 metres away) is prepared as required and is suitable for beginners and advanced skiers alike.

Gloria, the young chamois, and her friends Selma and Sämi love winter – hibernation is out of the question for them. Instead, they show children and adults how they can improve their cross-country skiing technique in a playful way on the themed trail ‘In Gloria's footsteps’.

At five stations with exercise boards, cross-country skiing fans of all ages can learn simple techniques – while having fun and exercising in nature. The approximately 2 km long themed trail runs along the ‘Runde 2’ section of the trail and starts directly at the Nordic House.

• The Federal Office of Sport (BASPO) and the municipality of Andermatt are responsible for preparing the cross-country skiing trails in the Ursern Valley.

• The section of trail and the winter hiking trail between Zumdorf and Realp are maintained by BASPO.

• Since 1 January 2026, the route between Zumdorf and Andermatt has been the responsibility of the municipality of Andermatt.

• Both agencies are in close contact with Andermatt-Urserntal Tourism Ltd (AUT) to keep guests informed about the network of trails and the current condition of the routes.

• The cross-country trails in the Ursern Valley are generally groomed in the evening.

• High-quality grooming depends on various factors, in particular snow consistency, temperature and the time available.

• During grooming, the snow is loosened and reshaped using a snow blower.

• The snow then needs time to settle and harden again. This natural process is known as ‘sintering’ and is highly dependent on temperature and time.

• Preparing the trails in the evening allows them to harden optimally overnight and be available in the best possible condition the next day.

• Preparing the trails several times a day would disrupt this process and impair the quality of the trail.

• The same reasons as for one-off daily grooming also apply in windy or snowy conditions.

• Targeted grooming under suitable conditions is more effective in terms of quality than several grooming passes without sufficient settling time for the snow.

The differences are mainly due to the following factors:

Geographical location:

• Realp–Zumdorf is mostly shaded.

• Zumdorf–Andermatt is more exposed to sunlight.

Temperature and sunlight:

• Sunlight softens the snow.

• This causes tracks to form more quickly.

Wind conditions:

• Particularly in the Zumdorf–Andermatt section.

• These mainly affect the classic track.

The cross-country trails in Andermatt run:

• across the golf course

• through an agricultural zone

If there is insufficient snow depth, this could cause:

• damage to the ground

• damage to agricultural land

Since 2023, a smaller track-setting machine has been available, which generally allows for earlier preparation.

• However, there is a binding agreement with the partners concerned:

  • Preparation with the snow groomer only when the snow depth is at least 50 cm.

This regulation serves to:

• protect nature

• protect agricultural land

• protect the golf course area

• In Realp, the cross-country ski trail runs alongside the asphalt roller ski track.

• This means there is no risk of damaging the ground.

• At the start of the winter season:

  • The approximately two-kilometre-long trail is constructed using artificial snow.

• The construction process is as follows:

  • Selective snow production using snow cannons

  • Distribution of snow piles using agricultural machinery

  • Compaction of the snow on the trail network

• This process is only possible as long as the trail is not yet completely covered with snow

• The Andermatt Holiday Region already offers a suitable facility in the form of the technically snow-covered cross-country ski trail in Realp.

• Realp is particularly suitable due to:

  • the existing roller ski track

  • the biathlon facility

  • the existing infrastructure

• Yes, there are fixed opening hours for the cross-country trails.

• The daytime trails are open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• After closing time, the daytime trails are groomed by snow groomers.

• There are also night trails available that can be used outside of regular opening hours.

• The night trail in Realp is open daily from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

• In Andermatt, the headlamp trail (loop 4) can be used daily from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

• The practice area at The Nordic House in Andermatt is available to all guests with a valid cross-country skiing ticket.

• The area is frequently used by cross-country skiing schools.

• Individual guests can also use the practice area at any time.

• The BASPO is responsible for promoting sport and exercise in Switzerland.

• In Realp, young athletes are supported in biathlon and Nordic skiing.

• Races and training sessions serve as a means of comparing athletic performance.

• As this section of the trail is not managed by the AUT, the tourist organisation has no influence on closures.

• Races often use the entire Realper trail network. Reasons for this:

  • Varied route layout

  • Required route length

• Due to geographical conditions, it is not possible to prepare alternative routes.

• The AUT provides transparent information in its trail report to avoid unnecessary travel.