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 maintaining the cross-country ski trails in the Ursern Valley:

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

• The section between Zumdorf and Andermatt is the responsibility of the municipality of Andermatt.

• Both organisations are in close contact with Andermatt-Urserntal Tourismus GmbH to keep visitors informed about the network of cross-country ski trails and the current condition of the trails.

The cross-country ski trails in the Ursern Valley are generally groomed in the evening. Various factors play a role in ensuring good trail quality:

• Snow consistency

• Temperature

• Time available for grooming

During grooming, the snow is loosened up and reshaped using a snow blower. It then needs time to settle and become compact again. This natural process is known as ‘consolidation’ and is heavily dependent on temperature and time.

Grooming in the evening allows the snow to harden optimally overnight. Repeated grooming during the day would interfere with this process and therefore does not automatically result in better trail quality.

Even in snowy or windy conditions, the same requirements apply for good grooming:

• After grooming, the snow needs sufficient time to settle and harden.

• Carrying out several grooming passes in quick succession therefore does not automatically result in better trail quality.

• Wind can cause the classic track, in particular, to fill up with snow again quickly after grooming.

Targeted grooming under suitable conditions is therefore more effective than carrying out several grooming passes without allowing sufficient time for the snow to settle.

The differences are mainly due to the geographical location and weather conditions:

• Realp–Zumdorf: This section lies on the shadier side of the Ursern Valley. As a result, the snow remains hard and compact for longer.

• Zumdorf–Andermatt: This section is more exposed to the sun. Consequently, the snow softens more quickly and ski tracks become more clearly visible.

• Wind: The Zumdorf–Andermatt section is more frequently exposed to strong winds. This can make grooming more difficult and, in particular, cause the classic track to fill up with snow again quickly.

Some of the cross-country ski trails in Andermatt run across the golf course and through farmland. If the snow cover is too thin, mechanical grooming can cause damage to the ground.

• Since 2023, a smaller track-grooming machine has been available, which in principle allows for earlier grooming.

• However, an agreement has been reached with the relevant partners that grooming with the snow groomer may only take place once the snow depth reaches at least 50 cm.

• This rule is designed to protect the natural environment and agricultural land.

In Realp, the conditions are different from those in Andermatt:

• The cross-country ski trails run largely alongside the tarmac roller-ski track.

• This means there is no risk of damaging agricultural land or the ground beneath.

• At the start of the winter season, the trails are prepared using artificial snow.

• This is produced in specific areas, then spread using agricultural machinery and compacted across the trail network.

• For this to happen, the vehicles must be able to access the trails. Once the trails are completely covered in snow, this is no longer possible without damaging them.

The following standard opening hours apply to the cross-country ski trails:

• Daytime trails: 8.00 am to 5.00 pm

• Realp night trail (2 km): floodlit from 6.00 pm to 9.00 pm

• Andermatt headlamp trail (Lap 4): open from 5.00 pm to 8.00 pm

• Winter sports report: daily status update by 8.30 am

Important: Until the latest winter sports report is published, use of the cross-country trails is at your own risk and subject to last-minute closures, for example due to grooming work, fresh snow or for safety reasons.

Yes, a valid cross-country ski pass is required to use the cross-country ski trails in the Andermatt Holiday Region.

• The cross-country ski pass must be carried at all times and presented upon request.

• With a valid cross-country ski pass, 2nd-class train travel between Andermatt and Realp in both directions is included.

• Free train travel is only valid for passengers carrying cross-country skiing equipment.

• Commuter and work-related journeys are excluded from this offer.

The current condition of the cross-country ski trails is published in the Andermatt Holiday Region’s winter sports report:

• The trail status is updated daily by 8.30 am.

• The report provides information on the current condition of the trails and any closures.

• Until the latest report is published, use of the trails is at your own risk.

• Short-notice closures may occur due to grooming work, fresh snow or for safety reasons.

Yes. The practice area at The Nordic House is available to guests with a valid cross-country skiing pass:

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

• Individual guests may also use the practice area.

In Realp, young talent in biathlon and Nordic skiing is nurtured. Parts of the cross-country ski trail network, or the entire network, may therefore be closed for training sessions and competitions.

• The section of the cross-country ski trails in Realp is not managed by the municipality of Andermatt.

• Neither the municipality of Andermatt nor Andermatt-Urserntal Tourismus GmbH have any influence over such closures.

• Current closures are announced via the winter sports report.

Competitions in Realp often take up large sections of the trail network:

• The races require varied and sufficiently long routes.

• Due to the geographical and topographical conditions, it is not possible to groom additional cross-country ski loops for guests at the same time.

• Andermatt-Urserntal Tourismus GmbH provides information on any such closures well in advance in its winter sports report, so that guests can plan their journey and their day’s cross-country skiing accordingly.