Delegates Of The Adelboden-Lenk Ski And Bike Region Interest Group Hold Summer Meeting
The delegates of the Adelboden-Lenk Ski and Bike Region Interest Group (IGSAL) met for their summer meeting. After a review of the past successful winter season, those present bid farewell to their former president, Markus Hostettler, who retired in January 2025.
On Thursday, July 10, 2025, the delegates of the Adelboden-Lenk Ski and Bike Region Interest Group (IGSAL) met for their annual meeting at the Alphüttli on the Tschentenalp. Delegates from Bergbahnen Adelboden AG, the Lenk Bergbahnen Cooperative, Elsigenbahnen AG, Skilifte Metschalp AG, Engstligenalp AG, and Tschentenalpbahnen AG, as well as representatives from Bergbahnen Adelboden-Lenk AG, local transport, and tourism, joined President Nicolas Vauclair in his first annual report as chairman to reflect on one of the IGSAL's most successful winter seasons.
Investments and new subscription network
In winter 2024/25, the IGSAL sub-areas benefited from excellent weather, snow, and piste conditions: The IGSAL recorded 10% more first-time visitors than in the previous winter – and is 4% above the five-year average. The season was also financially successful: With over CHF 37.5 million in revenue, it achieved an increase of 3% over the previous year's strong performance, and 7% over the five-year average. Tschentenalp performed particularly well, welcoming 28% more guests than in the previous year. IGSAL President Nicolas Vauclair expressed his satisfaction, but emphasized: "Such annual results form the basis for the upcoming investments in all sub-areas."
The region remains committed to investing in infrastructure, digitalization, and the guest experience. Nicolas Vauclair: "The switch from Gstaad to the Magic Pass is bringing momentum to the market. We are staying true to our strategy and, with the new AlpsPass, we are continuing to focus on quality – for guests who are willing to pay a price that covers their costs." A new upgrade has also been created: Anyone who purchases the AlpsPass for the 2025/26 winter season has the option of purchasing a combined pass with the Adelboden-Lenk 2026 summer hiking pass for just CHF 100. Adelboden-Lenk will maintain its pricing policy for families next winter, however: The Saturday "KidsFree" offer is proving very popular. Those responsible have also created even more family-friendly structures for the passes. "For all our season passes, we have reduced the rates for children and young people by 40%. A family of four will pay less next winter with the AlpsPass than before with the Top4 network," says Vauclair.
Appreciation of a long career
At the end of the meeting, Nicolas Vauclair took the opportunity to officially bid farewell to former IGSAL President Markus Hostettler, who was present. He handed over his office to his successor in July 2024 and retired in January 2025. In a laudatory speech with personal anecdotes, Vauclair paid tribute to his predecessor's twelve years of service and described him as a "man of three roles": "You were a strategist, an accomplice, and a pragmatist – with an eye for the bigger picture." He highlighted several milestones, such as the reorientation of IGSAL into a ski and bike region, the co-creation of the Top4 network, and digitalization, which Hostettler had significantly advanced. The delegates present acknowledged his work with applause.
