Nordic the Valley 2026

In the week from January 28, 2026, to January 31, 2026, a very special experience centered around cross-country skiing awaits you in Kleinwalsertal with Nordic the Valley! Enjoy guided tours with stops, improve your technique in our courses, or experience the winter atmosphere in the Nordic Lounge. Look forward to highlights such as a waxing workshop, exciting insights into trail preparation, or moonlight cross-country skiing. The highlight is the Walser Nordic Challenge on Saturday, January 31, 2026. In the new event format "Nordic the Valley," both beginners and professionals are invited to refine their skills on the trails and experience the winter of cross-country skiing together.

Exert yourself on the trails and feel the effort, then relax and chill together with your tired muscles – what could be better? Cross-country skiing is rightly considered one of the healthiest winter sports: it engages many muscle groups simultaneously, improves endurance, and strengthens the heart and circulation without putting too much strain on the joints. The fresh mountain air is good for the immune system and clears the mind. The Nordic Lounge at the Steinbock trail in Bödmen will be the heart of a varied week of cross-country skiing full of movement, enjoyment, and community. With deck chairs and a campfire, drinks and snacks, it invites you to linger. The Nordic Lounge is also the starting point for all courses and tours.

Daily group courses in four categories in classic technique and skating are on the program – from first gliding attempts for beginners to technique training for ambitious skaters. The cross-country enjoyment tours are more leisurely: under expert guidance, participants discover the most beautiful trails in the valley and stop at selected inns along the way. Guests can leave their cars parked for the entire Nordic the Valley week: Kleinwalsertal is easily accessible by train via Oberstdorf, and the tours on the Schwarzwasser and Schwendeloipe can be reached by the Walserbus.

To conclude the weekend, the Walser Nordic Challenge is scheduled for Saturday, January 31 – four routes invite individual challenges without competitive pressure. Whether "Rookie" with 7.5 km, "Classic Queen" with 15 km, "XC-Skier" with 30 km, or "Walser Classic Hero" with 40 km – everyone will find their personal trail challenge here.

“With Nordic the Valley, we are bringing new momentum to the winter of Kleinwalsertal. This event is a fresh impulse that highlights the fascination of cross-country skiing and shows how versatile our winter season can be. We want to inspire people to rediscover the power of nature, the tranquility of the valley, and the dynamics of sports. At the same time, we are setting a sign for sustainable, healthy, and conscious winter tourism – values that define us as a destination and that we want to bring to life,” comments tourism board member Justina Rokita on the new event format.

Steinbock, Schwende, Schwarzwasser: The trail classics in Kleinwalsertal

With the three trails Steinbock, Schwende, and Schwarzwasser, Kleinwalsertal offers a total of 50 kilometers of track network for skating and classic cross-country skiing.

The easy to moderately difficult Steinbock trail starts at the entrance to Mittelberg and goes all the way to Baad at the end of the valley. Entry and exit are possible at several points. The trail runs for nearly 16 kilometers in classic technique and 10 kilometers in skating, and there is a small practice area at the entry point "Birkenwies" in Bödmen.

The moderately difficult Schwende trail is groomed for both classic and skating over its nearly 12 kilometers. Starting in the district of Außerschwende in Riezlern, the Schwende trail climbs up the Straußberg to the Hörnlepass inn and back down through the Außerwald. At the Bergblick inn, there are spacious practice loops for classic and free running techniques.

The Schwarzwasser trail, with nearly 360 meters of elevation gain, is the most challenging trail in Kleinwalsertal and is suitable for those who enjoy being active during their winter vacation. The ascents are worth it, as the tour offers views of the Ifen and the Widderstein, alongside snowy side valleys. It begins in Hirschegg Au and leads downhill, then moderately uphill towards Oberwäldele and back to the starting point, or it can optionally be extended to a total of 17 kilometers. Free use of the Walserbus within Kleinwalsertal for participants of the Walser Nordic Challenge on January 31, 2026, upon presentation of the booking confirmation (p.4).

All information about the program, accommodations, and registration can be found here.