Jeizinen: Small Gondola But A Big Variety Of MTB trails

Jeizinen – What?
What do you do when it's December and most resorts have started with the winter season but there is no snow? Yes I know, biking season is all year long, but both of us love skiing, too – therefore we do have a couple of months each year with less mountain biking and more skiing.

To answer the question...you search for gondolas that are open all year long. Ideally, regions that are south exposed in order to get at least some sun on your face too. Jeizinen, above Gampel, is one of those regions with all trails super south exposed. And the Valais gets a lot of sun and the trails dry up quickly here.


Jeizinen – How?
How you get there you may ask? There is a train from Berne that stops at Hohtenn. From there it's a short single trail down to Gampel – that's the place where there is once a year a crazy open air. Gampel is also home to the Gondola that brings you 900m up the mountain to Jeizinen. A single uplift with bike costs 12CHF. A full day 30CHF.


Jeizinen – Trails?
There are a few trails down the mountain, including one “official” bike trail which offers a couple of fun sections down the hill. Besides that, you can basically take any trail that points downward to Gampel, Bratsch, Engersch or Erschmatt. You will always end up within a couple minutes bike ride away from the gondola station. It doesn't matter which trail you choose, they really are all fun, I promise!


Jeizinen – Why in December?
As mentioned before the trails around Jeizinen are all south facing and therefore super hot during the Summer. For us, the perfect time to ride here is early Spring and late Autumn. And of course, winter, if there is no snow. There are webcams to find out if there is snow. Additionally, you should avoid busy days because the gondola isn’t that big. We fit in 5 of us with 5 bikes, which felt like the maximum. Therefore the line on the station might get long when there are many riding at Jeizinen.


Jeizinen – Food?
Say no more. The only place we tried was the restaurant attached to the gondola station in Jeizinen. The food was great and reasonably priced. And the view, well, was amazing. Check their website: Restaurant Seilbahn


Jeizinen – other options?
2 years ago in a particularly bad Winter for skiers, I went to Jeizinen at the end of March and rode a variation (containing some uphill) towards Leuk. The trails have been fantastic there, too. There are more options directly down to Gampel if you wish to pedal a little or there are too many people waiting for the gondola.


Gampel-Jeizinen mountain biking trails

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MENTIONS: @teeneegee

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