Malbun in Winter

High up in the Liechtenstein Alps lies the little valley of the Malbun 1,600 meters above sea level. You get to it from the village of Steg in the Samina Valley. Steg itself is only accessible through a tunnel in the Kuln Ridge from Triesenberg lower down on the mountain slopes towards the Rhine River. In summer, Malbun is great for mountain hikes amid craggy mountain peaks. In winter, Malbun is a winter wonderland and playground.

The Malbun area lies in two semicircular dished similar to volcano craters. Though the skiing area is smaller than other famous ski resorts, the Malbun runs are varied and different in challenges. The Koenner has steep slopes and one run from the Sareiserjoch is nearly three kilometers long. There are two chair lifts, four ski lifts, and one "pony lift" and a over 21 km/13 miles of easy and challenging ski runs. The ski season this year starts December 18, 2004 and ends around April 03, 2005. Skiing in Malbun is less expensive then in other areas in Switzerland and Austria. Malbun is also very popular and more suited for family outings. Prince Phillip and the late Princess Diana brought their children to Malbun to learn to ski. Every Wednesday during the ski season the pupils of Liechtenstein's schools take to the slopes of Malbun for a day of skiing. Often their families join them.

Skiing in Liechtenstein is more than a national past time; it is a national passion. When Hanni Wenzel won three gold medals in skiing at an Olympic games some years ago, students in the little principality had been given the day off to watch her compete and the streets were empty as the citizens of Liechtenstein sat glued to their TV sets.

There is a lot more to do in Mabun then just ski. You can attend the ski and snowboard school for both private and group lessons as well as introductory and training for snowboarders. You can rent ice-skates and take a few spins around Malbun's natural ice rink. If you like the thrill of rushing downhill on a toboggan, try the free 1,000 m/3,280 ft long Turna-Malbun toboggan run. Or you can take a leisurely winter hike on the fantastic trails in the area. Visit the Tourist Office in Malbun for maps and more information.

Skiing in the Malbun in winter is relatively new. In the recent past no one ever went up to the remote valley in winter. The farmers from Vaduz and Triesenberg grazed the cows there in summer but with the coming of autumn, they drove them down to the winter pastures on the lower slopes near the Rhine River. Some might stay later in the season but made sure they left Malbun before Christmas. For high winter was the time that evil spirits took over the isolated snow covered valley and anyone staying there was in danger of losing their lives and souls.

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