A short drive Northeast from Gstaad you’ll find the Simmental – an alpine valley that runs from Lenk to Boltigen, in a more or less south-north direction.

**Lenk im Simmental is a very low key getaway. The town isn’t particularly fancy, but it’s calm and feels like a local place for families. The eastern ski slopes connect through to Adelboden.

Looks like it would be excellent on a powder day. Very speed groomers, use big guns. Popular and crowded when warm. Short season, pretty low, highest point is 2100 meters. The opposite (west) side of the valley has a small ski area. Less steep, more children, more low key. Covered under the same pass.

Food and Lodging:

• **Hotel Waldrand: We were quite happy here. It’s not fancy, but it’s nicely maintained, cozy rooms, a good restaurant. No spa. Doesn’t have a lounge or public place to hang out.
• Lenkerhof gourmet spa resort (Relais & Châteaux) is the fancy option, with a big spa complex. It looks $350/night fancy, not worth a big spend.
• Hotel Alpina: we liked the look of this place, older building, breakfast only.
• Chalet Lenk looked appealing for dining.

Adelboden

For Swiss postcard views, Adelboden is hard to beat. Waterfalls in every direction, excellent hiking. We’re told winter is the high season; summer is a bit quieter. We enjoyed hiking to the waterfall and taking the gondolas up to the top of various peaks.

In the winter, the ski area is okay, and looks like it would be excellent on a powder day. Very speed groomers, use big guns. Popular and crowded when warm. Short season, pretty low, highest point is 2100 meters.

***Hohliebestübli was a good outdoor dining option. In summer the walk there is pretty grueling, but the views are worthwhile. 

***The Cambrian Hotel was a big win – modernized, lovely staff, all the amenities you could want. Instagram-worthy outdoor pool and range of spa facilities. The restaurant (Glasshaus) was quite good.

The Adler Adelboden looked cute in a more overtly Swiss-style way.

The ***Alpenblick restaurant was good – smallish menu, but elegantly executed.