Riederalp

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Riederalp
Canton	Valais
District	Raron
Coordinates	46°23′N 8°2′E
Population	555 (December 2002)
Area	21.0 km²
Elevation	1905 m
Postal code	3987 Riederalp<br />3983 Goppisberg, Greich<br />3986 Ried-Mörel
SFOS number	6175
Website	www.riederalp.ch
Riederalp

Riederalp is a municipality in the district of Raron in the canton of Valais in Switzerland.

The mid-mountain resort sits on a sunny, south-facing terrace below the 23-kilometre long Aletsch Glacier—Europe's largest, in the south of Switzerland. Beginners and intermediate skiers have the bulk of the 30kms of pistes, while expert skiers and snowboarders have a choice of off-piste at the top of the mountain.

Riederalp is a traffic-free village with a small number of permanent residents who are dwarfed by the influx of in-season tourists. Seven ski lifts operate over the 30kms of Riederalp and adjoining Bettmeralp's slopes, and are divided into 45 per cent beginner runs; 45 per cent for intermediate skiers; and 10 per cent suitable to advanced and expert skiers. The lift capacity is 9,000 skiers per hour and there are 110kms of slopes and 31 lifts in the region. In addition, there are 19kms of cross-country trails.

Other winter activities and facilities include: 25kms of winter walking paths; heli-skiing; ice-skating (natural); night excursions on skis by torchlight; snowshoeing; horse-drawn sleigh rides; and sledding. There is also a sports centre, and an indoor swimming pool at Bettmeralp. Nightlife is lively and centred around the villages' restaurants, bars and discos; folklore evenings are also popular.