Join journalist Maurizio De Matteis from Dislivelli magazine as he travels to Balderschwang, a small alpine village in Bavaria, to explore how this community is reimagining its tourism future. Through the BeyondSnow video narrative, discover how Balderschwang is transitioning from a snow-reliant destination into a year-round hub for sustainable, family-friendly experiences surrounded by the pristine nature of the Nagelfluhkette Nature Park.
Balderschwang is a small German municipality located at 1,044 meters above sea level, with just over 200 inhabitants, in the Bavarian region. The area hosts a ski resort featuring 13 lifts and 34 runs, totaling 41 kilometers of skiable terrain, including a notable cross-country trail that extends across the Austrian border.
Tourism, which is evenly split between summer and winter seasons, plays a major role in the local economy, alongside seven alpine dairies and businesses tied to the forest-wood sector. Traditionally, Balderschwang has been seen as a white winter paradise—where visitors can ski and enjoy the snow in complete freedom. But today, with the effects of climate change shortening the seasons, the resort’s managers are engaged in a “truth-telling mission” to shift the perception of the destination toward a more contemporary and sustainable image.
Local authorities and lift operators are working closely together to expand infrastructure for hiking and cycling and to attract visitors throughout the year—including during the off-season months of October and November, when the mixed forests of the Nagelfluhkette Nature Park turn into a vibrant palette of autumn colors.
The ski lifts, while operating in full respect of the mountain’s protected areas, are also planned to remain open year-round, catering to hikers and mountain visitors. Services for non-winter seasons, currently underdeveloped, are being enhanced to meet growing demand for experiential tourism.
In the coming years, loyal visitors to the Allgäu Alps will come to appreciate that winter in Balderschwang is beautiful with or without snow. The village is transforming into a year-round destination, ideal for families and aligned with sustainable tourism models. This transformation also promises a better quality of life for the residents of Balderschwang, who will be able to continue living and working in the place they call home.