
Belchen delivers a quintessential Black Forest skiing experience with 9km of diverse slopes catering to all ability levels. This historic resort occupies one of the most prominent peaks in the southern Black Forest, offering spectacular 360-degree views extending to the Alps, Vosges Mountains, and even the distant Bernese Oberland on clear days. The uncrowded pistes and authentic southwestern German character make Belchen particularly appealing for those seeking quality skiing combined with exceptional natural beauty.
Belchen is a compact Black Forest ski area reached by a single gondola from the valley at Aitern, rising to 1,363 metres from a base of 1,100 metres for a 263 metre vertical. The pistes total about 8 kilometres, and the grading is 75% beginner and 25% intermediate, with no advanced or expert terrain. That makes it one of the mellowest areas in the region. The terrain is open and mostly treeless on top, with wide views across the Rhine valley and, on clear days, towards the Alps and Vosges.
The longest descent is a gentle run of several kilometres that suits beginners and families who want to ski a single long line rather than repeat short pitches. The intermediate piste adds a little more pace without becoming difficult. Because the gondola is the only way up, queues can build on busy weekends, and it also carries walkers and tobogganers. Belchen is best treated as a family day out in the southern Black Forest, ideal for first-time skiers and relaxed cruising. Strong intermediates and above will exhaust it quickly and should head to nearby Feldberg for more.
Belchen typically operates from December through March, with the most reliable conditions in January and February. The resort benefits from its elevated position in one of the snowiest regions of the Black Forest, receiving substantial natural snowfall supplemented by strategic snowmaking on key runs. The varied slope aspects include north-facing sections that maintain excellent snow quality throughout the season, often preserving good skiing conditions when lower areas struggle with thawing conditions.
Daily snow reports at Belchen go back to 2017, 10 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
Located in Baden-Württemberg approximately 150km south of Stuttgart and 40km from Freiburg, Belchen offers an accessible mountain escape in Germany's beautiful southern Black Forest. The resort sits within the stunning Belchen Nature Reserve, surrounded by pristine woodland and traditional farmhouses. This convenient location makes it easily reachable for day trips and weekend visits from major cities. The surrounding Black Forest region offers exceptional cross-country skiing, winter hiking trails, and access to traditional villages known for their distinctive architecture and cuisine.
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Live open status isn’t available right now.
Scroll for the full outlook · Open-Meteo
Days 1–7
0.0cm
Days 8–14
19cm
Live snow from the resort feed; forecast from Open-Meteo, via Supabase.
Our snow reports measure snowfall in centimeters over multiple time windows — last 24 hours, last 7 days, and the season total. Base depth reflects accumulation at the 1100m base area, while summit depth captures conditions 263m higher at 1363m, where snow typically stays colder and lingers longer. Imperial conversions are shown alongside for convenience.
Snow quality tracks closely with temperature and wind. We surface both alongside the snowfall data so you can judge whether conditions at Belchen are holding up or starting to soften.
We pull Belchen's conditions from on-the-ground mountain reporting, then layer in forecast data so you get a fuller picture than either source alone. The mountain is served by 1 lifts, including a gondola.
Conditions can change overnight, so mornings and late afternoons are the best times to check back on Belchen.