Markstein

Alpine skiing area of Markstein’s ski resort offers 12 ski trails for all levels and it serves by 8 button lifts. The ski lifts are open every day from 9h to 17h but also by night from 18h to 22h every tuesday and friday, on 2 lighted ski trails that slalom stadium.

Markstein’s ski resort offers a learning area for beginners : 3 green ski trails and 1 blue ski trail (special package for learning initiation). ESF has also a kindergarten which is accessible from the age of 4.

The ski resort maintains a favored relation with the sporting world as it was in 1983 and 1987, a stage of alpine skiing Wolrd Cup. It offers a slalom stadium, open for all, totally restructed in 2006, which welcomes every year races of international skiing federation.

For more sensations, the ski resort offers a snowpark and a boardercross. A network of snow-blower which assures a quality snow cover all through the year.

Hotels in Markstein

Hôtel Restaurant Wolf ***

The Hôtel Restaurant Wolf is located next to the Markstein ski resort in the Hautes Vosges region. All rooms have a TV and private bathroom. Some also have a private balcony. The restaurant has a dining room with a fireplace and serves regional specialties. It also has an outdoor terrace and provides free parking.

Auberge du Steinlebach

It is located at an altitude of 1,150 meters, on the road below the Markstein ski resort, surrounded by pastures. In addition, the large herd of cattle on the neighboring farm provides fresh produce daily. To the east, you can see Germany. To the southeast, you can see the majestic landscape of Switzerland. The Massif du Markstein Grand-Ballon, the highest point in the Vosges, is a privileged place where you will enjoy tranquility and relaxation, which will be the main attractions of your vacation. A unique network of trails, marked and maintained by the Club Vosgien, runs through the Vosges massif.

Auberge de France

This hotel is located in Kruth, 20 minutes from Markstein station. Located in a small town at the foot of the Hautes Vosges, it offers WiFi, a traditional restaurant, and a petanque court. Rooms include a bathroom, TV, telephone, and safe. Some rooms also have a balcony. The hotel serves breakfast on the terrace and has a garden. The accommodation is an 8-minute drive from Lake Kruth-Wildenstein, where you can go fishing. Hiking and cycling are also available in the area.

Skiing in Markstein: the resort’s strengths

The Le Markstein resort, located in the Vosges mountains (Alsace), offers a skiing experience that combines historical roots, a human scale, and sporting versatility. Located between 1,020 and 1,268 meters above sea level, Markstein offers a ski area that is modest in size but rich in character.

One of its strengths lies in its variety of slopes adapted to multiple levels. The ski area has 13 slopes served by 8 ski lifts, ranging from green and blue runs suitable for beginners to red and black runs for those seeking a greater technical challenge. Specifically, Markstein has four green, four blue, two red, and two black runs, offering a balanced range that allows skiers to progress from beginner to more demanding levels.

The resort has gained recognition in the world of competitive skiing: in 1983 and 1987, it hosted Alpine Ski World Cup events, demonstrating that its layout and configuration have been valued at the highest international level. In addition, Markstein has a slalom stadium that was renovated in 2006 and continues to be used for International Ski Federation competitions.

Another of its outstanding attractions is its link to the world of cross-country skiing. Markstein is part of the Route Nordique network, which connects to Le Grand Ballon and Schnepfenried, offering more than 40 km of Nordic trails, long circuits that allow skiers to explore the massif from other, more extensive angles. On days with optimal visibility, panoramic views of the Vosges valleys, the Alsace plain, and even the distant Alps can be enjoyed from its peaks.

Daily operations also offer advantages: the ski lifts operate between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., and two trails are lit for night skiing on Tuesdays and Fridays from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., extending the skiing experience even after sunset. For beginners, the resort has a clearly marked beginners’ area, dedicated green slopes, and a ski school (ESF) available for children aged 4 and up.

Another important feature is the production of artificial snow, which ensures better coverage in seasons with less precipitation, contributing to the consistency of the resort in variable conditions.

On a human and local scale, Markstein is also defined by its welcoming atmosphere and its connection to the community. It is not a large alpine resort, but it is precisely this more modest size that allows for user-friendly management, with proportionate infrastructure and a less crowded atmosphere.

However, this same size does have some limitations: being at a relatively low altitude, natural snowfall can be less reliable than at higher resorts, which means that the resort is more dependent on artificial snow. Some visitor comments also point out that road access can be dangerous in winter conditions, with slippery roads and parking lots that are not always ideal.