Snowboarding 2025/2026: between adrenaline and frustration
An honest look at a season that was supposed to heal but has mostly raised questions so far.
The crunch when you tighten the binding. The scrape of the board on first snow. Usually that is enough. The head switches off, the body takes over. This year it did not.
Late November brought heavy snow. First areas opened. I thought: this is the recovery I need after this year. Then reality on the mountain hit.
Riedbergerhorn and Bergbahnen BG
My home base is Balderschwang, Schwabenhof, SBSB. Ulli and his team are the best ski and snowboard school I know. That is home.
What Bergbahnen BG is doing leaves me speechless. The website does not work, the rebuild stalls for months. The Raubach lift has been down since spring 2025 and as of 14 Feb 2026 still stands still. No operation, no snow, no progress. That is not aimed at staff. It is aimed at the top, where Grasgehren seems to matter more than Riedbergerhorn.
Grasgehren opens earlier, so you sometimes go there. Warmth is missing. We turned around again last morning and left. The lift boss drives up in his Skoda, does not return good morning though I was there almost every weekend. Not once. A shame.
Diesel and conscience
I am part of the problem. I drive diesel, I do not use public transit, my kids ride motocross. That weighs on me. Love of nature and a lifestyle that strains it do not fit. I know that.
This winter presented the bill. Snow is missing, it is too warm. No operation at Christmas. Mid February the chairlift still stands still.
I also get angry that conservation blocked the alpine swing link. Then I ask what I actually want. More snow guns, bigger reservoir, and less impact on nature. I cannot resolve that double standard alone.
What Balderschwang could be
A link between Grasgehren and Riedbergerhorn would be a gem in the Allgäu if people pulled one rope. Instead they fight, and staff and guests pay.
Potential is there. Summer downhill, skate spot, food trucks. I am there in summer too, biking, hiking. Use it.
The people you come for
I come for SBSB and the people. Martin, Flo, Julian, Julina. New this year: Jolande, Jonas, Mel. Lift staff Peter and the guy at Angerpurnagletscher all winter. Carsten making the best of what he has. Irmi and her daughter, strict Heidi.
They are why you come. Without SBSB and Martin many would not return. The man with the red Skoda should know that.
When escape fails
This winter was supposed to be recovery after a year of mental load. It did not work. Standing on the mountain seeing decay, climate and human, the head stays heavy.
Season 2025/2026 is not over. The ease of earlier years is gone.
Riedbergerhorn stays as long as people like Martin and his team are there.