Bettmeralp

Bettmeralp is a municipality in the district of Raron in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. On 1 January 2014 the former municipalities of Betten and Martisberg merged into the municipality of Bettmeralp.[3] Before the merger, Bettmeralp was the name of a village and ski resort in Betten.

Bettmeralp
Municipality in Switzerland
Bettmeralp village and Bettmerhorn
Coat of arms
Location of Bettmeralp
Bettmeralp
Bettmeralp
Coordinates: 46°23′N 8°5′E
CountrySwitzerland
CantonValais
DistrictRaron
Area
 • Total29.36 km2 (11.34 sq mi)
Elevation
1,970 m (6,460 ft)
Population
 (2018-12-31)[2]
 • Total462
 • Density16/km2 (41/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (Central European Time)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (Central European Summer Time)
Postal code(s)
3991 & 3994
SFOS number6205
Surrounded byFiesch, Fieschertal, Filet, Grengiols, Lax, Martisberg, Naters, Riederalp
Websitegemeinde.bettmeralp.ch
SFSO statistics

Bettmeralp village
Above Bettmeralp

Bettmeralp is a car free village which can be reached by cable car from the Betten train station (Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn). From there another cable car leads near to the summit of Bettmerhorn, which lies directly above the Aletsch Glacier. Bettmersee is located above the village at 2006 m.

The position of Bettmeralp allows good view over the Pennine Alps, particularly the summits of Weissmies, Dom, Matterhorn and Weisshorn.

Historic aerial photograph by Werner Friedli from 1949

History

Betten is first mentioned in 1243 as Bettan.[4] Martisberg is first mentioned in 1311 as Martisperg.[5]

Geography

The former municipalities that now make up Bettmeralp have a total combined area of 28.79 km2 (11.12 sq mi).[6]

Demographics

The total population of Bettmeralp (as of December 2019) is 450.[7]

Historic population

The historical population is given in the following chart:[8]

Sights

The entire hamlet of Eggen is designated as part of the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites[9]

Skilift system

Bettmeralp village can only be reached via a cable car. The main ski lifts are:[10]

Name or routetypeelevation
groundstation		elevation
mountainstation		slope lengthcapacity in
persons/hour		construction
year(s)
Betten
Betten Village		aerial tramway83211998723501950
1965
Betten Village
Bettmeralp		aerial tramway1199193116105001951
1967
1979
Betten
Bettmeralp		aerial tramway832193324469701974
Bettmeralp
Bettmerhorn		gondola19912652232424001975
1995
Wurzenbordchairlift19662224107520002003
Schönbielchairlift19562296166928001998
Alpmatten 1surface lift186119512946501971
Alpmatten 2surface lift186119512946501971
Bettmeralp 1surface lift1940206764010001972
1955[11]
Bettmeralp 2surface lift1940206764010001971[12]
Tanzbodesurface lift198520164887201995
1992:Temporary lift
Trainerliftsurface lift197420263038201983
1st trainer:1969
Lager 1surface lift1974203533610001983
Lager 2surface lift197420222237201999

Panorama

The village:

View from the village:

References
  1. "Arealstatistik Standard - Gemeinden nach 4 Hauptbereichen". Federal Statistical Office. Retrieved 13 January 2019.
  2. "Ständige Wohnbevölkerung nach Staatsangehörigkeitskategorie Geschlecht und Gemeinde; Provisorische Jahresergebnisse; 2018". Federal Statistical Office. 9 April 2019. Retrieved 11 April 2019.
  3. Nomenklaturen – Amtliches Gemeindeverzeichnis der Schweiz Archived 13 November 2015 at the Wayback Machine (in German) accessed 13 December 2014
  4. Betten in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland.
  5. Martisberg in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland.
  6. Arealstatistik Standard - Gemeindedaten nach 4 Hauptbereichen
  7. "Ständige und nichtständige Wohnbevölkerung nach institutionellen Gliederungen, Geburtsort und Staatsangehörigkeit". bfs.admin.ch (in German). Swiss Federal Statistical Office - STAT-TAB. 31 December 2019. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
  8. Federal Statistical Office STAT-TAB Bevölkerungsentwicklung nach Region, 1850-2000 Archived 17 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine (in German) accessed 29 January 2011
  9. "Kantonsliste A-Objekte". KGS Inventar (in German). Federal Office of Civil Protection. 2009. Archived from the original on 28 June 2010. Retrieved 25 April 2011.
  10. Website Bettmeralpbahnen about lift system details Archived 20 September 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Visited 16 December 2008
  11. In 1951 a smaller lift opened on the same location as the groundstation
  12. Opening of dual surface lift
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