Black Forest - Feldberg: fun, sport and action

Fundorena. The first three letters say everything: fun. A large complex, all in wood and large bay windows, welcomes holidaymakers and passing tourists.

In this 4000 m² space there is an ice rink with synthetic "ice" (the same as at Disney), indoor climbing with eight different courses, a "dodgeball" field (you can play basketball but the field consists of trampolines), a trampoline park, boulder arena, a "jumping" course and a funpark just for the little ones.

A freestyle jump area with high jump trampolines allowing jumps up to 8 meters high. Skis and a special trampoline snowboard allow  to practice jumps even without snow. In summer, a pony dome completes the equipment as well as a fitness room and a pleasant lounge with a view of the ski slopes or the green meadows.

The space has been well designed: the climbing courses pass over the ice rink and the trampoline parks: be careful not to get distracted! The same if you skate: avoid looking up to see what is happening several meters above!

If the exterior of the building blends harmoniously into the landscape, the interior does not lack nods to the region: the lights in the lounge-bar take the shape of pine cones, obstacles of the indoor climbing routes look like a cuckoo clock, a mine cart or even a butt lift.

La Fundorena was born from an idea of Thomas Banhardt, owner of the Feldberger Hof, a family hotel par excellence (for hotel guests access is free of charge).
A father himself, he wanted to create an intergenerational space, where children, teens, parents and even grandparents can have fun together. To test everything, it takes about 2 hours 30 minutes. Better to book a time slot in advance to avoid too long a wait in case of heavy traffic. Prices depending on the activities and the duration chosen.

Invest to survive

When Thomas Banhardt bought the Hotel Feldberger Hof in 1993, winters in the Black Forest, as in other low lountain ranges, were still "real" winters, with snow as early as december. In recent years, the promise of a white Christmas and therefore the possibility of skiing during the winter holidays, has become nothing more than wishful thinking. Hoteliers are forced to adapt to these climatic data if they do not want to lose all their "winter" clientele to winter sports resorts in the Alps.

If Thomas Banhardt refuses to be alarmist - “each year we have 90 days of skiing” - he has all the same created this vast indoor sports leisure complex adjoining his hotel. Although the Feldberger Hof already has plenty of facilities for all ages, more was needed.

A great traveler, Thomas Banhardt was notably chef on the liner Norway, the former "France", he knew exactly what he wanted: a space where the whole family can do activities together, but a space related to the region.

It took six years to be able to consider making an investment of nearly 6 million euros. With the "Fundorena", the hotelier secures the loyalty of a large number of his customers. They are taking the "risk" to book for Christmas and the winter holidays, knowing they won't be bored if there is no snow. While the hotel currently has an occupancy rate of 90% - "70% in really very slack periods" - Thomas Banhardt prefers to be far-sighted. “Not for me, but for the next generation. You have to invest now, not when everything is already going badly ”.

Children are kings

There was a time when the Feldberger Hof was a luxury hotel. It was in the glorious days when the world flocked to ski the highest peak in the Black Forest.

Today it is the preferred hotel for families. Everything is done there to ensure that children have a dream vacation. In the large dining room, not a table without its high chair.

In another room, the children's meals arrive on a small barge, a slide allows them to have fun while the parents eat in peace. Several play and activity areas are aimed at children aged 1 to 15 years.

The hotel is a member of the European hotel cooperation "Familotel", certified by TÜV as suitable for children. As the hotel is located in a natural park, its owner has also done the necessary work to make it a climate neutral establishment.

Hiking with or without snow

Hikers always find what they are looking for on the Feldberg! Very nice, the panoramic route at the top (9 km, drop 248 m). Departure behind the "Haus der Natur" in Feldberg direction "Panoramaweg".

The view rewards the effort of the climb: in cold and clear weather, it goes as far as Mont Blanc, the Jungfrau and other mythical peaks. After this climb, the path becomes easier.

After an hour, arrival at the Todtnauer Hütte refuge and the chapel of St-Laurent. From there, allow another 30 minutes to reach St. Wilhelmer Hütte, where it is good to eat. For the return, we take the same path. If it's snowy, why not go with a sled? The return will be funnier!