Finnenloipe Rothenthurm

Lots of good long loops, some hills, but oddly undulating trails and aging rental gear.
The start (with ski rentals in a container-​shed) is right near the train station; when it’s not a race day, the rental container is easy to spot near the large brown barn in the field. (We were there on a race day, and it took a while poking around the hubbub and events to find it).
The trails are mostly an ever-​expanding set of loops — 7, 11, 15, or 20 km. They’re mostly scenic, but in a few places they cut directly uphill — to the extent that even the long-​legged, lycra-​clad experts were walking. What’s the point?
The ground is a little uneven — some cambered sections, and lots of rolling undulations. Rollers are fun for BMX or motocross, not so much for skate skiing.
The rental gear is a mixed bag — we got one set of new, modern, good-​condition gear, and another set of mid-​90s Fischer RCS Plus skis with damaged old-​style Salomon Skate Profil bindings (one toe screw was stripped, so the ski doesn’t stay straight unless you keep your heel down). I made them work, and the shop said they’d repair them before renting them again, but not ideal.
At the end of the day, there’s a giant coffee urn filled with hot Iso-​drink (think Gatorade) for a franc a cup, and some candy bars for two. They hit the spot — you don’t always need a huge après-​ski extravaganza.