Jungfrau Ski Area

Wengen

Wengen’s presence in the lists of ‘most favourite resorts’ for those who have visited it is an unusual one. Most other entrants will be there because of their fantastic skiing, Wengen will be there because of the how it makes you feel just being there, even before you put your skis or ‘board on. The awe inspiring mountainscape above and below borders on a spiritual experience for many which makes even the most bland skiing experience seem marvelous. Not that Wengen’s skiing is bland – far from it, nearly 100 miles (160km ) of trails, shared with neighbouring Grindelwald, are lift-linked from the village, with further 40km or so (25 miles) also on the Jungfrau top ski Lift pass across the valley at Murren. The main ski area shared with Grindelwald is the Kleine Scheidegg. It is reached by the cog railway from Wengen to Wengeneralp in about 25 minutes (this may also be busy with non-skiing tourists on their way up to the Jungfraujoch, especially later in the season). The second main area is Mannlichen, reached by cable-car from the village or accessed from Kleine Scheidegg. Beginners will find nursery slopes in Wengen proper with friendly and efficient English-speaking schools and another area up at Wengeneralp . Intermediates will be most impressed by all that the Jungfrau top ski area has to offer, with many long, wide open runs above the tree line. Highlights include a trip over to Grindelwald for the 8km (5 mile) run down from the Oberjoch to that resort on its separate First ski area. Grindelwald itself can be reached by another popular 8km (5 mile) run down from Mannlichen. Experts will not want to miss the opportunity of a descent of the Lauberhorn, even if they can’t match Franz Klammer’s pace. This is now reached by a new chairlift from Scheidegg, above which the tough trails include the succinctly named ‘Oh God!’ off-piste descent. Many skiers and ‘boarders tend to end the day with the 7km (4 mile) run down from the top of the Lauberhorn back to Wengen, perhaps calling at Mary’s for a pre-apres ski drink en route. A day trip over to Murren on the train should not be missed in order to try another legendary run, the 6km (4 mile) black down to the resort from the famous Schilthorn revolving restaurant.

Accommodation & Après Ski

Evening entertainment in Wengen centres around the busy bars and restaurants, there is also a cinema which quite often has English language films. For non skiers there is plenty to do in Wengen and it is easy to meet friends up the mountain for lunch.

Start bar (at start of lauberhorn run) and Spycher bar are good spots on the Mountain. Rocks bar and Tanne bar are good in town as well as Pickel. If you want to party till 5am then try Blue Monkey

Other activities in Wengen:

• Cross-country skiing
• Indoor Tennis
• Indoor swimming pool
• Squash courts
• Heli-skiing
• Curling
  Winter walking
• Hang-gliding
• Billiards
• Kindergarten
• Sauna and solarium
• Bowling

Murren

High up in the Jungfrau ski area, Reachable only by cable-car, the car-free resort of Murren sits on a sunny plateau at 1650m and boasts incredible views. Less crowded than its more popular neighbour Wengen, the resort gives easy access to the Jungfrau ski area.

There is a great mix of terrains for skiers in Mürren offering suitable runs for beginners to more advanced individuals. You’ll find the best slopes between 1,500m and 3,000m, which offers some more challenging fast descents and off-piste terrains if you really want to test your skills.

There are lower runs for beginners, although these often don’t see as much snowfall as the higher pistes, so you may be relying on snow machines for optimal cover. No matter what your level, you’ll find skiing in Mürren fantastic for the expansive and breathtaking views alone. We highly recommend the off piste skiing with a guide.

Accommodation & Après Ski

While Mürren is reasonably quiet and quaint, it does have some great activities and places to visit beyond the slopes. There are a number of great bars and restaurants, offering modern cuisine and traditional dishes. The revolving restaurant atop the Schilthorn mountain as featured in the James Bond film, “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” is a must see whilst in Murren, Switzerland.

For those who want to spend some time off the slopes, the sports centre is a great way to spend the day. Here you’ll find a range of facilities, including spa provisions, a pool and ice rink. There is also an all-purpose sports hall and a squash court, so you’ll be spoilt for choice.

Grindelwald

Grindelwald is part of the Jungfrau Top ski Region, shared with Murren and Wengen. It both shares a ski area with Wengen – the Kleine Scheidegg and Mannlichen which is accessed by cog railway from Grindelwald or a 4 person gondola from the ‘suburb’ of Gmund, and has its own ski area, First, which is reached by a 6 person gondola from the village. First has about a quarter of the Jungfrau’s skiing – 6 lifts serving 45km (28 miles) of runs, whilst the joint area with Wengen is the Jungfrau’s largest having 22 lifts serving 100km (63 miles) of trails. The third sector, Murren’s Schilthorn, slightly smaller than the First ski area, is also included on the pass but is not ski linked – it’s either a long – if spectacular – rail or coach link. Beginners and children are however likely to spend their first few days at the Bodimi Nursery slopes which are home to Grindelwald’s ski school and easily reached by ski bus from the village centre. There are two beginners’ lifts here. Intermediates will find the most to attract them above Grindelwald and in the Jungfrau as a whole. One of the best run is the long 8km (5 mile) descent from Oberjoch back to Grindelwald. The powder slopes from the Eiger’s glacier are also wonderful if you reach them first! There are fewer runs for experts but the legendary Lauberhorn World cup downhill has to be ticked off your ‘wants’ list, although the Black Rock and ‘near vertical’ Kanonenrohr are arguably more intimidating. The mountaineering Centre and the ski school offer guiding to the various off piste, powder snow and glacier descents. Night skiing is possible on the Aspen ski lift where devalkarts (snow go-karts) are also rented. Depending on the conditions cross-country skiers will find between 30 and 35 KM (around 20 miles) of cross-country tracks in the Grindelwald Valley, starting next to the sports centre in the village. Use of the trails is free but those who make a lot of use of them are encouraged to purchase a ‘cross-country sticker’ for 30 SF to help with their maintenance.

Accommodation & Après Ski

Grindelwald is a stunningly pretty village with a great selection of shops, cafes and bars to explore. The visitor card gives free access to the sports centre’s swimming pool and ice rink, plus a reduction on the price for the sauna area and bouldering area. The gourmet restaurant at Hotel Belvedere is very popular with both hotel guests and visitors try to get a window table for incredible views to the Eiger. The relaxed C und M Café Bar serves lovely pastries and coffee during the day and local specialities with fine wines in the evenings.

Other activities include:

• The Jungfraubahn known as The Jungfrau Railway
• Winter Hiking
• Indoor Swimming Pool
• Mini Golf
• Indoor sports centre – rope park, pool, sauna, ice-rink
• Cross country skiers can explore the 30km of trails in the area, and walkers have 100km of winter footpaths to enjoy