Grindelwald is also the largest base in the Jungfrau region, which includes Wengen and Mürren. Grinlewald’s setting in the shade of the North face of the Eiger, is one of the most iconic mountains in the world.
It shares a ski area with Wengen, but also has its own First ski area. Famous for the its breathtaking views of the Eiger and spectacular scenery, Grindelwald celebrated its 850th birthday in 1996 and the 60th anniversary of the First Mountain railway in 1997. You can travel by rail all the way to the ski summit and higher still up to the highest rail station in Europe at a lofty 3,454 metres.
Grindelwald ski area
Grindelwald’s two main ski areas, Kleinne Scheidegg and Mannlichen are shared with the resort of Wengen. From the centre of town a slow mountain railway takes you up to the Kleine Scheidegg area. This sector consists mainly of blue and red runs, with the occasional black piste. From Kleinne Scheidegg you can make your way over to the famous Lauberhorn World Cup run here that goes all the way back down to the village of Wengen, a good challenge for those who are wanting some tough stuff. There is however an easier blue run to Wengen for those who want to take it a bit easier.
Grindelwald’s Mannlichen area can be accessed from the slopes at Kleinne Scheidegg, or from a 2 stage gondola that starts from the edge of the village at Grund. Fairly easy red slopes make up the major part of the ski area. They are located mainly on the Grindelwald side, starting from the ridge that separates the two sides of the ski area. Several runs lead through a variety of landscapes directly into the villages of Wengen and Grindelwald. Experienced skiers will have more fun trying out the black run on the Kleine Scheidegg side. This is where the famous Lauberhorn World Cup downhill race takes place, which runs 4.2 kilometres down to Wengen.
The Grindelwald-First ski area is smaller. However, it offers beautiful sunny intermediate slopes and the best views in the region. First is accessed via gondola from the other side of town. Once again the terrain here will predominantly suit intermediates, and experts will find off piste opportunities providing the snow is decent enough. There is also a nursery slope at the bottom of First.
The villages and mountains of the region are easily accessible and extremely well connected by a efficient train network. In Grindelwald, a ski bus connects Kleine Scheidegg and Grindelwald-First every 15 minutes.
Grindelwald snowpark
Grindelwald-First Snow Park in the Jungfrau ski regon is the number one for freestylers in the Bernese Oberland with two different parks and the halfpipe.The Grindelwald-First snowpark contains a 130m half-pipe, advanced and beginners’ parks, a freestyler’s ski-cross course and a bag jump that’s available to all for practising flips and spins.
Grindelwald apres ski
There's plenty on offer in Grindelwald whether you're looking for beers and dancing or some extreme tobogganing and an ice hockey match.
Up on the mountain, there's plenty of ski huts that get the après going. Tipirama gets in DJs and live bands (not every day) and is popular until the last train back to town departs, or there's a long ski down the mountain. On the way down from here to Grund there are plenty of open roof bars to stop off at including the lively Rancher on run 22. Down in town the espresso bar and Gepsi tend to be the favourites or Challi often has live music later on.
Grindelwald village
The centre of town is made up of largely chalet style buildings and the cog railway stations add to the old-world charm, however, the resort is nowhere near as pretty as neighbouring Wengen and Murren.
In some ski resorts you often don't get the best views until you head up into the mountains, but one of the great things about Grindelwald is that the views from the village are just as good as those on the slopes, and you really get the feeling in the village that the Eiger is just looming over the village like a huge Ogre (that's what the name Eiger translates to).
Two of the town’s main nightclubs are the Mescalero at the Hotel Spinne and the Plaza at Hotel Sunstar. The Gepsi Bar in Hotel Eiger has a more relaxed vibe with live music.