Grindelwald in Switzerland
Resort Guide
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, Mürren'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.
Resort Statistics
- Resort Height : 1035
- Top Station : 2950
- Bottom Station : 1050
- Vertical Descent : 1900
- Drag Lifts : 11
- Chair Lifts : 6
- Opens : Dec - April, May-October
- Expert Rating : 7
- Intermediate Rating : 9
- Beginner Rating : 6
Lift Pass Prices
- Adult One Day Pass : 59 CHF
- Adult Six Day Pass : 282 CHF
- Child One Day Pass : 30 CHF
- Child Six Day Pass : 141 CHF