Skiing in Wengen: Complete Guide to the Grindelwald–Wengen Ski Area (+Map & Tips)
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Thinking about skiing in Wengen, Switzerland, and wondering what it’s really like? This guide covers everything you need to know before skiing in the Grindelwald–Wengen ski area: slopes (with a map), snow conditions, beginner areas, and practical tips to help you plan your trip.
Wengen is a small car-free village in the Jungfrau Region in central Switzerland and a great base for a winter vacation. We’ve skied here many times over the years and keep coming back. The ski area is large, easy to navigate, and suitable for all levels.
But I still remember planning our first ski holiday in Wengen when our youngest kids were just learning to ski. I spent hours researching slopes, snow certainty, and beginner areas. Even though we had visited in summer, the logistics of skiing in Wengen felt complicated at first, especially with young kids and during a warm winter with limited snow. That’s exactly why I created this guide.
If you’re considering skiing in Wengen and wondering what to expect or where to start, you’ll find all the answers here. We share our experience, favorite ski runs, and practical tips to help you make the most of your ski trip.
Good to know: This guide focuses on the ski area between Wengen, Männlichen, Kleine Scheidegg, and Grindelwald. This is the main part of the Jungfrau ski region and the one where we usually ski. If you’re a complete beginner and only plan to ski for a day, the Bodmi ski area in Grindelwald may be a better choice. You can also book guided beginner lessons there.
TIP: If you are looking for a hotel for skiing in Wengen, Braunbär Hotel & Spa is our top. The location is perfect and the pool and wellness area are great at the end of the day.
READ ALSO: Interlaken in Winter: Top Places to Visit & Things to Do
Grindelwald – Wengen Ski Area: Overview & Map
The Jungfrau ski region includes three main ski areas: Grindelwald–Wengen, Grindelwald–First, and Mürren–Schilthorn. There’s also a smaller ski area in Meiringen, about an hour’s drive away.
The Grindelwald–Wengen ski area (see the map below) is the largest and main ski area in the Jungfrau Region. It’s well connected to both towns by trains and gondolas and also provides easy access to Jungfraujoch (Top of Europe).
The slopes are easily accessible from either side of the mountain. Whether you stay in Wengen or Grindelwald, getting to the ski area is straightforward, and snow permitting, you can usually ski all the way back to town.
Grindelwald – Wengen Ski Area Overview:
- Ski slopes: 103 km of runs for all difficulty levels
- Number of lifts: 21 (this includes mountain railways, cable cars, aerial cableways, chair lifts, etc.)
- Altitude: approx. 944 m – 2,320 m
- Ski season: Late November to mid-April
- What’s open: For real-time information on the ski area and to see which ski lifts and pistes are open, check the official website of the area.
Altitude & Snow Certainty
The Grindelwald–Wengen ski area stretches from about 944 m to 2,320 m in altitude.
The biggest part of the Grindelwald – Wengen ski area is high enough to guarantee snow certainty throughout the entire ski season. The majority of runs are around Männlichen (2,227 m) and Kleine Scheidegg (2,061 m), with some reaching even higher — Eigergletscher is at 2,320 m.
Wengen (1,274 m) and Grindelwald (1,034 m) are much lower, so there’s often little snow in town. In most cases, however, this doesn’t affect the skiing.
Snow permitting, you can usually ski all the way back to both towns. When needed, snowmaking keeps the main valley runs open, and if conditions are poor, you can always return by train or gondola.
If you can comfortably handle long, wide blue runs, snow certainty in Wengen usually isn’t a concern. We’ve never experienced a lack of snow when skiing between Männlichen and Kleine Scheidegg, and there are also several beginner practice areas at higher altitudes.
It can be a bit different if you’re past the complete-beginner stage but not yet confident on longer runs. When there’s enough snow, the Wengernalp beginners’ area is a good place to practice. But in low-snow conditions, the other easy runs are much longer and can feel tiring at first.
That said, our twins learned to ski in Wengen at age four and handled the long blue runs at Männlichen just fine. The slopes here are so wide that you have plenty of space to practice at your own pace, even if you’re just starting out.
Best Time for a Ski Holiday in Wengen
The ski season in the Grindelwald–Wengen ski area usually starts in late November and runs until mid-April. In good snow years, lifts may open a bit earlier.
The best time for skiing in Wengen is typically from December to March. If possible, try to avoid peak periods around Christmas and during Swiss school holidays. These vary by region, but in general, February and early March tend to be the busiest. The Lauberhorn World Cup weekend in mid-January is also especially crowded.
That said, we usually ski during school holidays and don’t have much flexibility with dates, and we’ve rarely experienced major crowds on the slopes in Wengen. See the section below for more details.
Crowds
You might be wondering how busy the slopes near Wengen get. Mornings can be very busy at the main gondola from Wengen to Männlichen, at Wengen train station, and on trains to Kleine Scheidegg (also used by visitors heading to Jungfraujoch). But once you’re up the mountain, the slopes and smaller lifts rarely feel crowded.
We usually ski during school holidays, between mid-February and mid-March. Along with the Christmas–New Year period, this is peak season and about as busy as it gets in Switzerland. Weekends are typically busier, especially in good weather. Even then, we’ve rarely waited more than 15–20 minutes for the gondola in Wengen.
On the mountain — whether at Männlichen or Kleine Scheidegg — you can usually ski straight onto the chairlifts with little to no wait. If we ever wait five minutes, that’s considered busy.
Skiing in Wengen for Beginners
Both Grindelwald and Wengen are great for beginners. There are two beginner ski areas at the top of the ski resort: one at Männlichen and one at Kleine Scheidegg. In addition, there’s a really nice beginners’ ski area in the center of Wengen and another in Grindelwald town.
There are several ski schools in the region offering private and group lessons for both kids and adults. You’ll find plenty of options in Grindelwald and the Wengen ski area, but we highly recommend booking in advance, especially in peak season.
TIP: If you’re visiting for just a day, it’s easiest to book a beginner ski lesson package that includes equipment, ski passes, and everything you need. It’s ideal for first-time skiers and short visits.
Here is some additional information about the main beginner ski areas in Grindelwald – Wengen:
Männlichen Children’s Paradise
Männlichen Children’s Paradise is one of the best beginner ski areas in Wengen for families with young kids. Located at high altitude, it’s usually very snow-reliable throughout the season.
There’s a magic carpet and two small “Pinocchio” lifts, plus gentle, open slopes that are perfect for first turns. The area is well organized, with ski schools operating here daily, so it’s especially good for kids taking their first lessons. It can get busy late morning, so earlier in the day is usually quieter.
BodmiARENA in Grindelwald
BodmiARENA in Grindelwald is another excellent choice for complete beginners. It’s a very gentle learning area with a magic carpet and a small surface lift, making it ideal for first-timers and young children.
Because it’s located in town, access is easy and convenient for short visits or half-day lessons. However, snow conditions can be less reliable at this altitude, and the area tends to get busy during peak periods. If you’re staying in Grindelwald and just starting out, it’s still one of the easiest places to begin.
Beginners Area at Kleine Scheidegg
The beginner area at Kleine Scheidegg is better suited for adults learning to ski or older kids who already have basic control. Located just a short walk from the train station, it’s easy to reach even without skis.
There’s a covered magic carpet and a rope lift, and the slopes are slightly steeper than in the beginner zones at Männlichen or Bodmi. Because it sits higher up, snow conditions are usually very good. It’s a great next step once you’re ready to move beyond the very first basics.
Figeler in Wengen
The Figeler beginner area in Wengen town is small but very practical if there’s enough snow. It has several sections: a flat learning area with a magic carpet for young kids, a gentle slope for first attempts, and a slightly steeper section for building basic skills before heading to longer runs.
There’s also a ski school building here where children can stay after lessons.
The main downside is the platter lifts (‘pancake lifts’ as we call them), which some beginners find tricky at first. Snow conditions in Wengen town can also be inconsistent.
Wengernalp Bumps Lift
The small beginner area at Wengernalp station (see the “Bumps” lift on the map) is ideal for those who already feel stable on skis but aren’t ready for longer alpine runs yet.
It has a short blue slope served by a T-bar lift and is usually quiet compared to the main beginner zones. Because it sits higher up, snow conditions are usually more reliable here than in Wengen or Grindelwald towns. It’s a good intermediate step between beginner areas and the longer blue pistes higher in the ski area.
Our Favorite Ski Slopes in the Grindelwald – Wengen Ski Area
The big majority of ski slopes in Grindelwald – Wengen are medium (“red”), but there are also plenty of easy (“blue”) and challenging (“black”) runs.
There are so many ski slopes here that you can ski the whole day without having to do the same run twice. And because the ski area is so well connected to both towns, you can start or end your day at different places.
Our personal favorite ski slopes are runs #2 (blue) and #3 (red) in Männlichen and the valley run #36 (blue) between Kleine Scheidegg and Wengen. Also, pretty much all the slopes between Männlichen and Kleine Scheidegg are really nice.
We usually start our day with a gondola ride from Wengen to Männlichen. We love skiing in Männlichen! When/if it gets busier here (ski schools also love these slopes), we ski all the way to Kleine Scheidegg using a series of connecting slopes and runs between the two places.
Kleine Scheidegg is a good (but busy) place for lunch. In addition, there are a few mountain huts nearby that are not as busy.
After lunch, you have plenty of runs to choose from in this area or you can make your way back to Männlichen again. We usually ski down to Wengen from Kleine Scheidegg at the end of the day. If you are staying in Grindelwald, you can ski all the way down to town or take a train.
Lauberhorn Alpine Ski World Cup
Wengen is home to the world-famous Lauberhorn Alpine Ski World Cup, held every year over a weekend in mid-January and drawing big crowds from around the world.
You don’t have to attend the race to experience what makes it special. From Kleine Scheidegg, you can ski up to Lauberhorn, the starting point of the race. Be sure to walk through the mountain hut to the official start gate and look down the first section — it’s an impressive (and slightly intimidating) view.
If the full run feels too challenging, you don’t have to ski it all. After seeing the start, you can simply take an intermediate red piste down instead.
Ski Pass Price
There are several ski pass options in the Jungfrau Region, but most visitors simply get the Jungfrau Ski Region pass, which covers all three ski areas: Grindelwald–Wengen, Grindelwald–First, and Mürren–Schilthorn.
In practice, if you’re staying in Wengen, you’ll likely ski mostly in the Grindelwald–Wengen area, since the ski areas are not directly connected on skis. Still, the region-wide pass is usually the easiest and most practical option.
At the time of our last update, a one-day ski pass costs around 79 CHF for adults and about 38 CHF for kids (ages 6–15). Younger children ski free. A 5-day pass costs roughly 354 CHF for adults and about 161 CHF for children.
You can buy ski passes for any duration from half a day to 14 days, and seasonal passes are also available. For current prices and details, check the official website.
Good to know: Kids ski free on Saturdays — up to three children (ages 6–15) per paying adult get a complimentary ticket with a day or afternoon pass.
TIP: If you only have one day, you can also book a ski experience or lesson package that includes equipment, lift passes, and an instructor. It’s much easier than arranging everything yourself.
Getting to Wengen
Wengen is a car-free village that’s located on the mountain and can only be reached by train. You’ll first need to get to Lauterbrunnen and from there, take a train to Wengen.
Good to know: You can bring your own ski gear or you can rent everything you need in Wengen. If renting, do some research and reserve in advance.
By train
If you are traveling to Wengen by train, you’ll first need to get to Interlaken Ost train station. Interlaken is a big town with direct train connections to all the main cities in Switzerland. From Interlaken, you’ll need to take a train to Lauterbrunnen; it takes about 20 minutes. In Lauterbrunnen, you’ll have to change the train one last time for a 12-minute ride to Wengen.
Trains are very reliable in Switzerland and the connections are smooth. There are plenty of trains, running at regular intervals, so you never have to wait long.
In winter, there’s usually one train per hour between Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen and one train every 30 minutes between Lauterbrunnen and Wengen. Here you can find train schedules for the region.
READ ALSO: Swiss Travel Pass: Complete Guide
By car
If you are visiting Wengen by car, you’ll have to drive to Lauterbrunnen, leave your car at the parking garage there, and take a train to Wengen.
Lauterbrunnen town is located in Lauterbrunnen valley, about 10 km south of Interlaken. There are highways all the way up to Interlaken and the last part of the road is usually easily accessible, also in winter. From the highway, it’s a 10 km/15 min drive to Lauterbrunnen or 18 km/ 25 min drive to Grindelwald (the first part of the road is the same; it splits in Wilderwil).
There’s a big parking garage at the Lauterbrunnen railway station where you can leave your car for the entire duration of your holidays in Wengen. It’s best to book this car parking in advance, especially if you are skiing in Wengen in the peak season (more info here). At the parking garage, you’ll find luggage trolleys that you can use to bring your luggage and ski gear up to the train.
Most hotels in Wengen offer a shuttle service for you or your luggage. But if you’re staying close to the station, you can simply walk there with your bags.
Where to Stay for Skiing
Staying in Grindelwald vs. Wengen
If you’re deciding where to stay for skiing in the Grindelwald–Wengen area, both towns are good bases; it mostly depends on the type of trip you’re planning.
Grindelwald is larger, livelier, and easier to reach. It has more hotels, restaurants, après-ski options, and better logistics overall. It’s a good choice for shorter trips, groups, or anyone who prefers more variety off the slopes. The downside is that it’s spread out, so getting to lifts may involve walking or taking a ski bus.
Wengen, on the other hand, is smaller, quieter, and car-free. Everything is within walking distance, and getting to the slopes is very easy. It feels more relaxed and scenic. It’s especially nice for families or anyone looking for a slower-paced ski vacation. The trade-off is fewer nightlife options and slightly more effort getting there when you first arrive (train only).
PRO TIP: Hotels in the Jungfrau Region are expensive, and during ski season, the best-value options often sell out months in advance. Book well ahead for the best choice and prices.
Our experience: We almost always stay in Wengen. It’s cozy, convenient, and just feels more relaxing for a ski trip. Below, you can find more information about our favorite hotels in the area.
Where to Stay in Wengen
Wengen is compact, so location doesn’t matter that much — most places are within a short walk of the lifts.
Here are some of our favorite hotels:
- Braunbär Hotel & Spa — Our top pick for skiing in Wengen. Right across from the Männlichen gondola, with modern rooms, a pool, and a great wellness area.
- Grand Hotel Belvedere — Beautifully restored historic hotel with stunning views and a more upscale feel. A bit uphill but worth it. We once stayed here on a ski trip and used the ski lockers at the gondola, so we didn’t have to carry our skis up and down.
- Hotel Silberhorn — Very central, right by the train station and lifts. We love the outdoor hot tubs at this hotel – great after a day on the slopes.
- Hotel Schönegg — A smaller, highly rated option that’s great for couples and within walking distance of everything.
Where to Stay in Grindelwald
If you prefer staying in Grindelwald, note that most hotels in town are closer to the Grindelwald-First gondola. The Männlichen gondola to the main ski area is a bit farther, but the ski bus makes getting there easy.
There are plenty of hotels in Grindelwald, but Sunstar Hotel Grindelwald is the only one we’ve personally stayed at. It’s one of the best-located options in town — right next to the First gondola and within easy walking distance of restaurants and shops. The indoor pool is also great for families.
Staying Directly in the Jungfrau Ski Area
It’s also possible to stay right on the mountain if you want a quieter, more immersive ski experience. Here are some of the best mountain hotels in the Jungfrau area:
- Hotel Bellevue des Alpes — A historic hotel in a spectacular location at Kleine Scheidegg, right in the heart of the main Jungfrau ski area.
- Berghaus Männlichen — A unique stay right on the slopes at Männlichen, with incredible views.
- Alpinhotel Bort — Located in the middle of the Grindelwald-First ski area, offering ski-in/ski-out access and a quieter mountain atmosphere.
- Berggasthaus First — A simple but memorable option if you want to stay in the Grindelwald–First ski area.
Staying on the mountain is a special experience, but keep in mind that facilities are limited and evenings are very quiet once day visitors leave. You can also simply stop at these hotels for lunch while skiing in the area.
Good to know: Staying in the Wengen area is not cheap, and not just during the peak ski season. If you’re still deciding where to go, take a look at our guide to affordable skiing in Switzerland.
More Things to Do in Wengen in Winter
Wengen has so much more to offer in winter, not just skiing! Here are some of the best things to do in Wengen in winter:
- Skiing
- Alpine sledding
- Excursion to Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe or to Schilthorn (Piz Gloria & Bond World)
- Paragliding
- Ice skating
- Curling
- Winter hiking trails
- Cross-country skiing (mostly in the Lauterbrunnen valley)
- Culinary village walk (free, organized by Wengen Tourism)
- Good bad-weather option: St. Beatus Caves near Interlaken
LEARN MORE: Jungfrau in Winter (+Best Things To Do in Wengen)
So, this is our complete guide to skiing in Wengen. I hope it helps you understand what to expect and makes planning your trip easier.
You may also want to check our guide to skiing in Engelberg (near Lucerne). It’s our other favorite Swiss ski destination, and in recent years we usually choose between Engelberg and Wengen; both are excellent for a winter ski holiday in the Swiss Alps.
For more travel inspiration across Switzerland, see:
- Switzerland Itinerary for First Trip
- Jungfraujoch vs Mount Titlis
- Top Things to Do in Zermatt
- Top Things to Do in Lucerne
- Top Things to Do in Bern
- Top Things to Do in Geneva
- For a complete overview, see our Switzerland Travel Guide.
TIP: Did you find this guide helpful? Bookmark this post for later, share it with your friends, and save it to Pinterest to inspire your next trip.
Hi Jurga,
Thanks for this very useful article !
I plan to go to Wengen next year and I have a question about the connection between the slopes.
Is it possible to start from Männlichen, go down the blue slope #6, take the ski lift “Gummi”, go down down the blue slope #12 and then take the ski lift “Arven” to reach Kleine Scheidegg ?
Kind regards,
Philippe
Hi Philippe, yes, you can easily connect between Männlichen and Kleine Scheidegg on skis – in both directions. It’s fun – we’ve done it many times. I’m just not sure if you can do it on blue slopes only. I think at least a few steeper sections aren’t unavoidable, even if they are blue on the map. That said, we have done it with kids many times, and it’s easily doable. Most slopes in that area are really nice and wide.
This is such a helpful article – thank you so much! I am going to do all the things you mentioned!
We are planning on traveling to Wengen on Dec 30 – Jan 5th. 30 and 31st will be for exploring (schilhorn) 1st sledding and hiking and 2nd-4th skiing. I was going to purchase our rentals online, but was wondering how you entire guest card info or half fare card (havent decided if it is worth it yet to get this card – thoughts?!) info to get the discount? If you have a rental site you like that would be super helpful. I was looking at intersport and skiset. Thank you in advance…..this is a little overwhelming.
Hi Amanda, a few things. First, the Schilthorn cable car is closed for renovations this winter, until March 2025. So you may want to visit Jungfraujoch instead.
Second, for ski hire, you usually don’t get any discounts with half-fare cards or similar. You might get a small discount with the ‘guest card’ that hotels give you during the stay, but if you wait to book your skis until you get there, you will likely pay so much more that that discount will not be worth it. We always recommend reserving your ski equipment in advance. Skiset and Intersport are ok, but sometimes, the prices are higher if you book directly via their website vs. some other online providers (even though you actually pick up the skis at the same shop). Simply search online for ‘Wengen ski rental’, compare prices for your travel dates, and reserve ahead. You are traveling in the peak season, so I would do this asap.
Another thing, the Swiss travel pass or the half-fare card will normally not give you discounts on ski passes; only on day passes on some sightseeing routes. If you go skiing, it’s usually best to just purchase a ski pass for the entire duration of your vacation. You can get the ski pass upon arrival; I don’t think they give any discounts if you book online in advance nowadays.
Enjoy your trip!
@Jurga, Wow, thank you so much for the quick reply! Bummer about Shilthorn! Maybe we will go to Birg or grindelwald first. Even though we are only skiing 3 days(2nd, 3rd and 4th), you still recommended getting a ski pass for the entire trip – even the days where we are not skiing? Why is this? I was going to book 1 day for sledding (31st) that seems like a double dip??? Is this because transportation comes with the pass? What do you think about getting a sledding/hiking pass for the 31st and 1st – i think the transportation is also included. My head is hurting and I appreciate all the pointers – you are amazing!
Hi Amanda, the ski passes in Jungfraujoch include all mountain trains and gondolas in the region, except the train that goes from Kleine Scheidegg to Jungfraujoch (but you get a discount on that too). If you go sledding, for example, you will also need to take a gondola or a train to get up the mountain (maybe even a few times, depending on where and how long you sled). Generally, the longer the duration of the pass, the cheaper it is per day, so getting separate tickets for different activities is usually way more expensive than just getting a pass for all the days when you plan on taking any kind of mountain transport. It may not make sense to get a ski pass on the first and the last day of your vacation if all you do on those days is take a train between Lauterbrunnen and Wengen. But for all the days when you are actually there, it’s usually a much better deal. After all, you can’t go anywhere from Wengen without taking a train or a gondola. In Wengen, we normally get a ski pass for the entire trip except the day of arrival and departure (unless we plan to ski/sled on those days).
But you can always check the prices on the official website and make your calculations taking into account the exact things you plan to do.
Jurga! Thank you for the reply! This makes a lot of sense now – i feel so much better about my trip. Than you thank you thank you!
Fantastic article – thank you for taking the time to put this together! It’s definitely difficult to conceptualize how the resorts and towns are linked having never bee there. One question – when taking the Eiger express from Grindelwald (or really any of the gondolas), is there a lodge at the top to put on equipment, or would people typically do that before boarding the gondolas?
As well – from my look at the map, the Lauberhorn run seems to end kind of in the middle of nowhere with no lift back to the top of the mountain. Is that actually the case? If so – is this a run to do at the end of the day or how would you recommend getting back to the top of the mountain/back to regular lifts to continue skiing without spending much time on trains?
Thank you!
Hi Kaelyn, here are my answers to your questions:
1. You would normally put on your ski clothes, boots, helmets, etc. before going to the gondolas. You carry the skis with you and click them on once you get on the snow at the top station. If you are staying at a hotel nearby, you walk or take a shuttle bus to the gondola in your ski gear. At least that’s what everyone normally does.
2. Lauberhorn trail ends at the Innerwengen ski area which has a train station – Allmend. You can also ski down to Wengen town. If you want to get back to the main ski areas at Kleine Scheidegg, you take a train back up. The train is not such a big deal – there are regular trains and it doesn’t talke long, unless you just miss one and have to wait for the next one. Alternatively, if you want to get to Männlichen, you can ski down to Wengen and take a big gondola up. It tends to be quite busy in the late morning and early afternoon though, so you might also have to wait, so it’s not necessarily faster than a train, so it really depends on where you want to go.
If you are staying in Wengen, you can do this at the end of the day (just see that you aren’t too tired yet because this trail is really steep, even for the Swiss standards). If you are staying in Grindelwald, I would just do it in the morning and then see where you want to spend the rest of the day afterward. Alternatively, you can also just ski a small part of the Lauberhorn trail at the top and take one of the chairlifts back up.
Hope this helps. Have fun ⛷️!
Great blog. We are going in December and will be skiing. Only suggestion would be to include ski rental equip info.
Hi Ryan, just open Google Maps and search for Wengen ski rental and you will see all the shops. They are pretty much all next to each other on the main street. Skiset and Intersport are the best ones and are also closest to the main gondola.
TIP: Search for Wengen ski rental online and reserve your ski equipment in advance. Booking via 3rd party websites online is usually incomparably cheaper than booking with ski shops directly. Renting on the spot is crazy expensive in Switzerland. We always book ahead.
@Jurga, thank you!!
It was a very wonderful blog. I am interested in having my son start young in sledding and maybe skiing in the future. Are there any easy sled tracks which is accessible using the Jungfrau Travel pass that we plan to book for December? You mentioned a sled course near the Kleine Scheideg train staion. Is it free to use that track?
Hi Renan, all the ski tracks/ sled runs are free to use; you just need the ticket for the trains/gondolas.
There are several sled runs in the area, some shorter, some very long (like the 15km sled run in Grindelwald, which requires several hours). We usually sled from Kleine Scheidegg all the way down to Wengen. It’s one of the easier runs and not as steep as the ones that go toward Grindelwald. You can also just do a part of it, to Wengernalp or so. Or – with very young kids – just sled a bit at the beginner ski slopes in Wengen village itself – it’s probably more than enough for a very young child.
That being said, it also depends on snow conditions in December.
You can always ask at the local tourist office what they recommend based on the snow conditions at the time when you are visiting. Kleine Scheidegg is much higher than Wengen, so there is more snow certainty there.
Hi! Thanks for your useful blog! Can I just check if it makes any sense to stay in Lauterbrannen? Our first time skiing. Which slope or school would be advisable?
Hi Flo, sure, you can just stay in Lauterbrunnen too and take the train up to the slopes.
For ski schools, they are all similar. Slopes – if it’s your first time, take lessons and they’ll take you to the appropriate places.
We also have some beginner info in the article.
Enjoy your trip!
@Jurga, thank you so much. I have one more question on ski passes. If you have a travel pass at hand like the Swiss travel pass do you still need a ski pass?
Hi Flo, yes, you need to buy ski passes. You may get a discount here or there, but in general, the Swiss Pass only covers public transport and not additional gondola rides/ trains in the mountains.
You can usually find this info on the official sites of the region you visit.
This is a really useful article, thanks, I wish I had found it sooner. We are going to Wengen 2nd April for 7 days skiing. We are a family of 4, kids are 12 and 14 and need lessons as they are beginners although they have skied a couple of times indoors on snow. Our plan is to book them lessons for the mornings and hope they pick it up quickly and with lots of blue options take them ourselves in afternoon . We are late in the season so were worried about snow but from what I have read it should be ok and there are beginner options up the slopes too. We are staying in Wengen. Where would you recommend booking lessons for the kids ?
We have already booked our ski passes but still need to hire skis but looks like plenty options.
Janice
Hi Janice, it’s always hard to say about snow conditions and definitely in April, but with so many runs at the higher altitudes, you should be able to find enough snow to enjoy your vacation.
We’re just back from Switzerland ourselves and the snow was ok, also at the places that had been closed in the previous years due to the weather. On the other hand, the weather has been amazing the last week and also now too, which means no new snow and quite warm, so a lot might change in a few weeks. Anyway, it’s not something you can influence, so it makes no sense to worry about it. 🙂
For the ski schools, you can find them online. Here are the 3 ski schools in Wengen that the official website suggests. I think it’s best to contact a few of them (or simply check their websites) and see what they offer. In general, pretty much everywhere in Switzerland, you’ll see groups of “Swiss Ski School” – they are the biggest in the country and you’ll also find them in Wengen.
Have a great vacation!
@Jurga, thanks
Hi. Love this article! Lot’s of great tips! A couple of questions: 1. To take the train from Grindelwald to Kleine Scheidegg and then on to Wengen, is that included as part of the ski pass? If not, or if someone is not skiing, how much does a ticket cost? Does this train run throughout the evening so if you wanted to have dinner in Wengen and then head back to your hotel in Grindelwald, would you be able to catch this train at 9 or 10pm? The article mentioned that the train was not necessarily running from Kleine Scheidegg in the evening. 2. Do you know if anyone has made suggestions on a circuit that would start in Grindelwald, stop somewhere for lunch and then on to Wengen and back to Grindelwald by the end of the day… or perhaps even heading further over to the Schilterhorn area? So, for example, take XX lift out of Grindelwald, ski slope # XX to ski slope XX and then take that to lift XX …up lift XX and then take slope # XX down to lift XX… so as to make an interesting touring circuit of the resort. Have you ever hired a guide to ski with you for the day, suggesting the routes along the way?
Hi Mark, if you get the ski pass for the Jungfrau Region, all the trains and cable cars are included, except the train to Jungfraujoch. That always requires an additional ticket, but if you have a ski pass or in summer a hiking pass, you get a discount for that train as well.
For train schedules, normally, they run quite late between e.g. Wengen and Lauterbrunnen and the ones between Grindelwald and Interlaken also run quite late. However, the trains that go higher in the mountains, stop at around 8-9 PM in summer if I’m not mistaken, and I think even earlier in winter. I really don’t know when the last trains between Wengen and Kleine Scheidegg and between Grindelwald and Kleine Scheidegg go and I can’t check that for you since we threw away all the old timetables we had. And the ones online are – as you can imagine – not reflecting the ‘normal’ situation at the moment. Either way, when things get back to normal, you can check train schedules on the official website of the region. But I wouldn’t count on being able to easily get from Wengen to Grindelwald that late in the evening in winter.
As for skiing, there are so many options to make any tour you like. You can easily start in Grindelwald, ski around Mannlichen, make your way to Kleine Scheidegg, and from there ski down to Wengen. From Wengen, you can then take a train back to Kleine Scheidegg or a cable car to Mannlichen and make your way back to Grindelwald. You can also use the new cable car between Grindelwald and Eiger, ski there before heading down to Wengen, then back up to Mannlichen, and on to Grindelwald. There are so many ski runs and they are all very well connected, so you can make a nice tour without doing the same run twice and keep yourself busy the entire day.
You don’t need anyone to work out a tour for you – just take a look at the map and you’ll see how easily all these lifts/slopes connect between each other. And once you get there, it’s even more clear and there are maps and signs everywhere.
I don’t know if I’d recommend going to ski around Shilthorn unless you take a train from Grindelwald via Wilderswill (and even this will be quite a journey). If you do this via Kleine Scheidegg and Wengen, you’ll first have to get to Kleine Scheigg from Grindelwald, then either ski down or take a train to Wengen. There, you’ll need to take a train between Wengen and Lauterbrunnen (there are no ski runs for that part) and from Lauterbrunnen, you’ll have to Mürren before going up to Schilthorn. It’s a VERY long way to get there and a long way to get back without much skiing, but lots of time spent on the trains. There are so many nice runs in Grindelwald-First and Grindelwald-Wengen ski areas, so better just concentrate on those if you are staying in Grindelwald.
And finally, yes, we once had a guide with us for a day and it was nice as he took us on a fun tour doing all kinds of different runs, not coming back to the same place twice. But it’s really easy to do on your own too. I just checked and I couldn’t find his info anymore, but if you are looking for a guide, simply contact the local tourism office (or check their website) and I’m sure they’ll have plenty of suggestions for you.
Hope this helps.
Hello There
I am going on a river cruise in France April 21-28. 2022. I was wanting to do some skiing before. I’m a solo female and love quaint. Do you think it is a bad idea to book this .. this late in April so I would ski pre cruise for a few days. I downhill and cross country. I really want to enjoy the local village and the scenery on the slopes. What do you think?
Hi Lacy, I am not sure if you’ll find many places still open for skiing at that time of the year. Most ski resorts (everywhere in Europe) stop for the season right after Easter and in 2022, Easter falls on April 17. So you’d have to check that first. Usually, there won’t be enough snow for most places to stay open longer. Or you’d have to go to a place like Zermatt where you can ski on the glacier the whole year round.
Otherwise, it’s always a great idea to go skiing in Switzerland!