Beautiful Mürren: one of the oldest and most distinguished resorts in the Alps alongside neighbouring Wengen, thanks to its fascinating mountaineering history and the long-running cog railway – incidentally one of the first ski lifts in Europe. It’s a classic and captivating ski destination that should be on the bucket list of every discerning skier or boarder. The quintessential picture-postcard village sits on a sunny plateau, nestled on the edge of a dramatic precipice overlooking the Lauterbrunnen valley. Visitors are greeted by spectacular views of the instantly recognisable Eiger north face, the Jungfrau and the Schilthorn at every turn. It was here that ski pioneers such as Arnold Lunn organised not only the first downhill-ski race (the famous Inferno race, still running today), but also the first modern slalom and first ski World Championships.
The entire resort is pedestrianized, helping preserve the traditional rural feel and the fresh mountain air. You’ll be charmed by the quaint wooden buildings, old farmhouses and the little village church. The relaxed atmosphere makes this a safe and tranquil destination for families, as well as a wonderful location for a romantic getaway. You can reach the village either by cable car from Stechelberg or by the cog-railway and tram from Lauterbrunnen (drivers should leave their cars in the large car parks in the valley). Although it’s not as easily accessible as some of the other resorts in the area (eg. Grindelwald), it is the highest, most snow sure, and once you are here you have direct access to the excellent ski area.
Above the village towers the Schilthorn mountain, the setting for Piz Gloria - the lair of the cat-stroking villain Blofeld in the James Bond film ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’. Visitors might also recognise the breath-taking landscape from Clint Eastwood's ‘The Eiger Sanction’.
Location: Switzerland, Alps.
Established: 1911
Open: December-April
Downhill: 54km
View our detailed Murren snow forecast or snow report and see all live webcams, piste maps, road and travel maps and lift pass prices. For a picture of historic snow conditions see the snow depths month by month with our Murren snow history.
Nearest Airport & Transfer Time: | |
Bern (BRN) | 68km, 1h |
Zürich (ZRH) | 150km, 2h |
Basel (BSL) | 168km, 2h10 |
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Top Altitude: | 2970m |
Bottom Altitude: | 796m |
Resort Altitude: | 1650m |
Longest run: | 4.5 km (Lauberhorn) |
Slope Orientation: | NSEW |
Vertical Drop: | 2175m |
Skiable Vertical: | 2175m |
Night Skiing: | Yes |
Glacier: | No |
Downhill Runs: | 54km |
Beginner slopes: | 37% |
Intermediate: | 44% |
Advanced slopes: | 19% |
Lift Pass Price: | CHF 274.00 (adult 6 day) |
Nearby resorts: Grindelwald, Wengen, Lauterbrunnen, Kandersteg, Verbier, Jungfrau ski area |
Mürren has its own 50km ski area on the Schilthorn and surrounds, although if you’re here for a week you’ll probably want to get the Sportpass Jungfrau which gives you access to the entire 213km region.
There are two nursery slopes nearby, one in town (in front of the Jungfrau Hotel with a small drag lift and the Snowli Kids Centre) and the other up on Allmenhubel, where there’s a good restaurant for those obligatory hot chocolate breaks. Another feather to the town’s proverbial hat is its relatively high altitude, which means it’s more likely the local nursery slopes have snow than the nearby resorts of Wengen or Grindelwald.
The Mürren/Schilthorn area is best for strong intermediates and experts as many of the slopes are quite steep. Those who prefer gentle blues should head over to the Männlichen area above Wengen. This area has special “Slow Slopes” with a speed limit of 30km/h, perfect for nervous learners. That said, there are some good easy pistes around Birg just below the Schilthorn summit, especially the blue Engetal run. For more intermediate skiing you can also go back down to Lauterbrunnen and then catch the cog-railway up to Kleine Scheidegg, a very scenic area beneath the north face of the Eiger.
Those who are up for something more demanding must try the 14.9km long black Inferno run, the site of the first ever official down-hill ski race. There are different sections, some with jumps and hairpin bends! With a total vertical drop of 2000m, the whole thing takes about 40 min. On a clear day the view from the top of the Schilthorn is incredible, and if you head round the back you’ll find some great off-piste too. There’s also the 300m "Im Rad" snowpark at the top of the Schiltgrat chair with a halfpipe and the Aquarium Bar.
For a quiet little mountain village, Mürren still delivers when it comes to decent restaurants and bars. When in Rome (or rather Switzerland…) you should obviously try a traditional fondue, so seek out a cosy restaurant – Eigerstübli in Hotel Eiger is a good one – and share a delicious pot of melted cheesy goodness, all washed down with some local white wine. Another unexpected but good choice is a little Chinese fast food place in town called ‘Tham Kok Keong’. Up on the mountain there are lots of nice huts for a leisurely lunch, the Allmendhubel has particularly beautiful views, and at Sonnenberg there is a super-cool ice bar. For amusing après-ski drinks try the Balloon Bar which is actually located inside of, you’ve guessed it, a hot-air balloon basket. If you’re ready to up the ante, order some flaming shooters or cocktails at the Inferno to a soundtrack of wonderfully cheesy Euro-pop.
A visit to Mürren is not complete without a trip up the Schilthorn to the solar powered revolving restaurant Piz Gloria. Treat yourself to a Bond style cocktail and sample the surprisingly affordable dining, while you take in dazzling panoramic views of over 200 peaks. Those who have seen ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’ (watch it before you go!) will love Bond World too, with various memorabilia including a helicopter simulator and copy of the original screenplay. For non-skiers and bad weather days there’s the UNESCO World Heritage Jungfraubahn, the cog-railway which takes you to the top of the Jungfrau, the highest train station in Europe at 3454m. The short train ride down to the lake-side city of Thun, or the picturesque capital Bern also make fun excursions.
The Jungfrau region is one of the most popular holiday areas in Switzerland, and it’s famous for much more than just skiing. Clearly it’s a mecca for mountaineers, but there is plenty to entertain the less courageous too, including the local ice rink with curling, and toboggan routes down to Lauterbrunnen and Gimmelwald.
As to be expected, the coldest months in Mürren are January and February, and this when the snow conditions also tend to peak. If you prefer long, sunny days (maybe you’d like to work on that goggle tan and soak up the rays on the terrace at the Allmendhubel hut ), then the area is also good for later season skiing, particularly in March and sometimes April. The resort is an ideal base for skiing and boarding the Jungfrau area in the later months as it has the best access to the high altitude Schilthorn area, which stretches to the lofty height of 2970m. Unlike Grindelwald which lies down in the valley, Mürren is situated fairly high up the mountain, and so it tends to be more snow sure and a better choice if you want ski in/ski out accommodation. Earlier in the year, around December it is also possible to ski but the snowfall is less reliable, so although there’s likely to be snow up on the Schilthorn and at Kleine Scheidegg, don’t assume there will be snow all the way down to the village.
Don't miss Christmas in Mürren this year, you’ll struggle to find mountain charm to rival this gorgeous resort as a magical Christmas destination. Join the locals for a warming glühwein and some festive carols on Christmas eve, or make the most of the snowy landscape and build yourselves a proper snowman. Murren Christmas ski holidays ‣
New Year in Mürren is the season to party and be merry! After a long day on the slopes tuck into a traditional Swiss fondue, followed by the usual celebratory fireworks. Then, if you still have energy, hit the town for a night to remember. Murren New Year ski holidays ‣
What better time or place for a ski holiday than February Half Term in Mürren - not only is this the most snow sure time of year, but also there’s loads to keep you and your loved ones entertained. Murren Half Term ski holidays ‣
Long, sunny ski days are the norm during Easter in Mürren – there’s no better way to acquire a spring time tan than by shredding the powder or lounging on the deckchairs at one of the lovely Swiss mountain huts, with stunning panoramas of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Murren Easter ski holidays ‣
Beautiful Mürren has a well-deserved reputation as a family orientated resort. Not only does it have the excellent Snowli Kids Club and a nursery slope area, but the pedestrian streets are perfect to roam in the afternoons and evenings (eliminating any worry about traffic or crowds). The Swiss are adept at providing child friendly facilities and many of their hotels have great extras such as playrooms, children’s menus and baby-sitting services.
Children (and adults alike) will love the thrill of riding the cog-railway to get to the resort, which is the only way to access this magical little place. You can use the cog-railway and the lift system to make some other exciting excursions around the Jungfrau area, in particular the trip up to the Jungfraujoch is really a must. This UNESCO World Heritage site is the highest railway station in Europe, and the whole clan will be blown away by the views of the massive glacier at the top, and the ride up which snakes through tunnels buried within the Eiger north face. Just above Mürren on the Schilthorn (which you can also ski down from) is the rotating panoramic restaurant ‘Piz Gloria’ which features in the James Bond film ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’. Keep your little rascals entertained with a trip to the adjacent Bond World where they can play on the helicopter simulator and marvel at other Bond paraphernalia.
If you find that you tire of the brilliant ski area (which by the way has a fabulous snow park for teens) or if you have some non-skiers in the family, there are lots of fun activities in-resort as well. With miles of scenic walking paths and snow shoe trails, as well as some seriously long toboggan runs you certainly won’t get bored. If you find the weather isn’t behaving (unusual but can happen), take a trip to the sports centre which has a 25m pool, Jacuzzi with mountain views, sauna, basketball courts, squash courts, sun-beds, spa and a neighbouring ice rink.
Pick up the phone and we’ll happily help you find the right holiday for you and your family. Our expert team are on hand to answer any questions you might have about our accommodation or the resort, we love helping you find exactly what you’re looking for. You can choose from our package holidays with inclusive flights and transfers, or plump for a self-drive holiday. For indie travellers there’s also a selection of self-catered and accommodation only options. You can also browse through our holidays online – use the search bar below to find properties available on your preferred travel dates.
With the whole Jungfrau area at the tips of your skis, Mürren has miles of terrain to suit snow lovers across the board. One of the best meeting points is the legendary Piz Gloria restaurant on the Schilthorn (the menu’s quite pricy but it’s worth splashing out on a hot chocolate just to enjoy the 360 panorama). This is especially worth doing if there are some 007 fans among you - some of ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’ was filmed here and there’s a fantastic James Bond museum. Any confident skiers in the group can ski straight down from the top, whilst the others take the lift half way down for an easier ski to base. Non skiers don’t have to miss out on the sights either as it’s possible to take the lifts all the way down. If this leaves you thirsty for sightseeing and everyone can pull themselves away from the slopes, set aside some time to ride the cog-railway to the highest rail station on the continent – one of those things you just can’t visit Mürren without doing...
Mürren isn’t a place for wild Folie-Douce-style après but there are some brilliant pubs for a relaxed get-together (we like the Belmont) and you won’t have to search hard to get your Euro-pop fill... Balloon Bar is good for something a bit different (the clue’s in the name) and Tächi usually has a DJ. If you fancy burning the candle at both ends or have something to celebrate, Blümli’s usually the last venue to close. Swap the ski boots for skates one evening for a glide around the local rink. The Sportzentrum spa is your answer for a more indulgent activity, with all sorts of therapies and a jacuzzi with great views of the mountains (there’s also a gym and pool for those with more energy reserve!).
We can take the hassle out of group bookings by sorting out a package with accommodation, flights and transfers and might be able to squeeze in a group discount too... Call our friendly ski specialists for expert advice and easy bookings.
Accommodation | Number of nights | Price (per person) from |
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Hotel Eiger | 4 | £ 1008 |