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Wengen Ski Resort
Nestled at the foot of the majestic Jungfrau and looking out over the Eiger and Monch massive, Wengen is a truly spectacular location for a ski holiday. It’s linked to the resorts of Grindelwald, Mürren and Lauterbrunnen, forming the large Jungfrau ski area of over 200km.
The famous Jungfrau region is one of the oldest and most popular holiday destinations in Switzerland and the sunny resort has long been a favourite with Brits. It dates back to around 1911, after tourists convinced the resort to keep their train running in winter so that they didn’t have walk up the slopes.
The pretty little town is car-free, helping preserve its old-world mountain feel and also making it a safe location for children. Those driving over can park in Lauterbrunnen and take the train up. From the town, the train continues up the mountain, taking you to Kleine Scheidegg at 2061m where you can ski down on a wonderful assortment of intermediate and easy runs. If you wish you can continue even further and take the legendary train journey up to the magnificent summit of the Jungfraujoch at a whopping 3454m. The steep funicular snakes through tunnels and across the north face of the Eiger (the setting of some dramatic mountaineering feats), finally arriving at the highest train station in Europe.
Aside from the unspoilt nature of the village, the real draw here is the particularly stunning ski area, which has panoramic views of some of the most iconic mountains in the world. Along with the Eiger and the Jungfrau, there is also the Schilthorn mountain, where James Bond was famously chased down in On Her Majesty's Secret Service.
The resort’s relaxed and peaceful vibe livens up over New Years and during The Lauberhorn Downhill Ski World Cup in January, but remains low-key throughout the season. Visitors will find some cosy and friendly ‘Stublis’ for a drink in the evening and there’s the local cinema which regularly screens films in English.
Stats & FAQ
Location: Switzerland, Alps.
Established: 1910
Open: December-April
Downhill: 213km
View our detailed Wengen 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 Wengen snow history.
| Nearest Airport & Transfer Time: | |
| Bern (BRN) | 70km, 1h25 |
| Zürich (ZRH) | 195km, 1h45 |
| Basel (BSL) | 175km, 1h55 |
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| Top Altitude: | 2971m |
| Bottom Altitude: | 796m |
| Resort Altitude: | 1275m |
| Longest run: | 4.5 km (Lauberhorn) |
| Slope Orientation: | NSEW |
| Vertical Drop: | 2175 m |
| Skiable Vertical: | 2175 m |
| Night Skiing: | Yes |
| Glacier: | No |
Snow Report
Web Cam
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| Downhill Runs: | 213km |
| Beginner slopes: | 30% |
| Intermediate: | 50% |
| Advanced slopes: | 20% |
| Lift Pass Price: | CHF 323.00 (adult 6 day) |
| Nearby resorts: Grindelwald, Mürren, Lauterbrunnen, Jungfrau ski area | |
Skiing/BoardingSkiing in Wengen
The railway still remains the key mode of transport between the ski areas – use it to get over to Grindelwald, Mürren, or Kleine Scheidegg at the base of the Eiger. However, it’s still possible to ski without catching the train thanks to the modern Männlichenbahn gondola.
Total beginners should probably start with the Wengiboden nursery slope in the village if there is enough snow, but just remember it’s best in the mornings before the sun hits it. There’s also the Figeller children’s area, where the Swiss Ski School run lessons, with 4 magic carpets and 3 draglifts. There are more nursery slopes up on Wengernalp (a short train ride away).
Once beginners have mastered the basics it’s a good idea to catch the train up to Kleine Scheidegg where you’ll be greeted with breath-taking views and some gentle, well groomed blue runs (#22 winds all the way down to Grindelwald village). Boarders will appreciate how wide the runs in this area are, especially the Mettlen run.
The resort was also one of the first in the Alps to introduce ‘Slow Slopes’ which are limited to 30km/h. These are perfect for nervous riders to gain confidence and for families to ski together in a safe and relaxed environment.
Intermediates can cruise on the pleasant slopes over at Grindelwald, while up on Männlichen there’s a collection of chairlifts and gondolas with some nice blue and red runs below. The pleasant blue run ‘Männlichen’, number 2 on the piste map, ends up at the Lager Bar, a good spot for a mountain-side drink.
The more experienced mustn’t miss the famous Laberhorn slope where the World Cup is held. You don’t need to be a pro to take it on; the hardest thing about it is the length – 4.5km! There’s also the formidable Black Rock run starting at the base of the Eiger, and the near vertical 'Kanonenrohr' run in Mürren. To practise your tricks, visit the Funpark "Im Rad" over at Mürren, which has some decent kickers and a half-pipe when the snow is good.
Wengen Apres Ski
Wengen certainly isn’t one of those mega party resorts you get in some parts of the Alps but there are some fun places for an après-ski tipple - head to Rocks Bar for televised sports events or go dancing at the Blue Monkey.
There are some great restaurants in Wengen, many of which are based in hotels (but open to the public). For fine dining, Chez Meyer's Le Grand restaurant at the Hotel Regina is a must – its outstanding service and French cuisine has been granted 15/20 Gault Millau points (similar to Michelin stars).
Then there are the stunning mountain top restaurants on the Jungfraujoch (a UNESCO World Heritage site) and the Schilthorn. The 360°-Restaurant Piz Gloria on the Schilthorn is the world’s first solar powered revolving mountain restaurant and featured in the 1969 James Bond film, On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Enjoy a “Martini, shaken not stirred” at 2970m with a panoramic view of over 200 alpine peaks. If you’re keen for even more Bond nostalgia, why not take a drive along the Furka Pass, where Sean Connery chases Tilly Masterson in Goldfinger.
Families will enjoy wandering the pedestrian streets in the snow and doing a spot of shopping. You can content hungry tummies with some cake at the cosy Cafe Gruebi or if you need an alternative to skiing then visit the village ice rink. There’s also a local cinema with recent English language releases, or you might want to pamper yourself at the public spa at Hotel Victoria Lauberhorn.
The resort is a popular choice with non-skiers thanks to the beautiful scenery, which is worth coming for alone - take a walk along one of the 110 km of winter footpaths, or even better on the 20km of snowshoeing trails. Children and adults alike will love the resort’s toboggan runs.
Best time to go
Best time to ski Wengen
Best time to visit & ski Wengen
Wengen has a lovely south-west facing aspect, meaning it catches the sun well throughout the season. Because of the altitude, Wengen is less snow sure in the early months of the season, but you can take the train up to Kleine Scheidegg and higher climes, where it’s more likely there is snow. The snow coverage is usually pretty good through to about April – lots of visitors appreciate the warmer weather later on in the season. Sometimes the run down to the village can get a little slushy in the afternoons on warm days, but you can avoid this by skiing early and taking the train back down in the afternoons. There are lots of snow cannons as well to supplement the snow coverage – over 50% slopes can be prepared with artificial snow. Thanks to the addition of the Männlichenbahn gondola, the queues for the train have gone down, and it’s rare that you have to wait a long time for a lift, even in peak season.
Peak Dates
Breath-taking mountain scenery, world-class skiing beneath the iconic Eiger and Jungfrau peaks, and friendly Swiss hospitality pretty much sum up Christmas in Wengen. Stay in this charming resort for a magical white Christmas this year. Wengen Christmas ski holidays ‣
Celebrate in style with New Years in Wengen. If it’s anything like previous years, the chic hotels and restaurants, stunning ski area and fabulous firework display will leave you wishing you could stay longer. Wengen New Year ski holidays ‣
With so much to keep you entertained, this February Half Term in Wengen will be one to remember; carve up the well groomed slopes, go sledging and ice skating and gorge on fondue to your heart’s content. Wengen Half Term ski holidays ‣
Snow bunnies will love spending this Easter in Wengen. Aside from the Swiss chocolate eggs, there’s great late season skiing and the beautiful Jungfrau area to explore. Wengen Easter ski holidays ‣
Families in Wengen
Wengen has long held a reputation as a family-friendly holiday destination. The welcoming locals and low-key village atmosphere makes it a really fitting place for families. There’s a slower, gentler pace of life round here, as the whole resort is pedestrianized and the main mode of transport is via the funicular railways winding up the mountain. Our hotels in Wengen are super for families, as these usually have all the facilities you could want (and more - some have a swimming pool, a playroom, or their own childcare services). Hotel Silberhorn is opposite the train station, which makes it super convenient for getting up the mountain as the train is the main mode of transport. The Hotel Sunstar is also in an excellent position, close to the nursery slopes and the Mannlichen cable car. Some of our hotels come with full or half board dining options, in case you’d like to eat in the hotel’s restaurant - have a look on the individual hotel pages for more information.
Children will love the Figeller children’s area in the village, where the Swiss Ski School run lessons, with 4 magic carpets and 3 draglifts. There’s also the Playhouse, an English crèche for children from 1 month to 8 years old, which you can book through the tourist information. Older children will enjoy skiing on the easy blue and red runs around the resort, which have beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the Lauterbrunnen valley. The Jungfrau ski area was also one of the first to introduce a speed limit on some of its pistes; “Slow Slopes” are limited to 30 km/h and provide a safe area for kiddies (and adults!) to learn the ropes.
There are lots of fun activities off the slopes too, why not take a trip to the ice rink or go tobogganing on one of the many runs around the resort (some are floodlit at night). The local cinema screens English language films and there are cosy pubs and bars if the grown-ups fancy a nightcap. A trip up to the top of the Schilthorn (2970 metres) to visit James Bond territory and check out helicopters and other Bond paraphernalia is also a must.
To book one of our holidays, call the number above and speak to one of our friendly team. You can choose from package deals with flights, accommodation and transfers in one or self-drive holidays with inclusive channel crossings. Alternatively, you can just book your accommodation on its own.
GroupsGroup Holidays Wengen
Organising a group ski holiday to Wengen? Check out our suggested accommodation options below! It’s well worth considering booking a hotel for group holidays as it means any stragglers may be able to join the group later, should they decide they want to come after all. There are so many great properties in Wengen - we love the fantastic location of Hotel Sunstar, which is quite literally smack in the middle of town, opposite the main gondola. There’s also the stunning Hotel Regina, with panoramic views of the Lauterbrunnen valley - conditions permitting, you can ski directly to the hotel from the slopes.
Wengen is a fabulous place for a group ski holiday because it’s well suited to everybody. Skiers and boarders alike will enjoy the gentle blue and red runs with their incredible views of the Eiger and Monch massif. Don’t fret if you’ve got non-skiers in your group, they’ll be well catered for with all the great activities on offer – including over 100 km of footpaths to explore, the amazing UNESCO World Heritage site at the Jungfraujoch (which everyone should visit at least once) and the world’s first rotating mountain-top restaurant on the Schildhorn (which featured in the Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service).
Have a look at our individual accommodation pages to read more about each property: you can check the location and see what kind of facilities are on offer. Our luxury hotels come with loads of great features including swimming pools, spas, free WiFi, gyms, childcare… some even have their own Turkish baths! You can afford to go up-market this season too, we’ve got some really exceptional deals on some of the best hotels in town. To see more of our discounts and special deals, scroll down and have a look at the hotels we’ve got on offer, or give us a call and we can advise you over the phone.
Which are the best ski holidays in Wengen?
| Accommodation | Number of nights | Price (per person) from |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Hotel Belvedere | 3 | £ 992 |
| Hotel Beausite Park and Jungfrau Spa | 3 | £ 1033 |
| Hotel Silberhorn | 3 | £ 934 |
| Hotel Caprice | 4 | £ 1058 |
| Alpine Hotel Wengen | 7 | £ 1769 |
| Hotel Alpenrose | 3 | £ 655 |
| Residence Bernerhof Apartments | 5 | £ 755 |
| Hotel Falken | 4 | £ 804 |
| Hotel Victoria Lauberhorn | 3 | £ 832 |
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