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Grindelwald Ski Resort
Named one of the 12 ‘Best of the Alps’ resorts for good reason, Grindelwald is the largest and liveliest resort in the Jungfrau ski region. Aside from the stunning views over some of the most iconic mountains in the world, which are a draw in themselves, there is a huge range of fun activities to keep you entertained, including of course, the world-class skiing.
Thanks to the laid-back atmosphere and traditional alpine buildings, the town has retained much of its original mountain charm. The resort strikes the perfect balance between its provincial character and modern amenities, from sweet old churches to the enticing spa at the Grindelwald Sports Centre. Another big bonus is the short airport transfer times and the great rail connections.
On the eastern side of town you’ll find the gondola up to Grindelwald’s own ski area, ‘First’, while over on the western side there’s the Grund train station and gondola, which links to Männlichen. Visitors can also go for a magnificent ride on the impressive cog-railway up to the Kleine Scheidegg area. The railway continues on from here, up the north face of the Eiger, through the mountain (!) until it reaches the Jungfraujoch. At a whopping 3454m this is the highest train station in Europe, and unsurprisingly, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Over the other side of the valley, above Mürren, is the revolving restaurant on top of the Schilthorn, which you might recognise from the James Bond film ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’, offering incredible panoramic views of more than 200 peaks.
It’s no surprise that the popular Jungfrau region has been attracting Brits for centuries – dating back to 1881, when Englishman Gerald Fox, the first person to ski here, put his skis on in his hotel bedroom and walked out through the hotel bar to the slopes wearing them! The famous composer Wagner famously found inspiration for his music in the beauty of the surrounding landscape, and lived most of his life in the town.
Stats & FAQ
Location: Switzerland, Alps.
Established: 1886
Open: December-April
Downhill: 160km
View our detailed Grindelwald 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 Grindelwald snow history.
| Nearest Airport & Transfer Time: | |
| Bern (BRN) | 70km, 1h10 |
| Zürich (ZRH) | 150km, 2h10 |
| Basel (BSL) | 175km, 2h15 |
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| Top Altitude: | 2500m |
| Bottom Altitude: | 944m |
| Resort Altitude: | 1034m |
| Longest run: | 4.5 km (Lauberhorn) |
| Slope Orientation: | NSEW |
| Vertical Drop: | 1556m |
| Skiable Vertical: | 1450m |
| Night Skiing: | Yes |
| Glacier: | No |
Snow Report
Web Cam
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| Downhill Runs: | 160km |
| Beginner slopes: | 30% |
| Intermediate: | 50% |
| Advanced slopes: | 20% |
| Lift Pass Price: | CHF 291.00 (adult 6 day) |
| Nearby resorts: Wengen, Mürren, Lauterbrunnen, Kandersteg, Verbier, Jungfrau ski area | |
Skiing/BoardingSkiing in Grindelwald
Grindelwald is ideally placed to make the most of the large Jungfrau ski area, with 3 different lifts departing from the town centre: the Firstbahn gondola, the historic funicular and the Grund-Männlichenbahn gondola.
Bodmi, a short shuttle bus ride away, has great nursery slopes with drag lifts and magic carpets, and the local ski school operates from here. The area is ideal for children with a big bunny mascot and a collection of little igloos to play in. On bad snow days, or in the warmer months, whisk your little ones up the mountain on the cog-railway to Kleine Scheidegg where there are more snow sure learner slopes.
Once you’ve mastered the basics, move onto the new ‘Slow Slopes’ – a collection of marked blue pistes in First and Männlichen limited to 30km/h. These are perfect for children, learners, and those who prefer to take a more leisurely approach.
More experienced skiers and boarders are very well catered for with miles of immaculately groomed blue and red runs, many of which lead you back to town - one of our favourites is the red #21 which begins up on Kleine Scheidegg. The gentle blue #22 is another good, long piste, and follows the railway all the way down to town. Those up for a challenge mustn’t miss the famous Lauberhorn World Cup black run, which isn’t as difficult as you might imagine. If you really want to test yourself, head for the notorious black, almost vertical 'Kanonenrohr' run in Mürren.
Pros can practise tricks at the super pipe in Schreckfeld, or get some serious air on the big kickers in the ‘White Elements’ snow park at Bärgelegg in the First area, where you can also play on the rails, boxes and wallslide.
Powder addicts will find some awesome off-piste by traversing below the Eiger north face, and here you can ski the popular ‘White Hair’, best done under the supervision of a guide – try Altitude Ski School, who also offer heli-skiing.
Grindelwald Apres Ski
This is the largest and busiest resort of the Jungfrau region, with a wide range of restaurants. Treat yourself with the fine French/Swiss dining at La Pendule d'Or, or keep it simple with a tasty pizza at Onkel Tom's Cabin. After you get down from the slopes, recharge with a hot drink and cake at Ringgenberg Tea Room, or a toasty at C&M café. Up on the mountains you’ll find some good lunch options – try the fondue at Berghaus Alpiglen, and don’t miss the Tipi bar at Kleine Scheidegg for a schnapps coffee. In the evenings boarders and the young crowd head to Avocado Bar. If you missed dinner don’t fret, the Mescalero Club in Hotel Spinne serves Mexican food till 10pm in high-season, and after you can stick around and rip up the dance floor. Challi Bar and the Plaza Club in the Hotel Sunstar are good fun too.
Non-skiers and families will enjoy many activities on offer, including a natural ice rink at Bärplatz and the well-equipped Grindelwald Sports Centre with a pool. You can also try the unusual ‘Velogemel’ sledges, which the locals have been using to get around for over a century. They’re a bit like scooters on skis and can be rented from the train station. For a challenge, tackle the longest sledge run in the world ‘Big Pintenfritz’ on the Faulhorn (15km long!).
Included in your lift pass is the ‘First Flieger’, another unique activity which is basically a giant 800m zip wire spanning from First to Schreckfeld. Groups of up to 4 whizz down at speeds reaching 84 km/h – making for an exhilarating and scenic ride. For something a bit more low-key visit the local Bernerhof Cinema, or learn about the area’s history at the Museum Grindelwald.
The revolving, solar-powered Piz Gloria restaurant which featured in the James Bond film ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’ makes a brilliant half or full day trip, and is included in the area lift pass. Enjoy stunning 360 degree views of the surrounding peaks from the top of the Schilthorn as you sip on a martini (shaken, not stirred, of course).
Best time to go
Best time to ski Grindelwald
Best time to visit & ski Grindelwald
The ski season runs from about December to April, but the best months to ski are January, February and March. On good years, there is excellent snowfall in the late season and you can keep skiing till the end of April, especially on the north-facing slopes down from Kleine Scheidegg. It’s best to check the snow forecast if skiing this late in the year. Since the resort up-graded its snowmaking facilities, over 50% of the slopes can be prepared with artificial snow, so even the slopes down to the town are generally in decent condition during the warmer months. Fortunately Grindelwald also has access to the First area, which is best for cold days earlier in the year, as it has plenty of south-facing slopes which catch the sun.
Peak Dates
Celebrate a snowy Christmas in Grindelwald this year and enjoy the resort’s traditional alpine charm, exciting Christmas festivities and unbeatable skiing. Take in the breath-taking views of the Eiger as you sip on some glühwein, or share an authentic Swiss fondue with your loved ones. Grindelwald Christmas ski holidays ‣
Stunning firework displays, live music, street parties and delicious local specialities are some of the typical attractions over the New Year in Grindelwald. The slopes are normally in great condition around this time too, so you can make the most of the fabulous Jungfrau ski region. Grindelwald New Year ski holidays ‣
For excellent ski conditions on some of the best slopes in Switzerland, you’ll want to spend this February Half Term in Grindelwald. With a lovely town centre, fun après-ski and great range of activities from tobogganing to ice skating, you’re sure to fall in love with this charming resort. Grindelwald Half Term ski holidays ‣
There’s so much on offer this Easter in Grindelwald. Ski the Lauberhorn World Cup run (or get to grips with the beginner slopes!), whizz down the longest sledge run in the world, or just unwind and take in the beautiful scenery as you work on your tan at one of the cosy mountain huts. Grindelwald Easter ski holidays ‣
Families in Grindelwald
Grindelwald is a beautiful and welcoming resort for family holidays. Introduce your children to a classic ski destination with fascinating history – they will never forget the first time they ride the UNESCO World Heritage cog-railway up to the Jungfraujoch, or their first glimpse of the infamous Eiger north face. The town has excellent amenities for families, including plenty of family-friendly restaurants and hotels. Stay at Hotel Belvedere and enjoy incredible views of the surrounding mountains, or Grand Hotel Regina which has an ideal location close to the main lifts and town centre.
Families, especially those with little ones, often prefer to stay in an apartment because of the flexibility and privacy they provide. The well-appointed Eiger Apartments look out directly onto the north face of the Eiger. It’s much easier to organise meal times or take the kids for an afternoon nap if you’ve got your own apartment. Plus apartments are an excellent option for those on a budget. If you don’t mind spending a little more, you can treat yourselves to one of our top-end apartments; their great facilities are definitely worth it – common extras include swimming pools, saunas and gyms.
For those who don’t have their own pool, there’s the excellent Grindelwald Sports Centre in the middle of town complete with a children’s swimming pool and the thrilling ‘Black Hole’ slide. Families will also enjoy ‘Big Pintenfritz’, the longest sledge run in the world up on the Faulhorn mountain, and you can rent a ‘Velogemel’ from the station which is a local kind of sledge, a bit like a scooter on skis.
Below you’ll find some suggestions to browse, or to refine the results simply enter your information into the search bar. Our best value options are usually our package holidays which include flights, transfers and accommodation. We also have accommodation only options or self-drive holidays to choose from. To book your holiday now or for some friendly advice, give our expert team a call.
GroupsGroup Holidays Grindelwald
Our lovely hotels in Grindelwald are ideal for groups looking to stay in the Jungfrau region this winter season. Hotels work well for groups because of their size, which means they can cater for larger parties, and you can meet up in the communal areas but still get the privacy of your own room. For groups we love Hotel Sunstar, which is right opposite the Firstbahn gondola, perfect for those keen to beat the crowds and get out early on the slopes. You might also want to consider the gorgeous Grand Hotel Regina which is only 50m from the funicular. Many of our top-hotels are very reasonably priced, especially if you take advantage of our discounts, and our 4 and 5 star properties come with amazing extras such as swimming pools, saunas, Jacuzzis and more. Those travelling with children should look out for our family-friendly hotels which often have playrooms, children’s menus and offer childcare (check individual information pages for more information).
We also have some excellent apartments in Grindelwald which are well suited to group holidays. What’s good about an apartment is that you get your own living area and cooking facilities, so you get a real home from home feel. An apartment gives you a great private space to all relax in together after skiing. Even if you only cook for yourselves one evening, you can end up saving a lot of money. Like our 4 and 5 star hotels, our high-end apartments come with indulgent extras such as wellness facilities.
Grindelwald is a good choice of destination for groups since there is a range of skiing to suit all abilities, and any snowboarders will be pleased with the great snow parks and extensive, wide runs. There are lots of fun activities to keep non-skiers entertained such as sledging and snow shoeing.
Which are the best ski holidays in Grindelwald?
| Accommodation | Number of nights | Price (per person) from |
|---|---|---|
| Romantik Hotel Schweizerhof | 3 | £ 1050 |
| Hotel Belvedere | 4 | £ 1008 |
| Hotel Eiger | 3 | £ 726 |
| Hotel Sunstar Grindelwald | 3 | £ 858 |
| Hotel Kreuz & Post | 5 | £ 1174 |
| Derby Swiss Quality Hotel | 3 | £ 736 |
| Hotel Jungfrau Lodge | 7 | £ 759 |
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