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Introduction
Grindelwald is one of the world's classic ski resorts. Winter sports began here in the early 1880s when a visiting English tourist strapped on his newfangled skis in his hotel room and heroically clomped out through the bar and onto the snow.
Whether this was the oddest thing ever to have happened in the village, which was already nearing 700 years old then, is not known. However it did begin a trend which led to the development of one of Switzerland's leading ski areas, the Jungfrau, which Grindelwald shares with it's neighbour Wengen. The pass also covers Grindelwald's own slopes on First and the more distant pistes of Mürren, across the valley, where the revolving restaurant was famously featured in (and funded by) the James Bond film, On Her Majesty's Secret Service.
However good Grindelwald's resort facilities and skiing, for many its biggest attraction is the truly awesome scenery that surrounds it, including the magnificent Eiger. This is one of the few cases where the word ‘awesome' is correctly used, and many regard the Jungfrau region as having the most stunningly beautiful scenery in skiing, and that's with plenty of tough competition.
Whether this was the oddest thing ever to have happened in the village, which was already nearing 700 years old then, is not known. However it did begin a trend which led to the development of one of Switzerland's leading ski areas, the Jungfrau, which Grindelwald shares with it's neighbour Wengen. The pass also covers Grindelwald's own slopes on First and the more distant pistes of Mürren, across the valley, where the revolving restaurant was famously featured in (and funded by) the James Bond film, On Her Majesty's Secret Service.
However good Grindelwald's resort facilities and skiing, for many its biggest attraction is the truly awesome scenery that surrounds it, including the magnificent Eiger. This is one of the few cases where the word ‘awesome' is correctly used, and many regard the Jungfrau region as having the most stunningly beautiful scenery in skiing, and that's with plenty of tough competition.
Mountain facts
Resort elevation: 1,034m (3,392ft).
Top elevation: Grindelwald: 2,505m (8,218ft); Jungfrau: 2,971m (9,747ft).
Base elevation: Grindelwald: 945m (3,100ft); Jungfrau: 584m (1,920ft).
Number of lifts: Grindelwald: 28; Jungfrau: 44.
Number of runs: Grindelwald: 55; Jungfrau: 81.
Average annual snowfall: 5.3m (17.4ft).
Where in the world?
Grindelwald is located in the Jungfrau region within the canton of Bernese Oberland, in the southern central area of Switzerland and of the Alps.
Hit the slopes
The season runs from mid December until mid April.
At the start of the day, skiers not wishing to take a day trip to a neighbouring resort can choose between Grindelwald's own First ski area or the larger Kleine Scheidegg and Mannlichen sector shared with neighbouring Wengen and home to the infamous Lauberhorn downhill course that's an intimidating staple of the annual World Cup race circuit.
Just over half of the 160km (100 miles) of runs locally are rated intermediate, but beginners have excellent nursery runs in the Bodmi area reached by a free bus from the resort centre. This has the latest easy-to-ride conveyor-type lift to make the first ascents as simple as possible.
Beyond the Lauberhorn, experts have 15 black runs including the aptly named Oh God (piste 27), reputed to be the resort's toughest. There can be good off-piste skiing too after fresh snow on the Eiger's glaciers and the ski school guides can take you to the best and safest spots.
At the start of the day, skiers not wishing to take a day trip to a neighbouring resort can choose between Grindelwald's own First ski area or the larger Kleine Scheidegg and Mannlichen sector shared with neighbouring Wengen and home to the infamous Lauberhorn downhill course that's an intimidating staple of the annual World Cup race circuit.
Just over half of the 160km (100 miles) of runs locally are rated intermediate, but beginners have excellent nursery runs in the Bodmi area reached by a free bus from the resort centre. This has the latest easy-to-ride conveyor-type lift to make the first ascents as simple as possible.
Beyond the Lauberhorn, experts have 15 black runs including the aptly named Oh God (piste 27), reputed to be the resort's toughest. There can be good off-piste skiing too after fresh snow on the Eiger's glaciers and the ski school guides can take you to the best and safest spots.
Beyond the slopes
Indoor attractions include a 120-seat modern cinema, local museum, several games rooms and an ice rink in the sports centre, which also has an indoor pool with 70m- (240ft-) long slide. Several of the larger hotels also have swimming pools, sauna and fitness facilities which are open to non-residents.
Outdoor activities include sleigh rides, tubing, dog sledding, marked and cleared winter hiking routes (80km/50 miles), winter climbing courses and tandem paragliding.
Outdoor activities include sleigh rides, tubing, dog sledding, marked and cleared winter hiking routes (80km/50 miles), winter climbing courses and tandem paragliding.
Family fun
The Sunshine nursery (Intersport Rent Network building, top of the Männlichen cable car) takes babies from a month old and can arrange collection from your accommodation. Mägi Rubi's team of experienced mothers provide drinks, small snacks and nappies free of charge. A second choice is the Murmeli nursery at First which accepts children from six months.
Once ready to progress to snow sports, Snowli Children's Club (organised Monday to Friday by the local Swiss Ski School, in the Bodmi area at Terrassenweg) accepts children aged three and over.
A rare facility is a free games and toy library which was established in 1996 by a few local ladies.
Once ready to progress to snow sports, Snowli Children's Club (organised Monday to Friday by the local Swiss Ski School, in the Bodmi area at Terrassenweg) accepts children aged three and over.
A rare facility is a free games and toy library which was established in 1996 by a few local ladies.
Retail therapy
With 60 stores to choose from, Grindelwald is one of the better choices for shopping skiers. Beyond sports and souvenir shops there's a good selection of fashion boutiques and jewellers in the resort centre. Don't forget to purchase some of the local cheese from a delicatessen too.
Après ski
Besides hotel bars, Grindelwald has a selection of night spots and can thus provide a full-on après-ski experience.
The Plagier Bar (Hotel Lauberhorn) is open Thursday to Saturday evenings only, but has become known as the ‘boasting bar' as drinkers are prone to make wild claims as to their skiing prowess which it is customary for other drinkers to leave unchallenged.
The Mescalero Mexican Pub and Disco (Hotel Spinne) sometimes has live acts and the Plaza Disco (Hotel Sunstar, Gydisdorf) also has dancing through to the small hours.
The Plagier Bar (Hotel Lauberhorn) is open Thursday to Saturday evenings only, but has become known as the ‘boasting bar' as drinkers are prone to make wild claims as to their skiing prowess which it is customary for other drinkers to leave unchallenged.
The Mescalero Mexican Pub and Disco (Hotel Spinne) sometimes has live acts and the Plaza Disco (Hotel Sunstar, Gydisdorf) also has dancing through to the small hours.
Eating out
Grindelwald's excellent choice of 50 restaurants may be subdivided into the usual categories of gourmet, Italian, fast food and Swiss, along with the slightly more unusual options in the mountains of Chinese and Japanese. But the resort fathers have had the rare wisdom to create a ‘cheese' category as well, with a choice of seven cheese specialist restaurants.
The Alpenhof is one of the cheese specialists, with the cheese served produced by its own dairy herd grazing on the local Holzmatten Alp. Try it in fondue, raclette or just au naturel.
There are 10 restaurants in the gourmet category. Amongst them The Fiescherblick has been awarded 15 Gault Millau Guide points for its delicious cuisine.
The Alpenhof is one of the cheese specialists, with the cheese served produced by its own dairy herd grazing on the local Holzmatten Alp. Try it in fondue, raclette or just au naturel.
There are 10 restaurants in the gourmet category. Amongst them The Fiescherblick has been awarded 15 Gault Millau Guide points for its delicious cuisine.
Getting around
Much of the resort can be accessed on foot but a free (so long as you have a lift pass or a pass showing you are a guest in a resort property) bus service circulates around the wider area. There are also bus, funicular rail and gondola or cable-car links to points of interest such as Europe's highest railway station (Jungfraujoch) and neighbouring towns.
Splashing out
Treat yourself to VIP treatment on the slopes by hiring a private ski instructor and guide from Privat Ski (website: www.privat-ski.ch). You'll be collected from your accommodation and treated to exclusive service and attention including VIP access to the First ski lifts.
Accommodation
Luxury
Grand Regina - Alpin Well & Fit HotelA rare Alpine 5-star hotel with a new Alpine Wellfit Club offering six different types of sauna, saltwater bath, various massages, beauty and fitness centre, indoor pool and many other facilities.
Tel: (033) 854 8600.
Website: www.grandregina.ch
Moderate
AlpenhofA cosy, peaceful, slopeside hotel with a wonderful view from its south-facing rooms, located three minutes from the village.
Tel: (033) 853 5270.
Website: www.alpenhof.ch
Budget
Hotel GlacierA highly affordable chalet hotel three minutes from resort centre, with an excellent restaurant on site.
Tel: (033) 853 1004.
Website: www.glacierhotel.ch
Getting there
Nearest airports: Bern (BRN); Zurich (ZRH); Geneva (GVA).
Distance to resort: 96km (60 miles); 196km (122 miles); 210km (130 miles).
Driving time: 1 hour 5 minutes; 2 hours 35 minutes; 3 hours.
Nearest railway station: Grindelwald.
Distance to resort: 96km (60 miles); 196km (122 miles); 210km (130 miles).
Driving time: 1 hour 5 minutes; 2 hours 35 minutes; 3 hours.
Nearest railway station: Grindelwald.
Website
This resort is good for...
Families, Après ski, Experts, Snow reliability, Beginners, Intermediates, Snowboarders, Non-skiers
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