The tranquil Grindelwald lies in front of the fantastic mountain backdrop of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, at the foot of the famous Eiger north face. Here is the entrance to the local ski area on the First as well as the ski area between Grindelwald and Wengen, which together offer an Eldorado with 165 kilometers of slopes for every requirement.

• With an altitude of up to 2,500 m, it is one of the highest ski areas in the Bernese Oberland
• Highest railway station in Europe at 3,454 m on the Jungfraujoch
• Awarded as “Best Place to Ski”

Grindelwald not only has a breathtaking mountain backdrop, but also a top ski area at altitudes of 944 to 2,500 m. The figures for the Grindelwald / First & Kleine Scheidegg / Männlichen ski area speak for themselves: 165 km of slopes, ideally spread over 63 km of blue , 81 km of red and 21 km of black runs, are served by 27 modern lifts. There are also 10 km of ski routes and a large freeride area. Some of the groomed slopes are very wide and therefore ideal for cautious drivers and beginners. For beginners there is even a “Tempo 30 slope” on the First, where only slow skiing is the order of the day.

The highlights are the numerous fun sports offers in the ski area: With the “First Flieger”, passengers float on a wire rope from First to Schreckfeld. The 800 m long zipline allows a rapid descent for up to four people on parallel ropes. The “Big Pintenfritz” toboggan run, which is 15 km long and is one of the longest in the world, is located on the First. In total, the First has around 40 km of hiking and sledding trails. Driving with the “Velogemel” fun sports device is also very popular in the Grindelwald ski area.

On the other side of the valley, the slopes on Kleine Scheidegg and Männlichen extend. The highlights here include the Lauberhorn World Cup run near Wengen, the floodlit slope, the black glacier slopes and the “Top of Europe” on the Jungfraujoch. In addition to the slopes, there are also around 30 km of toboggan runs. Three snow parks, two valley runs to Grindelwald and Wengen as well as the fun offers make Grindelwald an all-round attractive ski area.

The average snow depth during the season is around 52 cm on the mountain, the snowiest month with an average of 94 cm on the mountain is March. In the meantime, the sun shines more than average, namely 71 days of the season. December is the sunniest month with around 23 sunny days.

The Grindelwald ski area is one of the snowiest in the Bernese Oberland. Our experts therefore rate snow reliability as four out of five stars.

2) Grindelwald piste map

3) Skiing in the Grindelwald ski area

The balanced mix of wide blue as well as more challenging red and black slopes is very successful in the Grindelwald ski area. While the easier runs predominate on the local mountain First, there are even more difficult runs available at Kleine Scheidegg / Männlichen.

The young skiers are looked after in the Bodmi Arena near the valley station in Grindelwald. Here the little ones learn the first steps on the boards in a playful way using conveyor belts, plate lifts and funny obstacles.

More experienced skiers who are looking for a special challenge should not miss the World Cup run on the Lauberhorn. The world-famous slalom slope, on which the Lauberhorn race is held every year, is located above Wengen and can be reached with the Innerwengen chairlift. The route leads down over 4.2 km to Wengen. Another valley run is on the First and leads to Grindelwald Grund. The real cracks get their money’s worth on the descent on the Eiger glacier below the Jungfraujoch. The steep slope has a gradient of over 70 percent.

The fun factor is also not neglected in the Grindelwald ski area. Winter sports enthusiasts can, for example, record their speed during the speed check, have themselves filmed on the Skimovie route and take souvenir selfies at several photo points. There are also several toboggan runs in the Grindelwald ski area. A local special offer is the rental of the “Velogemel” fun sports equipment, a sled bike on runners that was developed here. Velogemel World Championships have even taken place in Grindelwald.

Freestylers have a total of three snow parks to choose from in the First & Kleine Scheidegg / Männlichen ski area: the “White Elements Snowpark” caters for advanced and beginners alike. In the professional line at the Bärlegergg lift, the highlights are the 130 m long halfpipe and several monster kickers for sufficient airtime. For beginners there is a beginner’s park with simple obstacles on the Oberjoch. Another park is shaped on the Lauberhorn. The extensive range of fun parks is also reflected in our expert rating, which awards a total of four stars in the “Snow parks” category.

The Jungfrau region is also a great freeride area, so there are over 40 variant runs in the Grindelwald, Wengen and Mürren-Schilthorn ski areas, so that the offer for “experts and freeriders” is also rated with four stars.

4) Expert evaluation

With a high level of snow reliability, a wide range of fun sports and service, the Grindelwald ski area receives a solid 3.4 out of 5 stars from our experts.

5) Off-piste activities

The numerous leisure activities begin during the day of skiing with a toboggan ride in the ski area, for example on the 15 km long toboggan run on the First. A total of five toboggan runs are located around Grindelwald. A highlight is the “Eiger Run” between Alpiglen and Brandegg, which is illuminated in the evening. The routes are partially branched with each other, so that you can get to Grindelwald from First on different paths. Around the First and Männlichen there are also wonderful winter hikes. Several marked winter hiking trails lead to the alpine pastures, from where you can start the descent on the sledge. It is therefore advisable to take a driving device with you.

The big SnowpenAir festival has been held for many years at the season finale in spring. Regional and international music stars appear on the large concert stage, which is being set up in the middle of the ski area on the Kleine Scheidegg.

In the large sports center, various activities are offered regardless of the weather: ice skating, curling and ice hockey games in the large ice rink, saunas and swimming or climbing in the indoor rope park. With five different courses, the facility is the largest indoor rope park in Europe. Special sports such as paragliding and helicopter sightseeing flights are also possible in Grindelwald.

Although Grindelwald is a tranquil mountain village, there is also a lively après-ski scene. The place is even considered the après-ski centre for the entire Jungfrau region. In the ski area there are a few huts, especially on the slopes of the Kleine Scheidegg / Männlichen, which invite you to ring in the ski evening with a bar area and music. At the valley station, the Genepi and the Plagier Bar are the meeting points for a drink after the last descent. There are also some rustic bars and good restaurants in town. In the “Mescalero” and the “Plaza Disco” the evening can then be extended as required.

6) Places in the Grindelwald ski area

The focal point of the two parts of the ski area and the main town in the basin is Grindelwald . The glacier village with around 3,700 inhabitants is picturesquely situated at the foot of the famous Eiger north face and directly on the slopes of the local mountain First. This makes it the perfect starting point for winter sports and leisure activities in the region. The place looks back on a long tradition, so it was the first in the Bernese Oberland to open up to winter tourism. The James Bond film “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” was shot here as early as the 1960s.

The Lütschine glacier river babbles through the valley and is fed by the two Gindelwald glaciers that reach just before the village. The glacier gorge is a popular destination for Grindelwald guests in the summer months (open until October!).

On the other side of the valley of the ski area is the “Jungfrau village” Wengen , which is best known for the World Cup race on the Lauberhorn. The Lauberhorn race is one of the most difficult slalom races in the FIS World Cup. With the Wengeralpbahn you can comfortably travel from Grindelwald via Kleine Scheidegg to Wengen and Lauterbrunnen.

7) Directions to the Grindelwald ski area

By car, the route runs from Bern or Lucerne to Interlaken, or from the south over the Simplon Pass and Lötschberg car train to Interlaken. From there, just follow the signs on Grindelwaldstraße until you reach the village after about 20 km.

You can also travel by train via Bern or Lucerne to Interlaken-Ost. Change here to the Bernese Oberland Railway, which goes directly to Grindelwald. The nearest airports are Bern (approx. 70 km) and Zurich (approx. 150 km).