One of the best ski resorts in the world is located in the small village of Grindelwald, Switzerland. This is a real treasure trove for winter sports enthusiasts: skiers and snowboarders have long discovered numerous terrain trails designed not only for professionals, but also for beginners. It provides all the necessary conditions for organizing a first-class holiday both in winter and in summer. Well, a walk to local attractions and visiting festivals will be a great bonus to your vacation in the picturesque expanses of Switzerland.
General information
Grindelwald is a municipality in the canton of Bern, located in the south-west of the country, in the heart of Switzerland. The area of the village is 171 square kilometers, and its population does not exceed 4000 people. Surrounded by the Bernese Alps, the community is famous for three mountain peaks: the Eiger (3,970 meters), the Mönch (4,099 meters) and the Jungfrau (4,158 meters). The commune itself is located at an altitude of 1034 meters above sea level. As early as the end of the 18th century, tourists began to visit this area, mainly from England, who, in the wake of the growing popularity of mountaineering, began to conquer local mountain peaks. It was here that the first Alpine cable car was built in 1908.
Today Grindelwald is a high-quality ski resort in Switzerland with the most modern infrastructure. It is not inferior to its well-known competitors, the expensive and prestigious Zermatt and St. Moritz with a huge variety of trails, and, like them, is part of the elite club “Best of the Alps”. In Grindelwald, all conditions are created not only for fans of winter sports, but also for non-skiing tourists. A variety of hotels, an abundance of restaurants and shops, spas and entertainment for every taste attract travelers of all ages and interests.
But the Swiss resort would not be so famous if it were not for its picturesque landscapes. Steep cliffs, glaciers, majestic mountains, miniature houses seem to come from an artist’s picture and excite the imagination with their ideal shapes. To make sure of this, just look at the photo of Grindelwald. It is not surprising that the object has not needed advertising for a long time and annually receives thousands of tourists in its open spaces. A holiday in Grindelwald is suitable for both young couples and singles, as well as families with children and pensioners.
The Jungfrau Mountain is considered the most picturesque area of the commune: in winter, you can go skiing and snowboarding, and in summer you can go mountain hiking. Another equally popular peak, the Eiger, has long been favored by rock climbers who come here from year to year to conquer its northern slope. Just beyond the border of Grindelwald is a unique ice cave, following the trails of which you can see waterfalls and limestone grottoes.
Trails and lifts
Grindelwald has tracks of various levels of difficulty, so both beginners and professionals can ride here. Altitude differences in this ski resort range from 1034 to 2970 meters. In total, the object has 51 routes with a total length of more than 200 km.
The total ski area covers 50 hectares and includes:
- cross-country ski areas (20 km);
- walking routes (80 km);
- sledding areas (60 km).
The territory of Grindelwald is equipped with a developed network of cable cars, where 47 lifts operate. 30% of the slopes are designed for beginners, 50% are characterized by an average level of difficulty, and the remaining 20% are black slopes designed for professionals. Among the most famous trails in this Swiss resort are::
Slow Slope. These trails are designed for a slow descent, the speed of which should not exceed 30 km/h. These routes are located in the Grindelwald-First zone and marked with appropriate markers.
Inferno. A picturesque track with a length of almost 15 km, where races are held annually, where everyone can take part. The starting point here is the Schilthorn mountain, and the finish line is the valley and the village of Lauterbrunnen.
Lauberhorn. The longest downhill track in the world (4,455 meters). It is here that the World Ski Cup stages are held. Available for all athletes.
Every Thursday and Friday in Grindelwald, everyone has the opportunity to go for a night ride on the beginner tracks (from 19: 00 to 22: 00). At the same time, not only skis and snowboards are used, but also inflatable cheesecakes. There is a ski school on site, as well as a children’s snow park and kindergarten.
In order to enjoy all the benefits of the facility without hindrance, you need to get a ski pass. Its cost will depend on the age of the owner and the period for which it is purchased.
Prices for a ski pass in Grindelwald for the 2021/2022 season ( ₣ ) in the Grindelwald-Wengen region.
| Number of days | Adults | Youth (16-19 years old) | Children (6-15 years old) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 69 | 53 | 34 |
| 2 | 128 | 98 | 61 |
| 3 | 189 | 144 | 91 |
| 4 | 244 | 185 | 116 |
| 5 | 293 | 224 | 139 |
| 6 | 324 | 247 | 155 |
| 7 | 356 | 271 | 169 |
For more information about ski pass prices in Grindelwald and other Jungfrau regions, please visit www.jungfrau.ch.
Grindelwald activities
Grindelwald in Switzerland, whose photos can leave few people indifferent, offers its visitors a whole range of entertainment, including not only active recreation, but also educational excursions and festivals. The resort’s ski season runs from November to April, during which time you can go down the steep slopes on downhill skis, go sledding, go hiking on numerous mountain routes and enjoy the beautiful nature wrapped in a blanket of snow.
With the end of the winter season in Switzerland, it’s time for summer entertainment. Skiers give way to rock climbers and hikers. In summer, mountain routes become more diverse: their total length is more than 300 km. Especially popular among tourists is the Apple Fritters trail, which offers a beautiful panorama of blooming Swiss meadows, pastures and green forests. And at the end of this journey, all travelers will be rewarded in the form of a cozy mountain restaurant, where you can taste the famous Swiss apple fritters.
In between active activities, many go for a walk around the Grindelwald area. Although the commune does not boast great historical and cultural monuments, there is much to see here. Local attractions worth visiting include:
- The old Grindelwald Church, dating back to the 12th century
- The highest railway station in Europe Jungfraujoch, which is located at an altitude of more than 3400 meters
- The northern slopes of Mount Eiger, which are considered one of the most picturesque in the Alps
- The Pfingstegg observation deck, located at an altitude of about 1400 meters and offering magnificent views of the valley
- An icy gorge with numerous crevices and marble blocks playing with pink and green flowers
Among other things, Grindelwald is also the epicenter of various festivals, held both in winter and in summer:
January. The International Snow Festival (World Snow Festival), in which masters from all over the world carve sculptures from snow blocks.
February. The Velogemel Snowbikes World Championship, held annually in Grindelwald, offers a fascinating spectacle to all guests of the village.
March. The Snowpenair Music Festival, held every year, marks the end of the winter season.
June. The Landart Festival, where masters create works of art from natural materials of Grindelwald.
July. Spring Mountain Festival, a festival with national dances and playing folk instruments, where you can experience the real Swiss flavor.
Weather and climate
Grindelwald is a resort in Switzerland with unique weather conditions, where winter will give you a strong frost, and summer will warm you up in the warm rays of the sun. In January, strong winds are observed here, but February remains the coldest month. High temperatures are typical for June and July, but during this period the most precipitation falls. The warmest and sunniest month here is August. The weather in Grindelwald is really changeable, and to study in detail the average temperatures in the region by month, we suggest that you refer to the data in the table below.
| Month | Average daytime temperature | Average temperature at night | Number of sunny days | Number of rainy days | Number of snow days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -3,9 °C | -10,7 °C | 8 | 0 | 9 |
| february | -2,9 °C | -11,5 °C | 5 | 0 | 7 |
| March | 1,5 °C | -8,6 °C | 8 | 2 | 5 |
| april | 4,5 °C | -4,9 °C | 8 | 7 | 4 |
| May | 8,7 °C | -1,4 °C | 9 | 13 | 1 |
| June | 14,3 °C | 2,7 °C | 11 | 17 | 0 |
| July | 16,5 °C | 4,6 °C | 13 | 16 | 0 |
| august | 17,1 °C | 4,9 °C | 18 | 11 | 0 |
| september | 12,8 °C | 2 °C | 12 | 9 | 0 |
| october | 7,8 °C | -1,4 °C | 14 | 5 | 1 |
| November | 1,8 °C | -5,4 °C | 11 | 3 | 4 |
| december | -3,2 °C | -10,1 °C | 13 | 0 | 7 |
Thus, the most favorable months for visiting Grindelwald in Switzerland in winter are November and December, and in summer – August.
How to get to the resort from Zurich
The distance between Grindelwald and the airport of Zurich, Switzerland’s largest city, is 150 km. In the building of the air harbor there is a railway station from which you can go to the resort. The train follows the route for about 3-3. 5 hours and involves two transfers in the cities of Bern and the climatic resort of Interlaken.
The one-way fare in a class 2 car is 60.2 rubles. Once you arrive in the commune, you can take the city bus or taxi to reach your desired hotel.
You can find out the train schedule and purchase a ticket on the Swiss Railways website — www.sbb.ch.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a decent ski resort or want to visit the Alpine Mountains and enjoy their unique landscapes, then feel free to go to Grindelwald, Switzerland. After all, a vacation in this region offers a truly great opportunity to combine active recreation with pleasant walks in the picturesque surroundings at any time of the year.
