Ski Chalets in Wengen, Switzerland
Switzerland

Resort Wengen Resort Wengen

Description

Wengen is a beautiful, car-free village bursting with traditional Swiss Alpine charm. The village is perched on the sloping mountainside underneath the towering Jungfrau peak, directly opposite Mürren. The resort of Wengen is a firm favourite for many, often featuring in lists of ‘most favourite resorts.’ Year on year many guests return to the area to enjoy the skiing as well as admire the stunning views. With such breath-taking views of the infamous trio of Swiss peaks, the Jungfrau, the Eiger and Mönch, surrounding the village, it is easy to see why.

Wengen is ideally placed in the centre between Mürren and Grindelwald. Grindelwald and Wengen share the same ski area so are seamlessly linked. Whereas Mürren is slightly more challenging to get to.

The ski area of Wengen and Grindelwald are ideal for children and intermediates with everything within easy access of the villages, especially Wengen. Even the beginner area of Wengen is located just a short walk from the tourist office in the centre of the village. Stretching above the village are the two main ski areas, the Kleine Scheidegg, reached by cog railway from Wengen to Wengeneralp, and Männlichen, accessed by cable car from the village. The ski area is mostly suited to beginners and intermediates, however there is still a few pisted blacks and quite a bit of off-piste for more advanced skiers to have a play about it. More advanced skiers also tend to head over to Mürren for a few days, where the variety of challenging slopes is much greater.

Many families find Wengen an attractive resort which meets a lot of their needs. The resort has a wonderful quintessential Swiss charm, with just one winding main street and a quiet atmosphere. The village is also very safe for children as it is practically vehicle-free, except for the occasional electric hotel taxi.

The village of Wengen has a long history, first founded in the 1890s. Originally it was developed to be a summer destination on the new train line up to the Jungfraujoch. It was not intended to be a ski resort until British visitors persuaded the train company to run through the winter so that people could ski down the slopes. This was considered a breakthrough for downhill skiing as there were no ski lifts at the time


Getting There

Unless you have booked a package holiday where the travel is all sorted for you, you may want to think about how you are going to get to and from the resort. Wengen is tucked away in the Alps with limited access by train. This does effect the best ways to travel.

Fly

The most common way to get to the resort is to fly. There are four local airports to Wengen:

Bern- 102km- 1hr25
Zurich- 144km- 1hr45
Basel- 162km- 1hr55
Geneva- 234km- 2hrs30

During the winter season (December – April) there are a huge number of flights available into all of these airports. Basel and Bern are the smallest with very few direct flights from the UK. Travelling to either of these airports would mean getting a connecting flight from another European airport. Zurich and Geneva are busier airports with more UK flights landing there. They also offer a wide range of UK departure airports as well as greater choice of flight times throughout the day.
Although Geneva is slightly further away, this is thoroughfare for skiers travelling to the French Alps. This means that the airport is more geared up towards catering for them.

Transfers from the Airport

Unlike many other resorts, car transfers will not be able to take you all the way up to the resort due to the no-vehicle policy in operation in Wengen. There is physically no road up in the winter to the village. Everyone has to get the local train from Lauterbrunnen.

However there are several transfer companies who offer shared and private transfers to Lauterbrunnen. It is worth checking transfer arrangements before booking your flights, especially if you want a shared transfer as these as less regular.

Which transfer company you use will depend on your group size, flight times and budget. It is also worth considering how much luggage you have as this will also impact the size of the vehicle you will need. If you are unsure as to what the best size and type of vehicle is the best suited to you, then contacting the transfer company directly will help. Here are a few ideas of the type of companies out there and what they offer:

Happy Bus offer private transfers to Lauterbrunnen all year round from Geneva airport. They are also happy to operate transfers from Bern, Basel and Zurich airports on request.

Sun Transfersprovide private transfers to Lauterbrunnen from all the airports above. They also sometimes have shared transfers going on the busier weekends. So it is worth contacting them directly to check.

Alps2Alps offer private transfers to Lauterbrunnen from all major Swiss airports. On peak dates they might have a shared transfer going to Lauterbrunnen too.
Ski-Lifts offer private and shared transfers from Zurich, Basel and Geneva airports.

Train Transfers

The Swiss train network is world-renowned for its efficiency and comfort. For this reason, many people choose to use the train instead of taking a road transfer to Swiss mountain resorts. Both Geneva and Zurich airports have direct rail connections within their airports. From both these airports you head straight to Bern, change to Interlaken Ost, then take the train to Laubterbrunnen and finally collect the train up to Wengen.

Taking the train to and from the resort can be longer, however the views are wonderful and the journey is very relaxing.

Train

There is not a direct Eurostar service from the UK to Wengen. To get the train to Wengen, it would take approximately 8 hours and involved 5 changes. The first leg of the journey takes you to Paris on the Eurostar, then change station to the Gare de Lyon to head to Bern. From here go to Spiez, after this head to Interlaken Ost. From Interlaken Ost take the train to Lauterbrunnen and finally take the train from Lauterbrunnen to Wengen.

Drive

Many people choose to drive to the Alps. It is a longer journey from the UK to Switzerland than it is to the French Alps though. If you are coming from the UK, you can either take the channel tunnel or head to the ferry. The euro tunnel departs approximately every 15 minutes from Folkestone and takes 35 minutes. Prices start from £90 each way. You can book your crossing online at - https://www.eurotunnel.com/uk/home/.

The ferry runs from Dover to Calais with with P&O ferries, this can be reserved at http://www.poferries.com/en/portal. The Dover to Calais service operates up to 23 times each day and takes 90 minutes. 

On arrival in France remember to drive on the right hand side of the road. It is important to note that there are several tolls on route down to the Alps, the prices depend on which section of road you use.

European travel/vehicle requirements are very strict and on-spot fines can be issued if you don’t have: headlight converters, GB sticker, warning triangle, spare bulbs, high viz vests for each passenger in the car and breathalysers.
In certain weather conditions, the roads may become snowy and icy and although local municipalities are very good and keeping the roads clear, it can be dangerous so it is important to take extra care and attention when driving. It is a legal requirement in France to carry snow chains in your vehicle or police will refuse you access to certain roads. When driving in these conditions, slow down when you encounter any snow, use high gears to avoid wheel spin, and keep moving when driving up an incline on snow.

You cannot drive all the way to the resort. You have to leave the car at Lauterbrunnen and take the cog railway on the last section of the journey into Wengen. There is a covered car park at Lauterbrunnen or there is another uncovered car park if it gets full. When deciding if it is worth driving out to resort, it is important to remember that you will not need the car when you arrive in Wengen as it is a vehicle free resort.


When to Go

Wengen is a popular resort with a high rate of returning visitors. The resort does get busier during the peak times which can cause some queues to form especially at the main cable car to Grindelwald. Even though the cable car is quicker, it is possible to reach the same area via the typically quieter cog railway. Queues have been alleviated over the past few years with the installation of faster chairlifts. If you are travelling during peak periods of the year, it is advisable to avoid trying to get on any lifts at the same time as ski school.

The whole of the Jungfrau ski area has a fantastic snow record. However most of the slopes in and around the immediate vicinity of Wengen are below 2000m. This has made some of the more frequented runs quite vulnerable. The resort has been consciously tackling this by adding snow-making facilities to these vulnerable slopes. With more than 60% of the slopes in the Kleine Scheidegg- Männlichen area now covered by these facilities, which many have commented on the effectiveness of the machines.

The resort of Wengen is open all year round. During the winter month’s people do travel to the resort for skiing, but they also travel to the resort to admire the view, experience the hiking around the area and also on tours to go to the top of the Jungfraujoch. The tours and hiking visitors are more common in the summer months, but do not be surprised to find the odd non-skier on the cog railway heading up from Interlaken to admire the scenery and experience the resort in the winter.


Where to Stay

Wengen is a small village, not having grown very much since its initial development in the late 19th century. The village is made up of one main street boasting Victoriana styled hotels and Swiss chalet shops. The cog railway from Lauterbrunnen is the only access into the village but there are 2 ways to get out of the village and up to the ski area.

Getting around the village is very easy with everything within walking distance. The only thing to watch out for when choosing accommodation is that the resort is on quite a steep hill. There are no buses so walking to and from the lifts has to be considered. However there is a wide range of accommodation all over the village so you do not have to walk very far with skies if you do not want to.

There is a wide selection of hotels and self-catering apartment options. Although Swiss resorts have a reputation for being on the pricier side, there are options that will save you money, regardless of group size.



Getting around

Despite the large size of the ski area, the village of Wengen itself, is small. There is just one main street on which all the accommodation, restaurants and bars stemming off this. The cog railway and the cable car also stem off this street. This makes getting around very easy and simple. The only complication being that the street is on quite a steep slope so you have to be careful where you book accommodation as you will have to carry equipment around or rent a locker near to one of the 2 main lifts. Here are the main options for getting around Wengen:

Rail

There is no public transport in the area with the village centre being a vehicle free zone. The main way up to the resort is via the railway station in Lauterbrunnen. This is also the best way and most efficient way of getting around the area, if you are wanting to do some sightseeing. Trains lead down to Interlaken and up to the neighbouring village of Mürren.

Ski Lifts

The combined ski area of Wengen and Grindelwald is formed from 27 ski lifts, built around the cog mountain railway. The cog railway and the giant cable car are the main points of access, transporting guests from Wengen up the mountain. The network of lifts is remarkably effective with the Jungfrau lift system transporting up to 47000 people up the mountain per hour.

Taxis and Buses

There are neither of these options in Wengen as it is a vehicle free area. However many of the hotels do offer an electric taxi service. This is especially useful for arrival and departure as it saves lugging cases around the resort. This is arranged directly with the hotel.

On Foot

This is the easiest and quickest way to get around the village. It is the most common form of transport with nearly all visitors choosing to leisurely enjoy the view as they make their way around the village. The village is on a steep hill, but this has been taken into account with ski lockers being available at both major lifts to save carrying equipment around.

The walking area might be slightly icy due to the snow and high altitude so it is advisable to wear sturdy and sensible shoes with a good grip. If you are unsure or nervous about this then ice-grips are available to buy at many outdoor shops. These just add another layer of grip.


Apres

Wengen does not have a rowdy après scene. However there are still a wide variety of bars that are worth visiting at après and a surprisingly active nightlife. Whether you are looking for a casual beer or a relaxing glass of champagne, there are a lot of places to meet your needs.

Tanne is a small, traditional bar situated in the Dorfstrasse. It is easily distinguished by the Swiss, Norwegian and Union Jack flags hung outside. Open daily from 16:00, the atmosphere is friendly and relaxing for a gluwhein at après time or even a cheeky pre-dinner cocktail or glass of champagne later in the evening.

Sina has live music most nights throughout the winter months and has even been known to have the odd karaoke and quiz nights. It is situated slightly further out of Wengen’s centre, near to Club Med, so is a little further to walk.

The lively Rocks Bar shows all the major sports fixtures on their multiple screens. The bars stocks a wide selection of beers and even have Guinness on draught. Every day the happy hour runs from 21:00- 22:00.

Hotel Brunner is a popular spot for British guests with many being tempted by its outdoor snow bar. This is Wengen’s only ski-in, ski-out accommodation so it is an ideal location to drop by on your way back into the village.

If you are wanting to do some dancing then Blue Monkey is Wengen’s nightclub. There are also some hotel bars which have been known to do a club style evening, specifically the Hasenstall in the basement of the Hotel Silberhorn.

Mountain Bars

Läger Bar is located next to the Männlichen chairlift. As well as a great bar atmosphere, there is also an array of deckchairs, ideal for those sunny days!

Tipirama is striking spot located in a wigwam at Kleine Schiedegg! They sometimes have live music or a DJ and you can get take the cog railway back down to Wengen. It can get a bit chilly here though so try to go when it is good weather!

Wäsch Bar is located on the home run back into Wengen, just after the bump section. It is a popular spot as the final stop off before home.

The Lauberhorn Startbar is easily located at the start of the World Cup Downhill. This bar has a lively atmosphere throughout the winter, but goes slightly mad during January when the World Cup is on.


Eating out

Wengen has quite a substantial amount of restaurants located on the mountain slopes. Despite some of them being on the pricier side of the spectrum, they are worth a visit, even just for a coffee or snack, as the views these restaurants entertain and truly stunning.

Village Restaurants

Hirschen is one of the smaller hotels in the village, but their steak is one of the best. They offer a range of speciality steaks.

Dina Sina Pizzeria is a popular, causal choice with a wide choice of pizzas as well as doing great steaks, ribs and grilled chicken. They also have a fondue menu complete with cheese and a tempting chocolate fondue. This is a great option if you have children as the menu is very family friendly.

Pasta & More is another family friendly eatery, located inside the Victorial Lauberhorn hotel. The food is delicious and reasonably priced. Do be careful though as they have been known to charge for tap water in the past.

1903 has a small international menu, highlights include beef fillet with celeriac risotto and pike perch with a champagne sauce.  This 14 point Gault Milau restaurant can be found inside the Hotel Schönegg.

If fish is your thing, then the Hotel Berghaus will satisfy your taste-buds. With a focus on fresh fish from Switzerland’s lakes, this bright restaurant is definitely worth a visit. They also do an extensive range of vegetarian and meat dishes.

For all your mountain favourites go to the Silberhorn-Stube at the Hotel Silberhorn. The bill of fare is bursting with classics such as fondue, raclette, pasta and schnitzel.

Chez Meyer is situated inside the Hotel Regina. It specialises in French cuisine and has been awarded 16 Gault Milau points. This venue is thought of by many as the best restaurant in Wengen.

Mountain Restaurants

Jungfrau Hotel is located at Wengernalp, and is an old favourite amongst locals and guests alike. The menu is slightly limited but it bursting with traditional Swiss cuisine. Many people herald their rösti as the best in the area. The terrace offers a sensational view so is worth a visit even just for that. This is a pricey option though and does not take credit cards so cash is a necessity. They also offer a strict two sitting policy so be aware that you might not be able to get in at the exact time you would like.

Eigergletscher is Wengen’s highest restaurant. It has a small balcony, so it is worth trying to reserve a table in advance if you do want to sit outside as there are only a few tables. If you don’t mind where you sit, the view is not to be missed even just for a glance.

Bellevue Hotel is another pricey venue located at Kleine Scheidegg. The menu might be limited but the views are superb and they have a lovely wood-panelled dining room to shelter when the weather is not so good.

If you are after something more reasonably priced then head to the table-service part of the Männlichen top station restaurant. This cosy restaurant offers quite a large range of dishes, the highlight is the generously sized plate of cured meats and cheeses.

For a quick mountain meal go to the Eigernord restaurant. With both a table and self-service section there is wide selection of food for a very reasonable price and more importantly a very efficient catering.

Another hearty and inexpensive eatery is Mary’s Café, at the bottom of the Lauberhorn. The food is great value and very tasty so worth a visit. They also do excellent cakes if you’re in need of an energy boost!

The restaurants Bollywood and Crystal are amongst the highest restaurants in Europe, located at the top of the Jungfrau, the ‘Top of Europe’ station. You do have to buy a special rail ticket to get up here though. It is not an expensive ticket but is an additional faff. The excursion all the way to the top is well worth it, but might be more suitable for a non-skier or day when you don’t plan on skiing much, as you will definitely want to linger to enjoy the views.


Good for Couples

Hotel Berghaus

Am Wengi 1412A

Wengen

+41 33 855 21 51

Good for Couples

Hotel Restaurant Bären

Am Acher

Wengen

+41 33 855 14 19

Good for Family

Da Sina Ristorante-Pizzeria-Steakhouse

Dorf

Wengen

+41 33 855 31 72

Good for Family

Restaurant Café Gruebi

Wengiboden

Wengen

+41 33 855 58 55


Activities

If you have a non-skier in the group or if you do not plan on skiing all day then you might want to consider what other activities are available in the local area.

As well as a selection of shops, bars and restaurants that there are to visit, Wengen also has quite a variety of other pursuits.

Wengen is surrounded by phenomenal natural beauty. One of the most iconic of these is the Schilthorn towering above Mürren. This famous mountain has been showcased in many feature films such as James Bond On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Located just a short train ride down the mountain and back up the other side, this legendary peak is definitely worth a visit. The best views are seen from the revolving restaurant at the summit of the Schilthorn, the Piz Gloria.

Wengen has its own natural ice rink as well as a partially covered artificial rink. They are open every day in winter from 9:30- 18:00 with a later closing on Thursdays. Skating equipment is available to rent for a very low cost for varying amounts of time. Also on the rink is 11 curling lanes. These are available to rent by the hour with or without an instructor. Curling shoes are also available to rent at the rink.

After a long day on the slopes or if you fancy pampering yourself then numerous hotels have spa facilities which are available for non-guests for a small fee. The most comprehensible amenities are at the Beausite Park Hotel. These include a swimming pool, steam bath, aroma therapy showers and massages on request.

There are numerous tobogganing runs totalling 50km, throughout the Jungfrau region. Wengen holds 2 of these, most notably the 4500m long toboggan run from Wengernalp via Almend to Wengen. The other run in the Wengen area runs from Mannlichen to Holenstein, known as Rita’s Speedway lasting for 5000m.

Winter Walking is a popular activity in Wengen and with over 100km of hiking paths specifically in the winter, it is easy to see why it is such an attraction. All the paths are excellently signposted and very easy to follow. As are guided snowshoeing walks over the mountain paths and surrounding countryside. The guides are also very knowledgeable and love to inform visitors of the local traditions and folklore.

The Jungfraujoch peak towers over Wengen. Not only is it a beautiful part of the world but it is also home to the Aletsch glacier which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The glacier is the largest in Europe and is the water source for the Rhone river.

Wengen has excellent railway access, making it popular for non-skiers to visit neighbouring villages such as Interlaken. It is very easy to go and spend the day here and still make it back in time for dinner!

Whilst in the area, many people choose to go on a helicopter tour and see the mountain range from above for another angle. These are quite frequent and can be booked for various lengths of time. It is a weather dependent activity though and might not take off in the conditions are not good.


Cinema

Wengen

+41 33 855 21 61

Heliski

Wengen

+41 33 853 00 40

Spa and wellness

Wengen

+41 33 856 29 29


Ski School

Wengen is home to 3 ski schools, all offering high quality tuition with a large team of instructors. Both cater for all abilities of skiing and boarding. Whether it is your first time on the slopes or if you are just looking to try something new or refine your skills, there is a class suitable for you.

Ski Schoold offer a wide variety of services from beginner group lessons to private ski clinics. Group lessons are more sociable and normally work out cheaper. However they are not as intense as one-to-one tuition. If you are unsure which option is best for you, then it is best to taslk directly to the ski school. They will be able to assign you to the correct class based on your ability and level, so that you are in the most suitable class.

Although it is not mandatory, it is advisable to book your ski school in advance as availability is limited and lessons may fill up. This is especially the case if you are travelling on a peak week (Christmas, New Year, Half Term and Easter).

The Swiss Ski and Snowboard School offer both group and private lessons in skiing and snowboarding for all ages over 3 years old. Lessons available are very flexible ranging from just a few hours a day to a whole week. For children they have the Snowli Kids Village located in the centre of Wengen. They also offer off-piste guiding.

Privat Ski and Snowboard specialise in private lessons for either pair or small groups of up to 4 people. They pride themselves on accelerating progress in both the skiing and snowboarding disciplines, as well as more specific branches of these sports such as carving, telemark, off-piste and ski touring.

Swiss Alpine Guides are actually located in Interlaken, but frequently travel up to resorts such as Wengen. All the guides are local and have a lot of experience in the area. It really is important to hire a guide when skiing any off-piste. Not only do they know the area very well so know the safest parts to ski, but they also know where those hidden powder fields are located and where the best snow is. All the off-piste equipment is included in the price of the guide.


Getting around

Despite the large size of the ski area, the village of Wengen itself, is small. There is just one main street on which all the accommodation, restaurants and bars stemming off this. The cog railway and the cable car also stem off this street. This makes getting around very easy and simple. The only complication being that the street is on quite a steep slope so you have to be careful where you book accommodation as you will have to carry equipment around or rent a locker near to one of the 2 main lifts. Here are the main options for getting around Wengen:

Rail

There is no public transport in the area with the village centre being a vehicle free zone. The main way up to the resort is via the railway station in Lauterbrunnen. This is also the best way and most efficient way of getting around the area, if you are wanting to do some sightseeing. Trains lead down to Interlaken and up to the neighbouring village of Mürren.

Ski Lifts

The combined ski area of Wengen and Grindelwald is formed from 27 ski lifts, built around the cog mountain railway. The cog railway and the giant cable car are the main points of access, transporting guests from Wengen up the mountain. The network of lifts is remarkably effective with the Jungfrau lift system transporting up to 47000 people up the mountain per hour.

Taxis and Buses

There are neither of these options in Wengen as it is a vehicle free area. However many of the hotels do offer an electric taxi service. This is especially useful for arrival and departure as it saves lugging cases around the resort. This is arranged directly with the hotel.

On Foot

This is the easiest and quickest way to get around the village. It is the most common form of transport with nearly all visitors choosing to leisurely enjoy the view as they make their way around the village. The village is on a steep hill, but this has been taken into account with ski lockers being available at both major lifts to save carrying equipment around.

The walking area might be slightly icy due to the snow and high altitude so it is advisable to wear sturdy and sensible shoes with a good grip. If you are unsure or nervous about this then ice-grips are available to buy at many outdoor shops. These just add another layer of grip.


Family ski

Wengen is an appealing resort for families with easy access to nursery slopes located just on the perimeter of the village. There is also a great kindergarten facility located inside the Tourist Office. The facility of the cog railway is another attractive feature as it means that children can easily get to other parts of the resort without having to conquer getting on or off chairlifts. There are also some great facilities for adults to enjoy as well as things for the whole family to participate in together.

The village sits at 1274m altitude allowing it a long winter season, typically lasting from early December until late April. The resort also has a vibrant summer trade and even has snow during this period, although skiing is not its main summer attraction. This means that Wengen is a great choice for those restricted by school holidays.

Wengen has its own dedicated beginner area just on the edge of the village, next to the Tourist Office. There is also an additional beginner area higher up the slopes which is great when children are ready to progress. Switzerland does not have the green classification of runs unlike other European resorts. So the easiest category is blue, of which there is an abundance of in the Jungfrau area. For adults who are wanting something a bit more challenging then the World Cup Downhill slope should meet those needs, as well as a day trip to the neighbouring resort of Mürren.

For families looking for childcare, there are a few possibilities to choose from. There are numerous crèches in Wengen and the surrounding area. If you plan to travel during the school holidays, it is advisable to book any childcare needed in advance. Childcare is a popular resource and does book out quickly.

Crèche

Playhouse Kindergarten is the main crèche, it is located near to the nursery slopes, inside the tourist office. This offers a very central location to drop any children off on your way to the slopes.  Care is provided for children older than 18 months to 7 years old.

For those who have children in ski school, the Ski and Snowboard School Wengen works in partnership with the Playhouse Kindergarten. The Kindergarten will collect the children after their ski lessons, provide a supervised lunch and then take care of the children for the rest of the day.

Private Nannies

There are no dedicated companies in Wengen who supply private nannies to families. However if you are looking for private nannies, the tourist office is happy to pass along the details of local’s who look after children. If you do decide to go down this route then be very careful to ensure that all everyone holds all the correct qualifications and references before you commit to leaving them alone with children.


Group Ski

Wengen sits at 1274m with skiing from 1034m to 2971m. These high levels of altitude combined with the resorts geographical location has blessed the area with an excellent snow record, with some snow evident all year round. The snow record allows the area to have a long ski season, opening in early December and closing at the end of April. Wengen shares a ski area with the neighbouring village of Grindelwald with a combine ski area of 110km. In addition to this is the rest of the Jungfrau region, all of which is closely connected to Wengen. This increases the ski area to 206km of groomed runs and this doesn’t even include the off-piste that the area is renowned for. With such an array of ski runs, mixed groups will find something to keep everyone happy.

The village of Wengen itself is quite small, consisting on just one main street. However there is a surprising amount of shops, restaurants and bars, to suit all tastes, as well as all budgets. This includes the après scene, which although smaller than most resorts, it is very vibrant with a range of après bars on the mountain as well as a handful in the village itself. There are also some great happy hours to take advantage on making prices quite reasonable. If you are tempted by live music, DJs or just soaking up the sun, there is a venue to meet these needs. There is even a karaoke bar!

With large groups it is likely that there will be some non-skiers involved or some members of the group might not want to ski all day. If this is the case then you will need alternative pursuits. Wengen has a great range of activities to choose from. Some are also unique to this area such as visiting the Jungfraujoch ‘Top of Europe,’ or dining at the Piz Gloria revolving restaurant at the peak of the Schilthorn peak.

The majority of accommodation in Wengen is either a hotel or a self-catered chalet/ apartment. These can be great as they allow visitors to tailor their holiday to their own specific requests. In addition it allows those on a tighter budget to make the most of the area with self-catered options being much more affordable


Childcare

Parents looking for childcare in Wengen can turn to the resort’s Playhouse facility, which sits in the Sport Pavilion. This is a non-ski nursery, welcoming kids aged from 1 month to 8 years. Open daily from 9am to 5pm (mid-December to Easter), the centre offers 1-hour up to whole-day childcare at reasonable prices.


The Piste

With the ski areas of both Grindelwald and Wengen being so intricately linked, they basically form one enormous resort, hosting 110 pistes together. In general, the pistes are more suited to intermediates, with wide runs and rolling meadows boasting stunning scenery and views of the valley. Of the total 110 groomed runs, 30% are suitable for beginners, 30% for intermediates and 50% for advanced skiers.

Over the past few years the resort has worked hard on updating its signage. However there are still some areas in which it is not necessarily clear which way to head. This is especially true on the Männlichen area of slopes. If you are a beginner or an intermediate do be careful when following the signs and pay extra attention to the piste map as you might accidently end up on the World Cup Downhill piste!

Beginner

The nursery slopes are conveniently located in the actual village of Wengen. There is an additional beginner area at the top of Wengernalp with some short runs and lifts. Progress is quick here with some lovely, easy but long runs which allow beginners to pick up a rhythm and practice in an easy environment. The blue run into the village from Wengernalp is an example of this. However this run can get quite busy at the end of the day, making the snow slightly choppy as well as lots of fast skiers zipping around. If this is the case, it is advisable to take the train back down into the village and try it again at a quieter time.

Wengen and the Jungfrau region do not offer any free lifts or specific beginner lift passes but they do offer some good alternatives if you do not want to invest in the full area lift pass quite yet.

Intermediate

Intermediates should head to the Jungfrau area with lots of wide, open runs. The trip to Grindelwald is especially good with an 8km run from the Oberjoch into the village. Nearly all of the slopes in this area are nice blues and some gentle reds to progress onto.

If you are looking to advance onto slightly harder slopes then those from the top of the Lauberhorn chair down into the Kleine Scheidegg and Wixi (before the Downhill starts) can definitely deliver that extra difficulty.

Intermediates will also find that Mürren has a lot to offer in terms of difficult red runs. This could work very well for a few days during the week.

Advanced

Wengen is famous for the Lauberhorn Downhill course. Well-known by many as one of the most challenging runs featured on the World Cup circuit. This can be a hairy run if the conditions are not ideal. The hardest section is the steep Hundschopf section, if you don’t like the look of this bit, luckily there is a red run to peel off on to avoid this section. Despite this, Wengen itself does not have a substantial amount of runs suited to more advanced skiers. There are a few runs that will get your pulse racing heading down towards Wixi from the Eigergletscher.
Some of the harder runs to head to include the aptly named ‘Oh God’ and ‘Black Rock.’ These head down from the Eigergletscher and Salzegg lifts. There are also an additional 2 ungroomed itinerary runs, one under the Lauberhorn chair and another just above Wengernalp.

The area offers a substantial amount of off-piste, especially from the north facing side of the Eiger Mountain accessed via the Eigernordwand lift. The Jungfrau is also home to the longest glacier run in the Alps, 23km, heading all the way down into the Lotschental valley from the Aletsch glacier. To return back to Wengen you will have to take either a helicopter or train via Lauterbrunnen. If you are keen to try these out though, it is compulsory to hire a guide.

For more challenging runs, advanced skiers are better heading to Mürren for the day, which is easily done.

Unlike French ski resorts, heli-skiing is allowed in the area. Many people are very tempted by this. Although the sport is weather and condition dependant, it can transport guests to some of the most amazing skiing areas, as well enjoying the incredible scenery of the valley from the air as an added bonus.


Ski School

Wengen is home to 3 ski schools, all offering high quality tuition with a large team of instructors. Both cater for all abilities of skiing and boarding. Whether it is your first time on the slopes or if you are just looking to try something new or refine your skills, there is a class suitable for you.

Ski Schoold offer a wide variety of services from beginner group lessons to private ski clinics. Group lessons are more sociable and normally work out cheaper. However they are not as intense as one-to-one tuition. If you are unsure which option is best for you, then it is best to taslk directly to the ski school. They will be able to assign you to the correct class based on your ability and level, so that you are in the most suitable class.

Although it is not mandatory, it is advisable to book your ski school in advance as availability is limited and lessons may fill up. This is especially the case if you are travelling on a peak week (Christmas, New Year, Half Term and Easter).

The Swiss Ski and Snowboard School offer both group and private lessons in skiing and snowboarding for all ages over 3 years old. Lessons available are very flexible ranging from just a few hours a day to a whole week. For children they have the Snowli Kids Village located in the centre of Wengen. They also offer off-piste guiding.

Privat Ski and Snowboard specialise in private lessons for either pair or small groups of up to 4 people. They pride themselves on accelerating progress in both the skiing and snowboarding disciplines, as well as more specific branches of these sports such as carving, telemark, off-piste and ski touring.

Swiss Alpine Guides are actually located in Interlaken, but frequently travel up to resorts such as Wengen. All the guides are local and have a lot of experience in the area. It really is important to hire a guide when skiing any off-piste. Not only do they know the area very well so know the safest parts to ski, but they also know where those hidden powder fields are located and where the best snow is. All the off-piste equipment is included in the price of the guide.


Equipment Hire

There are a number of hire shops in Wengen, each has a wide range of equipment for all winter sports.

It is not mandatory to pre-book ski or snowboard equipment however it is advisable to book in advance online. This cuts down on hassle and can save you some money as many stores will offer online discounts.

Ski hire stores in Wengen include:

Skiset are a well- established shop in many resorts across the Alps including Wengen. The staff are experienced and well-trained and they offer an array of equipment to hire. They are also very good at swapping your equipment if you have any issues or would like to try something different. Furthermore, they also have free lockers for storage.

Intersport have 2 shops in Wengen, one located on Wengiboden and the other on Dorfstrasse. They are called Alpia Sport & Mode and Central Sport. They are very good at locating a specific ski or boot that you are after, and you are also able to change your equipment throughout the week at no extra cost.

Molitor Sport & Mode is located on the Dorfstrasse in the centre of Wengen. They stock all the top brands for rental as well as to purchase if you are looking at something more permanent. They also have snowshoes and sledges that are available to rent in addition to a wide variety of skis, boots and snowboards.

Wyss Sport is located slightly further away from the village centre at Kleine Scheidegg. This can be really useful as the shop has ski lockers which can be rented by the night. Each locker costs 12CHF and can fit up to 2 pairs of skis and boots. This means that you can take the railway without having to carry your equipment.


Lift Passes

The Wengen lift pass covers both Wengen and Grindelwald. The below prices are based on the current rates in resort but may change at the time of booking.

            Child (6-15yrs)   Teen (16-19yrs)    Adult (20-61yrs)   Senior (62+)
1 Day    CHF32              CHF51                CHF64                CHF58
6 Day    CHF150            CHF240               CHF300              CHF270


Free lift passes are available for children under 6yrs. There are no free lifts or family discounts available, instead the prices are discounted by age.

Group discounts are available for groups of 10 or more but these are only available if you book online in advance.

You can buy your lift pass from the office in resort or alternatively you can book it in advance online through the office or your tour operator.





Resorts statistics

  • ALTITUDE

    1274m

  • LONGEST PISTE

    15km

  • HIGHEST SKI LIFT

    2971m

  • TOTAL LIFTS

    40

  • TOTAL PISTE

    213km






Ski chalets in Wengen

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