Short answer
Grindelwald is the largest village in the Jungfrau region, at 1,034 metres right beneath the north face of the Eiger. From here you reach two ski areas – First with many easy blue slopes, and Kleine Scheidegg–Männlichen via the Eiger Express gondola – and the whole Jungfrau region has just over 200 kilometres of pistes. The village is reached by train from Interlaken, and for families the highlights are First and the long sledging trails.
Quick facts
- Country / region
- Switzerland, Bernese Oberland
- Ski area
- Jungfrau Ski Region (First and Kleine Scheidegg–Männlichen)
- Altitude (village – top)
- 1034 – 2501 m above sea level
- Pistes
- 150 km
- Lifts
- 33
- Season
- December – April
- Nearest airports
- Zurich (about 2 h 30) · Bern (about 1 h 15)
- Train
- Train to Interlaken Ost, then mountain railway (about 35 min)
- Price level
- ●●●●● (1 = cheap, 5 = expensive)
Family rating
3,8 / 5
- Beginner slopes More than half of the pistes on First are blue, but the beginner slopes are up the mountain.
- Snow reliability The village is at just over 1,000 metres, the pistes reach 2,500 metres – high up the snow is usually good.
- Distance from accommodation to lifts Gondolas from the village, but much of the accommodation needs a bus or train to the lift.
- More than skiing Long sledging trails, the view of the Eiger and the train up to the Jungfraujoch.
The rating is our overall assessment for families with children based on the criteria above – not a paid placement.
Grindelwald lies in a wide valley in the Bernese Oberland, right beneath the dark north face of the Eiger. It is the largest village in the Jungfrau region, with hotels, restaurants and shops along the main street – and one of the most famous panoramas in the Alps outside the window.
From here you reach two ski areas, and together with the neighbouring villages Wengen and Mürren the Jungfrau region has just over 200 kilometres of pistes.
Two ski areas
- First – on the sunny side of the valley, with long, wide blue slopes. The best area for families and beginners.
- Kleine Scheidegg–Männlichen – on the other side, with views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. The area is shared with Wengen and reached quickly by the Eiger Express gondola.
| Area | Blue | Red | Black |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | 30 km | 11 km | 8 km |
| Kleine Scheidegg–Männlichen | 33 km | 55 km | 13 km |
Eiger Express
The Eiger Express gondola goes from the Grindelwald Terminal station in the valley up to Eigergletscher in about a quarter of an hour. From there you ski down towards Kleine Scheidegg and on towards Männlichen or Wengen. From Eigergletscher the train continues to the Jungfraujoch, the “Top of Europe”, if you want to make an outing on a rest day.
Grindelwald with kids
- First for the first days – wide, blue slopes and sun.
- Ski school in the village and up on the slopes.
- The lift ticket is valid across the whole Jungfrau Ski Region, and children pay about half the adult price. Check whether there are family offers – children have previously skied at no cost on Saturdays with a paying adult.
We go through how to plan the week with ski school and rest days in ski trips with children.
Sledging – an adventure of its own
Grindelwald is known for its long sledging trails, including down from the Faulhorn towards Bussalp. Hire sledges in the village, take a lift up and ride down through the snowy landscape. For many families it becomes the best day of the week. Check that the trail is open, and let the youngest ride with an adult.
The snow
The village is at just over 1,000 metres, so the snow can be thin down in the valley in a mild winter. The pistes reach about 2,500 metres, and higher up the snow is usually good all season.
How to get to Grindelwald
- By train: take the train to Interlaken Ost and the mountain railway to Grindelwald, about 35 minutes. From Zurich the whole journey takes around two and a half hours, from Bern just over an hour. We go through the journey from Sweden in train to the Alps.
- By car: you can drive to Grindelwald, unlike Wengen and Mürren.
Grindelwald, Wengen or Mürren?
Grindelwald is the largest, with the most accommodation and the family-friendly First. Wengen is a village without cars that is only reached by train, and Mürren a village without cars on a cliff edge beneath the Schilthorn. We compare more Swiss resorts, such as Engelberg, in ski resorts in Switzerland.
Packing for Grindelwald – easy things to forget
Frequently asked questions
Which ski area in Grindelwald is best for children?
First. More than half of the pistes there are blue, the slopes are wide and the sun comes early. Kleine Scheidegg–Männlichen also has good blue slopes, but is more popular and busier.
What is the Eiger Express?
A gondola that goes from the Grindelwald Terminal station up to Eigergletscher in about a quarter of an hour. It makes it quick to get from the village to Kleine Scheidegg and Männlichen.
How do you get to Grindelwald?
By train to Interlaken Ost and then the mountain railway to Grindelwald, about 35 minutes. From Zurich the whole journey takes around two and a half hours, from Bern just over an hour.
How much does the lift ticket cost in Grindelwald?
The lift pass is valid across the whole Jungfrau Ski Region, and children aged 6 to 15 pay about half the adult price. Also check whether there are family offers on Saturdays.
Can you go sledging in Grindelwald?
Yes, Grindelwald has some of the longest sledging trails in Switzerland, including down from the Faulhorn towards Bussalp. It is an adventure for a rest day – hire a sledge in the village and check that the trail is open.
