Short answer
Wengen is a village without cars at 1,274 metres in the Jungfrau region, on a sunny ledge above the Lauterbrunnen valley. You only get here by train, and from the village you reach the Kleine Scheidegg–Männlichen ski area with 100 kilometres of pistes, which is shared with Grindelwald. Wengen suits families who want a quiet village without cars, with views of the Jungfrau and world-class skiing.
Quick facts
- Country / region
- Switzerland, Bernese Oberland
- Ski area
- Jungfrau Ski Region (Kleine Scheidegg–Männlichen)
- Altitude (village – top)
- 1274 – 2472 m above sea level
- Pistes
- 101 km
- Lifts
- 23
- Season
- December – April
- Nearest airports
- Zurich (about 2 h 30) · Bern (about 1 h 15)
- Train
- Train via Interlaken Ost and Lauterbrunnen (about 40 min from Interlaken)
- Price level
- ●●●●● (1 = cheap, 5 = expensive)
Family rating
3,5 / 5
- Beginner slopes Wide blue slopes at Kleine Scheidegg and Männlichen, but only a third of the pistes are blue.
- Snow reliability The village is at just over 1,200 metres and the pistes reach almost 2,500 metres.
- Distance from accommodation to lifts Train and cable car start from the village, and everything is reached on foot.
- More than skiing A village without cars, the view of the Jungfrau and the World Cup on the Lauberhorn in January.
The rating is our overall assessment for families with children based on the criteria above – not a paid placement.
Wengen lies on a sunny ledge high above the Lauterbrunnen valley, with the Jungfrau straight ahead. There is no road here – the village is only reached by train from Lauterbrunnen, and there are no cars on the streets, only pedestrians, skiers and small electric vehicles.
For families, that makes Wengen a quiet and safe village. And from the station the train and the cable car take you straight out into one of the most famous ski areas in Switzerland.
A village only reached by train
- The train from Lauterbrunnen takes about a quarter of an hour up to Wengen.
- The car you leave in the car park in Lauterbrunnen.
- In the village you walk – most things are close to the station.
The ski area
From Wengen you reach Kleine Scheidegg–Männlichen, which is shared with Grindelwald:
- The train continues up towards Kleine Scheidegg and works as a lift in the area.
- The cable car to Männlichen starts from the village.
| Difficulty | Kilometres | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Blue | 33 km | 33 % |
| Red | 55 km | 54 % |
| Black | 13 km | 13 % |
The area has about 100 kilometres of pistes and 23 lifts, and the whole Jungfrau region with Grindelwald and Mürren just over 200 kilometres. At Kleine Scheidegg and Männlichen there are wide blue slopes with views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.
Lauberhorn
Wengen is home to the Lauberhorn, one of the most famous downhill courses in the world. Every January the World Cup is held here, and the village fills with spectators and a festive atmosphere. If you want to see the race – book early. If you want peace and quiet – choose another week.
Wengen with kids
- Ski school with a children's area for the youngest.
- Streets without cars – the children can walk freely in the village.
- The lift ticket is valid across the whole Jungfrau Ski Region, and children pay about half the adult price.
If it is your first ski trip, everything about ski school, equipment and daily rhythm is in the guide to the first ski trip with kids. The very easiest slopes in the area are on First in Grindelwald.
How to get to Wengen
- By train: take the train to Interlaken Ost, change to the train to Lauterbrunnen and then the mountain railway to Wengen. From Zurich the whole journey takes around two and a half hours. We go through the journey from Sweden in train to the Alps.
- By car: drive to Lauterbrunnen and take the train the last stretch.
Wengen, Grindelwald or Mürren?
Grindelwald is the largest and you can drive there. Mürren also has no cars, but is smaller and higher up. Wengen is in between – no cars, but with direct access to the biggest ski area. We compare more resorts without cars, such as Saas-Fee, in ski resorts in Switzerland.
Packing for Wengen – easy things to forget
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Wengen?
By train to Lauterbrunnen and then the mountain railway up to Wengen, about a quarter of an hour. You leave the car in the car park in Lauterbrunnen – no cars go to Wengen.
Is Wengen good for families with children?
Yes, for families who want a quiet and safe village without cars. The ski school has a children's area, and up at Kleine Scheidegg and Männlichen there are wide blue slopes. The most beginner-friendly slopes, though, are on First in Grindelwald.
What is the Lauberhorn?
One of the most famous downhill courses in the world. The World Cup race is held in Wengen every January, and then the village fills with spectators. If you want peace and quiet – avoid that weekend. If you want to see the race – book early.
How do you get from Wengen to the slopes?
By the train up towards Kleine Scheidegg or the cable car to Männlichen. Both start from the village, and the train works as a lift in the area.
How much does the lift ticket cost in Wengen?
The lift pass is valid across the whole Jungfrau Ski Region, and children aged 6 to 15 pay about half the adult price. Current prices are shown on the Jungfraubahnen website.
