Travel Eye on on Grindelwald (Switzerland)

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Overview:

Accessible from Berne (75km) and Zurich (2/3 hours), Grindelwald is the oldest yet least- known of the 3 Jungfrau resorts (which combine to offer 188km of piste). Most will have heard of Wengen and Murren. All 3 sit around the magnificent Eiger, with Grindelwald at the base. This does lead to a lack of sun in the winter. A mountaineering Mecca, the setting and scenery are fantastic and the resort is picturesque in the extreme, although Murren possesses the best views.

Grindelwald has its own domain, linked with Wengen, while a slight trek can get you to Murren. In particular, the cog railway and the gondola to most of the skiing can get clogged, especially at weekends. The lift system is rather antiquated, but should be receiving attention soon.

Grindelwald has Europe's longest sledge run - it is 15 km long!

The skiing favours intermediates, while advanced skiers may miss out if they aren't prepared to travel. The resort is hugely popular with families. The ski school also has a reasonable reputation, with many English-speaking instructors. Grindelwald's biggest problem is a lack of guaranteed snow, with most of the skiing between 1000m and 2000m.

The area caters for mainly middlemarket families, couples and singles, plus for hikers and climbers in the summer. There are many International visitors, with many Japanese groups. For skiing, Grindelwald has most to offer beginners and intermediates, but there's enough in the region to challenge the more advanced. Experts can take advantage of the opportunities for touring and off-piste adventure.

There is a big choice of accommodation, many with very good range of leisure facilities. The best locations are near the Mannlichen gondola, within walking distance of the First gondola or near the station for train access to the ski-area of Kleine Scheidegg.

There is plenty to do off the snow, with the train helping you to get around. Après-ski is pretty laid-back, while hotel restaurants are the focus for good grub. There are a few reasonable bars and 2 clubs, so it's slightly livelier than the other Jungfrau resorts. Access is provided by train from Interlaken.

Overall, a beautiful family ski resort, with a great selection of skiing and non-skiing options available. Grindelwald, funnily enough, only really comes into its own when there is ample snow.

Locality:

Grindelwald is towards the centre of Switzerland, situated in the heart of the Bernese Oberland region. (it is 50 mls SE of Berne. 12 mls SE of Interlaken. 90 mls SW of Zurich airport). It is a secluded village at the foot of the dramatic north face of the Eiger and also in the shadow of the Wetterhorn. It marks the end of the valley up from Zweilutschinen.

Entertainment/Facilities/Attractions/Things to do:

There is a limited choice of souvenir shops, sports shops and boutiques, and quite expensive. There are also two small supermarkets.

During the daytime the winter-sports activities include downhill skiing, snowboarding (snow park with half pipe on Oberjoch), winter walking (30 mls of trails in vicinity), tobogganing (9½-ml run), curling, skating, snow-karting, snow tubing, snow-shoeing and ice-climbing. Thereis also helicopter sightseeing, a sports centre with indoor pool, sauna, gym and climbing wall. You can take dog-sledge rides at Kleine Scheidegg, and visit the snow sculpture festival in mid-January. In the summer there is climbing, hiking, mountain biking, paragliding, minigolf and tennis.

The nightlife here is lively apres-ski, with plenty of bars, discos and restaurants. There are fondue evenings with Swiss entertainment. There is also a cinema sometimes shows English-language films.

There is a variety of restaurants with a wide choice of fare.