Resort Information
Engelberg is a scenic, quiet monastery town in the centre of Switzerland which sits in the shadows of high North-facing snowy slopes with vertical drops of nearly 2000m – a perfect setting for epic quality off-piste skiing. With its geography as it is, it is no surprise that Engelberg is one of the top powder & freeride destinations in the world.
Location wise, it couldn’t be easier to get to. With accessible train links and it being only 1 hour on the road from Zurich Airport, Engelberg is easy to reach and provides for a great weekend destination as a result of its minimal transfer time.
Engelberg was a town long before it was recognised a skiers Mecca, so it is never going to offer on the slope convenience. From most centrally located accommodation, it is a short bus ride or a ten to fifteen minute walk on foot There are some hotels and apartments closer than this – and even a couple of ski-in, ski-out places up the mountain (see the accommodation page for details) – however we have chosen not to feature them – for us, being centrally located makes up for the lack of ski in ski out.
For those who do not wish to sample the off piste on offer, admittedly, Engleberg has its limitations. That being said, there are some pistes on Titlis and Jochstock, mostly reds on the top half and blues on the lower half. Across the valley on the sunny side of town is Brunni, which has lower, gentler, south-facing slopes. The lift-served off piste is vast, and with so much of it, even skiers and boarders venturing in the world of powder for the first time will have a blast.
The uplift is just incredible – the speed at which you can travel to 3000m is staggering, as are he views at the top of the mighty Titlis glacier. For expert skiers, ticking off the ‘Big Five’ off-piste and freeride runs (the other four are Sulz, Steintäli, Steinberg and Galtiberg) will undoubtedly be the aim. And once you’ve completed those you can move onto the High Five – five long itineraries for ski tourers and backcountry explorers.
Key Facts
Ski Area
66km
Ski Range
1000m- 3020m
Blue Runs
29%
Red Runs
57%
Black Runs
14%
Season
December – April
Accommodation
Hotel Central, Engelberg
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Hotel Central, EngelbergFacilitiesSleep CapacityThis...
Hotel Bellevue-Terminus, Engelberg
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Hotel Terrace, Engelberg
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Ski Lodge, Engelberg
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Useful Information
Beginners
It is fair to say that there are better resorts to learn in than Engelberg. That being said, there are several small nursery slopes scattered around Engelberg, one in the valley near the village, with another at Trübsee, and a third at the top of the cable-car on Brunni. However, Engelberg only has a relatively limited number of easy slopes to progress to, meaning that once the basics are mastered, there is no real options of that wonderful confidence building cruising you can enjoy in other more gentle resorts.
Intermediates
Engelberg comes up relatively short for the timid intermediate (but with the right guidance and direction, we can make it work!) and caters slightly better for a relatively strong intermediate skier, especially if they wish to foray in the world that is off – piste. We suggest that intermediates head for Jochstock as it is the best area to ski laps on piste where broader, less steep runs and chairs rather than cable cars make this a more congenial area to cruise. It’s high enough for good snow and gives the best, uninterrupted descent to the valley floor at the end of the day.
Advanced
Engelberg is an excellent resort for advanced and expert skiers, especially off-piste. Out of the big 5, the most famous off-piste area is the Laub; a wide, steep slope of around 1000m vertical with great views over the village. There are also plenty of less obvious unmarked routes off the top of Titlis, some of which are as long as 2000m vertical. Some of the best off piste routes drift over glaciers route and consequently, there can be considerable crevasse danger. As such – a guide is recommended!
Snowboarders
Freeriders have a very good mountain here with some great off-piste to check out, but be warned, avalanches are common here. Some of the best off-piste terrain can be found having taken the Jochstock express lift to reach the slopes on the Alpstublii, where you will find some amazing runs. Another easy to reach gem is the Laub area, which bases out conveniently to allow you to do it again. Freestylers who like it done for them will find the park on the Jochpass area the place to head for, but it’s far from the largest park in the world – check out www.terrainpark.ch for the full details.
There is a very good range of activities which, combined with Engelberg’s spectacular setting, make it a good place for a non-skier. Extensive winter walking paths and cross country skiing; superb sledding on Brunni and night sledding, winter hiking and snowshoeing on Gerschnialp and Furenalp. The guest card offers discounts for use of the indoor pool, tennis, skating and other activities at the sports centre. The Outventure Company, the Salomon Station and the Ski School all organise a range of activities including snowshoeing and igloo building.
View the live snow report for Engelberg here
Despite its steep slopes, Engelberg is both family and child-friendly. There is a children’s area run by the Schweizer Skischule Engelberg on the Gerschnialp. A private ski bus takes you from Gasthaus Gerschnialp (with fee) to the children’s area. There is a free sledding park (Rutschpark) with a snow tube run and other sledding equipment as well as a playground at the Trübsee station. At the peak of the Titlis, there is a lot to discover, such as the glacial cave and the Titlis Cliff Walk. There is a toboggan run from the Gerschnialp to Engelberg. In addition, in Engelberg on the other side of the valley in the Brunni ski resort, there are two children’s areas. Globis Winterland and the Klostermatte children’s area are ideal for the little ones.
Selection of Slopes
Engelberg has a varied selection of slopes. The Titlis ski area is home to challenging terrain that is unsuitable for smaller skiers. But, for the adults looking for some time away from the kids on the slopes, there’s plenty of steep red runs that can satisfy any powder-cravings. Engelberg is home to some exciting off-piste options that provide a challenge even for those who fancy themselves an expert on the slopes. Brunni side is an even more family-friendly, and smaller ski area where young travellers can easily make their first tracks into the snow. The pistes found in the Brunni area are much less intimidating, home to gentle slopes on which younger skiers can explore. Here our best tip is to have basecamp on restaurant Ristis, next to the kid’s area (it is huge so you will not miss it) and then change skier from there. What makes the whole switch from mountainside even easier is the free shuttle buses provided by the Tourist Office, they go frequently every day and makes it easier to travel with children. (and if you need to do some last minute shopping)
Activities Off the Slopes
There’s so much to do! Engelberg is known for being quiet in comparison to the hustle and bustle of some of the larger resorts. But, this doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do off the slopes! You have something to entertain the whole family, with plenty of restaurants that offer great food and a lively atmosphere. Is there a better way to unwind after a day on the slopes?
High-Tech Lift System
What’s something that all kids hate? Queuing. In fact, even adults who have been skiing for years hate the dreaded lift queue. Luckily, Engelberg upgraded its main gondola so that it can carry more passengers much quicker, which is great news for adults and children alike!
Area Map
Hotel Central
Hotel Bellevue-Terminus
Hotel Terrace
Ski Lodge
Getting There
Motorway A2 (Basel – Gotthard), take exit Stans-Süd and follow the all-year open main road 20 km to Engelberg. 1 hour and 15 minutes from Zurich, Berne and Basel, 30 minutes from Lucerne.
By Plane
International airline connections to Zurich and Basel. Zurich – Engelberg 2h by train.
By Road
Motorway A2 (Basel – Gotthard), take exit Stans-Süd and follow the all-year open main road 20 km to Engelberg. 1 hour and 15 minutes from Zurich, Berne and Basel, 30 minutes from Lucerne.
By Train
International rail connections to Zurich and Lucerne. Lucerne – Engelberg 43 minutes by train “Zentralbahn”.