Resort Information
Wengen is an attractive, traditional, car-free Swiss village, with some of the best views in the Alps. Wengen shares its ski area with neighbouring Grindelwald and both resorts sit beneath the legendary Jungfrau and Eiger mountains. Wengen caters as well for families as it does for those looking for short breaks, whether that be with friends, family or colleagues.
Wengen has a huge following, many of which are British skiers returning year after year to take in the views of the awe-inspiring Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau mountains and also to cruise down the infamous Lauberhorn World Cup downhill course.
Slopes wise, and with the steeper parts of the Lauberhorn excepted, the resort caters best for intermediate skiers who are looking for a true Swiss winter holiday. Alpinists in particular are drawn to Wengen, but in addition, so are those with the intention of spending some time eating, drinking, chatting, soaking up the sunshine and admiring the scenery.
For advanced skiers, and if budget allows, we recommend that you hire a guide and explore the off-piste. And for beginners, the nursery slopes both in the village and higher up the mountain ensure learning is safe and fun. The local ski school and private instructors have a wonderful reputation, particularly for teaching children.
One only needs to look at the piste map to note that the resort is not high, sitting at 1275m. Further, very few of the slopes are above 2000m. However, whilst this may sound slightly risky from a snow sure perspective (it arguably is, especially early and late season), there is normally plenty of snow mid-winter, as well as some wonderfully quiet runs out, with peak weeks.
Being car free only adds to the ambience in the village and with the mountain railway taking you up the mountain each day, the sense of escapism is real, allowing the stresses and strains of real life simply vanish.
Key Facts
Ski Area
102km
Ski Range
944-2320mm
Blue Runs
32%
Red Runs
55%
Black Runs
13%
Season
December – April
Accommodation
Hotel Schalnegg, Wengen
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Hotel Schalnegg, WengenFacilitiesSleep CapacityThis...
Hotel Silberhorn, Wengen
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Hotel Silberhorn, WengenFacilitiesSleep CapacityThis...
Sunstar Hotel, Wengen
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Sunstar Hotel, WengenFacilitiesSleep CapacityThis...
Useful Information
Beginners
Wengen has a nursery slope in the centre of the village which is very convenient. However it is low down and gets afternoon sun. If required, there are beginner areas at both Männlichen and Kleine Scheidegg – higher up the mountain. From there, there are then plenty of good, long, gentle runs to reached either by train to Kleine Scheidegg or cable car to Männlichen.
Intermediates
Wengen and Grindelwald share a number of easy intermediate blue or red slopes. For the adventurous intermediate, we suggest that head for the top of the Lauberhorn chair or to Wixi (following the start of the Downhill course). You could also try the shady runs from Eigergletscher, which often has the best snow late in the season. Or head for Mürren – well worth it for adventurous intermediates for a day trip.
Advanced
Wengen is quite limited for experts with the only genuine black runs being the stepper sections of the Lauberhorn World Cup Downhill course.
Off piste is decent in Wengen with some great runs from under the north face of the Eiger (accessed by the Eigernordwand lift). For more challenges it’s well worth going to nearby Mürren.
Snowboarders
Wengen is not a resort for snowboarders in search of a freestyle park. That being said, a basic beginner’s park can be found at the base of Wengen but this will provide no challenges for the serious free rider.
Grindlewald on the other hand boasts a well maintained 850m long park with the Pro, Public and Easy Line Kickers.
Winter Hiking
More precisely, winter hiking and snowshoeing – both are possible in the Jungfrau Region. The second one is often even more idyllic, even more remote…but also more exhausting haha.
There are winter hiking trails for everyone. Comfortable walks or longer tours. The trails have purple signs and are well prepared. Please don’t go on closed trails (mostly due to avalanches) and don’t leave the marked paths. For your own safety. Plus the wild animals will thank you if you don’t stress them in winter.
For the snowshoeing there are even guided tours. Sometimes even at full moon. A unique experience. Equipment can be rented in most sports shops in the region.
Of course there are also pistes in a smaller form. And not only for skiing or snowboarding. For example for tobogganing – possible in every skiing area with us. It used to be a common means of transport in mountain areas. Today it mainly provides one thing: A lot of fun.
Discover the Toboggan Run & Ice Rink
We even have more to offer than usual sleighs. The so called Velogemel from Grindelwald is a funny looking vehicle. Like a winter bicycle, made out of wood. You have to try it out!
Ice on the streets can cause you to land on your bottom hard and unpleasantly. Perfectly prepared ice combined with the right equipment can cause a lot of fun though.
Be it curling or ice skating. There are ice rinks in almost every village in the Jungfrau Region. Most of them are even outdoors – that means you can take turns or play curling stones all while admiring wonderful snow-covered mountain peaks. Have fun…and if you do fall: No worries, get up and go on.
Cross Country Skiing
Probably the closest thing to skiing here. Cross-country skiing is usually a bit relaxed – at least for beginners, professionals can be rather quick. In any case it’s a great alternative activity in winter. And who knows, maybe you’ll really enjoy and start doing it regularly. Definitely not the dumbest thing to do to lose a couple of pounds after all the Christmas treats haha.
You can also rent equipment in the usual sports shops. By the way, there’s even a cross-country ski run in the Haslital that is specially illuminated in the evening.
Meeting up with Skiers on the Mountain
Non-skiers can get to the top of Mannlichen and Kleine Scheidegg easily so it’s possible to meet your skiing party for lunch or a hot chocolate. Non skiers could also take a day trip on the train to Interlaken.
View the live snow report for Wengen here
Wengen is a small village located on a sunny plateau above the dramatic Lauterbrunnen Valley. It’s car free and great for families because it’s small and safe. There is a crèche by the nursery slopes. It’s not a luxurious or pretentious resort.
There are 2 ski schools in Wengen—the Wengen ski school and Altitude ski school (which is English speaking). The nursery slopes are right in the village center which is great for little ones as it isn’t exposed. For older beginners there are further areas at Mannlichen and kleine scheidegg.
Area Map
Hotel Schalnegg
Hotel Silberhorn
Sunstar Hotel
Getting There
Via Bern or Lucerne to Interlaken. Or from the south via the Grimsel Pass (summer only) or the Simplon Pass and the Lötschberg car-transport train to Interlaken. Then follow the signs to Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen. Parking is available in the car park at the railway station. With the Wengernalp Railway to Wengen. Wengen is car-free.
By Plane
There are international airports at Bern, Zurich, Basel and Geneva. Bern airport is actually nearest to Wengen, but Zurich, Basel and Geneva airports offer many more flights and, therefore, they are usually easier and cheaper to fly to.
By Road
Wengen is car-free.
By Train
Via Bern or Lucerne to Interlaken-Ost. Change to the Bernese Oberland Railway to Lauterbrunnen. Change to the Wengernalp Railway to Wengen.