Sitting beneath the stunning backdrop of the awe-inspiring Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains, the remarkable Jungfrau region has been drawing in skiers, particularly Brits, for more than a century.
The picture-postcard destination is split into the Grindelwald-First and Grindelwald-Wengen ski regions, with around 160km of perfectly prepared pistes, all served by a modern lift system that includes the new Eiger Express and the famous cog railway that climbs up from the villages of Grindelwald and Wengen.
On the slopes, there’s everything from long, undulating pistes to challenging freeride terrain as well as a ski-cross course, freestyle park and a World Cup standard half-pipe. Non-skiers will also love the idyllic winter hiking trails through this amazing landscape and the spectacular toboggan routes that include the world’s longest sledge run.
Skiing and Snowboarding
The ski region of Kleine Scheidegg–Männlichen offers 107km of piste. The famous Lauberhorn World Cup run descends 4.2km to Wengen, and it’s even possible to ski it after the race in mid-January. You can also be photographed in the starting hut and have your speed measured on the infamous Hanneggschuss section of the course where the pros have reached more than 160kph!
Opened in 2020, the Eiger Express, the most modern tri-cable aerial cableway in the world, now takes guests from Grindelwald Terminal up to the Eiger Glacier Station. The journey in 26-seat cabins with heated seats and free wi-fi takes just 15 minutes, passing the infamous north face of the Eiger. At the top, guests can choose from a number of ski runs or jump on a train further up to the Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe. The V-Cableway project, which also includes the new Männlichen gondola cableway, is part of a massive CHF470 million (around £418.5 million) investment for the whole Jungfrau region.
The First Mountain, accessible by cable car from Grindelwald, offers a further 53km of slopes beneath the north face of the Bernese Alps. The sunny and clearly laid-out ski region is particularly popular with families and freestylers.
Its two freestyle parks, half-pipe and ski-cross course are a big draw for those who like to get airborne. The Oberjoch beginner’s freestyle park is ideal for those first jumps and rail slides, and on sunny weekends a 10x12m big air cushion is set up next to the Oberjoch chair lift. Experienced freestylers have the Bärgelegg Park, home to the World Cup half-pipe.
For powder-loving freeriders, two black runs are left ungroomed here the day after a snowfall.
From this winter, two additional attractions are included free of charge on the lift pass. The First Flyer takes up to four people at once down an 800m zipwire, “flying” up to 50m above the snow at speeds of up to 84kph. There’s also the First Glider that goes from the Schreckfeld station to First. It’s a similar length and speed but offers an experience of floating through the air like a hang-glider ride.
Download the Jungfrau Winnercard to measure your vertical and collect badges, photos or films to download; you might even get lucky and win great prizes.
Kids ski free on Saturdays
When any parent buys a family day lift pass on Saturdays, up to three children (aged six to 15) receive a free day card. If ski equipment is rented from Intersport, up to three children can also get free rentals.
With great hotels, fabulous restaurants in the resorts and on the slopes, as well as a buzzing après-ski scene and events calendar, this winter paradise offers skiers and snowboarders everything they could wish for.
We have a regular Podcast called The White Out where we review the latest gear, talk about the latest snow forecast and updates on where is best to ski now, as well interviews with absolute ski legends AND we spotlight a resort every week and so much more. You can check out our regular podcast here Apple | Spotify | Podcasts or search The White Out on your chosen podcast directory.
