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Resort Guide

One of the world's classics, Grindelwald is one of the longest established ski resorts in the world. The ski era in the village is comparatively recent in its recorded 860 year history, but is still said to have begun more than a century ago when a British tourist strapped on some wooden skis he had had sent over from Scandinavia whilst still in his Grindelwald hotel bedroom.

He then tramped out through the lobby and on to the snow. A lot has changed since then of course, but the scenery hasn't. It's still arguably the most spectacular in the skiing world, with views of magnificent mountains such as the Eiger and Jungfrau. The whole area has been declared a UNESCO World heritage site.

The resort retains many of its older buildings too, although it did of course expand through the twentieth century. Along with winter sports the construction of Europe's highest railway line, to the Jungfraujoch above at 3454m (11,333 feet), helped to bring year round tourists.

Skiers have a choice of ski areas each morning, Grindelwald's own First ski area, or the linked Klein Scheidegg - Mannlichen slopes which are shared with Wengen. Both are included in the regional Jungfrau lift pass which also covers railway lines down to Lauterbrunnen – from where you can access the skiing of a third resort on the pass, Murren, and Interlaken.

Beginners

There are nursery slopes just above the village and the ski school, which offers lessons for four hours each day, divided in to two hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon, has an excellent reputation. The resort recently created a "slow speed zone" in the First sector – the Tempo 30 piste – which is separated off from the rest of the ski slopes and reserved for beginner skiers, families and children.

Intermediates

Most of the terrain here is suited to the intermediate skier and although new lifts (there are 10 four and six seater high speed chairlifts) have made getting around easier and quicker than in the past, these are the same classic ski runs that have entertained skiers for more than 60 years.

Pistes are up to 12km (seven-and-a-half miles) long with the eight kilometre (five miles) run down from Oberjoch back down to Grindelwald particularly popular. Several runs on the Oberjoch have been designated especially for carving skiing and, if you can't clock up enough piste kilometres in the daytime, there's night skiing on the Bodmi slopes above the village from 7 to 10pm on Tuesday and Friday nights.

Advanced

With 14 marked black slopes covering more than 34km (21 miles) and representing 15% of the total skiing in the Jungfrau area, Grindelwald already offers more challenging terrain than most resorts, before you add in to the mix a further couple of unprepared downhill runs (marked in yellow on the piste map) and extending to 10.2km (six miles) between them.

No visit to the region is complete without a visit to the legendary Lauberhorn downhill piste at Klein Scheidegg, scene of so many great World Cup downhill races each January over the years. Other famous runs are the feared 'Black Rock' which begins at the base of the Eiger and the equally accurately titled "Oh God" – piste number 27. Heliskiing is also an option here, along with numerous off piste routes and high mountain ski touring in the company of a local mountain guide.

Snowboarding

There are two terrain parks locally. The First area has a snow park with Superpipe whilst Klein Scheidegg - Mannlichen has a park, half pipe and "Jump Street".

First's Stoneland Park contains kickers, rails, corners, wave ride and dips and is designed with different lines for different ability levels from beginners to experts.

The superpipe at Schreckfeld has a five-and-a-half metre radius and is widely acknowledged as one of the biggest and best pipes in Switzerland.

Other facilities include a boardercross course on the Oberjoch.

Other Activities and Facilities

Grindelwald has an excellent public sports centre with a large indoor pool. The complex also includes ice skating and curling rinks, a climbing wall, games room, table tennis, sauna and solarium. Other indoor facilities include a cinema, bowling, museum and theatre and concert venues.

Winter hiking is popular all over the region with 80km (50 miles) of cleared paths. Snowshoe walks are also possible with equipment available to rent. Sleigh rides are available and there are several toboggan runs including the 5km (over nine mile) descent from Faulhorn to Bussalp, one of Europe's longest. You can also try a tandem ride with an expert paraglider steering you down.

Rail excursions up to the Jungfraujoch, which houses an ice palace carved from the eternal ice, or down to Interlaken on the more than a century old mountain railway are popular trips.

Après Ski and Dining Out

Grindelwald's choice of 50 or so bars and restaurants is world class, and there's a great choice of establishments. For lively après ski Pumuckl's or Gepsi are recommended.

Diners will find an unusually wide choice of cuisine types in which to indulge, with options ranging from traditional Alpine fondues and raclettes through to Chinese, French, Italian, and Japanese establishments. The Fiescherblick restaurant is a gourmet Mecca with 15 of the famous Gault Millau points.

Families

Grindelwald tries very hard for families and offers the Kid's Club Snowli for children aged three and older at Bodmi in the ski school area. This is also home to Cocolino Castle where a blue cat mascot plays with and teaches cooking, to the young guests.

For children aged five and older lessons for two hours a day, Monday to Friday are available. Many of the après ski activities available such as swimming, skating and toboganning are all great for families and the spectacular scenery make Grindelwald a special place in which to spend time together.

Accommodation in Grindelwald

• Derby - 4 star, half board
• Eiger Apartments - 4 star, self catering
• Eiger Hotel - 4 star, half board
• Eigerblick - 3 star, half board
• Hotel Spinne - 4 star, half board
• Hotel Spinne - 4 star, half board
• Residence Hotel - 3 star, half board
• Sunstar - 4 star, half board
• Sunstar - 4 star, half board
• Wolter - 3 star, half board

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