1. Home
2. Ski Resorts
3. Switzerland
4. Wengen

Resort Guide

Wengen is one of the world's magical ski areas. Created on a sunny, sheltered plateau below the mightly Junfrau peak in Switzerland's Bernese Oberland more than a century ago, this is one of the genuine original ski areas and in arguably the most stunning scenic location of any ski area anywhere.

There are truly awe inspiring views of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau mountains towering above. The resort remains relatively compact, through the choice of the locals not to over-expand, with most facilities lining a single street that runs out from the resort's hub around the railway station. Wengen has always been car-free, making it very peaceful.

Wengen was one of the first ski resorts adopted by British tourists, largely because it was easy to reach by the funicular railway which was built up to the Jungfraujoch, still Europe's highest rail station, above Wengen.

Guests arrive in Lauterbrunnen in the valley by rail – or if travelling by car or bus they must leave it there. They then take the railway up to Wengen, as they have for the past 110 years. From there skiers could take the railway higher, giving a mechanical means of ascent to the first skiers for three decades before the first ski lifts began to appear.

The local skiing is the largest single part of the Jungfrau region. Wengen's own Mannlicjen ski area is connected to that of neighbouring Grindelwald, with that village's own First ski area beyond also included.

All public transport links down to Interlaken below, as well as a third ski area across the valley at Murren, are all included, making this one of Switzerland's biggest ski areas, with a great range of terrain, including the famous Lauberhorn race course.

Beginners

The excellent English-speaking ski school in Wengen has been teaching Brits to ski for the best part of a century, so you'll be following in some illustrious ski tracks if you first click on ski boots here.

Unfortunately however, for those with a limited budget, you'll also be paying a similarly large amount to those early rich Brits, and you could opt to learn to ski elsewhere for about a quarter of the price. If you can afford to ignore the cost though, the professionalism of the school, the magical environment and the quality of the nursery area all make Wengen a great place to learn.

Intermediates

Wengen's local slopes make up the largest sector of Jungfrau with over 100km (63 miles) of predominantly intermediate runs on Klein Scheidegg - Mannlichen covering the terrain over to Grindelwald. There are 25 red and blue runs covering 90km (57 miles) between them, the longest run 12km (7.5 miles) in length.

There's plenty to keep intermediates of all ability levels happy on the local slopes of the Schilthorn, but the availability of all the extra piste kilometres in the wider Jungfrau region makes the opportunities available world class.

In addition, Grindelwald has its own First ski area. Most of the terrain across the region is suited to the intermediate skier, and although new high–speed chair lifts 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 100 years. Pistes are up to 12km (seven-and-a-half miles) long.

Advanced

Wengen's local skiing at the wider Jungfrau area are world class for advanced skiers, with seven excellent black runs locally, including the infamous 4.5km (three mile) long Lauberhorn descent.

The area is one of the birth places of serious skiing, maintained in its pure form for over a century. Some of the black pistes through the powder here were created before grooming tractors were invented.

Ski touring is very popular, with the local mountain guides taking experienced skiers to local off-piste havens on the Hundshorn (2928m), Sulegg (2412m), or over the mighty Aletsch Glacier - at 24 km, the longest ice-stream in Europe - to Riederalp in Valais.

Jungfrau Railways offer fantastic high-Alpine guided ski tours, from the Jungfraujoch over the Lötschenlücke Pass to Blatten. Or you can make a two day tour to the Äbeni Flue (3905m) or the Finstaarhorn (4273m) with overnight accommodation in an Alpine mountain hut.

Heli-skiing trips are also organized by the local ski schools.

Snowboarding

Wengen has excellent freeriding terrain and a reputation for its great terrain park on Scheidegg – Mannlichen. Facilities here include a half pipe and "Jump Street" which, as you would expect, provides a great line of jumps one after another.

There are two other terrain parks in the Jungfrau region. The First area above Grindelwald has the Stoneland snow park with superpipe kickers, rails, corners, wave ride and dips, and is designed with different lines for different ability levels from beginners to experts.

Murren also builds a half pipe and other terrain features each season depending on snow conditions, usually at Kandahar chairlift, close to the Schilthornhütte.

Other Activities and Facilities

Tobogganing is very popular in Wengen with runs accessed by the railway line starting from Allmend and Bannwald stations. Cleared and signposted winter hiking routes are also abundant in the area.

Other winter sports available include curling, ice hockey, ice climbing and there is also the option to go paragliding or hang gliding above. Ice skating has always been a big part of winter tourism at the resort and there is both an artificial rink and a partially indoor ice stadium.

Several of the hotels have health and beauty spas, and the Beausite Park and Sunstar are amongst those with large indoor pools.

For more activities or a shopping trip, take the rail link down to Interlaken. A trip in the other direction will take you to the highest rail station in Europe, more than 2150m above at the Jungfraujpoch (3454m).

Or you can get off at Lauterbrunnen in the valley and take a series of cable cars up to Piz Gloria (2970m), the highest revolving restaurant in the world, completed with finance provided by the film company that filmed the James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service there.

Après Ski and Dining Out

There are about 25 restaurants and bars in Wengen, and these are often lively and busy with a cosmopolitan, international atmosphere. Many are located within the resort's 18 three and four star hotels.

The Silberhorn, overlooking the railway station square, is a popular venue with cozy stube and both international and Alpine themed restaurants.

Popular venues straight after the lifts close include Rock, Sina's or the Crystal Bar. Dining options range from pizza to fondue with the restaurant at the Jungfrau Wengernalp above the resort on the mountain Michelin Guide listed.

Families

Wengen is an excellent choice for a special family holiday. The Playhouse in Wengen's Sport Pavillion accepts children aged from 18 months to seven years old for non-ski fun.

The Ski and Snowboard School operate a ski kindergarten for those first days on skis for children aged four and older. Children aged up to 16 receive a 50% discount on lift tickets.

Accommodation in Wengen

• Belvedere - 3 star, half board
• Belvedere - 3 star, half board
• Bernerhof - 2 star, half board
• Bernerhof - 2 star, half board
• Bernerhof Stu - 2 star, half board
• Brunner - 3 star, half board
• Brunner - 3 star, half board
• Hotel Falken - 3 star, half board
• Silberhorn - 4 star, half board
• Silberhorn - 4 star, half board
• Sunstar - 4 star, half board
• Sunstar - 4 star, half board
• Victoria Lauberhorn - 3 star, half board
• Wengenerhof - 4 star, half board
• Wengenerhof - 4 star, half board

Search For Ski Holidays:

• Wengen
• Switzerland

Cheap Skiing In Wengen

• Andorra
• Austria
• Bulgaria
• Canada
• Finland
• France
• Italy
• Japan
• Norway
• Romania
• Serbia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• USA