Ski Holidays in Wilderswil, Switzerland

Slope Direction
Very Easy Runs	0
Easy Runs	1
Medium Runs	0
Difficult Runs	0
Toughest Run Name
Skiable Vertical	30m
Number Of Lifts	1
Top Lift Height	630m
Night Skiing	N
Snowboarding Parks	2
Half Pipes	2
Swimming Pools	2
Night Clubs	3
Mountain Restaurants	1

Zürich:	0 minutes
Geneva:	0 minutes

Wilderswil does have a very good English-speaking ski school which also has a small ski area with a beginners' rope tow and a 250m long T Bar drag lift right by the village. If snow conditions are suitable, this is a good place to learn, away from the busy pistes above, although the T bar is not the easiest lift to master.

Alternatively you can go up the mountains and join ski school in Grindelwald, Murren or Wengen each morning. Each resort has a high reputation for their tuition and all have been teaching British skiers for about a century.

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 70 years.

Pistes are up to 12km (seven-and-a-half miles) long. Take the train or bus up to Grindelwald, Wengen or Murren each morning. The largest sector of Klein Scheidegg - Mannlichen covers the terrain between Grindelwald and Wengen.

In addition Grindelwald has its own First ski area, whilst Murren's separate Schilthorn mountain is the highest ski region in the Bernese Oberland.

With 22 marked black slopes covering more than 34km (21 miles) and representing 15% of the total skiing in the Jungfrau area, the area offers more challenging terrain than most, 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 paying homage to the famed 4.5km (three mile) long Lauberhorn descent down to Klein Scheidegg, scene of so many great World Cup downhill races each January over many 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 is 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.

Snowboarders have superb freeriding terrain to explore in the Jungfrau and a choice of three terrain parks operated by each of the altitude resorts.

At Wengen the snowpark on Scheidegg - Mannlichen includes a half pipe and "Jump Street" with a great line of jumps.

In the First area above Grindelwald the Stoneland snow park with superpipe kickers, rails, corners, wave ride and dips is designed with different lines for various ability levels.

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

Wilderswil has plenty to do off the slopes and its low altitude means that some summer activities like mountain biking or white water rafting may be available at the ends of the ski season if the snow arrives late or melts early in the valley.

Other examples include bungee jumping, a fitness circuit and flying fox.

All the normal winter activities are available in Wilderswil or one of the linked ski resorts including ice skating, curling, toboggan runs, sleigh rides, snow shoe excursions and winter hiking on cleared paths. There are also extensive cross country ski trails.

In the area you will find an indoor sports centre, indoor pool, spa and other health and leisure facilities.

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 Jungfraujoch (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.

Wilderswil has about 20 restaurants and bars, many of them in hotels. You may of course start the evening at the après-ski venues on the mountain and catch the train back at any time, or you can opt to head in to Interlaken for the wide selection of eating and drinking establishments, as well as night spots including a casino.

However Wilderswil does have plenty of establishments worthy of a visit. For example the tavern in the Hotel Baren is one of the oldest in the region, established in 1706, so more than 300 years old.

Another notable choice is the restaurant in the Alpenblick hotel, which has clocked up an impressive 17 points in the prestigious Gault Millau gourmet guide.

The beautiful surroundings, extensive facilities and excellent public transport network make Wilderswil a very good choice as a family base.

Depending on the age and stage of your children you'll need to decide whether, if you need nursery or ski school provision, to use the facilities at one of the mountain resorts (Wengen and Murren have non-ski nursery from 18 months up, Grindelwald from age three) or to use Wilderswil's own ski school which (subject to snow conditions) operates a small ski area by the village.

The Children's Paradise Bockler operates a 60m Pinocchio lift for children, and accepts children aged four and over. The environment is safe and friendly and the instructors are especially trained, which all means that you have your peace of mind as you go off for your day on the slopes.