Switzerland is a dream destination for skiers and snowboarders, and the Jungfrau ski region is a gem that has to be experienced to be believed.
Located just three hours from Zurich, it’s an easy train ride in prime Swiss comfort levels to find yourself right in the heart of the region. From there, simply choose one of the stunning villages that lie at the base of the mountains and get ready to spend each day among the iconic peaks that surround the area, such as the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau.
But shhh… this region is one of the best-kept secrets among us. While there are plenty of European visitors, you’ll rarely hear someone with an Australian accent on the slopes.
Here’s your ultimate guide to discovering the Jungfrau ski region and all it has to offer.
Warning: Be ready to fall in love. Fast.
For a deep dive on the Jungfrau region, check out our 20 page e-book above, that dives deep into what to do, when and where in Switzerland’s Jungfrau.
Snow lovers are spoiled for choice in the Jungfrau ski region, which offers interconnected resorts spread across two valleys including two of our favourites Grindelwald-First and Grindelwald-Wengen.
Together they span a total of 211 km of skiable terrain accessible by 44 chairlifts, so you’ll need to get those ski legs ready alongside your sense of adventure.
With a variety of terrain available at each resort to suit every kind of skier and snowboarder, you’ll undoubtedly want to experience everything you can. Thanks to one ski pass, the Jungfrau Ski Region Sportpass, with access to all of them, plus transportation via train and bus between Interlaken and the ski valleys.
When you’re not skiing and snowboarding, there are also a whole lot of other activities to choose from – including sledding on the world’s longest sled run, winter hiking, ice skating, curling and paragliding to name just a few. Or, you know, eating melted cheese and bread in one of the area’s many, many restaurants serving up fondue. There’s also pure magic to be found in Interlaken at the base of the mountains, surrounded by towering peaks.
The only hard part will be choosing which resort. Here’s all the info you need to get you started…
Grindelwald-First: leisurely descents with jaw-dropping views
Grindelwald-First is perfect for skiers who enjoy long, cruisy groomers with the type of crispy corduroy that glitters in the morning sunlight. Paired with stunning views of the Wetterhorn, Schreckhorn, and Eiger mountains, you’ll find yourself stopping for photos more than once while skiing the 56 km of runs at this resort.
It’s easily accessed via a 25-minute gondola ride from Grindelwald village, which made its name in the history books by supplying ice to other areas of Europe, including Paris, before the days of refrigeration. It’s still straight out of a storybook and now home to a wide variety of hotels, restaurants, shops and a supermarket.
The area also offers a range of non-ski activities, such as the First Cliff Walk and First Glider, where you can glide at speeds of up to 84 km/h while soaring 40 meters above the slopes – the closest you’ll ever come to feeling like a bird.
Grindelwald-Wengen: charm and speed
While there are plenty of runs to experience between Grindelwald and Wengen, with over 102 km of slopes to enjoy, the most legendary is the Lauberhorn. This World Cup racetrack hosts the oldest and longest ski race in the world, and is open to skiers to tackle when it’s not busy with, well, races.
At the best you’ll find Wengen itself, a pedestrian-only village full of traditional charm, perched high above the Lauterbrunnen valley with easy ski-in, ski-out accommodation. On the way down, enjoy ski runs lined with snowy trees, and slopeside restaurants serving up delicious local fare.
Interlaken – the lakeside gateway town
Want to stay somewhere that’s picture-perfect and with easy access to the slopes? How does two turquoise lakes with panoramic views of the majestic peaks of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau sound?
Interlaken is known as the adventure capital of Switzerland and is ideally placed between the resorts of the region making it the perfect base to bed down and choose where you’d like to explore each day. Buses and trains, all with Swiss-level accuracy of timing, leave regularly from town to whisk you up to the resorts (it’s less than an hour’s journey to get to Grindelwald and Wengen).
