Grindelwald is one of the oldest ski resorts in Europe that dates back to the late 19th century. Grindelwald is located in Interlaken district within Bernese Oberland canton in the south-central Switzerland. Grindelwald village is located at an elevation of 1,034 metres above sea level in the Bernese Alps. The top elevation of the resort is 2,971 metres.

Skiing at Grindelwald:

Skiing season at Grindelwald begins from mid December to mid April. Skiers here can choose to ski either at Grindelwald’s First ski area or at the Kleine Scheidegg and Mannlichen sector that spreads into the neighbouring Wengen.

Beginners can try their skills on the nursery runs in the Bodmi area that can be reached by free bus service from the resort centre. Besides, the intermediates can ski at an area spread over fifty percent of the 160km long runs.

Experts too have their skiing area beyond Lauberhorn. They have 15 black runs including Oh God, said to be the toughest in the resort. Off-piste skiing can be done on the Eiger’s glaciers.

Other activities:

• Indoor activities like movie watching (Grindelwald has a modern 120-seat cinema hall), visiting museum and ice rink at the sports centre. The sports centre along with several hotels have swimming pools. Sauna and fitness facilities are also available.
• Outdoor activities like tubing, dog sledding, sleigh rides, marked and cleared winter hiking routes, paragliding and winter climbing courses.

• Child care:
  Sunshine nursery at Intersport Rent Network building looks after children from one year and above. Mägi Rubi’s experienced ‘mothers’ provide drinks, small snacks and nappies to the kids free of charge. Snowli Children’s Club (organised by the local Swiss Ski School from Monday to Friday by the local Swiss Ski School) looks after children aged three and above. There is also a free games and toy library here set up in 1996.
• Shopping:
  Grindelwald is a top shopping destination for the tourists. There are about 60 stores here including sports and souvenir shops to fashion boutiques and jewellery outlets to local cheese sellers.
• Splashing out:
  One can hire a private ski instructor and guide from Privat Ski (web site: www.privat-ski.ch) who will help you get VIP access to the First ski lifts.
• Après ski:
  Grindelwald hotels have a large number of bars. Besides, there are a whole lot of night spots for all out après ski activities. Plagier Bar at Hotel Lauberhorn, remains open from Thursday to Saturday evenings only. Mescalero at Hotel Spinne, and Plaza Disco at Hotel Sunstar are also good places for post-skiing entertainment activities.
• Eating out:
  All types of cuisines from Italian, Swiss to Chinese and Japanese are available at Grindelwald. There are also seven cheese specialist restaurants at Grindelwald of which, Alpenhof is a frontline name. There are also 10 restaurants in the gourmet category. Fiescherblick, for instance, has been awarded with 15 Gault Millau Guide points for its delicious cuisine.

Accommodation:

The main village of Grindelwald comprises both luxury and modest hotels. Most of the hotel buildings here are traditional chalet-style buildings. Apartments are available for those who prefer self-catering arrangements while hostels for those who are looking for budget lodgings.

• Grand Regina – Alpin Well & Fit Hotel (5-star)
• Alpenhof
• Hotel Glacier (budget)

Reaching Grindelwald:

• By air:
  Bern (96 km), Zurich (196 km) and Geneva (210 km) are the nearest airports to Grindelwald.
• By rail:
  Grindelwald is the nearest railhead to the ski resort.

Getting around:

Grindelwald can be explored by foot. However, there is a bus service that operates around the adjacent areas (those owning a loft pass or a guest pass of a resort property can avail it absolutely free). Besides the b us service, there are also funicular rail and gondola services that link important points like Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station and its neighbouring towns.