Grindelwald - Wengen: Ultimate Winter Family Guide
- Family Fun Factor
- Mar 6
- 12 min read
Updated: Mar 28
The largest ski resort in the Jungfrau Region offering breathtaking views of the Eiger (3,967 m), Mönch (4,107 m), and Jungfrau (4,158 m), with access from Wengen and Grindelwald.| Canton of Bern | Switzerland
The "it" factor
What Makes It Special:
Beginner-Friendly – Dedicated learning areas, ski schools.
Easy Blue Slopes – Wide, beginner-friendly runs with scenic descents.
For Advanced Riders – 103 km of slopes, including challenging red and black runs.
Sledging Fun – Runs from Männlichen, Kleine Scheidegg, and Eiger Glacier.
Winter Hiking – Fun trail with adventure stations & panoramic views.
Option to explore by train – Trains and gondolas take you straight to the slopes.
Family Fun – Lieselotte play area and the Ricola Karaoke Gondola.
Things to Keep in Mind:
Crowds – Can get very busy, especially on weekends and holidays. Arrive early!
Beginner Slopes – Some blue runs don’t go all the way down; check the map to avoid red slopes if you are skiing with beginners
Sledging Routes – Some sections overlap with ski runs; stay alert and pick the right track
Pass Options – Ski, sledging, and scenic train passes vary in price and coverage. Choose the best fit for your plans.
Want the highlights? Skip the reading and dive into our video.
Jump straight to:
🛷 Sledging
🥾 Hiking
🍽️ Where to Eat
💰 Prices
The fun factor
The Jungfrau Region is one of Switzerland’s most stunning alpine destinations. It consists of three ski areas:
Grindelwald-Wengen – The largest ski area in Jungfrau with 102 km of slopes, family-friendly runs, and access to Männlichen.
Grindelwald-First – Known for freestyle parks, fun adventure activities, such as First Flyer and First Glider, two adrenaline-packed zipline-style experiences.
Mürren-Schilthorn – Featuring steep expert slopes like "Direttissima" with an 88% incline, the steepest in the Jungfrau Region ad Lilly’s Magic Kids Slope, a fun, beginner-friendly area.
This article focuses on Grindelwald-Wengen, the largest of the three, offering a mix of skiing, sledging, and unique mountain experiences.
This guide takes you through Grindelwald - Wengen area - what to expect, where to go, and how to make the most of your family day.
GRINDELWALD - WENGEN ON SKIS
For beginners: Learn to ski
The Grindelwald-Wengen ski area has three learner zones, each with different features and access points. Each can be used on your own or with a ski school.
I. Männlichen – High-Altitude Learning Area
📍 Located at: 2,230 meters
🚠 Accessible via gondola from Grindelwald Terminal or Wengen
Best for:
Hanging out at the top of the mountain with stunning view
Located next to Liselotte, the wooden cow play area
Facilities:
Magic Carpet
Pull lift
350m T-bar lift
Beginner slopes with obstacles
Schweizer Skischule Grindelwald (we used them and can recommend)
These ski school offer classes at different times, so it's best to check availability to find a schedule that suits you. We personally chose Schweizer Skischule Grindelwald (lesson took place from 10 AM till 1 PM), which gave us the perfect window to enjoy some solo skiing while our child was in lessons. Afterward, we had lunch together at Berghaus Männlichen before heading out as a family to explore the blue slopes in the afternoon.
Connected Beginner Friendly Runs:
A blue slope #2 starts from the learning area and extends halfway down, accessible via a chairlift.
From Hohlenstein, only red slopes lead back to Grindelwald Terminal. Beginners are advised to take the gondola down.
II. Kleine Scheidegg – Learning Area with Train Access
📍 Located at: 2,061 meters
🚂 Accessible via train from Wengen, Lauterbrunnen & Grindelwald
Facilities:
Magic Carpet
Ski Schools:
Connected Beginner Friendly Runs:
Blue run # 36 leading all the way down to Wengen and blue run #22 leading all the way down to Grindelwald Terminal
Best for:
Direct train access
Proximity to Eiger Glacier (from Kleine Scheidegg you can get there in 5 minutes by train)
III- Wengen – Village-Based Learning Area with Ice Skating
📍 Located in: Wengen (car-free village) at 1247 m
🚂 Accessible via train from Lauterbrunnen
Facilities:
Magic Carpet
Pull lift
Ice skating rink
Ski Schools:
Connected Runs:
Linked to the Wengen-Männlichen gondola & train for access to the main ski area.
Best for:
Easy access without a gondola
Skiing at lower altitude
Ice skating
For intermediate riders: Hit the blue slopes
If your family is comfortable on blue slopes, here are some adventures to consider:
I. From Männlichen – Run No. 2
This shorter run you can complete it multiple times in a day.
Access to starting point: Gondola from Grindelwald Terminal or Wengen to Männlichen
Run Details:
Length: Approximately 3.2 km
Elevation: Starts at 2,222 m (Männlichen Bergstation) and descends 435 m to bottom of Männlichen chari lift.
Experience:
The initial section is narrow but quickly opens into a wide, manageable slope.
Note that this run does not lead all the way down; returning to Grindelwald Terminal requires navigating more challenging red slopes. To accommodate our "blue queen," we opted to go back up with a chair lift to Männlichen and descend via the gondola.
We found the snow conditions favorable, not too icy, though this can vary with the weather.
II. From Kleine Scheidegg – Runs No. 22 and No. 36
Longer slopes for a family adventure – On our own, each run took around 25 minutes to complete. With our child, it ranged between 1 to 1.5 hours per run.
Access to starting point:
By Train: From Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald Grund to Kleine Scheidegg.
By Gondola: From Grindelwald Terminal to Eigergletscher, then ski down a blue slope No. 31 to Kleine Scheidegg
Run No. 36 to Wengen
Length: Approximately 8.2 kilometers
Route: Leads from Kleine Scheidegg down to Wengen.
Characteristics: Begins with narrow and flat sections that soon widen into an easier slope. A portion of this run is shared with sledgers, so caution is advised.
Run No. 22 to Grindelwald Terminal
Length: Approximately 9.5 kilometers.
Route: Descends from Kleine Scheidegg to Grindelwald Terminal.
Characteristics: Features some narrow sections with varying snow conditions—icier at the top and more uneven toward the bottom.
For more slopes check out the official map.
III. From Eiger Glacier – Run No. 31
If you’re after a little bragging rights moment, you can totally say you skied from a glacier! There’s a short blue run from Eiger Glacier down to Kleine Scheidegg—super scenic and great for photos. Just heads up - it can get a bit icy now and then.
3. For advanced riders: Explore the 103 km of slopes
If you have more advanced skiers in the family, you can tackle 103 km of slopes—the largest ski area in the Jungfrau region! It has a great mix of blue, red, and black runs, all connected with mostly chair lifts.
GRINDELWALD - WENGEN ON A SLEDGE
3. Go sledding
There are three main sledging areas, each offering different levels of difficulty and incredible views!
Männlichen to Holenstein (Run 61) – 4.5 km
We tried it! The start is narrow and a bit tricky, but it quickly becomes wider, easy, and not too steep.
Small sections are shared with skiers, but most of the run is separate and next to the slopes.
If there's enough snow, you can sledge all the way down to Grindelwald, but when we visited, there wasn’t enough coverage.
From Eiger Glacier:
Eiger Glacier to Kleine Scheidegg (Run 68) – 2.5 km
Amazing views!
For advanced sledgers due to Narrow, curved, and steeper sections.
We tried it, and sledging from the glacier was incredible—but definitely not the easiest!
Kleine Scheidegg to Wengen (Run 66) – 11.5 km
Known as the famous Fox Run—a long, easier descent.
The route is split into three sections, so you can shorten it if needed.
Some parts are shared with skiers, which can be tricky to navigate.
Kleine Scheidegg to Brandegg (run 64) - 7.5 km
Another sledging run, but we haven’t tried it yet! The initial part to Apliglen is said to be easier.
GRINDELWALD - WENGEN ON FOOT
Conquer the Royal Walk
The Royal Walk is a 2 km round-trip hike packed with stunning views and interactive fun. Starting at Männlichen, the trail leads up to the Royal Viewpoint, where you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking panoramas of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. We would not recommend it with strollers.
What makes it extra special? The adventure stations! Kids can play the xylophone, solve puzzles, explore kaleidoscopes, and test their balance skills—a great way to keep kids motivated to climb up. Older kids (and competitive parents!) can take on an app-based challenge along the route.
At the top, the crown platform offers panoramic views and the perfect setting for pretend play—we had so much fun playing princesses up there! And if you’re up for even more excitement, do what we did—rent sledges, hike up, and sledge all the way down! Just remember to bring the helmet.
Meet Lieselotte – the star of Männlichen!
Lieselotte is the lovable, mischievous cow from the popular German children’s books by Alexander Steffensmeier. Right at the summit, you’ll find her large wooden statue that doubles as an adventure play area—kids can climb on it, explore inside, and discover fun games inspired by her stories. And there is also a viewing platform at the top.
Just next door, Berghaus Männlichen offers a cozy spot to enjoy a meal, and if you’re a Lieselotte fan, you can even find her books..
Plus if you want to bring a suvenir home, head down to Grindelwald Terminal, where several shops stock Lieselotte-themed goodies.
6. Sing in the gondola
There’s also a one-of-a-kind Ricola Karaoke Gondola—well, two, to be exact! 🎤🚠 If you’re lucky (like we were one summer), you might hop into one of these special gondolas, complete with microphones and a full karaoke setup. With plenty of songs and recordings to choose from, you can sing your way up the mountain while taking in the stunning views. These two karaoke gondolas circulate between Grindelwald Terminal and Männlichen, so keep an eye out—it’s mega fun and definitely a ride to remember!
7. Explore the mountains by train
If you want more of a relaxed day in the mountains or looking to save money, the Grindelwald - Wengen area has the worlds largest cog railway, which offers a fantastic way to do it by train! 🚆
You can ride all the way up to Eiger Glacier, taking in breathtaking alpine views, and experience the mountains even on foot. Whether you're up for sledging, skiing, winter hiking, or just soaking in the scenery, this train route gives you easy access to adventure on SBB ticket (GA / Half Fare apply) —without needing any ski passes!
🚆 Train Routes:
From Lauterbrunnen, take the train to Kleine Scheidegg, stopping at:
Wengen
Wengernalp
Kleine Scheidegg
From Grindelwald, take the train to Kleine Scheidegg, stopping at:
Grindelwald Terminal (connection to Eiger Express gondola)
Brandegg
Alpiglen
Kleine Scheidegg
From Kleine Scheidegg, you can continue up to Eiger Glacier or even Jungfraujoch for even more stunning views - which we saved for another adventure.
Our Adventure:
🎫 Bought a one-way train ticket from Launerbrunnen to Eiger Glacier
43.40 CHF Full Price / 21.70 CHF with Half Fare
🚆 Took a train ticket from Launerbrunnen
🛷 Got off at Kleine Scheidegg to rent sledges
🚆 Took the train back up to Eiger Glacier
🛷 Sledged all the way down to Kleine Scheidegg
🍽️ Stopped for lunch
⛷️ Switched to skis and skied down to Wengen
🚆 Took the train back to Lauterbrunnen
7.20 CHF Full Price / 3.60 CHF with Half Fare
💡 Pro tip: If you want to repeat sledging/skiing multiple times, a day pass—is cheaper than gondolas only if you have Half Fare card. Check more in our value factor section.
Where to eat: The food factor
There are many little restaurants and bars spread across the ski area. Here are our top ones with easy access for families:
Männlichen
This one is our favourite. Easily accessible by gondola, Berghaus Männlichen sits right next to the Lieselotte wooden cow statue, offering stunning panoramic views from the top of the mountain.
🍽️ Dining Options:
Self-service section – Quick and casual - inside and outside
Table-service section – Great for a relaxed meal - inside only
💡 Tip: If you're visiting during rush hours, book a table in advance for the seated area—the queues can get very long!
⭐ Our Top Pick:
Fitness Teller with Chicken – A delicious and satisfying option! 🥗🍗
Kids' Menu – All the usual favorites for little adventurers!
💡 Tip: You can also get some Lieselotte books or toys in the table -service section.
Right next to Berghaus Männlichen, there’s also a bar with drinks, sunbeds, and comfortable pillows—perfect for relaxing and soaking in the mountain views.
The bar overlooks the kids' ski school and the Lieselotte wooden cow statue, making it a great spot to unwind while keeping an eye on little skiers!
Bonus: Occasionally, there’s a DJ with music and a party atmosphere, adding to the après-ski fun, and a Sausage Station.
Berghaus Männlichen is also a hotel, offering the chance to stay overnight for a full mountain adventure.
Kleine Scheidegg
We tried Bergrestaurant Kleine Scheidegg, and while the selection of healthy options was a bit limited, the stunning views more than made up for it.
🍽️ Dining Options
Bar Area – Casual spot with drinks and a sausage station (when available) 🌭🍺
Seated Restaurant – Cozy and traditional with full table service - inside and outside
💡 Tip: If you're visiting during rush hours, it’s best to book a table in advance for the restaurant.
⭐ Our Top Picks
Cheese and Ham Platter – A delicious, hearty option 🧀🍖
Lili Kids' Menu – Comes with a booklet, crayons, and a locally produced chocolate bar 🍫
If the weather is good, sit outside and enjoy breathtaking views of the Jungfrau, Mönch, and Eiger Glacier ⛰️✨
If you're looking for something more upscale, Hotel Restaurant Bellevue des Alpes at Kleine Scheidegg offers a refined dining experience with panoramic views. We haven’t tried it yet - let us know if you did. Reservations recommended!
Eiger Glacier
If you want to dine at the foot of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau, the Eiger Glacier Restaurant offers a stunning panoramic terrace with direct views of the Eigergletscher. We haven’t eaten there, but we checked out the views—and they were absolutely amazing! The restaurant serves traditional Swiss cuisine.
Wengen
Wengen is a car-free village with a total of 22 restaurants, offering a variety of dining options. While there’s no restaurant directly on the slopes, they are spread around the village, all within just a few minutes' walk of each other—so you should easily find something that suits your taste.
The value factor
SKI PASSES
Full day Ski Pass:
Adult (20+): 79 CHF
Youth (16 - 19 years): 45 CHF
Children (6 - 15 years): 38 CHF
From 12 pm Ski Pass:
Adult (20+): 62 CHF
Youth (16 - 19 years): 36 CHF
Children (6 - 15 years): 30 CHF
More info - including multiple days tickets
Sledging & Walking Ski Pass:
Adult (20+): 61 CHF
Youth (16 - 19 years): 44 CHF
Children (6 - 15 years): 30 CHF
More info - including multiple days tickets
TRAIN TICKETS
SBB Return Ticket: Lauterbrunnen - Eiger Glacier
Full Price: 86.80 CHF
SBB Half Faire / Kids: 43.40 CHF
SBB Return Ticket: Grindelwald - Eiger Glacier
Full Price: 82.00 CHF
SBB Half Faire / Kids: 41.00 CHF
SBB Single Ticket: Lauterbrunnen - Eiger Glacier (and return skiing / sledging)
Full Price: 43.40 CHF
SBB Half Faire / Kids: 21.70 CHF
SBB Single Ticket: Grindelwald - Eiger Glacier (and return skiing / sledging)
Full Price: 41.00 CHF
SBB Half Faire / Kids: 20.50 CHF
RETURN GONDOLA TICKET
From Grindelwald to Männlichen
Adult (16+): Single: 34 CHF | Return: 68 CHF
Half Fare Card & Children (6 - 15 years): Single: 17 CHF | Return: 34 CHF
Grindelwald - Wengen Adventures: Practical Info
Arrival:
Grindelwald - Wengen area can be accessed by gondola or train:
Access from Grindelwald Terminal by Gondola (ski pass required)
16 minutes walk or a short bus / train drive away from Grindelwald Town Center
Arrival by car: Park at Terminal Parking (Grundstrasse 54, 3818 Grindelwald)
If the parking is full, you may be re-routed to parkings nearby.
Arrival by public transport: Take the train from Interlaken Ost to Grindelwald Terminal
For direct Männlichen access: Take the Grindelwald - Männlichen gondola
For direct Eiger Glacier access: Take the Eiger Express
Access from Grindelwald Terminal by Train (SBB ticket required)
Walk 6 minutes walk from Grindelwald Terminal to Grindelwald Grund
For direct Eiger Glacier or Kleine Scheidegg access: take the SBB train
Access from Wengen by Gondola (ski pass required) to Männlichen
Wengen is a car-free village, accessible only by train from Lauterbrunnen.
Arrival by car: Park at Lauterbrunnen Car Park (Gütli 481, 3812 Wilderswil) and take the train to Wengen
Arrival by public transport: Take the train from Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen and change to another train to Wengen
For direct Männlichen access: Take the Wengen - Männlichen gondola
Access from Wengen by Train (SBB ticket required)
For direct Eiger Glacier or Kleine Scheidegg access take the train from Lauterbrunnen to Kleine Scheidegg or Eiger Glacier
More info: Tickets | Ski Map | Webcams | Winter Family Activities | Männlichen | Wengen