Switzerland’s Jungfrau ski region, home to the famous resorts of Grindelwald, Mürren and Wengen, may be one of the most famous places to go skiing in the world, but there’s so much for non-skiers to enjoy as well!
Jungfrau encompasses two valleys, three mountain ranges and the incredible, majestic scenery of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau peaks; but this breathtaking vista is for everyone to enjoy, not just skiers and boarders whizzing down the 211km of perfect piste.
Huge investments in the most modern lifts and terminals in the Alps over recent years have transformed the Jungfrau region and not only made it easier for skiers and boarders to be whisked quickly up the slopes but also for non-skiers to reach the many attractions in warmth and comfort too.
The V-Cableway, the world’s most modern tri-cable gondola, begins at an ultra-modern terminal in Grindelwald and incorporates the Eiger Express to the Eiger Glacier and the 10-passenger gondola to the Männlichen ski area shared with Wengen, in the region’s crown jewel.
Non-skiers can use it to speed their journey up to the Jungfraujoch, Europe’s highest railway station, with the historic train connecting with the top gondola station to make the journey on to the top.
In the wider region, non-skiers can also enjoy more than 100km of toboggan runs in total, some open and floodlit for exciting evening descents. There are more than 100km of winter hiking routes as well, with stunning mountain scenery all around.
There are also the unique attractions of the First Flyer and the First Glider, a giant zip wire that can carry up to four people at once, replicating the flight of an eagle and reaching speeds of just over 80kph. Amazingly, these are free of charge, too, for holders of the ski or sledging passes needed to reach them.
For skiers, those 206km of slopes cover every type of skiing, and there’s something for all abilities from complete beginners to experts. In the latter category, let’s not forget that the first downhill skis arrived in Grindelwald in the 19th century, Alpine ski racing was pioneered in Mürren and Wengen, the latter still hosting one of the greatest and longest-running World Cup ski races in the world, the Lauberhorn. But there are great beginner facilities, many miles of intermediate runs as well as terrain parks and abundant freeride powder terrain.
Back down in the resorts of the Jungfrau ski region, you can expect welcoming accommodations, cosy bars, a huge choice of restaurants from simple takeouts to gourmet-standard, internationally regarded institutions as well as enticing boutiques and plenty of facilities like spas and swimming pools. You can also take the train down to the beautiful lakeside town of Interlaken for a day or evening out. It’s all included in the Jungfrau ski region lift pass.
The Jungfrau ski region is easy to reach by rail, whichever resort you base yourself within. Zurich, Geneva, Milan and Berne airports are all within a three-hour transfer.
There is something for everyone in the Jungfrau ski region, from complete beginner skiers or snowboarders to the most demanding expert, and lots for non-skiers to enjoy too, even in mid-winter!
