Best things to do in Grindelwald in winter
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Are you wondering what to do in Grindelwald in winter? Then you’re in just the right place. This pretty Swiss village in the Bernese Alps is a year-round destination, offering a multitude of things to do during all seasons.
Fringed by the Wetterhorn and the north face of the Eiger, many Grindelwald winter activities are centred on the mountains.
However, there is lots more to discover here, too, including Velogemel rides, the World Snow Festival, and of course the Grindelwald apres ski scene.
Whether you’re visiting Grindelwald in Switzerland at Christmas, want to relax at a spa, are wondering what the Grindelwald winter hike options are, or are all about discovering the Swiss foodie scene, the ‘Eiger village’ has plenty to offer during the colder months.
This is the complete guide to Grindelwald things to do in winter. Read on so you can compile your Grindelwald activity list!
🇨🇭 Planning to visit Grindelwald in spring, summer or autumn? Read our Ultimate List of Things to Do in Grindelwald!
What's in this Article
Grindelwald Switzerland Winter Travel Tips
About Grindelwald
Grindelwald is known as the “Eiger village” thanks to its location at the foot of the mountain. At more than 1,000 metres above sea level, it was established as a traditional Swiss Alpine resort during the 19th century.
Today, Grindelwald is popular with winter sports enthusiasts, hikers, adrenaline junkies, foodies, and spa fans.
Weather in Grindelwald in winter
In Grindelwald village, the winter weather is cold, but not extremely so. Average temperatures in December range between around 1°C and 6°C (34°F to 43°F).
It gets chillier in January and February, when averages tend to be between -1°C and 4°C (30°F to 39°F).
As you might expect, the weather at higher elevations is a lot colder. At Grindelwald First, for example, December lows are about -13°C (9°F), with highs of around -7°C (19°F).
In January and February, average lows are about -14°C (7°F), with highs of around -8°C (18°F).
Where is Grindelwald?
Grindelwald is bordered by the north face of the Eiger, and also the Wetterhorn. Grindelwald is situated in the Bernese Alps, around half an hour’s journey from Interlaken.
The village can be found in the Berner Oberland in the canton of Bern.
Zurich is the nearest international airport to Grindelwald. It’s around 137 kilometres – or 85 miles – away. Bern is about 65 kilometres (40 miles) away, and Lucerne about 87 kilometres (or 54 miles) from Grindelwald.
How to get to Grindelwald
If you’re travelling to Grindelwald by train, then you need to travel via Interlaken. There are trains between Interlaken and Grindelwald every half hour. The trip takes around 33 minutes.
Trains from Lauterbrunnen to Grindelwald also depart every 30 minutes, and travel via Zweilütschinen.
You can travel from Zurich city centre to Grindelwald by train in around two hours and 40 minutes, or about 10 minutes longer if you’re coming from the train station at Zurich airport.
🇨🇭 Further reading: How to get from Zurich to Grindelwald
From other popular Swiss cities, approximate travel times by train are as follows:
- Bern to Grindelwald – 1 hour and 5 minutes
- Lucerne to Grindelwald – 2 hours and 35 minutes
- Geneva to Grindelwald – 3 hours and 25 minutes
It’s also easy to drive to Grindelwald from all over Switzerland. The motorway network connects Interlaken with all major cities. From Interlaken, it takes around half an hour to drive to Grindelwald.
Best things to do in Grindelwald in winter
Explore the village
Grindelwald village is small, picturesque, and laid-back. Whether by night or by day, there are plenty of appealing places to eat and drink that you can dip into while discovering the centre.
You can see traditional Swiss chalets dotted along Dorfstrasse, the main street. Various cafes also offer outdoor terraces, so wrap up warm, grab a hot drink, and take in those breathtaking vistas!
The position of Grindelwald village centre makes it easy to savour views over the surrounding mountain peaks.
Christmas activities
If you’ll be visiting Grindelwald at Christmas, then expect to see this beautiful village in all its winter finery! Twinkling fairy lights decorate the shops, cafes, and restaurants, giving the resort a magical feel.
Visit Grindelwald in December and you might witness the spectacle of Santa’s visit. This occurs in early December, usually on the 6th, the traditional German date for the arrival of St. Nikolas.
This free event commences at Grindelwald Congress Hall. Santa and his sidekick Schmutzli arrive with their donkeys in tow, before proceeding to the Eiger+ Nordwandplatz.
Small gifts are given out to children, there are verse recitals, and refreshments are available for attendees too.
There’s also an annual Advent/Christmas Market in Grindelwald which is usually held on the Saturday before the first Advent Sunday.
You can check the date for the upcoming market here (it’s normally confirmed later in the year).
Mountain excursions
If you plan to take any mountain excursions during your stay in Grindelwald, it is worth considering purchasing a rail pass, even if you arrive in Grindelwald by car.
Whilst called rail passes, these passes include travel on cable cars as well as mountain railways and public transport and can be a cost effective way of reaching the mountain summits.
Regional passes such as the Berner Oberland Pass and the Jungfrau Travel Pass Winter both have different benefits and inclusions so we recommend comparing the two.
Jungfraujoch
Known as the “Top of Europe”, Jungfraujoch is one of the most popular mountain excursions in Switzerland. It’s therefore a must for many visitors to Grindelwald.
The summit is 3,454 metres above sea level, and you can get to it from Grindelwald by train in around 90 minutes.
Alternatively, you can take the Grindelwald cable car (the Eiger Express) from Grindelwald Terminal to Eiger Glacier station before catching a connecting train. This trip takes around 45 minutes.
You can visit Jungfraujoch all year round. Things to see and do after arrival include visiting the ice palace, the Sphinx Observatory for panoramas over Aletsch Glacier, and shopping and dining.
As this is a very popular day trip, buying tickets in advance is highly recommended.
🇨🇭 Read our complete guide to visiting Jungfraujoch Top of Europe
Männlichen
Männlichen is another of the mountains close to Grindelwald that’s well worth visiting. It’s 2,343 metres above sea level, and can be reached via the dedicated cable way from Grindelwald Terminal.
The Grindelwald to Männlichen cableway recommences operation after a short period of maintenance in early December for the winter season, and weather permitting, operates daily between 9am and 5pm.
Magnificent views over the Lauterbrunnen Valley, Grindelwald, plus the peaks of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, await.
There’s also an adventure playground for kids, and a mountain restaurant.
Männlichen is also a popular destination for skiing and winter sports.
Mt. First
Mount First is also a popular mountain excursion from Grindelwald. The summit can be found on the slopes of Schwarzhorn. You can take a 15-minute walk from Grindelwald train station to get to the cable car station serving First.
You’ll travel on the Firstbahn Grindelwald cableway in three stages, via Bort and Schreckfeld. The entire trip takes about 25 minutes, and services operate between 9am and 4.30pm in winter.
Do note, however, that the cable car may close for maintenance in November and early December.
There is plenty to do at Mount First summit, and all the Grindelwald First winter activities are open. These include the Grindelwald First Flyer, the Cliff Walk, and the First Glider.
Note: Mountain carts and Trotti bikes are not available to rent during winter.
Skiing and snowboarding
With the Grindelwald First ski park – Grindelwald-First Snowpark, the Grindelwald Bodmi Arena, and more, the Grindelwald ski resort is a favourite among fans of taking to the slopes. Snowboarding is also very popular here.
Grindelwald in Switzerland offers skiing over a 150-kilometre area. The Grindelwald Bodmi Arena in the town centre covers around 6,000 square metres, and is the Jungfrau Region’s biggest area for beginners.
Snow tube rides and sled runs are also available at the Bodmi Arena.
Offering tuition and 60 kilometres of groomed slopes, the Grindelwald-First snow park is also suited to both beginners and more experienced skiers.
The Jungfrau Region Ski Pass gives skiers access to the slopes at Grindelwald, First, Wengen, Männlichen, Schilthorn and Mürren.
> Click here to see some of the available ski lesson options
Sledging
You can enjoy sled rides at Männlichen and at Mount First.
The start of the longest sled run in Europe can be found at the Faulhorn panoramic viewpoint, close to Grindelwald. Big Pintenfritz covers the 15 kilometres between Faulhorn and Grindelwald.
You can take a two-hour hike from First to reach the start, via Bachalpsee Lake. This route commences at the First gondola station.
> Click here to browse the different Grindelwald sledding options
Night sledding
Take a train from Grindelwald to Kleine Scheidegg, and you can try out a spot of night sledding. Surrounded by darkness, this is one for the thrill-seekers among you!
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Winter hiking
If you’re seeking winter hiking in Grindelwald, the best Grindelwald hikes for the colder season include the Bachalpsee trail at First, and the trail from Männlichen station to Kleine Scheidegg.
You can also hike from the cable car station at Männlichen to the Gipfel, or peak. This is known as the Royal Walk, and offers sweeping views over mountains, villages, and even Lake Thun.
In all, the Grindelwald area offers around 40 kilometres of paths which are suitable for winter hiking. Many of these routes are also used for tobogganing.
A favourite hike in this area is the Jungfrau Eiger Trail to Kleine Scheidegg. You can access it by taking a train or the Eiger Express cable car to Eigergletscher.
The trail is downhill, around two kilometres long, and takes most walkers around an hour to complete. The trails are both well signposted and well maintained.
Note: you should always check the status of a hiking trail before setting off to ensure the path is open. You can see a list of Grindelwald winter hikes with their length and difficulty rating here.
Snow shoeing
The Grindelwald snow isn’t only good for snowboarders and skiers. You can also sample a spot of snow shoeing.
As the name suggests, this involves walking over the snow in specially designed footwear. Alternatively, you can wear waterproof hiking boots.
There is a technique to master here, so it’s best in the hands of an experienced local guide. Plenty of local places hire out equipment, and many can also provide guides.
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World Snow Festival
The World Snow Festival is held in Grindelwald in January. It lasts for five days, when sculptors use metre-high snow blocks as the basis for their creations.
A judging panel then declares a winner, based on various artistic criteria.
Velogemel rides
Since 1911, Grindelwald locals have used Velogemel as a mode of transport. But it’s much more than a means of getting from A to B, as the sheer speed provides an adrenaline-inducing thrill.
If you happen to be visiting Grindelwald in February, the Velogemel World Championships take place then. And the good news is that anyone can join in!
So what is a Velogemel? It’s like a hybrid between a bike, skis, and a sled. There’s a wooden frame, a handlebar, and two runners for your feet. You sit upright, as on a pedal cycle, and use your legs to balance.
Spa and wellness retreats
A number of Grindelwald hotels have their own wellness centres, and some are also open to non-hotel guests. Whether you prefer a steam bath, a sauna, or a pampering treatment, you can find it here.
We love the infinity pool at Hotel Spinne. It offers stunning Eiger views and is the perfect way to unwind!
Also recommended is the Eiger Mountain & Soul Resort. Here you can savour a half-hour soak for between one and four people, in a private whirlpool bath.
Sample traditional Swiss fondue
If you’re wondering what to eat in Grindelwald in winter, then fondue surely must be at the top of your list! There are places all over the village and area to try this Swiss speciality.
For the full-on experience, many people prefer to head to Bergrestaurant Brandegg. The idyllic Alpine setting and outdoor terrace provide the perfect place to try rosti and meat dishes, as well as cheese fondue.
A uniquely Swiss experience is to dine in a fondue gondola in Grindelwald during the winter season. Guests are seated in a stationary historic gondola cabin and served a delicious cheese fondue.
Hotel Belvedere is one hotel in Grindelwald that offers this unique dining experience.
Where to stay in Grindelwald
Whether your priority is finding a traditional chalet in Grindelwald, Switzerland that serves as a hotel, or a place with a fabulous spa, there are plenty of good options in the village.
Top options include Romantik Hotel Schweizerhof, which is the only five star property in the region. We also adore the infinity pool at four star Hotel Spinne.
For many more options, check out my complete guide to Grindelwald hotels. This lists the best hotels in the village centre, as well as properties close to the train and cable car stations.
With 15 hotels listed in total, the right one for you is sure to be included!
Grindelwald in Winter FAQs
Is there snow in Grindelwald?
Grindelwald is a ski resort, and the mountains surrounding this Swiss village are covered in snow for around half the year.
In winter, At Mount First, for example, lows between December and February are around -13°C (9°F) to -14°C (7°F). Highs are about -8°C (18°F) to -7°C (19°F). When precipitation falls in winter, it often falls as snow rather than rain.
Is Grindelwald worth visiting in winter?
Grindelwald is the perfect Swiss destination for anyone who loves winter sports, adrenaline activities, and wintry landscapes. The charming village is set among the mountains, with traditional chalets adding to the appeal.
In Grindelwald in winter, there is skiing and snowboarding for all levels. You can also try sledging, snow shoeing, night sledding, Velogemel rides, and winter hiking.
There’s also adrenaline activities, spa hotels, and mountain excursions to keep you occupied.
What is Grindelwald best known for?
Grindelwald is known as the Eiger village. This Alpine resort has a rich mountain sports tradition. A unique mode of transport, the Velogemel, was also invented and used here.
Is Grindelwald good for non-skiers?
With so many other sports, adrenaline activities, mountain excursions, and more, Grindelwald is great for non-skiers. The Swiss village also offers superb spa hotels and dining opportunities.
Mount First, Jungfraujoch, and Männlichen are within easy reach, and each has its own array of attractions.
How many days in Grindelwald is enough?
Around three days is enough to enjoy much of what Grindelwald has to offer. If you want to do a lot of skiing or hiking, though, you could spend a lot longer.
From the village you can visit Mount First, Männlichen, and Jungfraujoch, and you can also sample other winter and adrenaline sports.
Excursions and day trips to other towns and villages in the Jungfrau Region and beyond are also possible from Grindelwald, thanks to the excellent public transport connections.
🇨🇭 Check out our 3-day Jungfrau Region itinerary which is perfect if you base yourself in Grindelwald.
Grindelwald in Winter | Final Thoughts
If you’re visiting Switzerland and are going to Grindelwald in winter, you will never be disappointed!
There is so much to do beyond skiing and snowboarding, including other winter sports, mountain excursions, winter hikes, and adrenaline activities. You can also enjoy dining out and spa experiences.
Whatever time of year you plan to travel, a visit to Grindelwald is always very worthwhile indeed.
🇨🇭 You can read more Grindelwald articles here and compare the different rail passes for Grindelwald here.
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