Grindelwald, Switzerland: World Class Ski Resort for the Entire Family

When you first arrive in Grindelwald you want to rub your eyes to be sure that you have not passed through the looking glass and entered into a fairy tale village. This beautiful, little village of 4,000 residents is nestled in between some of Switzerland's most majestic and picturesque mountains with the mighty Eiger to the east and the beautiful, and most photographed Jungfrau mountain to the north.

The 850 year old village, once a farming community has over the years become one of Europe's most popular and most visited Alpine ski resort. Its' narrow and often snow covered streets are lined with lovely Swiss-Chalet style buildings, many of which are adorned with lovely murals painted by local artists. Lovely hotels dot the main street.

Walking the main street of Grindlewald, Switzerland it is not uncommon to see a young mother or a helpful grandmother pushing a well bundled, red cheeked, baby in a colorful, wooden stroller mounted on miniature skis or to see ski supported delivery wagons loaded with anything from beer kegs to to bread and cheese.

On school days we marveled at the sight of the children of Grindelwald wrapped in colorful coats, toboggins,and mittens gliding downhill gracefully in widening arcs from their mountainside chalets on wooden bicycles which employed skis in lieu of wheels.

The children of Grindelwald are robust, happy and healthy....and surprisingly bi-lingual at almost any age( Perhaps this is due the constant flow of English tourists, who have frequented the resort for nearly 100 years).and as a result cheerfully greet tourists and enjoy providing directions around the village.

While the beauty of the village and its' surroundings could alone be sufficient to justify its' appeal to thousands of tourists annually, Grindelwald is primarily a ski resort with three major ski areas surrounding the small village. The three areas claim to provide 150 miles of ski able slopes of which approximately 30% are rated suitable for beginners, 50% for Intermediate skiers and 20% for experts.

Of particular interest to families (or those new to skiing) the resort offers skiing lessons at its' world class skiing school. Beautifully maintained beginner slopes run from the Kleine-Scheidegg gently into the edge of the village.

Snowboarding slopes are also available in each of the three ski areas.

For the non-skier Grindelwald offers well maintained winter trails which are available for hiking(w/snowshoes) or cross country skiing.

In the village itself there is a public ice skating rink where skate rentals are available for a reasonable fee.

Other activities in Grindelwald include a visit to the awe inspiring Jungfrau mountain and to Jungfraujoch.

A dedicated railway carries visitors up the mountainside over two miles in elevation providing a spectacular view of surrounding Alpine peaks and the valleys beyond. At one point one of the world's largest glaciers (Aletsch) can be seen. It is said on a clear day that mountain peaks in France and Germany can be seen from Jungfraujoch.

Returning to Grindelwald one can pick from over 40 restaurants, each offering an wide variety of menu items. One would be remiss to not try one of the many Swiss fondues offered in the restaurants of Grindelwald. The famous Swiss breads and cheeses are served with every meal, and could well be a meal in itself. Swiss deserts include chocolate fondue with strawberries, apple strudel, Cinnamon cakes, toffee, and fruit.

A variety of well stocked shops offer Swiss chocolates, ski equipment and ski wear, boots, cheeses, fondue cookery,china figurines and much more.

As night descends on Grindelwald the little village sparkles with reflected light bouncing off snow laden hillsides and snow covered streets.

My personal favorite memory of Grindelwald was gathering with my wife and two friends into a four person horse-drawn sleigh in which we dashed off into the Grindelwald night to sound of bells jingling on the horse collars. Wrapped in Woolen blankets, snowflakes bouncing off our faces we circled into the surrounding foothills and were once again struck by the beauty of the little village which fell below us like a scene from a much treasured Christmas card.

Returning our hotel, now nearly frozen, we were deposited at the hotel lounge, where a roaring fire burned beneath a wonderfully engraved six foot high mantel and where we were served much welcomed hot toddies.

Grindelwald truly is a Fairy Tale Village.